To most of us, the automobile is a very common mode of transportation. We grew up with them. Makes, models, and designs are numerous, but we are pretty much surrounded by cars. But, it hasn't always been like that.
An Indiana automobile dealer named Carl Fisher first proposed building an auto testing facility in 1906, in order to test the potential top speeds of various manufacturers' cars. He purchased 328 acres of farmland northwest of downtown Indianapolis which eventually became home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1911, Fisher and some business partners decided to focus on one long race per year to not only test the speed of cars, but to attract publicity and large crowds. The purse for this grueling 500 mile race would be the richest in racing.
Then on May 30, 1911, Ray Harroun in the #32 Marmon Wasp won the first INDY 500 at an average speed of 74.602 mph. The winnings were $10,000, but Harroun never raced again.
Fast forward to the 1960s. My family moved to Indianapolis from near Cincinnati, Ohio. My dad was and IS a big Cincinnati Reds baseball fan, but that was his sport. I grew up in Indianapolis. Having lived there, I can say that residents are either fans or they tolerate the month of May and its festivities. I am an avid fan!
My first memory of the race was when Parnelli Jones won in 1963. To this day, I think his car was beautiful. I love that number 98 car!
That following May of 1964 was a life changer for me. My dear grandmother died right before Mother's Day. Perhaps that was my first real taste of human mortality. But Memorial Day was coming soon and the upcoming INDY 500 was a fun distraction. People, you have NO idea what Indianapolis was like back then. The entire city for a month, was bedecked in black and white checkers. The grocery stores, banks, gas stations!! You were surrounded! Next to Christmas, this was the city's big event. Back then, if you were a local, you either physically attended the race or listened to it on the radio. I was glued to the radio. The dropping of the green flag. Sid Collins giving us every exciting detail and then it happened. The sounds of metal crashing, tires squealing, something exploding. It was awful! A horrible crash nearing the front straightaway. Drivers Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald were killed. For years that is all I remembered of that race. I hadn't even thought about A.J. Foyt winning.
That event; that race made a permanent impact on my life. I now live almost 1000 miles from INDY, yet when I return whether for a race or to visit family, I trek over to 16th Street and Georgetown Road, drive through the tunnel and pull up at the Hall of Fame. I love that place when it is packed with race fans, but it takes on another feeling when it is silent. I reflect in that cathedral of speed. I think back to its history, its heritage, the challenges, the dreams, and the sacrifices of the GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING.
I hope you follow me on future blogs as I reflect upon my memories of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
