Posted on 05/22/2016 3:12:04 PM PDT by MtnClimber
James Hitchcliffe recorded a four-lap average of almost 231 mph to take the pole position for the 100th running of the Indy 500. James suffered a terrible accident into the outside wall coming out of a corner hitting with the right-front tire. A suspension piece pierced the chassis and into James' right upper thigh.
Doesn’t Arie Luyendyk have the fastest qualifying speed?
They just add more layers to the top.
I once worked with the great grandson of the guy who won the second Indy 500
I did not see the Ongias crash in turn 3. I was in the infield in turn 4 and remember feeling ihe crash in my chest. What did you do in Indycars?
Arie,yes.
At 237.498 one lap record.
I was a cable guy,wired the cars .
Radios were my specialty ,gearing up the Drivers helmets was an Honor for some.
May at Indy,
Had a tornado watch once,
First time I’d seen the clouds turn Purple,
I was in the garage area.
Sometime it turns greenish yellow By then it’s almost too late to take cover.
Just heard my old buddy’s car came in second place for the Pole,
Driver Joseph? in the Fuzzy vodka sponsored car,
I miss the old guys;
Mario,
AJ
And all the Scottys’.
Not so much Scott Goodyear.
.
The museum is a must-see.
From The Indymotorspeedway site:
The last driver to have his likeness placed on the original trophy was Bobby Rahal in 1986, as all the squares had been filled. A new base was added in 1987, and it was filled to capacity following Gil de Ferrans victory in 2003. For 2004, Borg-Warner commissioned a new base that will not be filled to capacity until 2034.
Since 1988, an 18-inch tall replica of the trophy, a Baby Borg, has been crafted in sterling silver for presentation to the champion. A new tradition began with the 1997 winner as BorgWarner also presented the winning car owner with a Baby Borg.
Steve McQueen,
What can you say,
He Was a Driver !
I went to the museum in the early 2000’s when I went to a F1 US GP at Indy. Very interesting.
I found a youtube video of the 1981 Ongias crash at Indy. It was really bad. There were spectator injuries from parts going through the fence which I did not know.
Years ago my dad had taken my mother on their yearly fishing trip. Because mom was at the beginning of dementia they went to a lodge. Staying there were also a group of men moose hunting.
They shared their dining table.
Mom & dad saw moose every morning The hunters saw none. It became a running joke. One of them commented he wish he were fishing So mom slept in and he went fishing with dad.
As they were exchanging names. Mario told dad he drove cars. Dad asked what he did for a living. He was so embarassed when it clicked. THAT Mario. Somewhere I have a picture post card to dad thanking him for the great fishing and loan of his equipment Signed Mario Andretti.
Scotty Braytons crash 1996 did not look so bad but killed him.
Mario has a brother ,Aldo ,who ,I heard, was the real talented driver.
John Andretti was my driver for a season.
Son of Aldo , but not much the driver.
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