The grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bill Vukovich and the son of Bill Vukovich II, Vukovich III was the 1988 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. Billy Vukovich III was killed in practice for a CRA race at Mesa Marin Raceway, in Bakersfield, California, when his throttle stuck open which caused his car to swerve into the wall.
Vukovich III, descendant of two-time Indy 500 winner Bill Vukovich and son of Bill Vukovich II, took Rookie of the Year honors at the 1988 Indianapolis 500. Unfortunately, Billy Vukovich III perished in a crash during practice for a CRA event at Mesa Marin Raceway in California when his throttle malfunctioned, causing his car to crash into the wall.