Bill Whittington was given a 15-year sentence as a result of the crime, but was released after just four years. More: That time Indy 500 drivers were pot smugglers.

Bill Whittington previously served four years in prison after pleading guilty in March 1986 for his part in a multimillion-dollar, Colombia-to-South Florida marijuana smuggling ring.

Bill Whittington was a former IndyCar and sports car racer. He was 71 years old. James Patrick of Patrick Motorsports in Phoenix said Bill Whittington was a motorsports legend.

One of the two men killed in a plane crash near Winslow last week was a famous race car driver.