Indianapolis Motor Speedway has made the reputation of racing greats: A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, the Unser family.
It’s been a testing ground for safety features such as rearview mirrors and seat belts, well before they became commonplace in Americans’ everyday lives. It’s been a movie set, and the place where Janet Guthrie struck a blow for female athletes by becoming the first woman racer at the Indy 500 in 1977.
And, as of this year, Indy has been part of American driving and racing for a century.
“Not only is this the same joint, the (first) surface is still there … the crushed rock and tar is still there,†speedway historian Donald Davidson said.
The common perception that bricks were used first as the first track surface is …Â Details
Everyone said Tony Stewart was crazy to leave the cozy confines of Joe Gibbs Racing to run his own NASCAR team. A struggling, noncompetitive race team, at that.
It would be hard work, require long hours and certainly test his volatile temperament. It could interfere with his driving, expose him to failure and make this first season the most difficult of his decorated career.
Not so much.
Three months into the season, Stewart looks like a genius. Using an extreme makeover on the former Haas CNC Racing organization, Stewart has put together one of the most solid organizations in the Sprint Cup Series and made other drivers believe ownership might actually work…Â Details
Riverboarding, not waterboarding in Oregon. Also a pic of an ancient juniper and coaster the hawk! Comment if you like. Please enjoy.