Louis Meyer in 1933 Winning Miller

This is David Story's rendering of 1933 Indianapolis 500 winner Louis MeyerMeyer became the first three-time champion of the legendary contest, with other victories in 1933 and 1936. As an aside, he is known as the first driver to drink milk in victory lane in 1936. In Meyer's case, his swig was not part of an American Dairy Association promotion, but instead a matter of personal preference. Also, it was buttermilk.
 
This is the text of David's margin notes for his art:
 
"The 1933 Indy 500 is still the deadliest of all in the history of the Brickyard. Five racers were fatally injured. Bill Denver and his riding mechanic were killed in a crash during qualifying. On race day, Mark Villman died in a crash on lap 79. On lap 132, Lester Spangler and his riding mechanic, G.L. Jordon was killed. In 1933, for the fifth straight year, a competitor would lose his life in the month of May.
 
The 1933 race increased its starting positions to 42, the most ever. Qualifying was also changed to require a 10-lap time trial instead of the four lap trial of the 1932 race. In an effort to make the cars similar to the cars being purchased by the race fan, an on-board starter was now required. Howdy Wilcox II, not to be confused with the 1919 Indy 500 winner, qualified sixth. But he was disqualified when officials discovered he had diabetes. Even though his fellow racers petitioned to allow him to compete, Wilcox was forced to watch the race from the sidelines. Race winner Louis Meyer beat Wilbur Shaw by less than 7 minutes, claiming his second Indy victory. He averaged over 104 miles per hour setting a new speed record for the race. Meyer joined Tommy Milton as the only two-time winners of the race."

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1933 Indy 500 (1).jpg3.82 MB