Dreyer Reinbold Racing driver Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 1914 “500” winner, is interviewed last month after the open test day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY)

By Al Stilley
Editor

When 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay took his first fast laps in two years around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month, he felt like a kid again.

“It was great,” the 2014 “500” winner said. “The first proper run out, felt like a kid going down a ramp – that feeling of just pure excitement. I absolutely couldn’t wait to do it.”

At 42, Hunter-Reay deserves to feel young again after the past two years. He is back at the Speedway as a driver after serving as an advisor in for Juncos Hollinger Racing, raced in Tony Stewart’s SRX series, and raced for Chip Ganassi in the IMSA series with a top finish of fifth in the Petit Le Mans.

When practice begins for the 107th “500,” Hunter-Reay will be in the No.  23 Dreyer & Reinbold Chevrolet-powered entry, His teammate is British driver Stefan Wilson, brother of Justin Wilson who was fatally injured in 2015 at Pocono.

Hunter-Reay was pleased with the April 20 team test day at IMS by doing 59 laps. He has raced for the multiple-car Andretti team, so being part of a two-car one-off Dreyer & Reinbold program is something new.
“I had been here many times with a powerhouse team like Andretti,” Hunter-Reay recalled. “We had times when we had the best car out there and times when the car was horrendous.

He considers team owner Dennis Reinbold, who owns an auto dealership in Greenwood, as a “throwback” owner because of his love for the Indy 500 and desire to win the world’s most famous race.

Aside from not being in a car for the past two races, Hunter-Reay said he learned a lot.

“I actually enjoyed it (because) I had been with one team for 12 years and had blinders on,” he observed. “It was nice to see the 500 from the outside looking in, consulting (Callum Ilott). It was good to see the approach of a different team and a driver who was here for the first time. I came back now really charged up, energized, and focused.”

Teammate Wilson also expressed his admiration for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing that just does Indy only.
“I think every single person on the team lives and breathes for the Indy 500,” Wilson said. “Just like Ryan, myself, we’re all laser focused on the 500.”

Teams are using a new package with enhanced downforce with Penske driver Josef Newgarden on top of the chart at 227.686 miles per hour.

“We’ve not explored everything,” Newgarden said. “It remains to be seen exactly how this new package will race. It’s so difficult to predict this stuff until you get into the meat of the month of May.”

Hunter-Reay won the 500 in 2014 with the second-closest finish of 0.0600 seconds ahead of Helio Castroneves, becoming the first American driver to win since 2006. The Floridian driver has raced in 14 Indianapolis 500s.

Hunter-Reay and his wife Beccy live in Fort Lauderdale. They have three sons. During his time away from full-time racing, he found time to coach two of the three sons’ youth football team and also groom the trio in go-karts.

Hunter-Reay is among nine “500” winners entered for the 107th “500,” including 2022 winner Marcus Ericsson, Helio Castroneves, Alexander Rossi, Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato, Will Power, Simon Pagenaud, and Tony Kanaan.

Wilson seeks his fifth “500” start in the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold / Cusak Motorsports entry. His best finish was 15th in 2018 with Andretti.
​
Most teams return to IMS for the GMR Grand Prix on the road course, Saturday, May 13; “500” practice begins, Tuesday, May 16; qualifications, Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21; Carb Day, Friday, May 26; and 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Sunday, May 28.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY)
Various cars and teams were on hand Saturday for the third day of registration and practice.

By Al Stilley
Editor

The Indianapolis Speedrome opens for its 80th season Saturday night with the Wayne Arnold Memorial Fast Start 75-lap Late Model Figure-8.
Racing begins at 7 p.m. with Factory FWDs, Faskarts, and Legends cars in 25-lap features on the one-fifth-mile paved oval. The track is at Brookville Road and Kitley Avenue.
Interest is high for the new season, especially after a year of health restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. Health protocols will be followed by fans and participants Saturday night. 
“We will continue our rise from 2019 and what was anticipated for 2020 before Covid,” track president Jonathan Byrd II added. “Our fans, like everyone, have been pent-up and are ready for the excitement of the Figure-8.”

Last year, owner Kevin Garrigus added amenities to the historic short track and this season the Speedrome expands its reach. The Speed Sport Network has a five-year marketing agreement with with the Speedrome for production, technology, business services, equipment support, and marketing for the full schedule. The pact also includes non-national touring series events at the expanded Circle City Raceway dirt track at the Marion County Fairgrounds.

“This is a great beginning, a partnership with media, podcasts, website and what we can do together to bring Figure-8 racing to the world,” Byrd said Saturday. “They (Speed Sport) are excited about Figure-8 racing and we are among ‘favorite nation’ status with them. That’s the really big thing coming this season.”
Byrd said that more details of broadcasts will be announced later. 
The second-generation motorsports enthusiast also pointed out that interest is growing among all divisions. 
Byrd emphasized that the Speedrome has great entertainment value for all sports fans throughout central Indiana.

“You can’t have better pricing for any event in the city,” Byrd said. “Our ticket prices are the lowest for any event  in town, children are free, and parking is free.”
Racing is on Saturday nights with many special events: Demolition derbies; school-bus and trailer Figure-8s; winged 410 sprints; and $5,000 “Rumble for the Track Record,” an Indiana shootout to set a track record on the oval; fireworks extravaganza; and World Figure-8 three-hour endurance race. 
The Speedrome has been open for registration and practice for three consecutive Saturdays. The interest and turnout for all divisions has been impressive.
​
Southside drivers on hand for the third practice included Figure-8 drivers Mark Tunny and Mike Riddle Jr. of the Southside and Southport alum Larry Hahn, one of the track’s top Stock class competitors.
“I have a new car and a new outlook,” said Riddle, who began Figure-8 racing in 2012. “We didn’t have a good year last year, so we need to get back to making the racing fun again.”
Tickets on opening night Saturday are $10, ages 13-64 years; $8 for seniors, military, and first responders. Kids 12-and-under free with an adult. There is special pricing for special events.
Info: call 317-353-8206 or online at www.speedrome.com.

​Greenwood’s Mike Riddle Jr. tested new No. 12 Figure-8 car Saturday.

​Popular Legends Cars driven by Ashton Murello and Drew and Austin Evans are aligned side-by-side in pit area.

​Southport’s Larry Hahn (24) is ready and lined up for practice laps Saturday.  

By Al Stilley
Editor

The Jonathan Byrd family continues their Indianapolis 500 legacy Sunday that began in 1985 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The late family patriarch Jonathan Byrd had his first car sponsorship in late-model Figure-8s at the Indianapolis Speedrome in 1982 before advancing to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with midget-sprint car ace Rich Vogler. The hard-charging driver had a top finish of eighth place in the 500. He died in a sprint car accident in 2016 at Salem Speedway.

Matriarch Ginny Byrd remains as “team mom,” cheerleader, encourager and baker of goodies for the team. Son David Byrd heads the operations for Byrd Racing and family enterprises in the Phoenix area, including four hotels and Jonathan Byrd II continues his involvement in motorsports as president of the Indianapolis Speedrome.

The sons grew up in Greenwood where their parents owned former Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises in Johnson County and Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria in Greenwood. No longer on the Southside, the family continues the heritage with Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality and Restaurant Group, including 502 East Event Center in Carmel.

David Byrd has teamed Byrd Racing with veteran 500 team owner Dale Coyne in a Honda-powered entry with Australian driver James Davison for the second time. Byrd came to his first 500 as an 8-year-old boy when his passion for the 500 and open wheel racing was fostered.

“This is something our family can do together,” Byrd said.
He spoke lovingly of what he learned from his father who died in 2009 about the sport that can be an ecstatic to tragic experience.

“Stay in your lane,” Byrd replied immediately. “Make sure you can do what you do well. You cannot second-guess and you have to stay focused on what you can do and let those on your team focus on their duties.

“There’s a lot of outside interference here (500) that you have to ignore,” Byrd continued. “I know I have earned my way to be able to do certain roles. Others here – drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics and crew members have earned it by the sweat of their brow. My role is to put the best program together at Indy.”

He expressed respect for Coyne whom they teamed with at the 500 two years ago.

“He has a top-flight program,” Byrd said. “He, like us, utilizes his business interests to support racing.”

The Byrd family also is involved as a co-entrant in USAC Silver Crown and sprint car races for drivers Chris Windom and Kevin Thomas. Byrd is a co-entrant for Windham in the Indy Lights Freedom 100 Friday at the Speedway.

Byrd is among nine “one-off” efforts and he admits, “It definitely is a challenge.”

They were up for the challenge Saturday during one-day time trials to determine positions 10-30 for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 Sunday. Davison qualified Saturday at 228.273 and will start on the outside of the fifth row.

“This is such a team sport, and when you’re a one-off team, you don’t have the chemistry and momentum that the full-season teams do,” Davison, a second-generation driver said. “For my guys, as a group, to pull that off, I’m just so proud of them. “I feel like I’m on cloud nine.”

Davison also brings a bit of nostalgia to the Coyne-Byrd-Belardi entry by honoring his late grandfather, Gaze Davison, a decorated World War II Spitfire pilot who was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross three times.

His helmet recognizes Gaze’s heroics with classic RAF colors with the Distinguished Flying Cross and two bars. Gaze Davison also became the first Australian driver in Formula I in 1952 at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The combined Byrd-Coyne-Belardi No. 33 entry picked up a new sponsor, SAFE, a revolutionary brand of antifreeze that is non-toxic.  The company is owned by Bradley Miller who also owns businesses in Phoenix, Arizona.

Byrd’s best moment came in 1996 when Arie Luyendyk, driving for co-entrants John Treadway and Jonathan Byrd, set one-lap (237.498 mph) and four-lap (236.986 mph) that still stand. And later with Vogler-like charger Bryan Clauson, they led the 500 for the first time in 2016.

However, tragedy struck again as Clauson died in a racing accident later that same year.

They did not enter a race car for the 500 in 2017 race but returned last year with Davison to continue a racing legacy that began at the Speedrome and a food service legacy that began in Greenwood.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Longtime Indianapolis 500 team owner Dennis Reinbold was asked point blank earlier this month about the fuel that drives him to return year after year to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I’ve got to win this race,” the Greenwood auto dealership owner replied. “I mean, we need to win, and that’s really it. That’s the only reason we show up – to put the car in victory lane. We work year-round to try to do that and try to improve and get better than we have before.”

The personable team owner is among the early teams in the series that has evolved into the NTT IndyCar Series. Driver Robbie Buhl won for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in 2000 at Orlando, Fla. His team competed in the series until 2013; since then, it has been a multiple-car effort in the Indianapolis 500.

Reinbold returns with drivers Sage Karam for his sixth 500, JR Hildebrand for the second time with the team and ninth overall.

“Sixth times a charm,” Karam, 24 years old, said of his prospects Sunday.

The team’s best finish came in 2012 when Oriol Servia finished fourth for co-owners Reinbold and Panther Racing. Last year, Karam started 24th, worked his way into sixth place on lap 154 but then crashed on the next lap. Hildebrand started 27th and finished 11th.

“A lot of times I’ll sit there through the middle of the race and say, all the things that we worked on in the last year have piled up to this moment, and we’re as prepared and ready to win this race as possible, and for whatever reason we haven’t pulled that off quite as of yet,” Reinbold explained. “Here’s to this being the year.”

Reinbold, a descendent of Duesenberg racing mechanic “Pop” Dryer, strives to return to the IndyCar series fulltime.

“That’s definitely on our radar,” he said hopefully. “We do aspire to be more involved; we believe in IndyCar very, very much. We may have to do part-time to get there. We have to make it work out financially and every other aspect.”

Meanwhile, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has four cars in IMG-sanctioned American Rallycross ARX2 with six different drivers, including Karam. The team won the 2017 championship and was second last year. Internationally, rallycross is to begin racing with electric-powered cars in 2022 overseas.

Owning two racecars among eight “one-off” cars, Reinbold laughed when asked about fulltime teams having guaranteed spots in the Indianapolis 500.

He immediately grinned and said, “It says they’re scared of us.”

Reinbold added, “I don’t think it’s an issue. I mean, we have to beat people to get in the race this year, so it’s going to be the same way going forward.”

Wearing No. 48, the local sponsored SalesForce Chevrolet Dallara driven by Hildebrand is a tribute to famed team owner, car builder and driver Dan Gurney. Bobby Unser provided Gurney with his only 500 win in the 1975 500. Gurney finished second in 1968 and 1969 driving his famed Eagle brand.

Hildebrand qualified late Saturday at 227.908 mph and is on the outside of the seventh row.

Karam tried five times to qualify among positions 10-30 under the new format but wasn’t fast enough so he was among six drivers seeking three last-row positions. After a long rain delay, the former high school wrestler put the No. 24 WIX Filters in the field at 227.740 mph, the fastest among qualifiers for the last row.

“When you do something special, it really feels great,” Karam said of his pressure-filled run. “You look at the guys in the last chance six now. There were big names and big teams. We’re a strong one-off race team.”

They hope to show the strength of Dreyer Reinbold Racing on race day Sunday.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Everything is moving in the right direction for Franklin Township professional stock car driver Jack Dossey III.
The third-generation driver is racing full-time in the ARCA/CRA Super Series that is one tier below the national ARCA Menard’s series. Dossey III, in just five years, has taken solid but well-paced steps up the racing ladder with the NASCAR-owned Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).

He has earned:

2014 - CRA Late Model Sportsman rookie of the year; won two series championships at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.
2016 - JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour rookie of the year, sixth in points.
2017 and 2018 - JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour champion, first back-to-back championships in series history.
2018 - Second place in ARCA/CRA Super Series race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and raced in two ARCA Menards Series races.

Among his most impressive laurels, the young competitor is a three-time ARCA/CRA most popular driver. He is regarded as “the most approachable” short track driver by speed51.com that ranks him 40th best among the nation’s short track drivers in all types of racing.

This season marks a change in many ways for the Jack Dossey Motorsports driver of the No. 20 Hart’s Auto Parts Chevrolet. He is racing full-time in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and, also for the first time, he is crew chief, too.

“Being the crew chief is a big change, something I was hoping to do in the future but not so sudden,” Dossey III said. “It’s a big feat, not only driving the car, but you lead the race team in all aspects except the finances.”

As driver-crew chief, he doubled his pleasure in winning the first series race of 2019 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway that locks him into the series’ version of the Chase. He is second in points after four races among the top 10.

“It’s more fun to work with everything and it certainly made it more special to win,” he said.

Equipment-wise, Jack Dossey Motorsports is moving up, too, particularly aligned with Terry Senneker-built chassis from Michigan.

Dossey III is carrying on a family tradition set by grandfather Jack Dossey, father-team owner Jack Dossey Jr., the 2018 Indianapolis Speedrome Hall of Fame inductee, and his brother John Dossey. Dossey Jr. is a multiple-time Speedrome and World Figure-8 three-hour endurance champion.

Dossey Jr., is particularly proud of the loyalty of crew members and sponsors. Southsider Pete Harlow leads the list with 40 years on the crew, followed by Mike Alcorn for 25 years, Kenny Etter for 22 years, sponsor Mike Heimel of Heimel Auctions in Beech Grove for 20 years, Munns Construction for 15 years and, of course, wife Jennifer for 31 years.

Dossey Jr. said, “We’ve had our moments down through the years, but that type of loyalty is unheard of in racing.”

Dossey III’s climb is slow but steady, just the way they want it.

“We could be ready to move up, but that will be tough without financial help,” the young racer said. “It’s a good feeling knowing that your idol and hero is pretty happy with the way everything is going.”
Dad couldn’t be prouder.

“I knew he had the drive for it,” Dossey Jr. said. “He’s accomplished more than I expected.”

The Dossey race team that operates from their headquarters in Franklin Township is proving they can win one step at a time.

Heimel backs Speedrome

Seating for fans at the south end of the Indianapolis Speedrome is known as the Mike Heimel Auction Service family section this season. Beech Grove business owner Heimel is a longtime Speedrome fan. The sponsored section is designated no smoking and no alcohol and offers one of the best viewing areas at the track. Seating is general admission for most events, including high-powered Figure-8 racing each Saturday night.

500 weekend qualifying

Qualifications for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 are Saturday, 11a.m. to 5:50 p.m., and Sunday 12:15 p.m. to 2:15p.m. at the famed oval. Time trials Saturday will establish race-day starting positions 10-30. Drivers among the fastest nine qualify again Sunday in a one-run attempt at the pole and to fill the top nine positions. The last row also will be decided Sunday. Race day is Sunday, May 26.

Final Hoosier Hundred

The final Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will be contested Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m. with USAC Silver Crown drivers and cars. The track history goes back to 1903. Bob Sweikert won the inaugural Hoosier Hundred in 1953. The one-mile track surface is to be converted strictly for harness racing and training.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) teams go into the new season with a new package that will keep them guessing early in the year. Series officials are throwing away the restrictor plate after the Daytona 500 Sunday (Fox, 2:30 p.m.) and replacing it with a tapered spacer to affect carburetor air flow to limit horsepower.

Cars will run with 550 horsepower at all tracks 1.33 miles and larger which includes the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Aero ducts also will create a wake to lessen “dirty air” that effects a trailing car at most larger tracks. At lesser size tracks, 750 horsepower will be available. The tapered spacer eliminates imperfections in restrictor plates that can lead to more slightly more or less horsepower. NASCAR officials are hopeful the new package, effective with the Feb. 24 race at Atlanta, produces closer racing.

Cindric’s rising star
Austin Cindric is looking forward to continuity this year. Last year, the son of Team Penske president Tim Cindric, split his NASCAR Xfinity Series between Penske and Roush Fenway teams. He raced for 12 different primary sponsors, five different crew chiefs and finished 10th in points. Cindric, 20, is rising fast, having raced in the 2017 ARCA Racing Series and 2018 Xfinity Series. His dad played basketball at Pike High School and RoseHulman Institute of Technology and has risen through the ranks with Penske. “Indianapolis is definitely his stomping grounds,” Austin said. “I’ve been to the Indy 500 every year since I was a little kid, so I’ve been able to follow his passion. I try to apply his passion to what I have for the sport.”

Musical chairs
Six NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series drivers are driving for new teams this season. They are: 2017 champion Martin Truex Jr., from disbanded Furniture Row to Joe Gibbs; 2004 champion Kurt Busch, from Stewart-Haas to Chip Ganassi; Ryan Newman, from Richard Childress to Roush Fenway; Daniel Suarez, from Joe Gibbs to Stewart-Haas; Matt DiBenedetto, from Go Fas to Leavine Family; and Corey LaJoie, from Tri-Star to Go Fas. A.J. Allmendinger, Trevor Bayne and Reed Sorenson are among Cup drivers without rides this season. Popular Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray have no plans to race.

Planning ahead
Dates of NASCAR Monster Energy Cup races in the Midwest: June 9, Michigan International Speedway (MIS); June 30, Chicagoland Speedway; July 13, Kentucky Speedway; Aug. 11, MIS; Sept. 8, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt vs. Gordon
One of NASCAR’s most heated on-track rivalries, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1, Thursday at 10 p.m. “Unrivaled: Earnhardt vs. Gordon” features the on-track rivalry between seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt and four-time champion Jeff Gordon. Each driver had a great impact upon NASCAR’s popularity. The 60-minute documentary also explores the two icons on and off the race track.

Best pre-season quote
During a pre-season media get-together at Hendrick Motorsports, Jimmie Johnson was asked how he and new crew chief Kevin Mendering became better acquainted. Johnson simply replied, “A few cold beers help.’

By Al Stilley
Editor

Jeff Gordon’s two kids stole the show with the motorsports media after his induction earlier this month into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Gordon, who grew up in Pittsboro, brought daughter Ella and son Leo into the media room and they were asked about the honor bestowed upon their dad.

“It was very cool,” said Leo, 8, barely visible seated behind the table. “I’m very happy that I got to hug him after he gave his speech,” Ella, 11, said, “It was very amazing to see how much he’s accomplished. It was really cool to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

After their comments, their dad commented, “They handled that like pros.” Earlier, Ella, Leo and team owner Rick Hendrick presented the Indiana product with his Hall of Fame ring onstage at the Charlotte Convention Center. Gordon, Roger Penske, Jack Roush were the 2019 inductees along with the late Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison. Gordon and Penske were honored for their NASCAR achievements.

Gordon notched four NASCAR driving championships, 81 poles and 93 wins, including a record five Brickyard 400s. Penske drivers have won 114 Cup races and two Cup championships. He also built Auto Club Speedway in California and owned Michigan International Speedway.

They proudly looked back at their past that featured milestones in Hoosierland Gordon, now a motorsports announcer for Fox, recalled 1989 when he was hired in Indiana by USAC midget car owner Rollie Helmling. His USAC roots as a teen driver are legendary, winning 1990 USAC midget and 1991 Silver Crown championships.  His big break came when Hendrick witnessed his Busch Series triumph at Atlanta in March 1992.

“Timing is what got me here (Hall of Fame),” Gordon said. “All the hard work, seizing the moment in any good car that I had the opportunity to drive and hoping the right car owner would take a chance on me.” Penske added to the Indianapolis flavor with two Brickyard 400 wins and record 17 Indianapolis 500 wins.

His NASCAR championships were earned by Brad Keselowski in 2012 and Joey Logano last year. The Penske organization also claimed it 500th win in motorsports last year. Penske, a former driver who won a NASCAR road course race at Riverside, Calif., in 1963, tried to put his team ownership career in perspective.

“I’m always looking out the windshield; so, I’m looking for the next opportunity – it keeps you young and motivated,” Penske said. “But the history when it all piles up and you step back for a minute, it’s hard to believe. It has taken thousands of people in our organization and our partners are what you build on for that continuity. Human capital is our secret weapon.”

His motorsports roots began by watching the 1951 Indianapolis 500 with his father that launched his interest in cars.

“I was able to take the racing instincts that I had and put all that together to help the drivers who have raced for us and the superstars driving for us today,” Penske said. “We look at a driver as who you are and what we think we can do with you as a partner.”

​When asked about future goals, Penske replied that he would like to win more championships and the coveted 24 Hours of LeMans.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Mario Andretti discovered in 1969 what every Indianapolis 500 winner has learned. “Winning the Indy 500 changed my life,” Andretti said recently at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “It opened so many doors, creating immense opportunities. It was career-changing. If only Andy Granatelli could be here today to see that we’re still celebrating 50 years later. Because what happened in 1969 was just as important to him.”

Oddly, the Italian-born driver won in a back-up car, the No. 2 STP Hawk III Ford, one that was not planned on being raced at Indy. Team owner Granatelli and car builder Colin Chapman came to IMS with three four-wheel drive Lotus cars to be driven by Andretti, Graham Hill and Jochen Rindt. However, two days before pole day, Andretti crashed due to a broken hub and the Lotus cars were withdrawn. Andretti persevered and qualified the Brawner-Hawk car for the middle of the front row between A.J. Foyt and Bobby Unser.

On race day, Andretti overcame a few car problems and led the final 95 laps.

“Crossing that finish line was just the greatest moment of my life,” Andretti recalled. “It was just amazing, just like the 900-pound gorilla was lifted off my shoulders. I figure from here on, it’s going to be easy to put half a dozen together.”

In one of the Speedway’s fateful twists, the 1969 classic was the only 500 that Andretti won. He is third in all-time laps led (556) and laps completed (3,040) in 29 starts. At 78, the popular 500 winner has many business interests, including Mario Andretti’s Driving Experience and Andretti wines.

Nationally and internationally, no driver has surpassed Andretti’s feats of winning: the Indianapolis 500, a Formula 1 championship, NASCAR’s Daytona 500, 24 hours at Daytona and 12 hours of Sebring, “The jewel obviously was the 500,’ Andretti said. IMS president Doug Boles said that Andretti’s 500 win was “one of the iconic moments in the history of the world’s greatest auto race.”

​Motorsports columnist Robin Miller, a Southport High School alumna, contends that Andretti has been “the Indianapolis 500’s best ambassador for six decades.” At a ceremony June 9 at IMS, a commemorative 50th anniversary logo of his 500 win was unveiled that depicts his winning wave and autograph. His likeness will be on IMS silver and bronze badges, the cover of the 500 official program and officially licensed Mario Andretti and IMS merchandise.

By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer

American pilot Michael Goulian of Massachusetts fought back tears twice Sunday after an emotional triumph in the third annual Red Bull Air Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Goulian not only won his second air race of the season but vaulted from third place to take a slim lead in the world championship with one event remaining at Texas World Speedway Nov. 17 and 18.

The 50-year-old pilot began tearing up during the winner’s interview and when he stood on the podium during the national anthem. He becomes the first American in 10 years to win a Red Bull Air Race in the United States.

“Right now, the season (championship) doesn’t even mean anything – to win at Indy is amazing,” Goulian said before kissing the bricks. “Sometimes the day just works out for you and today did.”

He said he grew up watching the Indianapolis 500 on TV with his dad and began flying at 15 years. The pilot recalled that many 500 drivers were his idols.

“It still feels like a dream,” Goulian said. “I kept wondering how I ever got to this point in my life, doing something that I never dreamed of when I started flying and to win here.”

Goulian was edged by Canadian Pete McLeod in the first heat but advanced by posting the fastest time among the seven pilots who lost heat races. He was faster than Cristian Bolton in the Fast Eight. Flying an Edge 540 V2 aerobatic airplane, Goulian (1 minute, 6.208 seconds) then edged McLeod (1:06.736) in the final four by a halfsecond. 

A crowd of 40,000 watched pilots reach speeds of 230 mph, endure 10G forces and fly between 80-foot-high air-filled pylons. The point chase tightened dramatically in the first round when slowest qualifier Kirby Chambliss of Texas outed points leader Martin Sonka of Czechoslovakia by 1.32 seconds.

Chambliss, the last American pilot to win in the United States in 2008 over Detroit, erred in his second run.

“Winning is any pilot’s most difficult maneuver anywhere,” Chambliss said. “I love racing here because of the history of the track. For me, being here to race is always significant.” Retired four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt served as grand marshal.

By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer

Whiteland Raceway Park’s new owners, husband and wife Andy O’Gara and Sarah Fisher, have not wasted time in making improvements to the outdoor karting track and facilities. O’Gara, a Beech Grove native, and Fisher, who live in Franklin Township, bought the track with Wink Hartman, a Midwest oil company owner, last month and held the first practice for karting enthusiast Saturday and Sunday.

They bought the track from longtime Mike Swails on short notice after learning that it would be torn down The facility features a nine-turn road course with a high-banked wall and oval where Andy and younger brother Kyle O’Gara, a developmental drive for Sarah Fisher Racing, began racing karts owned by father John O’Gara, former IndyCar team manager.

“When Andy called to tell me that Mike had offered us the purchase of WRP, we immediately agreed to work through the details of the renovation effort,” Fisher stated in a news release.

The renovation began immediately with ridding the grounds of weeds, moving the property and resealing the oval and road course and entrance. Open practices will be from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. the next two Sundays. Fisher and Hartman formerly owned Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series from 2008-14.

The first racing program under new ownership is Saturday, Oct. 13, for karts with practice at 4 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. The owners are planning a vintage midget car and IndyCar displays, autographs with IndyCar drivers and a $1,000 kart feature winner’s prize. They are hopeful of rescheduling another event Oct. 20 or Nov. 3.

“First and foremost, please know that our ultimate goal is to restore Whiteland Raceway Park to its former glory,” the new owners said in a joint statement. “We want to preserve the history and heritage of WRP while bringing new life to the facility.”

A grand opening will be held in 2019 with plans for quarter-midget racing on the oval and to have rental karts. Upgrading rest rooms and lighting is a priority. Future improvements also call for a new banked wall, repairs to fences, bleachers and flag stand, new picnic tables, parking lot expansion, new electronic timing system and in-ground roll-on kart scaling system plus sales of kart apparel and parts.

The facility opened in 1958 and is considered the oldest kart track in the United States. It is located at 654 N. Front St., between Tracy and Whiteland roads, in Whiteland. O’Gara and Fisher also own Speedway Indoor Karting. For updates visit www.racewrp.com or call 317-800-1648.

Pit notes
• Southsider Mark Tunny outraced Mark Hadley of Greenwood for first place and $20,000 in the rain-delayed 42nd running of the World Figure-8 three-hour championship last month. Tunny completed 396 laps and edged Hadley, last year’s winner, by three-quarters of second. Hadley led Laps 244-272, but Tunny passed him in slower traffic for his second World Figure-8 title.
• South Bend’s Ryan Newman has signed with Roush Fenway Racing to drive the No. 6 Ford in the 2019 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series.

The car has been driven by Trevor Bayne and Matt Kenseth this season. Newman has 18 career Cup wins, including a Brickyard 400 triumph. He wraps up a five-year tenure with team owner Richard Childress. The Cup series continues Sunday at Dover, Del.