Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 11: Grave of the "Canonball"

GRAVE OF ERWIN GEORGE "CANNON BALL" BAKER (1882-1960):  CROWN HILL CEMETERY, 700 W. 38TH STREET, SECTION 60, LOT 150.

Baker won the first motorized race ever held at the the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a motorcycle race on August 14, 1909.  The new track's unusual surface, a combination of "asphaltum oil" and crushed limestone proved treacherous to rubber tires.  of the 30 riders who started the race, only four finished.  And, it was just a four lap sprint.  Baker went on to win 52 more races.

Baker is best-known for his record-setting cross-country runs.  In 1914, he went from San Diego to New York on an Indian motorcycle in 11 days, 11 hours and 11 minutes -- 3,379 miles, only four of them on paved roads.  He beat the previous record by nine days.

--DaCootBike