Memories from Indy 500 races
As the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrates their Centennial, I thought I’d try and put together my 100 best memories from days (and nights) spent watching 40+ years of Indy 500 races and Indianapolis 500 Festival events.
My background is a bit unique in that my aunt retired in 1996 as the Executive Director of the 500 Festival committee for over 30 years, stretching back to the mid-60s. Over that time, I went from teenager to father and had access to many interesting places at the Motor Speedway.
1 - In 1958 (I was 7) my dad took me out to the Speedway to watch the famed Novi practice. The noise the Novi engine made as it screamed down the front straightaway was thundering and a bit scary for a young guy. I was in awe of the whole scene, with the stands in the paddock and Tower Terrace Pagoda casting deep shadows on the late afternoon proceedings. One Novi was driven by Paul Russo. While no relation to my family, my dad somehow got us in back of his pits and introduced us as fellow Russos. Russo had on white driver overalls covered in oil and soot. He unzipped a pocket and pulled out his Camels and a Zippo lighter. Lighting a cigarette (around the gas cans), he spent a few minutes talking with us and comparing family trees. I was forevermore hooked on these brave men and their incredibly fast cars.
2- 1962 was my first race in person. My Dad was a volunteer on some track committee and my Mom and I had seats in the Tower Terrace Pagoda’s 2nd floor. Parnelli Jones was on the pole - the first to average 150mph, Paul Russo (in what would be his last Indy 500) started 14th and my personal favorite, Roger Ward ended up winning. You couldn’t see all that well from the lower floor windows but I recall lots of food and soft drinks (beer for the adults).
3- 1963 - This was the first time I saw Jimmy Clark in action. Driving a rear-engine Lotus, Clark qualified 7th and, only because winner Parnelli Jones’ car leaked oil, finished an astonishing 2nd. Jimmy Clark mesmerized me with his driving - very smooth and assured - as a rookie.
I’ll post more memories as the mood strikes…