RACING ‘ROUND THE VALLEY

By Dan Fleisher
VSP Racing Columnist

State of the Indy 500, driver wise.

There’s so much controversy regarding the current state of affairs of the Indy 500 and the IRL. Is it still the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing?” Is it still man’s creativity in building individual machines or has it become another IROC series? In my opinion, creativity and originality have been thrown out the window, replaced by spec cars (one manufacturer) with a single engine brand. What ever happened to your choice of an Offy, a Novi or a double overhead cam Ford? However, I’d like to save that entire discussion for another day and focus on just one aspect, the driver situation.

I watched the Indy 500 the other day, and mind you, I’ve been there 21 times (starting in 1961) including 15 as a movie photographer for noted filmmaker and book publisher Dick Wallen, so I know of what I speak. I looked at the “grid,” I liked it better when it was called a “lineup,” and noticed there were only a handful of Americans (call me Nationalistic, that’s OK), but I remember when not only was the entire field born in the good ’ole USA, most of them hailed from California. I realize times change but I’m 72-years old and savor the “olden times.” Let me give you an example:

1954: Sixteen of the 33 drivers starting the “500” lived in the Golden State, or should I say Tarnished State, another subject for another day. Check out the following names taking the green flag: Bill Vukovich (pictured), Jack McGrath, Troy Ruttman, Freddie Agabashian, Don Freeland, Cal Niday, Chuck Stevenson, Manuel Ayulo, Bob Sweikert, Duane Carter, Ed Elisian, Sam Hanks, Rodger Ward, Andy Linden, Johnnie Parsons and Bill Homeier. Jimmy Bryan, Frank Armi, Pat O’Connor and Jim Rathmann were adopted Californians because they honed their skills here. Most of these brave souls raced at San Joaquin Valley tracks like Fresno, Tulare and Bakersfield.

The previous year (’53) was a similar story. In addition to most just mentioned, add the names of Jimmy Davies, Duke Nalon, Walk Faulkner, Pat Flaherty and Bob Scott, all of who raced Midgets or Track Roadsters from the Valley to Southern California. I realize not everyone was a household name but either is Milka Duno. Who? For those of you unfamiliar with the current Indy 500, she’s a lady driver from Caracas, Venezuela who has participated in two Memorial Day Classics but can only be categorized as an “also-ran,” at best.

Today’s societal “melting-pot” attitude has brought us drivers from outside our borders and while they are accomplished and some say, exciting, that just doesn’t do it for me. I do admit that Helio Castroneves is great (three wins prove that), his personality is second-to-none, and I enjoy listening to his pre- and post-race interviews, but it’s not the same as seeing my local home-town hero become an Indy hero. Can you imagine the thrill, pride and excitement of the Fresno community when Bill Vukovich drove into Victory Circle those two years? Incredible! As a 20-year-old (1957), I was beside myself when my idol Sam Hanks drove the uniquely styled Belond lay-over roadster to victory.

I can just hear it now: “That Fleisher is past his time and the drivers of yesteryear can’t hold a candle to those of today.” Oh yeah? I want to see today’s talent buckle up in a Sprint Car or Midget and tackle a dirt track. I’ll put my entire bank account, which is pretty meager, and bet that Vukie or Bryan would whip A_ _!

Next you’re going to tell me that my age group of drivers couldn’t turn left and right on a road course like the current group. Excuse me, but Hanks and Troy Ruttman were Stock Car champions with venues that included Paramount Ranch (Agoura, CA) and Pomona Fairgrounds road courses. As a matter of record, Hanks recorded faster times at Paramount in a Bill Stroppe prepared Mercury than the Sporty Car group with their highly-sophisticated Ferraris and Porches. Take that!

Let’s talk about famous domestic drivers who came along when we entered the ’60s. Remember guys named Foyt and Jones? Foyt is arguably the greatest open wheel driver of all time, his record proves that. But you ask, could he drive on a road course? What do you call the 24-hours of LeMans where he partnered with Dan Gurney to win the grueling marathon in a Ford GT40. How about Riverside Raceway where he and rival P.J. kicked butt. By the way, ever check P.J.’s record in Trans Am racing, an all road course series still active to this day? Probably the best driver EVER in that series.

I’d like to see more American names like Graham Rahal, Buddy Rice, Ed Carpenter, Danica Patrick and so forth. Better yet, I’d like to go back to the original concept of the Indy Racing League which was created to give your weekly, hometown USAC hero’s a chance at the “Big Time.” That concept sure went by the wayside when car owners brought in foreigners carrying bags of MOOLA. Unfortunately I don’t think that idea will ever be resurrected.

You know what makes this country great, the freedom to have differences of opinion. Therefore you can have yours, but I’ll standby mine. Being a gambling man in thought only, I’ll bet there are plenty of you out there in cyber-space who share this viewpoint.

This writer can be reached at: danfleisher1@yahoo.com

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