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
Showing posts with label Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2016
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
Friday, June 3, 2016
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 5: Actors Wore Hinchmans for Movies
Hollywood got the Hinchmans when Steve McQueen filmed "LeMans," he wore won. And when Elvis Presley made the movie "Speedway" he was also wearing one.
The last Hinchman involved in the business was Lew, the son of J.B., who sold the company in 1998 to two employees. One of them, Nancy Chumbley, still operates the company, but in a new location on Gasoline Alley on Indianapolis' Westside.
Today Hinchman no longer outfits most Indy racers, but there are still a few. This year, Alex Tagliani will wear a Hinchman retro job made to resemble the one A.J. Foyt wore decades ago: black with a red stripe across the chest.
Hinchman also sells replicas of its earlier suits. You can get one of McQueen's "LeMans" one for just $1,999.
Reckon I'll take a Pass On It. --DaCootTooBroke
The last Hinchman involved in the business was Lew, the son of J.B., who sold the company in 1998 to two employees. One of them, Nancy Chumbley, still operates the company, but in a new location on Gasoline Alley on Indianapolis' Westside.
Today Hinchman no longer outfits most Indy racers, but there are still a few. This year, Alex Tagliani will wear a Hinchman retro job made to resemble the one A.J. Foyt wore decades ago: black with a red stripe across the chest.
Hinchman also sells replicas of its earlier suits. You can get one of McQueen's "LeMans" one for just $1,999.
Reckon I'll take a Pass On It. --DaCootTooBroke
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 4: Ghost of Hinchman
GHOST OF HINCHMAN, 607 S. ILLINOIS ST.
"J.B. Hinchman Inc.," it says, fadingly, on the side of a low, windowless neglected bunker of a building on Indianapolis' Southside. Hinchman makes racing suits for drivers and has for nearly 100 years. When Pete DePaolo won the Indy 500 in 1925, he was wearing a Hinchman. So did many of the top Indy racers through the years: the Unsers, Mario Andretti and Foyt.
Hinchman was the first racing suit tailor to use fire resistant Nomex in his designs.
Throughout the second half of the 20th century the Hinchman suits were made in this little building on South Illinois Street.
--CooterSuit
"J.B. Hinchman Inc.," it says, fadingly, on the side of a low, windowless neglected bunker of a building on Indianapolis' Southside. Hinchman makes racing suits for drivers and has for nearly 100 years. When Pete DePaolo won the Indy 500 in 1925, he was wearing a Hinchman. So did many of the top Indy racers through the years: the Unsers, Mario Andretti and Foyt.
Hinchman was the first racing suit tailor to use fire resistant Nomex in his designs.
Throughout the second half of the 20th century the Hinchman suits were made in this little building on South Illinois Street.
--CooterSuit
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 3: Vuky's Son and Grandson Also Raced at Indy
Bill Vuckovich's body was taken directly to the nearby Conkle Funeral Home. The funeral home was, and still is, located just a few yards from the back door of the Thompson home.
That night the house was the scene of a star-studded wake, with Vukovich's fellow competitors and their mechanics paying their respects to his widow.
Vukovich's son, 11-year-old Bill II, was back home in Fresno, California. He had learned of his father's death while listening to the race on the radio. Both he and his son, Bill Vukovich III, became race car drivers, and both raced at Indianapolis. Bill III was killed in a sprint car race in Bakersfield, Cal., in 1990.
--DaCoot
That night the house was the scene of a star-studded wake, with Vukovich's fellow competitors and their mechanics paying their respects to his widow.
Vukovich's son, 11-year-old Bill II, was back home in Fresno, California. He had learned of his father's death while listening to the race on the radio. Both he and his son, Bill Vukovich III, became race car drivers, and both raced at Indianapolis. Bill III was killed in a sprint car race in Bakersfield, Cal., in 1990.
--DaCoot
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 2: Vuky's Death in 39th Indy 500
In May 1955, Bill Vukovich, Esther and his brother Mike were staying at the at the Thompson Speedway house while Vukovich pursued his favorite hobby. Vuky qualified third fastest for the 39th 500. He had won the two previous 500s and was the favorite to win his third in a row.
He was leading the race on lap 57 when an accident in front of him caused him to lose control of his car which vaulted over a wall on the south end of the back stretch, flipped end over end, and burst into flames, killing Vukovich.
Esther, sitting with Mrs. Thompson on the main straightaway, did not see the crash. But she had a bad feeling when her husband's car failed to appear as the field circled the oval and returned to the main straightaway.
"It's him. Something's happened," Esther told Mrs. Thompson.
--Cooter
He was leading the race on lap 57 when an accident in front of him caused him to lose control of his car which vaulted over a wall on the south end of the back stretch, flipped end over end, and burst into flames, killing Vukovich.
Esther, sitting with Mrs. Thompson on the main straightaway, did not see the crash. But she had a bad feeling when her husband's car failed to appear as the field circled the oval and returned to the main straightaway.
"It's him. Something's happened," Esther told Mrs. Thompson.
--Cooter
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Seven Secret Indy 500 Remnants-- Part 1: Bill Vuckovich
From the May 27, 2016, Indianapolis Star "Check out 7 secret Indy 500 Remnants" by Will Higgins.
"Not all Indianapolis 500 history happened at the track. Lots happened off the grounds all over the city-- funny stuff and awful stuff, fancy stuff and working class stuff, touching stuff. here are seven Indy 500 remnants that still exist, at least physically."
VUKY'S HOME AWAY FROM HOME, 4946 W. 15TH ST., SPEEDWAY.
In the early and mid-1950s, Bill Vuckovich, the greatest Indy driver of his time, rented a room in this house during the month of May. The house was an eighth of a mile from the track's front gate and he could walk to work. He also got to know the house's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Thompson quite well. Vuky's wife, Esther, would sit with Mrs. Lawrence on race day.
The room was inexpensive (racers didn't make much money in those days). Even superstars like Vuky, also known as the "Mad Russian" or the "Silent Serb" were blue collar people. Vuckovich considered racing as a hobby and made his real money at a gas station in Fresno, California, where he lived in a five-room bungalow with Esther and their three children.
--DaCoot
"Not all Indianapolis 500 history happened at the track. Lots happened off the grounds all over the city-- funny stuff and awful stuff, fancy stuff and working class stuff, touching stuff. here are seven Indy 500 remnants that still exist, at least physically."
VUKY'S HOME AWAY FROM HOME, 4946 W. 15TH ST., SPEEDWAY.
In the early and mid-1950s, Bill Vuckovich, the greatest Indy driver of his time, rented a room in this house during the month of May. The house was an eighth of a mile from the track's front gate and he could walk to work. He also got to know the house's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Thompson quite well. Vuky's wife, Esther, would sit with Mrs. Lawrence on race day.
The room was inexpensive (racers didn't make much money in those days). Even superstars like Vuky, also known as the "Mad Russian" or the "Silent Serb" were blue collar people. Vuckovich considered racing as a hobby and made his real money at a gas station in Fresno, California, where he lived in a five-room bungalow with Esther and their three children.
--DaCoot
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