Donald Davidson
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson has been the expert on the history of the Racing Capital of the World since he arrived in Central Indiana in the mid-1960s. Now 2010 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee Davidson is answering your questions periodically in this blog!
Q: When did the “500″ first go to the three-abreast start?
– Ted Crawford
A: The answer is 1921. For the first two years—1911 and 1912—the cars lined up five abreast, although in the first year, the Pace Car sat in the spot known as the pole position, with four cars next to it and then five per row behind that. In 1912, five cars were on the front row with the Pace Car out in front. It was then four per row from 1913 until 1920, with the tradition of three abreast having remained unbroken ever since 1921.
Q: I have read in different places that Howdy Wilcox, the 1919 winner, and Howdy Wilcox, the runner-up in 1932, were father and son, that they were uncle/nephew and that they were not related at all. Which is correct?
– Jason Deming
A: As strange as it may seem, they were not related at all. By the time the “other” Howdy Wilcox began to come to the fore in Indiana dirt track racing in the late 1920s, the immediate family of the 1919 winner, Howard Samuel Wilcox, suspected the newcomer might simply be using the name in order to capitalize on the immense popularity of the champion, who by then was deceased. In fact, Howdy Wilcox II, as he was dubbed by the media, was born Howard Omar Wilcox on Feb. 20, 1905, which is before the “original” Howdy had even begun to race. Howard S. Wilcox Jr., the son of the 1919 winner, never did race but was a prominent “500″ and United States Auto Club official. At one time or another serving as the head of the Indianapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana National Guard and the Five Hundred Festival Committee, he is the man who, in 1950, created Indiana University’s Little 500 bicycle race.
Click here to ask your questions to Donald about the people and races that have formed a century of rich history at IMS. Include your complete name and city and state/country of residence.
Send us your questions, and keep your eyes on this blog for answers to selected questions from Donald!
Donald Donaldson, I believe about 2 years ago my husband Bob met with you on a visit to the museum….he was in search of some photos of my Father Bob DeBisschop from the 1955, and 1956, and 1957 the John Zink/ A.J. Watson, Bob Sweigert, era at Indy and than around 1968 with the turbo charged Offy that Bobby Unser drove to victory that year. I will be in Indianapolis this coming week with my dad and would love to bring him by to meet you. If you’re interested and available, please contact me through facebook or email. Look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely Michele Gray
mgrayfox@mchsi.com
760382-1219
I have a question and i will be to occupied with The 500 in May to ask on The Talk of Gasoline Alley. How many drivers and who won both the Vanderbuilt Cup in any of its uses, wether it is the original Vanderbuilt Cup or the Champ Car version and The Indianapolis 500?
I have always wondered, when the tradition of setting off the aerial bombs during the first lap of the 500 begin and why did it end?
Hi Donald.
Concerning the 1959 race morning photo with A.J. Watson that you discussed. One thing I noticed was the nose of the car. I do not recall ever seeing a roadster from that era with a centered ridge on the nose going back towards the hood. I never noticed it on that particular car before either.
Donald,
I was just informed of the Speedway’s plan to gather all of the living veterans togther for a group photograph. That has made me wonder, who is the oldest living participant? Obviously, Jim Rathmann is the oldest living winner, at 82, and Eddie Russo (85) along with Paul Goldsmith (83), are older, but have I missed anyone? Is Chuck Weyant (87) still with us?
Hello Mr. Davidson, Why aren”t Formula 1 cars and Indy Cars more similar in their aero design packages?
Mr Davidson: I am currently researching March 84c #32. Tom Sneva drove to a 4th place finish at Ponoco 1984 that I know. Rumored: Fittipaldi back up for 500. Jeff Andretti Bayside car. Any help would be appreciate. Thanks for all the years you have given us fans. I can remember listening to you on he radio before I attended my 1st 500 in 1978. Been going ever since. Jack Bianchi Santa Barbara
I wish Donald would publish more questions and answers. We haven’t seen one since late October. Here are a couple of questions for Donald:
- How many times has the race been red flagged for reasons other than rain – i.e., for accidents? Donald, can you recount the years in which this has happened?
- As I understand it, from 1911 through 1956, there was only one pace lap. Then in 1957, a parade lap was added. In what year did they add a third lap prior to the start of the 500? Wasn’t it sometime in the mid-1970s?
Hi Donald,
I hope you are well! Please send me your e-mail address, I have a couple of questions for you! Thanks, Johnny
Donald, very sorry to see the passing of Tom Carniege. I’d like to know if Carnegie and Sid Collins were friends or competitors? In the many years I have listened to the 500 on radio (I’m 60) I can not remember when Collins was alive of him even mentioning Carnegie on the air even during the announcement Carnegie made of the Eddie Sachs death carried on the speedway network? Thank you.
Hi Donald
I was reading Andy Granatelli’s Wikipedia Entry and it had a intriguing tidbit about the Hurricane Racing Association that Andy promoted during World War II that, among other things, had staged crashes. In a few other places on the web I saw it referenced as the Hurricane Hotrod Association. I was wondering if you had more information about it. (I’ve enjoyed your show on the Talk of Gasoline Alley for many many years. Thanks for everything.)
Steve Hofer
Indianapolis
What can you tell me about Kirkpatrick Photography. I believe he/it was the offiiial photographer for the 500 in the late 20′s and 30′s. We have a photo he took of some Indiana KK’ers and are trying to track down as much as we can.
By the way, we’re big fans. We’ve been too the 500 for the last 31 years.
I have a friend that needs to verify if he has a particular Studebaker that was used in 1962 as one of the pace cars, we were wondering if there was a record like the VIN#’s or something like that so that it would confirm if he has the real thing.
I was thinking that the museum might have information like that, perhaps?