Tommy Milton Up Close

This article is the latest contribution from our friend and top auto racing history researcher Ken Parrotte. It features a wonderful March 7, 1920 Minneapolis Journal profile of two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Tommy Milton by Robert Edgren. The article appeared as Milton's career was ascending.
Milton Wins at Beverly Hills

This March 28, 1920 Motor Age article reports on Tommy Milton's victory on the 1.25-mile oval in Beverly Hills. This wonderful, high quality copy of the original article describes intense competition across three heats of sprint racing.
Oldfield, DePalma, and Airplanes

This is another important contribution by auto racing historian and researcher Ken Parrotte. We have three Atlanta Constitution articles that describe a thrill show at the Lakewood Park dirt oval in July 1917.
Indy 500 "Podium" Finishers

Auto racing researcher Ken Parrotte continues to deliver terrific analysis of auto racing history. In his attachment he breaks down the top three finishers of every Indianapolis 500 and their other career highlights such as pole positions.
Oldfield v. Cooper 1903

This is an advertisement placed in the June 26, 1903 Fort Wayne Sentinel to promote a match race between Barney Oldfield and his buddy, Tom Cooper. This is another item of auto racing history provided by auto racing researcher Ken Parrotte.

Sigur Whitaker is an acclaimed auto racing history book author. First Super Speedway and Sigur are collaborating with this platform for her articles. You can receive her articles directly by subscribing to her e-mail newsletter. If you would like to be added to my subscriber list, please let her know at sigurwhitakerbooks881@gmail.com.

The Duesenberg Days

When Tony Hulman purchased a company, his normal style was to keep the existing management in place if they were competent and wanted to stay. Unfortunately, when he purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track had been shuttered during World War II and had a thin staff before the conflict. Hulman needed to assemble a team to include someone who knew the ins and outs of racing. someone  who was familiar with the operations of IMS, and someone whom he trusted.

Wilbur Shaw

Fans of the Indianapolis 500 owe a debt of gratitude to Wilbur Shaw. He was responsible for Tony Hulman’s purchase of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 

The Motorcycle Ride

In the fall of 1975, Wally Dallenbach and Sherm Cooper invited seven friends including Al Unser, Sr. and Bobby Unser to ride various mountain trails and visit mining ghost towns in the Colorado Mountains. Wally Dallenbach was an Indy car driver while Sherm Cooper was an amateur motorcycle racer during the 1950s. Participating on the first trail ride were Dick Singer, Lon Bromley, Art Lamey, Del Garner, Ed Kretz and the Unsers. Having enjoyed the ride and the camaraderie, Dallenbach and Cooper continued to organize the invitation-only events.
 

Book Review: Al Unser, Jr., A Checkered Past as told to Jade Gurss

Al Unser Jr. comes from a racing dynasty. His grandfather and great uncles were early competitors at the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. His father (Al Sr.) and his uncle Bobby Unser were competitors in USAC, CART, and IndyCar. The book chronicles both his racing achievements as well as his descent into addiction.
 

When Mark Met Roger

When Roger Penske bought a dealership in Philadelphia, part of the financing package included a prohibition against him continuing to drive in races as it was too dangerous. Yet racing was in his blood, and he was determined to continue to participate. When the 1965 season started, Penske was manning the pits for the team of Jim Hall and Hal Sharp in the 12-hour Sebring endurance race. He wasn’t content long term to be in the pits and he started Penske Racing, now known as Team Penske.