INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 1908 > 1960

INDIANA (USA)

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1908 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

In 1908 Carl Fisher had plans of building a five mile track for car manafacturers to test and showcase there product.

Fisher who was the owner of the Prest-O-Lite headlight company enlisted three other partners to fund the venture, The group brought three hundred and twenty acres of farmland opposite Fishers headlight factory.

Early reports indicate that the original plans called for a three mile outer track and a two mile oval within the infield, These plans were soon scrapped as the proposed grand stand seating would not fit on the parcel of land.

After re-accessing it was decided to build a two point five mile banked oval track with grand stands on all sides.

The surface they layed was a mixture of gravel, limestone, tar and asphaltum oil all rolled with steam rollers to form a solid sealed surface.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens in 1908 two years before the first Indianapolis 500. Photo: unknown.

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1909 - NATIONAL BALLOON RACE

On the 5th of June 1909 the first ever United States National Balloon race launched from the unfinished Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1910 - Winner of the handicap division was Dr Goethe Link and Russ Irvins balloon Indianapolis. Photo: unknown.

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1909 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

On the 14th of August 1909 the Federation of American Motorcyclists held a national championship race meeting at the new Indianapolis venue.

This first meeting was reported as a disaster, with the track surface breaking up conditions soon became dangerous, Because of the size of the track some riders were acheiving speeds of up to seventy miles per hour, the riders were in grave danger bouncing through the holes and ruts while putting on the show.

Some events on the day were cancelled as many riders refused to race.

Champion rider Jake De Rosier crashed his machine in spectacular fashion and suffered serious bone breaking injuries in the fall at this opening meeting.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been known through out the world as America's premier race track for motor cycles and cars.

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1909 - JAKE DE ROSIER

Jake De Rosier was born in Quebec Canada in 1880 and came to America as a four year old. He started racing motorcycles as a teenager in 1901 and soon became known as a daring rider from his many wins and as well as his ability to bounce back after injuries.

By 1908 Jake had caught the eye of the Indian Motorcycle Company after his Federation of America Motorcyclist Championship win at Patterson, New Jersey, track, What followed was a contract that would see him race every week on then wooden board tracks, with many wins.

Now concidered the world champion, The opening meeting at the Indianapolis speedway would prove near fatel.

During a match race with Californian rider Ed Lingenfilder Jake crashed heavily because of the crumbling and rough surface, smashing various bones and joints, his scull and severing major artories, Such was the extent of his injuries his continued to hemorrhage for a week.

Jakes ability to ride while injured amazed everyone when only weeks later on the 10th of September 1909, he entered a race at the Lowell track in New Jersey.

In 1910 Jake set a Federation of America Motorcyclist record at 79.6 mph on the 7th of February 1910, In 1911 he ran 90 concecitive miles to claim every Federation of America Motorcyclist speed record from 1 to 100 miles.

In June of 1911 Jake entered the Isle of Man TT Race, While he managed to set fast time in practice, he crashed out early in the race while leading the event, a few days later Jake returned to form winning a match race against English champion Charles Collier at the Brooklands circuit, on that occasion he set a new mile world record at 88.7 mph.

After Jake returned from England in 1911, he had an argument with company founder George Hendee and was fired from Indian.

He was immediatly hired by Excelsior Motorcycles, He then set a kilometer speed record for Excelsior at 94 mph.

While Jake was widely respected for skills on the motorcycle, he spent much of his career injured, He suffered the most serious on the 12th of March 1912, Injuries to his left leg and the thigh were so extensive, he had to endure 3 corrective operations, loosing his life due to complications from the final attempt on the 25th of February 1913.

Jake De Rosier astride the last bike he ever road.

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1909 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

3.2 million bricks were used to pave the surface of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

11th December 1909

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1909 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

First Super Speedway facebook feature

INDIANAPOLIS STAR NEWSPAPER REPORTED

Frank J Hall made news with his statement that the Governor should call a special session of the Legislature to pass a law prohibiting motor racing.

This was in responce to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's tragic first auto racing event.

These races were controversial due to the devastating fatal accidents on the first and third days of the meet.

In all, There were five men killed over the course of the meeting.

26th August 1909

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Wilfred Bourgue and Harry Holcomb

On the 19th of August 1909 Wilfred Bourque and his riding mechanic Harry Holcomb both lost their lives in a rollover during the 250 mile Pres-O-Lite Trophy race

Claude Kellum

On the 21st of August during the 300 mile Wheeler Schebler Trophy race, Claude Kellum who was the riding mechanic for Charlie Merz also died after being thrown from the car while in a rollover, The car with Merz still behind the wheel ended up in the stands, As a result, Merz survived, but two spectators were killed, Howard Jolliff and James West.

F r a n k J H a l l

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1910 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 1910

1910 - INDIANAPOLIS 500 SLIDESHOW

(use controls to pause - forward or reverse 4 images)

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1910 - NATIONAL AVIATION WEEK

National Aviation Week took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway between the 13th and the 18th of June 1910, This six day aviation show featured appearances from the Wright Brothers.

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1911 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 Mile Race 1911

1911 - RAY HARROUN

Indianapolis Motor Speedway facebook Photo feature

1911 - Indianapolis 500 winner Ray Harroun. Photo: unknown.

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1911 - RUPERT JEFFKINS

Rupert Jeffkins was an Australian racing pioneer who raced in his very first Indy 500 in 1911, as a releif driver for Howard Hall, number 41 Velie Motors entry painted battle ship grey, One of the most colour-full personalities in Australian racing history.

Rupert whose real name was Jiffkins moved over to Europe both to work and race before a move to the USA in 1904 brought him fame, He worked for a number of firms before moving back to Australia shortly after his Indy attempt, Once back home, he became a businessman, race promoter and motor sport entrepnour.

Jeffkins also founded the Roo Motor Company

Speedway Gazette feature (Australia)

Research Editorial & Photo's Ken Brown

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1912 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 Mile Race 1912

1912 - JOE DAWSON

1912 - Joe Dawson wins the 2nd Indianapolis 500 mile race. Photographer: unknown.

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1913 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 1913

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1914 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 1914

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1915 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 1915

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1916 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 1916

The 1916 race was shortened to 300 miles, some beleive it was because of the onset of world war 1, and others beleive it was to make the race more apealing to the public.

Eddie Rickenbacker led the first 9 laps before retiring with steering failure, Dario Resta then led 103 of 120 laps to win, Resta's ride on mechanic was Bob Dahnke, Only 21 cars faced the starter for the shortened event, Wilbur D'Alene finished second to Resta with Ralph Mulford 3rd.

1916 - The starting grid for the shortened event.

1916 - DARIO RESTA & BOB DAHNKE

Indianapolis Motor Speedway facebook Photo feature

1916 - Dario Resta was to win only one Indianapolis 500 race. Photo: unknown.

1916 - EDDIE RICKENBACKER

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1917 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

1918 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

No motor racing events were held at the speedway because of World War 1, The military used it as an airfield.

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1919 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 31st May 1919

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1920 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 31st May 1920

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1921 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1921

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1922 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1922

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1923 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1923

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1924 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1924

The twelve running of the Indianapolis 500 was held on the 30th of May 1924.

The winner of the race was Jimmy Murphy.

1924 - JIMMY MURPHY

1924 - Jimmy Murphy wins the Indianapolis 500. Photo: unknown.

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1925 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 1925

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1926 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 31st May 1926

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1927 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1927

The 15th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held on the 30th of May 1927.

George Souders won the race by 8 laps, followed by Carl Devore and Tony Gulotta third.

1927 - George Souders as a rookie won the 500 mile event that year in his Duesenberg. Photo: IRMA.

1927 - BOB McDONOUGH

1927 - LEON DURAX

1927 - PETE DePAOLO

1927 - FRANK ELLIOT

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1928 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1928

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1929 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1929

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1930 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1930

The 18th Indinapolis 500 was held on the 30th of May 1930.

Pole position winner Billy Arnold took the lead on lap three and was never headed, He went on to win the race and complete the five hundred miles in under five hours, without a co driver, he did however have an on board mechanic in Spider Matlock.

Paul Marshall would loose his life when he and his brother hit the outer wall, and flipping over the top, Pauls brother who was driving did survive but with serious injuries.

Position two was filled by Shorty Cantlon who was releived by Herman Schurch at the 2/3 mark of the race and Louis Scheider third.

1930 - BILLY ARNOLD & SPIDER MATLOCK

1930 - CHAS MORAN Jr & GEO REED

1930 - DAVE EVANS & THANE HOUSER

1930 - FRANK FARMER & LEO SYKES

1930 - HARRY H BUTCHER & JAMES R BUTCHER

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1931 - INDINAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1931

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1932 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1932

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1933 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1933

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1934 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1934

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1935 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1935

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1936 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1936

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1937 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 31st May 1937

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1938 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1938

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1939 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1939

1939 - Winner of the race Wilbur Shaw in the Boyle Maserati, pictured with his wife and mechanic Cotton Henning. Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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1940 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1940

Turn 5 facebook Photo feature

30th May 1940 - Pennsylvania sprint racing legend Tommy Hinnershitz made his 1st Indy 500 start in 1940 driving the Joe Marks owned number 27 Marks Special. [Photo: EMMR]

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1941 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1941

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1946 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1946

30th May 1946 - Mauri Rose in the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special. Photographer: unknown.

30th May 1946 - Ralph Hepburn in the Novi Special. Photographer: unknown.

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1947 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1947

30th May 1947 - Freddie Agabashian in the Ross Page Special with its 8 cylinder Duray engine. Photographer: unknown.

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1948 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 31st May 1948

For the 2nd consecitive year the Blue Crown team mates of Mauri Rose and Bill Holland finished 1st and 2nd across the finish line, This made Rose a 3 time winner, Third place went to Duke Nalon.

31st May 1948 - Mauri Rose wins the Indianapolis 500. Photographer: unknown.

31st May 1948 - The official pace car for the race was this Chevrolet Fleetmaster.

31st May 1948 - Fred Agabashian. Photographer: unknown.

31st May 1948 - Travis "Spider" Web. Photographer: unknown.

31st May 1948 - Jimmy Jackson. Photographer: unknown.

1948 - Billy Devore in the Pat Clancy Special, 6 wheels and 4 wheel drivern, finished 12th. Photographer: unknown.

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1949 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1949

30th May 1949 - Billy Devore. Photographer: unknown.

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1950 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1950

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1951 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1951

Indiana Racing Memorial Association - IRMA facebook Photo feature

1951 - Indianapolis 500 winner Lee Wallard sitting in the Bellanger Special in front of the Pagoda building. Photographer: unknown.

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1952 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1952

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1953 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1953

The 37th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held on the 30th of May 1953.

The 1953 winner Bill Vukovich and his wife Esther after the big race. Photo: Idaho Historical Racing Society.

Indiana Racing Memorial Association - IRMA Photo feature

1953 - An exhausted Bill Yukovich makes his way to Gasoline Alley after his 1953 Indy 500 win. Photo: colorization by Ron Rose.

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1954 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 31st May 1954

The 38th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held on the 31st of May 1954.

1954 Bill Vukovich wins his 2nd consecutive Indianapolis 500, Bill would loose his life in an accident the following year. Photo: IRMA.

31st May 1954 - Sam Hanks in the Offy powered Bardahl Special. Photographer: unknown.

31st May 1954 - Duane Carter Snr. Photographer: unknown.

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1955 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1955

The 39th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held on the 30th of May 1955.

1955 - Rodger Ward prior to winning the annual 500 mile race. Photo: IRMA.

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1956 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1956

30th May 1956 - Jimmy Bryan in the Dean Van Lines Special. Photographer: unknown.

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1957 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1957

30th May 1957 - Troy Ruttman in the John Zink Special which was an early AJ Watson Roadstar started off outside pole but had to with draw on about lap 13 with piston failure. Photo: IRMA facebook page.

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1958 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1958

Indiana Racing Memorial Association IRMA facebook Photo feature

1958 - Tony Bettenhausens in the Jones & Maley Special led for 24 laps and finished 4th. Photo: unknown.

1958 - Johnnie Tolan in the Eddie Kuzma Greenman- Casale Offy. Photo: unknown.

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1959 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1959

30th May 1959 - Tony Bettenhausens Snr. Photographer: unknown.

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1960 - INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS 500 30th May 1960

The 44th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held on the 30th of May 1960.