Semi official cool old Indy car pics thread

[sneva33]

Steve Chassey's car MIS 1981

[sneva33]

Not trying to start anything here, but here is Justin Wison in his DP-01 at Road Am in 2007. I checked with ZOOM prior to posting and I agree with him, let's move on.

[roach]

AJ at MIS.

[indyguy2]

[cbreez99]

Notice the crew applying lubricant, sides and back, so AJ could squeeze into that car!!!

[roach]

Notice the crew applying lubricant, sides and back, so AJ could squeeze into that car!!!

I was so intrigued watching that, I almost forgot to press the shutter!!!

[flatlander_48]

Notice the crew applying lubricant, sides and back, so AJ could squeeze into that car!!!

No, the gittin' in is easy. It's the gittin' out that the B***h!?!?!?

[ZOOOM]

IIRC one year at the beginning of practice for the 500 everyone had their new cars from March except AJ. His was the last March built that year and it was late getting to Indy. Everyone was questioning what deamon tweak AJ was having March build into his car. They were all surprised when the car finally arrived. It looked exactly like the others for that year.

Except the cockpit was two inches wider than all the rest!

ZOOOM

[sneva33]

Dario Franchitti taken at Daytona in 2008 before the Rolex 24

[sneva33]

Helio taken in 2008 at Daytona before the Rolex 24

[sneva33]

Will Power at Indy, 2008

[sneva33]

Mario at MIS 1983

[sneva33]

JR at MIS 1985

[sneva33]

AJ IV at Indy 2008

[ZOOOM]

JR at MIS 1985

One absolutely class individual...
ZOOOM

[sneva33]

Bill Alsup in the 3rd Penske car, MIS 1981. Does anyone know why Roger opted to run a full-time 3rd car for this guy. Was it purely a money move or did RP really believe in Bill?

[sneva33]

Rick Mears MIS 1982 (fall race)

[sneva33]

Paul Tracy at Road America in 2007, CCWS

[ZOOOM]

Great shots, guys!

There are far better camera people out there than I am.
And I'm glad of ot!
MORE!
MORE!

ZOOOM

[beyondnascar]

These are GREAT! Thanks for the effort!

[Kevracer]

Bill Alsup in the 3rd Penske car, MIS 1981. Does anyone know why Roger opted to run a full-time 3rd car for this guy. Was it purely a money move or did RP really believe in Bill?

M-O-N-E-Y

[flatlander_48]

Bill Alsup in the 3rd Penske car, MIS 1981. Does anyone know why Roger opted to run a full-time 3rd car for this guy. Was it purely a money move or did RP really believe in Bill?

I can't see Penske taking money from just anyone to run a 3rd car. I wonder if the deal to run a 3rd car came out of a prior business relationship?

[sneva33]

I can't see Penske taking money from just anyone to run a 3rd car. I wonder if the deal to run a 3rd car came out of a prior business relationship?

I've always wondered about it. Especially considering that the previous Sept he ran the 3rd car @ MIS for Mario with this sponsorship on it (I mainly remember it because he won). Then the next year here's this guy named Alsup, never made much sense to me given Roger's usually good judgement when it came to drivers.

[sneva33]

Sebastian Bourdais at RA, 2007

[sneva33]

Tom Sneva MIS 1981, taking the newly arrived March backup car out

[sneva33]

JR and the Chapparal, MIS 1981

[flatlander_48]

I was at MIS in '81 for the original date and then the postponed date a week later. I only came on race day then, but you miss a lot. In more recent times, I get a garage pass and stay more than one day whenever I can...

[indyrjc]

I can't see Penske taking money from just anyone to run a 3rd car. I wonder if the deal to run a 3rd car came out of a prior business relationship?

I think you are correct but there may be several reasons. AB Dick likely already had another tie to Penske and part of the deal was translated into a 3rd car. And people forget that Alsup was a really bright guy and fit in well with corporate sponsors. He was also something of an up an coming driver (at least a little) having won the USAC Mini-Indy championship in an Argo Super Vee in what was billed as being the training ground for future stars. Alsup also previously owned his own Indy Car (a PC-7 sponsored by Polaroid and bought from Penske) and was good at getting sponsors himself. He may have even been involved in finalizing the Dick deal for Penske. It would be interesting to know. And in fairness to Alsup I'm not sure he ever got entirely first class help with his car. I seem to remember certain aero components that were on Unser's and Mear's cars at Indy that never made their way to the Alsup car. But the main reason that Alsup got the ride may have been his relationship with Roger's son. IIRC, Alsup helped Roger Penske, Jr. learn the ropes when he first started racing Super Vees.

[sneva33]

I think you are correct but there may be several reasons. AB Dick likely already had another tie to Penske and part of the deal was translated into a 3rd car. And people forget that Alsup was a really bright guy and fit in well with corporate sponsors. He was also something of an up an coming driver (at least a little) having won the USAC Mini-Indy championship in an Argo Super Vee in what was billed as being the training ground for future stars. Alsup also previously owned his own Indy Car (a PC-7 sponsored by Polaroid and bought from Penske) and was good at getting sponsors himself. He may have even been involved in finalizing the Dick deal for Penske. It would be interesting to know. And in fairness to Alsup I'm not sure he ever got entirely first class help with his car. I seem to remember certain aero components that were on Unser's and Mear's cars at Indy that never made their way to the Alsup car. But the main reason that Alsup got the ride may have been his relationship with Roger's son. IIRC, Alsup helped Roger Penske, Jr. learn the ropes when he first started racing Super Vees.

'

I think you may have hit it best about Roger Jr. I had never heard that. RP would definitetly be one to "repay" any sort of help like that. That combined with Alsup's PR skills and admittedly success in the "ladder: series may have been what brought it all together. Thanks.

[Ovalmeister]

Desire Wilson 1982