Mark Dill Articles

This category contains feature stories on auto racing history that have been published in Indianapolis Motor Speedway Programs and historical publications. Most of the articles pertain to per-WWI auto racing, but others cover more recent history. Among the subjects covered are: Barney Oldfield, the 1914 Cactus Derby; Jim Clark racing in NASCAR; Jim Hurtubise racing in NASCAR; an interview with John Surtees; the 1909 Motorcycle meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; the first French Grand Prix; the Vanderbilt Cup; the 1937 Indianapolis 500; Wilbur Shaw; Cannon Ball Baker; Holmon and Moody; Indianapolis 500 relief drivers; Ralph De Palma; Smokey Yunick; the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Harvest Classic; Rudolf Carraciola; Dan Gurney and Johnny Aitken. The articles are a mix of biographical pieces and stories of milestone events in auto racing history.

1917 No Indianapolis 500

There was no Indianapolis 500 in 1917 due to World War I. The facility was made available to the U.S. military who used it as a depot and for airplane pilot training. This is an article I wrote for the 2017 Indianapolis 500 event program.
David Loney Bruce-Brown

The attached is probably the best biographical article about David Bruce-Brown in the world. I wrote this for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 event program.
Check out our collection of additional David Bruce-Brown content at the links below.
 
S-74 Fiat
Secrets of the Marmon Wasp

This article I wrote for the 2016 Indianapolis 500 program dispels the long-held inaccurate belief that the Marmon Wasp was designed for the first Indianapolis 500. It was not.
"Legend of the First Super Speedway" Excerpt

This is my wife's favorite excerpt from my book, "The Legend of the First Super Speedway." Autographed copies available at the link.