Indiana's Lost Speedways and Legendary Drivers

By David Humphrey, the Indiana Racing Memorial Association and Mark L. Eutsler

From the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway to the dirt oval tracks in small Indiana towns, thousands of Hoosiers frequent the raceway of their choice each year. Today, there are an estimated 40 asphalt, clay, and dirt-covered oval tracks in Indiana where race fans cheer local drivers, often navigating jalopies pieced together from junkyard parts, to victory lane. Though many racetracks remain in operation throughout the state, dozens have fallen to the wayside over the past 100 years. Forever in remembrance are the famous and not so famous Indiana-born drivers who thrilled fans at those now defunct tracks. Evansville native Charlie Wiggins won the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes four times. Bob Kinser from Bloomington raced over 40 years and is an inductee of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, and Tom Cherry of Muncie won the Little 500 four times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781439672501

David Humphrey

David Humphrey is the author of several books, including Indiana's Lost National Road. He resides in Pendleton, Indiana, with his son, Evan.

Book preview

introduction.

INTRODUCTION

Indiana, speed, and racing are almost synonymous. In 1903, the first automobile to record 60-mph speeds did so on the one-mile oval track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The automobile was driven by Barney Oldfield. The Montpelier Motor Speedway in eastern Indiana opened to horse racing in 1903 and switched to auto racing in 1915. The 37-degree banked asphalt-surfaced Winchester Speedway opened in 1916 and quickly earned a reputation as The World’s Fastest Half Mile. Tracks to follow included Salem Speedway in 1947, the Terre Haute Action Track in the 1950s, and Tri-State Speedway near Haubstadt in 1957. Many Indy 500 starters and some winners raced throughout Indiana as they built their careers.

The Motorsports Industry in the Indianapolis Region Study that was commissioned in 2004 by The Indy Partnership, Indianapolis Economic Development, Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership, Corporation for Economic Development–Madison County, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation affirmed that throughout the world, Indianapolis is most recognized as the racing capital of the world and home of the Indianapolis 500.

It is estimated that more than 400 motorsports-related companies are doing business in Indiana with an approximated workforce of 8,800 individuals working full time in jobs directly related to motorsports. Estimated motorsports-related wages total more than $425 million annually.

Racing has been embraced by community organizations like the 500 Festival. Founded in 1957, its mission is to produce life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500. The festival fosters a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. Its economic impact is around $21 million each year. Founded in 1920, the Citizens’ Speedway Committee has raised Indy 500 incentive awards through its Lap Prize Program for a century.

According to a study commissioned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2000, the Indy 500 produces an economic impact of $336 million each year. NTT INDYCAR CEO Mark Miles has said, It’s like having a Super Bowl in town every year—and we don’t have to bid on it.

From tracks to drivers, mechanics, crew members, writers, and photographers—racing is all about the people who love it and the common bond they share. I quickly discovered this when I cofounded the Indiana Racing Memorial Association and its national counterpart, the American Racing Memorial Association.

When the 60th anniversary of the 1954 plane crash that claimed the lives of Ray Grimes, Ernest Roos, and Wilbur Shaw was approaching, I had a conversation with my friend from college and colleague through the years, former state representative Brian Hasler.

I told Brian I had a desire to observe the occasion, perhaps with an appropriate gravestone-like marker near the crash site on the east edge of Peterson, Indiana, just west of Decatur. Brian though it was a great idea and quickly noted that Indiana was rich with sites, events, and people involved with racing, yesterday and today.

That conversation in his living room quickly turned into an effort, an organization, and tangible results. In December 2013, the organizational meeting of the Indiana Racing Memorial Association (IRMA) was held at INDYCAR corporate headquarters across the street from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and IRMA’s Historic Marker Legacy Program was begun as one way to achieve the group’s mission Celebrating Indiana’s Racing Heritage. IRMA’s first marker was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of Winchester Speedway. The date was July 4, 2014. On October 30 that year, a ceremony was held at the plane crash site, and two days later, a marker for Wilbur Shaw was unveiled at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, where he famously raced in a goat-drawn cart.

Such was the case in North Vernon, Indiana, and the marker for Pat O’Connor, who adorns the cover of this book. Crawfordsville mayor Todd Barton provided funds for the Howdy Wilcox marker. The Tippecanoe County commissioners and Lafayette mayor Tony Roswarski funded the marker honoring 1927 Indy 500 rookie winner George Souders and Roscoe Sarles. Lebanon mayor Matthew Gentry supported the marker honoring Don and Mel Kenyon. It was unveiled on Mel’s birthday, April 15, in 2018.

More than 1,000 people were on hand at the 2016 Jungle Park Reunion, north of Bloomingdale, Indiana, when a marker honoring Jungle Park Speedway was unveiled. IRMA coordinated a reunion two years later with the same attendance.

In partnership with Indianapolis Crown Hill Cemetery, IRMA coordinated medallions to be placed on grave sites of the 60-plus racing legends interred there. A web-based walking/driving tour is on tap to be introduced in 2021. With a $10,000 gift from Chevy Motorsports, the Chevrolet family grave site at Holy Cross and St. Joseph Cemetery, south of downtown Indianapolis, received a new stone.

Although I live just 45 minutes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the town of Linden in west central Indiana, my journey as a fan can trace its roots 4,000 miles away to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

I have been to 56 consecutive Indy 500s and 115 consecutive races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One of my favorite activities is presenting my experiences to fourth grade classes each spring. Indiana history is taught in fourth grade and several go to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 500 Festival Education programs at the track during practice days in May. I love seeing the excitement in the fourth