Enter your search terms

Web www.pitroadnews.com Submit search form

The 2007

Indianapolis 500

Page

NEW INDY 500 HISTORY BOOK A MUST-HAVE FOR AUTO ENTHUSIASTS

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007 – Motorsports fans and historians have a new book to put on their “must-have” list: the Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500 by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson and motorsports author and historian Rick Shaffer.

The 368-page “coffee table” book offers a definitive history of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, telling the story of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” from the track’s pre-Indy 500 years in 1909-1910, to the events that led to the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911, to Sam Hornish Jr.’s stunning victory in the 90th Indy 500 in 2006.

Davidson and Shaffer have been students of Indianapolis 500 history for decades. Thanks to their dedication, readers of the Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500 will enjoy a thorough, lively account of each year of the Indianapolis 500 in an engaging narrative format.

Their words are complemented by nearly 1,000 black-and-white and color photographs, plus reproductions of many Indianapolis 500 program covers.

“The Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500 is an excellent source for Indianapolis 500 historical reference,” said IMS CEO Tony George. “The pages of this book contain one fascinating story after another and draw the reader into the rich traditions and heritage of the world’s greatest race.”

Besides the facts readers expect from a highly detailed history, the book contains numerous “sidelight” stories about nine decades of Indianapolis 500 personalities and traditions.

“The photo captions and side-stories contain colorful anecdotes in the hope that readers will be able to turn to any page, read an item and say, ‘I didn’t know that!’” Davidson said. “We have tried to not only provide factual information about each year, each triumph and each controversy but to also put a human face on the many significant figures in Indianapolis 500 lore.”

For Indianapolis 500 statistics aficionados, the book also contains the names of each of the 708 drivers that have competed in the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” through 2006, plus the official box score of every race.

The book is available at official Indianapolis Motor Speedway retail locations: Purchase securely online at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Brickyard Authentics Online Store at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com; at the Official Trackside Gift Shops located in the IMS Hall of Fame Museum; at the Brickyard Authentics Retail Store at the Indianapolis International Airport; and via IMS Mail Order at (800) 955-INDY.

INDIANA WOMAN WINS 2007 INDIANAPOLIS 500 FANTASY SWEEPSTAKES

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 – The 2007 Indianapolis 500 FANtasy Getaway received national attention, but the winner of the ultimate Indy VIP trip has a local connection.

Edwina Caito of Greenwood, Ind., was the lucky winner in a random drawing for the 2007 Indianapolis 500 FANtasy Getaway, which will include exciting behind-the-scenes access and first-class accommodations at the 91st running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 27, 2007.

Caito’s name was drawn randomly from a pool of more than 100,000 entries from around the United States. The irony that the winner is someone who grew up in the shadow of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and has a longstanding passion for the “500” was not lost on her.

“Unbelievable,” Caito said. “Being born and raised in Indy, doing something like this is an absolute dream come true. I have listened to the race my entire life. On the day of the race, there was a radio tuned to the race in every room. Growing up, we would cook out and listen to the race. It was a part of growing up, and it has always been a part of my life.

“To be able to experience it from this standpoint will be exciting.”

Caito and a guest will get a track lap in 91st Indianapolis 500 Official Pace Vehicle during pre-race ceremonies, VIP access to the Indianapolis 500 Winner’s Circle and tickets to the Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration on May 28. They will also enjoy hotel accommodations, transportation to and from the Speedway and complimentary food and beverages on Race Day.

As an avid Indy 500 fan, Caito said she has picked favorite drivers over the years, and she already has a favorite for her VIP experience in 2007.

“For years it was always Rick Mears, and I’ve always liked (A.J.) Foyt, but I have to admit I’ve leaned toward Danica Patrick for the past few years,” she said. “It’s a girl thing.”

POPULAR INDIANAPOLIS 500 DRIVER SUTTON DIES AT AGE 81

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006 – Len Sutton, one of open-wheel racing’s most respected drivers and the runner-up in the 1962 Indianapolis 500, passed away on Dec. 4 at the age of 81.

Services for Sutton will take place at 1 p.m. (PST) on Friday, Dec. 8 at the Valley Community Presbyterian Church, 8060 S.W. Brentwood Street, Portland, Ore., 97225.

A lifelong resident of Portland, Sutton had been battling ill health for some time but had been participating in vintage-car race meets until very recently.

Born Aug. 9, 1925, the friendly and unassuming Sutton began his driving career immediately after World War II in hot rod “track” roadsters. Sutton had just completed a tour of duty with the United States Navy in the South Pacific when he made his first start in 1946. Within 10 years, he had risen to the ranks of the AAA National Championship circuit, qualifying for the final two events of 1955.

Having passed his rookie test at Indianapolis in 1956, Sutton made his first of seven “500” starts in 1958. The Indianapolis debut was short-lived, however, lasting just three-quarters of a lap before he was eliminated in the race’s huge first-lap, multi-car accident.

Sutton made a total of 74 starts in national championship competition with notable wins in the 100-mile USAC dirt track event at Springfield, Ill., in 1959 and at the prestigious Milwaukee 200 in 1960. He amassed a total of 43 top-10 finishes.

Arguably his most memorable event was the 1962 Indianapolis 500, when he started fourth and went on to finish a close second behind Rodger Ward, his Leader Card Racers teammate. It was the first one-two finish by teammates since 1948 and was a feat not duplicated again until 1997.

During summer tire tests in 1963, Sutton was the first person to unofficially lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in excess of 155 mph.

A versatile performer, he won a total of seven USAC midget car feature events, placing fourth in points in 1957. He was also competed in Sprint cars, placed 12th or higher in the USAC Stock Car standings from 1961-64 and drove in the 1963 Daytona 500.

After retiring in 1965, Sutton turned his attention to broadcasting, serving for several years as driver analyst for Sid Collins on the IMS Radio Network, and assisting Tom Carnegie, the longtime IMS public address announcer and local television personality, with television coverage at the track.

He had a brief involvement with local politics in Portland in the 1970s, and in November 2002, he published his memoirs in a thoroughly enjoyable and well-received book entitled My Road to Indy.

Sutton is survived by his wife, Anita, and two daughters, Christy and Hollie.

ENJOY BEHIND THE SCENE VIEW OF IMS WITH ‘GROUNDS TOUR’ IN 2007

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum’s popular “Grounds Tour” will return in 2007 with a 60-date schedule, and the Museum is taking tour ticket orders now.
The Grounds Tour is a fantastic opportunity to entertain family, friends or clients with a behind-the-scenes view of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s awe-inspiring infrastructure and history through a 90-minute guided tour, hosted by knowledgeable members of the Museum staff. Notable IMS landmarks normally accessible only to officials, drivers and teams during events, such as the timing-and-scoring suite in the Bombardier Pagoda, the Media Center, Victory Podium, Gasoline Alley garage area and the world-famous “Yard of Bricks,” are part of the Grounds Tour.
Guests also will tour the Hall of Fame Museum and enjoy a ride around the famed 2.5-mile IMS oval in one of the Museum’s comfortable tour buses, culminating with an opportunity to stop at the “Yard of Bricks” and pose for photographs.
2007 Grounds Tours will take place from March through November, with the opening date scheduled for Thursday, March 15. Tours will wrap up for the year on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 23-24. Most of the tours take place in prime family vacation time: late June, 22 consecutive days in July, and early August, making Grounds Tours the perfect idea for a family getaway.
Tours are scheduled to depart from the Hall of Fame Museum four times per day on scheduled tour days: 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. (ET).
The Hall of Fame Museum is located in the IMS infield, just inside the main gate (Gate 2) off 16th Street. Tickets for the tour also include admission to the Museum and are $25 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-15 and free for children age 5 and younger. The Museum accepts cash, traveler’s checks and personal checks. Credit cards are not accepted. Grounds Tour tickets and information are available by contacting Mary Geiss at the Hall of Fame Museum office at (317) 492-6747 or mgeiss@brickyard.com. Tickets also will be available for purchase at the Museum, but space is limited and tours often sell out.
Special arrangements can be made for groups of 20 persons or more on dates other than those scheduled for Grounds Tours. Call the Hall of Fame Museum office at (317) 492-6747 for details.

2007 IMS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM GROUNDS TOUR SCHEDULE

MARCH
March 15-18
March 30-31

APRIL
April 1

JUNE
June 23-24
June 29-30

JULY
July 1-22

AUGUST
Aug. 3-11
Aug. 16-19

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 15

OCTOBER
Oct. 13
Oct. 20-28

NOVEMBER
Nov. 16
Nov. 23-24

2007 THEME CAPTURES ‘SPIRIT AND SPEED’ OF 500 FESTIVAL, INDY 500

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 – The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Month of May in Indianapolis represent many different things to fans across Indiana and around the world.

It might be the sight of thousands of runners streaming through the city streets on the first Saturday in May in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. It might be seeing a favorite driver, bands and colorful floats during the IPL 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis on the day before the race.

It might be the spine-tingling sensation of 33 race cars, lined up in 11 rows of three, roaring down the front stretch at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 225 mph to take the start at the hallowed “Yard of Bricks.” It might be the winner drinking the coveted bottle of milk while posing with the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Whatever part of the magical month captures fans’ imagination, everything in May in Indianapolis centers around two things: spirit and speed.

“Spirit and Speed” is the theme for the month-long celebration leading up to the 91st Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The theme was announced Nov. 14 by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 500 Festival officials, and 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. at the Indianapolis Artsgarden.

Officials also announced plans for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the 500 Festival, a not-for-profit organization that started in 1957 and has grown into one of the largest festivals in the United States.

“The Indianapolis 500 captivates race fans around the world with its pageantry, tradition and intense competition, so ‘Spirit and Speed’ is a perfect theme for the 2007 race,” said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “May is a special month in central Indiana, and we’re pleased to help celebrate 50 great years of the 500 Festival, which has done so much to further raise the profile of the greatest race in the world.”

“Spirit and Speed” will be prominent in local and national Indianapolis 500 advertising and promotional materials and 500 Festival event materials. It also will be an important part of the many events that take place in Indianapolis during the month of May.

Those events include the traditional start to month of May activities, the 31st Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on Saturday, May 5 and also include American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day on Wednesday, May 23 at IMS and the IPL 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 26, to name a few. Track activity opens Sunday, May 6.

“We are thrilled with this year’s theme of ‘Spirit and Speed;’ it’s a testament to the partnership that has existed between the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival for the past 50 years,” said Cindy Simon Skjodt, chairman, 500 Festival Board of Directors. “So much spirit and energy stir in the city during the month of May.”

500 Festival events and programs celebrate the success of the Indianapolis 500 and add to the quality of life for the citizens of Indiana and their guests. The events and programs, mostly free and produced largely by volunteers, enhance the image of Indianapolis and Indiana to more than 425,000 attendees by showcasing the city and state’s cultural, educational and social benefits to the world.

“The 500 Festival helps shape our city’s identity, and it continues to be an integral part of the Indianapolis civic fabric, stretching far beyond our city’s and state’s borders,” said Kirk Hendrix, president and CEO, 500 Festival. “With annual participation of more than 425,000 people and 7,000 volunteers who make it happen, it has become one of the largest festivals in the nation.”

Special artwork to be used with the “Spirit and Speed” theme was unveiled during the announcement. Hornish, the Borg-Warner Trophy and event logo also are featured on the 2007 Indianapolis 500 ticket design, which was displayed for the first time during the ceremony.

The 500 Festival also announced a major art initiative. The 500 Festival Legacy Art Project celebrates the Festival’s impact of 50 years and pays tribute to volunteer and community spirit. The 500 Festival will commission an artist to create a significant art piece, which will have a permanent place in downtown Indianapolis. The artist will be announced in May 2007, and the 500 Festival’s Legacy Art Project will be unveiled in May 2008.