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!
Question: I heard that all the cars in the IMS Hall of Fame Museum, including all the winning Indy 500 cars in there, are kept in running order. Is that true, and if so, what insight can you provide about how all those vehicles are maintained. It sounds like a mammoth task maintaining them all! — John Ward
Donald’s Answer: Not all of the cars in the Museum are “runners,” not even all of the winners. However, with a small full-time restoration staff on the grounds, the majority of the non-runners could, no doubt, be restored to running order, although the work on some might turn out to be quite expensive. Even those cars which do run require a certain amount of “freshening up” before they can be driven.
Q: What is Danny Sullivan doing now? I miss seeing him! Please let me know! Thank you! — Jeanette Esenwein, Wakarusa, Ind.
A: Danny was in attendance at this year’s Auto Racing Hall of Fame banquet, held three nights before the “500,” at which the 1985 starting field was honored, this being the 25th anniversary of Danny’s famous “spin and win.” I did talk with him briefly there, but I did not ask him what he’s up to these days. I will try to find out.
Q: I have been trying to find someone who could tell the value of the second-place award given to William Cantlon at the Indy 500 in 1930. I own this piece. Thanks in advance for your help. — Tim
A: Sounds intriguing, but could you give us a more detailed description of precisely what you have?
Q: I heard a story that when Jules Goux won the 1913 Indy 500, he drank three bottles of wine during the race. Do you know if there is any truth to this? If so, how would he be able to operate a race car under the influence, and win the race? Also, how would he be able to pour the wine in his mouth while driving over all those bumpy bricks? — Aaron
A: That story keeps getting better and better! While there are some wildly outlandish versions of what occurred, there is some truth to the basic premise, that at least some champagne was consumed. Bear in mind that Goux was from quite a well-to-do family of French engineers, and that the occasional glass of champagne was not an abnormality. But rest assured that any consumption took place during pit stops and not out on the track. Based on a variety of learned opinions gathered during my early years at the track (mostly from a delightful gentleman named Charles Lytle, who used to visit Goux in France), the thinking is that on four of their six stops, Goux and his riding mechanic, Emile Begin, were handed a chilled “half-bottle,” containing about four-fifths of one pint. While they may have consumed some of the content the first time, the later bottles probably served as little more than an expensive form of mouthwash, with the pair following up a small sip by swilling some around in the their mouths and then spitting it out. But there is absolutely no question that in each of the accounts in the Indianapolis newspapers the following day, Goux is quoted as proclaiming, “Sans le bon vin, Je ne serais pas été en état de faire la victoire,” which roughly translated to “Without the good wine, I could not have won.”
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Click here to send your questions about the people and races that have formed a century of rich history at IMS, including 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!
I have two old photos. One is of Eddie Rickenbacker sitting in car#10 from 1915. The photo is 20×30. “Eddie Rickenbacker at the wheel” is written below the car. I do not know if it is a signature. Is this photo valuable?
I also have a similar photo from the same era of car #17 sitting on the grid. Car #27 is on the outside of the row behind him and car #15 has the inside position on the row behind him. Can you tell me who drove #17? Thank-you for your expertise.
Where can I go to find about more about Ray Harroun and Larry “Harroun” Hummell ? He was a relation of mine and I am
very interested in finding the history.
Thanks for any help you can give!
Does the Brickyard Museum have really good fire warning and sprinkler systems ?
The National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, England lost many irreplaceable machines in a big fire a few years ago.
do you have any ray nichols cars in the collection
Thought you might like my blog about one family (and friends) annual trip to the race. It’s full of funny stories and pictures since my dad took my brother and I to our first race in 1963.
Has anybody ever heard of an album called “Great Moments From the Indy 500″ Narrated by Sid Collins. ( 1911 to 1974 ) I was at a Flea market and this man gave it to me and I thought it was pretty cool.
OMG I just read on this album that you edited this Sid Collins….I bet you have this album?? How rare is this?
OMG I just read on this album that you edited this with Sid Collins….I bet you have this album?? How rare is this?
I’ve heard that there is a basement in the museum that is full of cars, motorcycles and race cars. I was told there are so many that they are stacked on top of each other on racks. Do any of these vehicles ever make it to the “showroom” floor on display?
I am a huge Beatle fan and I know that the group stayed at the Motel when they were on tour….. There is only ONE photo that is ever shown of the lads and that is the one of them on the golf course. Do you know if there are any other photo’s of them at the Speedway ? I also know that George Harrison was a hugh F1 fan. Do you know if he ever
attended the “500 mile race” ?
Mr. Davidson,
I spoke with you on the phone a few years ago and appreciate your taking time to speak with me.
My adopted uncle, John Hudder, tested cars at Indy in 1909, on the original brick surface. Are there any photos that go back that far?
My second question involves the IMS Radio Network , I hope I got the name right. Are there photos of the net’s facilities over its history? I began listening in ’64, the first year you were on, and having been in radio I often wonder what the old Pagoda, the Master Control tower and the new Pagoda control room and anchor position looked like. The few shots in Ron Dawson’s book are great.
Thanks again,
Bob Paine
Richland WA
(a fellow, now former, member of the Army and Air National Guard. Thanks for your service.)
Would like informations about Billy Arnold 1930 Indy 500 winner. Would like to to know if the Museum is interested in buying racing books about indy 500 1939 to 1956 app.
Please contact by email
I would like to know what was the official Pace Car for the year 1930- if there was any pace car.
The “Ask Donald Davidson” link isn’t working. When I click on the link to ask Donald a question, it doesn’t take me to a place to ask a question.
Hello Donald! I just saw a Leslie Stahl piece on 60 Minutes. It was about a new kind of documented memory called Superior Autobiographical Memory. It is being studied at the University of California Ervine by James McGaugh. He has a handful of documented subjects that he is studying, one being Marilou Henner, the actress. Please watch the 60 Minute piece and see what you think. It would be great for you to join the study. I am really convinced that you are one of those blessed with this kind of memory.
HELLO DONALD, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE MARBLES IN THE CORNER,S OF THE TRACKS WHY DO THEY NOT TRY A HUGH VACUMM ON A TROLLY ON A CABLE ,I AM SURE SOME ONE CAN DESIGN IT, THEY HAVE CAMERAS ON CABLE FRANKLIN FRABLE
I currently have a 1950′s checkered flag, it has been autographed by 35 drivers of which I will include with this post. It is in excellent condition and would be a great piece for the museum or collector. I’ve tried several times to call the Indy500 museum, but couldn’t get in touch with anyone. If anyone knows a good place to steer me to or if you are interested, or want to see pictures, email me at: Heirlooms207@gmail.com. thanks.
1: Jud Larson
2: Cliff Griffith
3: Mauri Rose
4: Troy Ruttman
5: Jimmy Daywalt
6: Billy Garrett
7: Jimmy Reece
8: Elmer George
9: Jack Turner
10: Sam Hanks
11: Mike Magill
12: Johnny Boyd
13: Eddir Russo
14: Paul Russo
15: Tony Bettenhausen
16: Bob Christie
17: Al Herman
18: Al Keller
19: Ed Elisian
20: Bob Veith
21: Pat O’connor
22: Dick Rathmann
23: Johnny Thomson
24: Rodger Ward
25: Gene Hartley
26: Don Freeland
27: Duane Carter
28: Jim Rathmann
29: Marshall Teague
30: George Amick
31: Freddie Agabashian
32: Giuseppe Farina
33: Pat Clancy
34: Bill Cheesbourg
35: Johnnie Tolan
To answer ken harshey s question….I think the picture was taken in 1921.
Riley Brett #17 started 16th
Tom Alley #27 started 18th
Rene Thomas started 17
Not absolutely sure but …I think thats the cars.
First Pace Maker, (Pace Car) was a Stoddard roadster owned and driven by Carl Fisher and his passenger was Jim Allison.. The year? 1911..the first 500.
I have obtained the personal photo albums of former speedway photographer John W Posey. He worked at the speedway in the 50′s and 60′s. The albums contain all personal photo that he took at the speedway,each year in its own album.Their is even a old photo of DD .
Hi,
I found a Record of Entrants for the 300 mile race in 1916, 28 page illustrated booklet from Indianapolis. Is this as rare as a 1916 program? Thanks