The Official Blog of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Frank Lockhart, who two years later would lose his life in an attempt to break the World Land Speed Record on the sands of Daytona Beach, showed up at Indianapolis as a 23-year-old unknown. He secured an assignment as a potential relief driver for Bennett Hill, but just a few days before the race, driver/owner Peter Kreis had to be hospitalized with pneumonia. Lockhart took over the Kreis car and immediately began to travel quickly, setting a one-lap track record of 115.448 mph on an incomplete qualifying attempt. He eventually started back in 20^th position but was two laps ahead of the second-place car when the rain-interrupted race was halted for the second and final time at 400 miles. This was the first of four years for engines limited to only 91 ½ cubic inches.

Ok, it is a job, a hectic job sometimes at that, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. As Director of Photography for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the INDYCAR Series through the years, I have seen countless races, travelled the world and got to do many things in my career. I’ve met many people from all walks of life from movie personalities, the sports world and world leaders.

Some stand outs are Presidents Ronald Reagan (whom I was named after) and Jimmy Carter (before he was President), Ex-Beatle George Harrison who was contemplating coming to Indy to be on my staff for 1994, Arnold Palmer (who chipped golf balls over my head as he filmed a Pennzoil Commercial here at Indy), Mohammad Ali, Payton Manning, Medal of Honor winner, Col. Bruce Crandall (who waved the Green Flag at the Indianapolis 500 this year) and countless others.

I’ve walked through the pits with Joe Walsh, guitarist for the Eagles, been hit with the green flag at the start of the race by Jack Nicholson (and the one rule I tell the honorary starters before the start of each race is “…don’t hit the photographer!!!”).

I will have to give the year 2003 a nod as one of my most memorable years. 1st in April, I rode the 2 seat Indy Car with Ed Carpenter driving, around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Then, a couple of months later, I was allowed to drive a Competition class rail dragster for 6 passes at Muncie Dragway 1/8th mile strip (yes, at speed). Then a test at Indianapolis Raceway Park (it was still called that then) for the Indy Racing Experience in a single seat Indy Car.

Then, at the 2nd Texas race, I was afforded a chance to ride in the Klein Tool Stunt Plane on a practice run doing all of the stunts they do, prior to the pre-race show. The pilot would not let me bring a camera in case I passed out (which I did not). It was the time of my life and I didn’t get sick or dizzy!!! All in all, a great year.

Who says you can’t have fun at your job?

After years of “chasing race cars” as a fan, I finally got my chance to be close to the action. In 1972, I was hired to be part of the IMS Photo Staff. Wow, was I proud of that 1st Silver Badge (yes, I still have it and all the credentials I’ve earned). I was to be a weekend shooter on staff and my 1st assignment was inside turn 3 shooting side action shots.

My camera was not top of the line and I only had a 200mm and a 55 mm lens but I was ready to go and I thought I was up for the challenge. My first weekend was spent in the turn 3 area and with film, you had to wait for film to be developed so there was about a 2 or 3 day lag between shooting and seeing the results. Qualifying weekend, I was assigned to turn 2 and there for the rest of Practice and Qualifications.

Jim Hurtubise ready to race in 1972

On race day, I show up bright and early and to my surprise, I am assigned to shoot the Garage Area all day. I didn’t understand until I was shown my results from my month’s shots. Not quite stellar. While I was disappointed to not have a “Prime Location” to shoot, I knew that it was still better than the alternative so I worked the garages all day. I was allowed to shoot the start from the pit area but my choice for a position there turned out to be a risky venture.

1972 Pace Car

Due to the Pace car incident in 1971, in 1972 the Pace Car driver, 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Rathmann was directed to turn in at the Chute between the Pits and the Garages rather than going to the end of the pits. Of course MY selected position was in the middle of the entrance to that area.

As I was shooting the cars going by for the start, I suddenly felt a jerk on my shoulder as someone yanked me backwards with great abandon. I was lifted off my feet and spun to the rear of my original position, completely ruining my “Start of the Race Shot”. My initial thought was to come up swinging until I realized that the Pace car turned into where I was standing.

Start of the 1972 race

As I gathered my thoughts, the person responsible for my missed shot asked if I was OK. It was a bearded James Garner, the actor who had saved me from being a hood ornament for the Oldsmobile Pace Car. A thankful but rather embarrassed “Rookie”, I went back into the Garage Area to collect my thoughts and continue my assignment.

James Garner

An inauspicious beginning to my long career here at IMS. I was happy to be brought back for a 2nd year and I improved on my equipment and technique and had great assignments in years to come.

Early in the month on May 7, 1987 while shooting photos in the pits, I ran into Al Unser Sr. I asked him if he had any prospects  for the month and he said he did not and he needed a job…would I hire him. We laughed and as I walked off, I had an idea.  I went back to my office, grabbed a small plastic consumer camera and made him a name tag that stated he was now an “Official Indy 500 Photographer” and set out to find him again.

As he stood in the pits with a group of drivers and officials, I gave him his “Official Photographer” nametag and his new camera and assignments.  I think I remember Al Jr getting the biggest laugh out of the whole situation.

Ron McQueeny and Al Unser Sr. together in 1987

That same day, shortly after Danny Ongais’ crash in practice, Al’s career as an “official Photographer” came to an end as Roger Penske called on him to replace the injured Ongais in the #25 PC 16.  While the car that Ongais crashed was too bad to run, the team had to get an ’86 March that was being used by the team as a show car in a lobby of a commercial establishment and bring it to the track.

Unser contesting the 1987 Indianapolis 500

The car was entered but not at the track until that point. Al qualified the car 20th and on the start, was just in front of a spinning Josele Garza who came within a fraction of an inch taking out Al in the process.  Al drove his typical smart race and won and became the only “Official Photographer” to win the race.

Unser wins!

In 1980 a little know entity crossed our path here at Indianapolis out of the USAC Ranks.  Tim Richmond from Ashland , OH came on the scene and stole the show at the beginning of practice.  With his movie star good looks and his down to earth attitude, he took off like a rocket in his Penske PC-7 Cosworth and stayed high on the speed charts all week until an accident on the 1st day of qualifying put him on the sidelines for the weekend.  He came back to qualify 19th and during the race ran near the front until running out of fuel on lap 197 finishing 9th Fans were cheering wildly when winner, Johnny Rutherford stopped on his Victory Lap in the 3rd turn and picked up Tim, carrying him on the sidepod of his Pennzoil Chapparral “Yellow Submarine” racecar and dropped him off in the pits before turning into Victory Lane.

Johnny Rutherford takes Tim Richmond for a ride

My friendship with Tim started when his manager, a friend of mine brought him in to the IMS Photo Shop and introduced him to me, saying he was the next new driver to conquer Indy.  Together with Chief Mechanic, John Barnes, now part owner of the national Guard Panther INDYCAR Team, they took Indy by storm.

I remember, after the Victory Banquet in 1980, after Tim had been names Rookie of the Year, the IMS Photo staff in attendance invited him to go out for Ice Cream after the event.  He not only came with us but brought Linda Vaughn with him and picked up the tab for all.  What a guy.

Tim Richmond at the 1980 Indianapolis 500

After a tough 1981 season in Indy Car and nearly missing the 1981 Indianapolis 500, taking over an AJ Foyt car , starting last and finishing 14th, Tim took his talents to NASCAR where he excelled with Rick Hendricks new team and almost won a NASCAR Championship.

Tim returned several times to the Indy 500 but never as a driver.  He always stopped by the photo shop for a visit. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 34.

On track in 1980

Over 4.5 million photos reside in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Photo archives at the Hall of Fame Museum. In the next few weeks, I will extract some of the most fascinating shots to share the story and provide insight to the “behind the scenes” of how they were taken.

I remember it like it was yesterday…..The buzz around the month of May and the opening of the track at Indianapolis. Several exciting things were happening around the track that year. The fact that a lap of 200 mph in qualifying was almost a foregone conclusion, Janet Guthrie was in a capable car and would be the 1st to make the race.

Tom Sneva at the 1977 Indianapolis 500

It was my 1st year as “Director of Photography” after being an IMS Staff Photographer for the past 5 years. Before the month started out Gordon Johncock had been clocked at a tick over 200 in March tire tests on the freshly repaved Indianapolis Motor Speedway (yes I had to check with Donald Davidson on these facts) and during the week of practice before the Qualification weekend, AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti and Johnny Rutherford all did “unofficial” 200 MPH laps.

When Pole Day came Tom Sneva was the 1st and only driver to eclipse the “magic number” during qualifying. He was greeted by local sponsor, Phil Hedback of Bryant Heating and Cooling Company with 200 silver dollars which he dumped into Tom’s upturned helmet. This had been done in 1962 when Parnelli Jones was the 1st driver to qualify at 150 MPH. Later, Mr. Hedback put 188 (her qualifying speed) silver dollars into her helmet as the 1st female to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Janet Guthrie at the 1977 Indianapolis 500

How did they top all of that excitement? By AJ Foyt becoming the only driver up to that date to win the race 4 times. While Gordy Johncock ran away with the race, his car failed and AJ won the day. Tony Hulman, for the first time since he owned the track rode on the victory lap with Foyt. It would unfortunately be Tony’s last 500 as he passed away that October.

A.J. Foyt takes his Victory Lap in 1977

As a long time employee of the IMS, I often take for granted the access I have during events.  It almost cost me after the 1989 Indianapolis 500.  While working the Victory Banquet, we started looking at a project to have the winning car and driver at the Yard of Bricks with $1 Million in bags around the car.  It was the first time that the track had paid $1,000,000 to the winner and everyone was eager to set up an iconic shot to mark the occasion.  Since the purse was not decided until after the race and not publicized until after the Banquet, nothing could be done to spoil the surprise of announcing the winner’s purse at over $1 million so, it had to be arranged after the announcement of the winners take.

We had shot the day after the race photos and the car was there and the driver was there.  Now all we needed was the money.  To accommodate, the IMS Accounting Department, along with the Armored Carrier service they used, brought the armored car and security to the pits and unloaded the $1 Million in bags.   Now, for those not up on the actual size of a million smackers (in bags) in denominations of $20, $50 and $100 bills, it is not as impressive a sight as one would think, especially in the bags.

As the bags were unloaded from the truck and were arranged around the car, we realized our cool photo of the money won would be lost by the fact that it was just a few bags AND no actual cast to be seen anywhere.  The photographer (that would be me) gets the bright idea to have the cash out of the bags and on the sidepod and wings of the car and without asking anyone, began opening bags of cash.  With the distinct sound of cocking shotguns, the guards for the armored cars were not understanding  the concept I was thinking.  Fortunately, with a word from IMS Security and a shout of “NO, HE’S WITH IMS” from one of our PR people, my career, freedom and possibly my well-being, was saved.

While the bags of money had to be recounted before it was taken to the bank, it was all worth it as several newspapers around the country used the photo with stories of the first $1 Million purse to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

Emerson Fittipaldi the day after the 1989 Indy 500

The IMS Photo Digitization Project is a partnership between Indiana University Libraries and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to preserve historically significant photographs for the enjoyment of future generations. On a basic level, the labor-intensive project involves scanning decomposing images and adding them to a digital archive. Tagging each image with Metadata allows the IMS photo staff to quickly locate specific images for promotional and editorial use– as well for personal enjoyment by fans. Mary Ellen Loscar, Assistant to the Director of Photography, takes fans inside the Digitization project.

We are about to ramp up our efforts to digitize the negative images in the IMS Photo archives. We have slowly but surely been scanning images as needed but we are about to partner with University Library. With their knowledge of archiving and adding the metadata we will be able to start saving these images and making them more available to those who are interested in them.

Some of the older images are starting to deteriorate so this project really is a must. During the 1940’s and 50’s special chemicals used to develop film is now causing the negatives to bubble and crack. We can now scan these images and fix many of the defects with photo-editing software in order to save that image forever. So that is our starting point with the Digitization project, get to the bad ones first.

Damaged Photo from the 1952 Indy 500

Digitized Photo of the 1952 Indy 500

Once we get these images in digital form we will then post them to a photo vault for our fans to view. Did you know that you can come to the 2nd floor of the Museum and look at all of the images? I think it is a well kept secret for some, but you are welcome during our regular business hours. Come find the year you first came to the 500 or find a photo of your favorite driver. Remember we have 4 million!