Semi official cool old Indy car pics thread

**MichaelP** · 10-04-2009 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Neshaminy

.....and he wore glasses!

Ha ha ha...

Seriously, I guess he always had a hat or helmet on in all the pics I've ever seen of him.

**Sea Fury** · 10-04-2009 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by ensign14

Yes, that's what I mean. JR had the Texan flag on his helmet, so LeeRoy the Confed?

A lot of American Southerners used to just wear or display the flag as a symbol of regional pride, having nothing to do with the racist connotations outsiders (those who think the Civil War was all about slavery) later ascribed to it. Extremists like the Klan ruined it for proud non-racist Southerners. Up until about 10-15 years ago it was no big deal, now people get all out-of-joint about it because the media has told them they have to.

**Sea Fury** · 10-04-2009 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by MichaelP

Ha ha ha...

Seriously, I guess he always had a hat or helmet on in all the pics I've ever seen of him.

Same here. This is also the only picture I think I have seen of him where he didn't have a mustache.

**LittleFauss** · 10-04-2009 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by indybigjohn

From Wayne Doebling. Don Kenyon and Sonny Ates, 1969...

**ensign14** · 10-04-2009 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sea Fury

A lot of American Southerners used to just wear or display the flag as a symbol of regional pride, having nothing to do with the racist connotations outsiders (those who think the Civil War was all about slavery) later ascribed to it. Extremists like the Klan ruined it for proud non-racist Southerners. Up until about 10-15 years ago it was no big deal, now people get all out-of-joint about it because the media has told them they have to.

I know, I think my first exposure to the Confederate Flag was in the Dukes of Hazzard. I don't recall though LeeRoy having that on his NASCAR helmet, I wondered if he was inspired by Rutherford, or just decided to have some design because people could see his helmet.

**Sea Fury** · 10-04-2009 07:06 PM

Here's one of my all-time favorite racing pics; not an Indy car, of course, but three out of the 5 drivers pictured (Cale Yarborough, Donnie Allison, and LeeRoy Yarbrough) either had (or would soon have) Indy 500 experience:

**Sea Fury** · 10-04-2009 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by ensign14

I know, I think my first exposure to the Confederate Flag was in the Dukes of Hazzard. I don't recall though LeeRoy having that on his NASCAR helmet, I wondered if he was inspired by Rutherford, or just decided to have some design because people could see his helmet.

I did a couple of web searches in Yahoo and Google and must admit I couldn't find a picture of LRY's NASCAR helmet....nor the helmet he wore in the other type of open-top car he was running from time to time back then, the Can Am...

**flatlander_48** · 10-04-2009 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Sea Fury

A lot of American Southerners used to just wear or display the flag as a symbol of regional pride, having nothing to do with the racist connotations outsiders (those who think the Civil War was all about slavery) later ascribed to it. Extremists like the Klan ruined it for proud non-racist Southerners. Up until about 10-15 years ago it was no big deal, now people get all out-of-joint about it because the media has told them they have to.

Well, I'm 60 years old and I don't recall ever seeing a Black person with a confederate flag or symbol. And I've spent a lot of time, over the years, in Texas, Kentucky, North and South Carolina and Florida.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 09:36 PM

More stuff from Wayne Doebling's files. No date stamps.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 09:37 PM

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 09:38 PM

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 09:39 PM

**Ovalmeister** · 10-04-2009 10:06 PM

Indybigjohn,

great shots, bringing back lots of memories, keep 'em coming and thanks!!

David.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 10:36 PM

I've found a few dirt champ car (Silver Crown) shots from 69-70-71 in this batch. I'm thinking maybe about starting a thread with them on this Nostalgia section if everybody thinks it'll be OK. Maybe it'll start something.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 10:46 PM

Here's one from Ken Coles I found in my Champ Car file. This is Mario in the Hawk on the backstretch of the road course at IRP. Had to be one of the early races, when they ran the "short" or 1.875 mile course and ran it clockwise because there were so many roadsters still in the field. That way the only right hand turn was Turn 4 going the "other" way.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 10:57 PM

When I was in the USAF and stationed in Japan from 1957 to 1960, I saw a Firestone ad with a couple of photos from the first Monza race in a magazine. I wrote to Firestone, and they sent me this one and the next on glass negatives. The quality isn't much, but it is historic. If my rememberer is working right, in order it's Pat O'Connor, Troy Ruttman, Eddie Sachs, and Jimmy Bryan.

**impact** · 10-04-2009 10:59 PM

Mario in the Dean #12, is 1965. His first champ car win.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 11:01 PM

Here's the other photo. No doubting who this is...

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by impact

Mario in the Dean #12, is 1965. His first champ car win.

Exactly, Impact.

**DaveL** · 10-04-2009 11:27 PM

Those black and whites are from 1974-76.

The Cobre Tire drivers are Bill Vuckovich (#6) and Pancho Carter (#11) and the pictures are from 1975. That's Johnny Parsons in the Vatis Eagle and that would have had to have been 1976 because of the makeshift engine cowl which was not on the car prior, and Roger McCluskey in the Silver Floss Riley from 1974.

Great stuff. I hope there's more.

**indybigjohn** · 10-04-2009 11:39 PM

Thanks. Now I can mark those photos.

**Calhoun** · 10-04-2009 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by DaveL

Roger McCluskey in the Silver Floss Riley from 1974.

I beg to differ. In 1974 Roger ran the number "1" as the defending National Champion and his sponsor was English Leather.

The Silver Floss Riley #15 was run in 1975. The Vuky and Pancho pics are from 1975 as well.

This photo should eliminate any doubt as to the McCluskey photo, as JR only ran the Gatorade livery in '75:

**DaveL** · 10-05-2009 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Calhoun

I beg to differ. In 1974 Roger ran the number "1" as the defending National Champion and his sponsor was English Leather.

The Silver Floss Riley #15 was run in 1975.

You are 100% right. I stand corrected.

The Vuky and Pancho pics are from 1975 as well.

That is how I ID'd them.

**tnindyman** · 10-05-2009 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by indybigjohn

When I was in the USAF and stationed in Japan from 1957 to 1960, I saw a Firestone ad with a couple of photos from the first Monza race in a magazine. I wrote to Firestone, and they sent me this one and the next on glass negatives. The quality isn't much, but it is historic. If my rememberer is working right, in order it's Pat O'Connor, Troy Ruttman, Eddie Sachs, and Jimmy Bryan.

Just an awesome photo...those guys were beyond brave riding around that place on those 4" Firestones at those speeds.

**ZOOOM** · 10-05-2009 12:28 PM

If you want to understand "stones" just realize that the closed course track record of 177 and change, was set by Tony Bettenhausen at Monza (in the Novi) the first year. The following year, with the information gained through one year of racing at Monza, Musso sat on the pole at 174....

ZOOOM

**Ovalmeister** · 10-05-2009 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Ovalmeister

Any guesses? I remember this car, just wondering if anyone else does.
Hint: 1984

Sorry mlv, it was a trick question. No one actually drove the car in 1984, it was just sitting behind the main grandstands. For $20 you could have your picture taken in it. LOL, sorry.

David.