Continued from June 7.
At the time, Janet Guthrie had spent 13 years racing and had no money.
She and Rolla Vollstedt did not qualify for the Indy 500 in 1976, but made it in 1977.
She was not welcomed by the male racers She recalls them saying, "Our blood is going to be on your hands if you don't keep her out of this." People would yell from the grandstands "Get the (breasts) out of the pits!" She was amazed at how much hostility there was toward her.
Racing legend Mario Andretti was one of the few who stuck up for her at the time. he once said she had proved herself and had become "just another car in front of you that you wanted to pass."
Sadly, Janet Guthrie had to drop out of her first race as her engine failed after 10 laps. She finished 29th. The following year she finished in ninth place.
The Daytona 500 in 1980 was her last major race. For the next three years, she tried to find sponsors, but ran out of money.
Pippa Mann was the only female driver in this year's 500.
Quite the Pioneer. --Cooter
Showing posts with label Indy 500. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indy 500. Show all posts
Friday, June 16, 2017
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
40th Anniversary of Janet Guthrie's Race at Indy 500-- Part 2
Janet Guthrie, 79, wanted to be an astronaut. Both her parents were pilots and she learned to fly at age 16. When she tried to become an astronaut, she was rejected in 1963 and then turned her attention to racing cars.
Unlike her male counterparts, she could get no sponsorships (and it is very expensive to race those cars) She couldn't even get any funding. She built her own engines, did her own body work. She'd tow her Jaguar XK 140 behind an old station wagon (which she bought for $45) around the country. At night, she'd sleep in the station wagon.
Racing has come a long way for women since then
Her career changed in 1976 when Rolla Volstedt called. He was an innovative, low-budget team owner from Portland, Oregon, who wanted to take the first female driver to the Indy 500. No woman had ever raced it before.
--Cooter
Unlike her male counterparts, she could get no sponsorships (and it is very expensive to race those cars) She couldn't even get any funding. She built her own engines, did her own body work. She'd tow her Jaguar XK 140 behind an old station wagon (which she bought for $45) around the country. At night, she'd sleep in the station wagon.
Racing has come a long way for women since then
Her career changed in 1976 when Rolla Volstedt called. He was an innovative, low-budget team owner from Portland, Oregon, who wanted to take the first female driver to the Indy 500. No woman had ever raced it before.
--Cooter
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
40th Anniversary of Janet Guthrie's Race at the Indy 500-- Part 1
From the May 27, 2017, Indianapolis Star "40 years ago, Janet Guthrie changed auto racing for women" by Laken Litman.
"Janet Guthrie used to sleep in her car.
"Long before Danica Patrick, Katherine Legge, Sarah Fisher or Pippa Mann were offered sponsorships in competitive racing, Guthrie funded herself and drove -- and slept in -- her own cars."
Forty years ago, Guthrie became a pioneer in motor sports as the first woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500.
"It seems I was born adventurous and grew up insufficiently socialized," she says with a smile. She wanted to be an astronaut.
--Cooter
"Janet Guthrie used to sleep in her car.
"Long before Danica Patrick, Katherine Legge, Sarah Fisher or Pippa Mann were offered sponsorships in competitive racing, Guthrie funded herself and drove -- and slept in -- her own cars."
Forty years ago, Guthrie became a pioneer in motor sports as the first woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500.
"It seems I was born adventurous and grew up insufficiently socialized," she says with a smile. She wanted to be an astronaut.
--Cooter
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Near Death Experience at Indy 500 in 1992-- Part 3: Steve Wissen's Other IMS Encounters
As horrible as was his experience, Steve Wissen remembers other: "I was the first one to get to Gordon Smiley when he died (in 1982). I was with the first crew to reach Danny Ongais (1981) when he had his horrifying wreck. Good grief, who can forget Jim Crawford (1990)? We had already started to pull out, and the next thing we know, he's 10 feet above our heads, car and all."
But, he says, he has also had some great times with the friends he made. He remembers A.J. Foyt telling stories during rain delays.
Buddy Lazier was the 1996 Indianapolis 500 Champion and made his 20th run in the storied race on Sunday (but didn't finish).
Wissen did not attend the 101st Running this past Sunday because of a family wedding.
We did have a terrifying wreck this past Sunday on the 52nd lap between Scott Dixon and Jay Howard. How Dixon walked away from this is beyond me.
--Cooter
But, he says, he has also had some great times with the friends he made. He remembers A.J. Foyt telling stories during rain delays.
Buddy Lazier was the 1996 Indianapolis 500 Champion and made his 20th run in the storied race on Sunday (but didn't finish).
Wissen did not attend the 101st Running this past Sunday because of a family wedding.
We did have a terrifying wreck this past Sunday on the 52nd lap between Scott Dixon and Jay Howard. How Dixon walked away from this is beyond me.
--Cooter
Near Death Experience At Indy 500 in 1992-- Part 2: Steve Wissen
"Disaster was avoided, but for Steve Wissen, scars remained. He never worked at IMS again. He quit after 16 years at IMS, including 13 years on the safety crew, and he was traumatized by the near-death experience. He began having nightmares, haunted by visions of Lazier's race car getting closer and closer.
"Wissen went to Lazier's garage after the race to have a conversation, but was denied entrance. He never got a chance to talk to Buddy lazier until This past Thursday. You'd think that Lazier would have tried to contact Wissen, but that never happened.
But Buddy Lazier, now 49, says, "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thibnk about that when I'm here at the Speedway."
Steve Wissen has returned to IMS multiple times over the intervening years as a spectator, including last year's 100th running.
--DaCoot
"Wissen went to Lazier's garage after the race to have a conversation, but was denied entrance. He never got a chance to talk to Buddy lazier until This past Thursday. You'd think that Lazier would have tried to contact Wissen, but that never happened.
But Buddy Lazier, now 49, says, "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thibnk about that when I'm here at the Speedway."
Steve Wissen has returned to IMS multiple times over the intervening years as a spectator, including last year's 100th running.
--DaCoot
Indy 500 Safety Crew Member Almost Killed in Race 25 Years Ago-- Part 1
From the May 27, 2017,Indianapolis (Ind.) Star "Driver meets safety crew member he nearly killed during race 25 years ago" by Clifton Brown.
Buddy Lazier also cpmpeted in this year's 500.
"Steve Wissen was nearly killed by Buddy Lazier's race car 25 years ago. The two men had never met until Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"In 1992, Lazier's race car streaked toward Wissen while he was doing his job on the track as chief of the IMS safety crew, cleaning up debris from Tom Sneva's wreck in Turn 4. Lazier left the pits and re-entered the track after the accident, accelerating to catch the field that was under the yellow flag.
"Lazier didn't realize Wissen's crew was still on the track in Turn 4. By the time Lazier saw Wissen, it was almost too late. The race car moved toward Wissen at more than 200 mph like a guided missile. Wissen raised his hands to his head. He closed his eyes. He prepared for the worst.
"'I was standing in the high-speed groove,' recalled Wissen, now 65 years old. 'It was like I watched it in slow motion.'
"Lazier missed Wissen by inches, deftly guiding the car between Wissen and the wall. Wissen was so close to being hit that he was spun around and knocked to the ground by the backdraft from Lazier's car."
--Cooter
Buddy Lazier also cpmpeted in this year's 500.
"Steve Wissen was nearly killed by Buddy Lazier's race car 25 years ago. The two men had never met until Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"In 1992, Lazier's race car streaked toward Wissen while he was doing his job on the track as chief of the IMS safety crew, cleaning up debris from Tom Sneva's wreck in Turn 4. Lazier left the pits and re-entered the track after the accident, accelerating to catch the field that was under the yellow flag.
"Lazier didn't realize Wissen's crew was still on the track in Turn 4. By the time Lazier saw Wissen, it was almost too late. The race car moved toward Wissen at more than 200 mph like a guided missile. Wissen raised his hands to his head. He closed his eyes. He prepared for the worst.
"'I was standing in the high-speed groove,' recalled Wissen, now 65 years old. 'It was like I watched it in slow motion.'
"Lazier missed Wissen by inches, deftly guiding the car between Wissen and the wall. Wissen was so close to being hit that he was spun around and knocked to the ground by the backdraft from Lazier's car."
--Cooter
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
There Was Another Auto Racing Track Near Indianapolis-- Part 2: Bloody Jungle Park Speedway
In places, you can still find remnants of the track, a combination of gravel and oil. The grandstands, still standing as already mentioned, were built in 1947 and the track opened in 1927.
Jungle Park was bloody almost since the beginning. In the track's second season, race official Earl Parker was mowed down by a speeding racer as he repaired the track. The following July, a spectator was killed.. Two months later its first driver was lost and the next year another spectator was knocked unconscious when a race car flew into a fence post causing it to hit him.
Three more drivers were killed at Jungle Park the next two years. At the time, seatbelts were nonexistent and emergency medical care rudimentary, but that was racing back then. Even the Indianapolis Motor Speeedway, a sophisticated, well-funded racing operation, had 22 fatalities in the 1930s, three of them spectators.
--DaCooy
Jungle Park was bloody almost since the beginning. In the track's second season, race official Earl Parker was mowed down by a speeding racer as he repaired the track. The following July, a spectator was killed.. Two months later its first driver was lost and the next year another spectator was knocked unconscious when a race car flew into a fence post causing it to hit him.
Three more drivers were killed at Jungle Park the next two years. At the time, seatbelts were nonexistent and emergency medical care rudimentary, but that was racing back then. Even the Indianapolis Motor Speeedway, a sophisticated, well-funded racing operation, had 22 fatalities in the 1930s, three of them spectators.
--DaCooy
There Was Another Auto Racetrack Near Indianapolis-- Part 1: Nature Reclaiming Track Now
From the May 27, 2016, Indianapolis Star "Once a racetrack, now a wooded lot" by Will Higgins.
It was located an hour west of Indianapolis in Parke County (famous for its 31 covered bridges) and, surprisingly, the wooden grandstand still stands though in an advanced state of dilapidation.
This is about all that remains of the Jungle Park Speedway, a half-mile oval which was once one of the premier speedways in the Midwest in the early 20th century. It was the proving ground for some of the top American race car drivers. Eight winners there went on to win the Indy 500, including Wilbur Shaw who won it in 1937, 1939 and 1940.
The track closed in 1960 after one more in a long line of horrific accidents.
Nature is now reclaiming the track.
--CootRace
It was located an hour west of Indianapolis in Parke County (famous for its 31 covered bridges) and, surprisingly, the wooden grandstand still stands though in an advanced state of dilapidation.
This is about all that remains of the Jungle Park Speedway, a half-mile oval which was once one of the premier speedways in the Midwest in the early 20th century. It was the proving ground for some of the top American race car drivers. Eight winners there went on to win the Indy 500, including Wilbur Shaw who won it in 1937, 1939 and 1940.
The track closed in 1960 after one more in a long line of horrific accidents.
Nature is now reclaiming the track.
--CootRace
Friday, June 10, 2016
100th Running of the Indy 500
From the May 26, 2016, Indianapolis Star "Sellout elevates security, lifts long-time TV blackout."
** Sunday's Indy 500 will be the first sellout for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 100 years of trying. Because of the sellout, the race will be televised live throughout the whole state of Indiana for the first time since 1950.
** That sellout would be around 350,000 people. That's 100,000 more than the usual crowds of 250,000.
** For the third year, the Indianapolis 500 has earned a level 2 Special Event Assessment Rating from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This allows the Indy 500 to receive federal help to support security efforts.
** People were told to arrive at least two hours earlier than usual to make sure they get in on time.
** Largest single-day sporting event.
** World War II veterans to get victory lap in parade.
--DaCootEarlyBird
** Sunday's Indy 500 will be the first sellout for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 100 years of trying. Because of the sellout, the race will be televised live throughout the whole state of Indiana for the first time since 1950.
** That sellout would be around 350,000 people. That's 100,000 more than the usual crowds of 250,000.
** For the third year, the Indianapolis 500 has earned a level 2 Special Event Assessment Rating from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This allows the Indy 500 to receive federal help to support security efforts.
** People were told to arrive at least two hours earlier than usual to make sure they get in on time.
** Largest single-day sporting event.
** World War II veterans to get victory lap in parade.
--DaCootEarlyBird
Indianapolis' Crown Hill Cemetery-- Part 3: Still More Racing Folks Buried There
Drivers George Amick, Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, and Tony Bettenhausen, Jr.
Floyd Davis, Jimmy Drywalt, Ronnie Duman, Jerry Hoyt.
Jim Hurtbise, Herbert Jones, Chet Miller and Paul Russo.
Harry C. Stutz, owner of the Stutz Auto Company.
Also, Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger.
--Cooter
Floyd Davis, Jimmy Drywalt, Ronnie Duman, Jerry Hoyt.
Jim Hurtbise, Herbert Jones, Chet Miller and Paul Russo.
Harry C. Stutz, owner of the Stutz Auto Company.
Also, Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger.
--Cooter
Indianapolis' Crown Hill Cemetery-- Part 2: Others With IMS Ties Buried There
From Wikipedia.
Captain Joseph Hammond, RAF in World War I, was killed in an air race in 1918 and buried in Carl Fisher's mausoleum.
Early Indy-based auto manufacturer Daniel Marmon of Nordyke Marmon & Company. The first Indy 500 race in 1911 was won by a Marmon Wasp car.
David M. Parry, founder of the Parry Auto Company.
Charles H. Black and Frank P. Fox, Indy driver and owner of the Pope Motor Car Company
Auto company partners and brothers Walter C. Marmon and Howard Marmon.
Auto industrialists August Duesenberg and Frederick S. Duesenberg.
And, Even More to Come. --DaCoot
Captain Joseph Hammond, RAF in World War I, was killed in an air race in 1918 and buried in Carl Fisher's mausoleum.
Early Indy-based auto manufacturer Daniel Marmon of Nordyke Marmon & Company. The first Indy 500 race in 1911 was won by a Marmon Wasp car.
David M. Parry, founder of the Parry Auto Company.
Charles H. Black and Frank P. Fox, Indy driver and owner of the Pope Motor Car Company
Auto company partners and brothers Walter C. Marmon and Howard Marmon.
Auto industrialists August Duesenberg and Frederick S. Duesenberg.
And, Even More to Come. --DaCoot
Even More Indy 500 History At RoadDog's RoadLog Blog
The Indy 500 sure does have a lot of history as I have been writing about this past week or so in this blog.
I also have been writing about it in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog this past week which you can get to by typing it in or going to the My Blog List to the right of this page.
You will find the information under 500 Facts About the Indy 500 entries.
--Cooter
I also have been writing about it in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog this past week which you can get to by typing it in or going to the My Blog List to the right of this page.
You will find the information under 500 Facts About the Indy 500 entries.
--Cooter
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Indianapolis' Crown Hill Cemetery-- Part 1: Final Resting Place of Many Associated With the Indy 500
Even though the article I've been covering "Check Out 7 secret Indy 500 Remnants" by Will Higgins in the May 27, 2016, Indianapolis Star didn't actually mention it other than the graves of Wilbur Brink (see June ) and Erwin "Cannonball" Baker (see June 8 and today), a lot of people associated with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500 are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
To start with, the Father of the IMS, Carl Fisher, is buried there as are the other three "founding Fathers" James A. Allison, Frank Wheeler and Arthur Newby.
That alone would make a trip to the cemetery worthwhile, but there are many others, including the 1919 Indy 500 winner Howdy Wilcox and 1931 winner Louis Schneider. Two others racing in the 1911 first-ever Indy 500, Frank Fox and Charles Merz are also there.
And, There Are More. --DaCoot
To start with, the Father of the IMS, Carl Fisher, is buried there as are the other three "founding Fathers" James A. Allison, Frank Wheeler and Arthur Newby.
That alone would make a trip to the cemetery worthwhile, but there are many others, including the 1919 Indy 500 winner Howdy Wilcox and 1931 winner Louis Schneider. Two others racing in the 1911 first-ever Indy 500, Frank Fox and Charles Merz are also there.
And, There Are More. --DaCoot
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 12: Records and the "Cannonball Run"
In 1915, "Cannonball" Baker coast-to-coasted in a Stutz Bearcat Roadster in 11 days, 7 hours and 15 minutes. The next year, driving a Cadillac, he shaved four days off this record. In 1933, the roads having been improved, Baker went from New York to Los Angeles in a Graham-Paige Blue Streak 8 in 53 1/2 hours, a record that stood until 1971.
The famous and totally unsanctioned "Cannonball Run" cross-country race, the subject of at least four movies (two of them starring Burt Reynolds), is named for Baker, who died in 1960 of natural causes at the age of 78.
--CooterFirst.
The famous and totally unsanctioned "Cannonball Run" cross-country race, the subject of at least four movies (two of them starring Burt Reynolds), is named for Baker, who died in 1960 of natural causes at the age of 78.
--CooterFirst.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
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
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
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 10: House That Stutz Built
THE HOUSE THAT STUTZ BUILT, 3190 N. MERIDIAN STREET.
In the early days of auto racing, the drivers of the cars may not have made much money, but the owners of the companies that built the cars did well. One of these was Harry C. Stutz, whose eponymous, Indianapolis-based company entered cars in the early Indy 500s, as well as other races, in addition to selling luxury cars to the public.
Stutz built this house in 1919. Formerly occupied by a nonprofit that helped incarcerated juveniles re-enter society, the house is now owned by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. It is not currently in use. Museum officials declined to say what they intend to do with the house.
I am thinking it must be a mansion.
--CooterManse
In the early days of auto racing, the drivers of the cars may not have made much money, but the owners of the companies that built the cars did well. One of these was Harry C. Stutz, whose eponymous, Indianapolis-based company entered cars in the early Indy 500s, as well as other races, in addition to selling luxury cars to the public.
Stutz built this house in 1919. Formerly occupied by a nonprofit that helped incarcerated juveniles re-enter society, the house is now owned by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. It is not currently in use. Museum officials declined to say what they intend to do with the house.
I am thinking it must be a mansion.
--CooterManse
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 9: Umbrella Mike's Garage
Boyle's chief mechanic was the vaunted Harry "Cotton" Henning, whose brother (this is beside the point of being an interesting point in itself) was the TV visionary Paul Henning. Paul Henning dreamed up the 1960s sitcoms "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Petticoat Junction" and was executive producer of "Green Acres."
The garage is basically a pile of bricks now, but a nonprofit group has come together to try to restore it. Progress has been made. the asbestos and other environmental hazards have been cleared away from the site, and earlier this month some 300 people attended a fundraiser that raised $60,000 for the effort.
For more information on the restoration project go to www.indianalandmarks.org.
--DaCootGarage
The garage is basically a pile of bricks now, but a nonprofit group has come together to try to restore it. Progress has been made. the asbestos and other environmental hazards have been cleared away from the site, and earlier this month some 300 people attended a fundraiser that raised $60,000 for the effort.
For more information on the restoration project go to www.indianalandmarks.org.
--DaCootGarage
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 8: Umbrella Mike's Garage
UMBRELLA MIKE'S GARAGE, 1701 GENT STREET.
After decades of neglect this building had deteriorated badly, but in the 1920s and 1930s it was the headquarters of one of the most successful racing teams in Indianapolis 500 history, the Boyle Racing Team. The boss was "Umbrella" Mike Boyle, a shadowy labor leader from Chicago who twice did prison time, once for jury fixing, once for violating an anti-trust law.
Motorsports website Speedway Sightings said that Boyle "walked the fine line between crooked politicians and the Chicago Mob."
Still, his was a top-notch race team, employing as its driver the great Wilbur Shaw, a three-time Indy winner.
--CooterMob
After decades of neglect this building had deteriorated badly, but in the 1920s and 1930s it was the headquarters of one of the most successful racing teams in Indianapolis 500 history, the Boyle Racing Team. The boss was "Umbrella" Mike Boyle, a shadowy labor leader from Chicago who twice did prison time, once for jury fixing, once for violating an anti-trust law.
Motorsports website Speedway Sightings said that Boyle "walked the fine line between crooked politicians and the Chicago Mob."
Still, his was a top-notch race team, employing as its driver the great Wilbur Shaw, a three-time Indy winner.
--CooterMob
Monday, June 6, 2016
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 7: Wilbur Brink in Crown Hill Cemetery
HERE LIES WILBUR BRINK, CROWN HILL CEMETERY, 700 W. 38TH STREET, SECTION 70, LOT 1062.
Wilbur Brink (1919-1931) is the only person to die as a result of an auto racing accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while not on IMS grounds. He was 12 years old, playing in his front yard at 2316 Georgetown Road when, on lap 162, a wheel came loose from a race car (one did on the 100th Running as well) driven by defending 500 champion Billy Arnold as Arnold crashed at Turn 4. The wheel bounded across the road, struck young Mr. Brink and killed him.
Arnold and his riding mechanic, Spider Matlock, were injured but not seriously. A few years ago Brink's death became the subject of a song written and performed by the Swedish pop band Norma. The song was called "Bad Luck for Wilbur Brink."
Definitely Bad Luck.
Wilbur Brink (1919-1931) is the only person to die as a result of an auto racing accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while not on IMS grounds. He was 12 years old, playing in his front yard at 2316 Georgetown Road when, on lap 162, a wheel came loose from a race car (one did on the 100th Running as well) driven by defending 500 champion Billy Arnold as Arnold crashed at Turn 4. The wheel bounded across the road, struck young Mr. Brink and killed him.
Arnold and his riding mechanic, Spider Matlock, were injured but not seriously. A few years ago Brink's death became the subject of a song written and performed by the Swedish pop band Norma. The song was called "Bad Luck for Wilbur Brink."
Definitely Bad Luck.
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 6: White Front Tavern
WHITE FRONT, 3535 W. 16TH STREET
Here is where racing people of yore hunkered down after a day at the track and hoisted a beer or six. Bill Vukovich, A.J. Watson, Bobby Unser and on-and-on.
Here A,J, Foyt, who is a four-time Indy 500 champion, but was not good at drinking, once was tricked into downing too many screwdrivers and ended up tossing his cookies (though possibly not until he got back to his motel room).
The place is no longer the White Front. It is now Club Venus, a gentleman's club. It is windowless and dark. From the outside, the old building is practically unchanged, but the only trace of the interior of the venerable watering hole is in the men's room, where the old ceramic-style cinderblock walls are still out in the open and look just like they did when the great Foyt either hurled there or didn't.
Not Me. --Cooter
Here is where racing people of yore hunkered down after a day at the track and hoisted a beer or six. Bill Vukovich, A.J. Watson, Bobby Unser and on-and-on.
Here A,J, Foyt, who is a four-time Indy 500 champion, but was not good at drinking, once was tricked into downing too many screwdrivers and ended up tossing his cookies (though possibly not until he got back to his motel room).
The place is no longer the White Front. It is now Club Venus, a gentleman's club. It is windowless and dark. From the outside, the old building is practically unchanged, but the only trace of the interior of the venerable watering hole is in the men's room, where the old ceramic-style cinderblock walls are still out in the open and look just like they did when the great Foyt either hurled there or didn't.
Not Me. --Cooter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)