ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

SEEKING COMMENTS and stories from drivers who have won the Indy 500 was well down the list of what I had hoped to accomplish as I set out on this project. In time, I realized that what once may have been seen as a “sidebar” enhancement to a “photo essay” had, in fact, become central to the book.

I’ve always felt that a journalist or documentarian should avoid asking questions where the answer is already known. That notion seems to have served me well. I can think of no better way to learn of the racing world and the racing life. I greatly enjoyed the experience of “talking shop” with the entire (living) crop of past Indy 500 winners. There are qualities shared by each: honest opinion and recollection and a sense of humor. None of them “carefully measured their words.” Each of them has my gratitude for their contribution to this book.

I was also well supported by an elite assortment of individuals—the “pros” of racing. Many are former Indy drivers who continue in the sport in other capacities.

Stefan Johansson, Pancho Carter, Roger Penske, Lyn St. James, Larry Foyt, Sam Schmidt, Lee Kunzman, Chip Ganassi, Bill Simpson, Sarah Fisher, Michael Andretti, and Scott Goodyear are particular standouts.

Race teams are particularly busy in the pressure-filled month of May around Indy. The teams’ decision to graciously make time for me—notebook and camera at hand—was invaluable to me. Thanks is extended to Mo Nunn Racing, Andretti Autosports, Panther Racing, Team Penske, Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports, Ganassi Racing, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, Rahal/Letterman/Lanigan, Newman/Haas, Vision Racing, CFH Racing, Hemelgarn Racing, Cheever Racing, KV Racing (and a lot more).

I was very happy to discover in 2003 that my Notre Dame classmate Mike Griffin was a partner in Panther Racing—a top echelon, championship team. Mike has opened many doors, answered a thousand questions with wit and wisdom, and been a durable friend. Thanks, Mike!

I have to recall just how slight my knowledge of racing was as this project began. I was neither a “motor head” nor a “gear head.” I was simply a fan—early on, listening to the annual race on the radio, hardly believing that one could drive five hundred miles in a single day. My uncle Jim was a friend of Jim Rathmann and he secured two infield tickets—one for me and one for my brother Frank—for the 1965 race. We got to see Jim Clark win, the first victory in a rear engine car. It was also Mario Andretti’s rookie year.

There have been hundreds of people, events, and situations that have given me the courage to call this an “inside” look at Indy racing. In no particular order, here are some that come to mind and have my thanks:

David Storvick—IndyCar Ministry; Uniden/Bearcat Scanner; Hoosier 100; Indy Hostel; Ron Hussey—Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company; Brigid Kavanagh for a gift to Skip Barber Racing/Lime Rock Park; Dick Wolfe; Phoenix International Raceway; Bombardier Racing; Nazareth Speedway; Kika Concheso; Ann Fornoro; Susan Bradshaw; Jane Barnes; Bob Linda; Joe Crowley; Jeff Dennison; Aaron Nelson; Kelby Krauss; Jeffrey Rupple; Hasselblad Camera Company; Ziggy Harcus; Phase One/Capture One/Digital Transitions/Jeff Lin and Allison Watson; Zeiss Lenses; Indiana Oxygen; Lincoln Welding; Holmatro Safety Team—Mike Tate; Delphi; Patty Reid; Dale Ratermann; Chuck Brewer; Jeff Troyer. Chicagoland Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway/Eddie Gossage; Joie Chitwood; Randy Bernard; Worldwide Pants; ABC/ESPN; Rodger Ward Jr.; Indianapolis Star; Mark Ferner; Brian Figg; Derek Bell; Danica Patrick; Xtrac/Andrew Heard; Panoz G-Force/Simon Marshall; Dallara/Sam Garrett; Firestone/Jimmy Russell and Dale Harrigle; Toyota Racing Development; Chevy Racing/Chris Berube and Judy Kouba Dominick; Sunoco; and Verizon.

I’d like to single out Honda Motorsports and Honda Performance Development for the particular help and encouragement that they’ve provided me over the entire course of this book project. I found them to be superb engineers, nice people, and sharp racing competitors.

T. E. McHale of Honda Motorsports has my very deep gratitude.

Parachutist on Race Morning

It’s been said of journalists that they “learn in public.” I’m grateful to the many true pros in the racing world who have inspired and encouraged me: Jack Arute, Allen Bestwick, Curt Cavin, Eddie Cheever, Chris Economaki, Scott Goodyear, Don Kay, Michael Knight, Jamie Little, Larry McReynolds, Robin Miller, Paul Pfanner, Dr. Jerry Punch, and Darrell Waltrip.

Friends and family have supported me in ways that they may never know. Thanks to Friends and Family: Sheila, Katie, Meg, Jamie, Brooke, Tom A, Karl, Mano, Judy, Clare, Don A, J O’B, Ritchie A, Kevin, Robby, Mary M (Apt 5C), George Griffin, Dede B, Joe Iron, Trudy, Frank, Patty and Joey, Paul Landis, Roy Beauchamp, Paul Goldsmith, Stephen Ives, Roma Agrawal, Shawn Dougal, Eric at Yellow Umbrella Books, Clayton Calderwood, Bill Marcato, Min-o, Pamela Rosen, Joe’l, Jon Harrison, Bob Wagner, Robert Parker, Rick M, Joanne T, Massamba, Bob Staats, and Jose Martos Gallery.

My initial contact at the Speedway, Fred Nation, has been a stalwart supporter. His insight, inspiration, patience, and friendship greatly helped to get this book between two covers. Thank you, Fred!

Thanks also to the amazing Hoosier hospitality that the Speedway people have provided over the years: Deb Taylor, Buddy McAtee, Ron McQueeney, Donald Davidson, Dr. Henry Bock, Dr. Timothy Pohlman, Tom Carnegie, Dan Edwards, Bill Walters, Tim Sullivan, Dave Brown, Jeff Horton, Kevin “Rocket” Blanch, Derrick Walker, Brian Barnhart, and the Hulman and George Families.

My editor, Julie Ganz at Skyhorse Publishing, has been a bright and patient leader as we sorted through 7,000 of my film and digital images and managed to assemble interviews with every living Indy 500 winner. I have been guided through the publishing schedule by the sure hand of Editorial Director Jay Cassell. Thank you, Julie and Jay!

Finally, I’m grateful to Andrew Stuart and Paul Starobin at the Stuart Literary Agency for their encouragement and hard work in helping me to shape this documentary project.

The Borg-Warner Trophy.