The Numbers Board of the Press Office Where Everyone Sees Who's Where and By How Much
© Oak Park Journal photo
The 89th Running of the Indy 500
by Ed Vincent
The weather was beautiful, the track new, and the ride to
the Brickyard was smooth sailing (no road construction),
what could be better? A good race...and that was about
to begin in a short time, but first there were the celebrities,
historical visits, and selected turns to photograph from.
Dick Mittman Interviews Mr. Jimmy Dunham about his 1935
Winning Race Effort.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Mr. Jimmy Dunham was working on a dairy farm doing
general maintenance for the farms owner when he heard
that a race car was being built for the Indy 500 and the
owner of the farm asked if Jimmy would be the ride along
mechanic for the event. Jimmy Dunham thought that it
would be fun and rode along with Kelly Petillo, the man
who would win the race in 1935. Mr. Jimmy Dunham, now
91 years of age is back at the track, which he has not been
at since his winning day of 1935. Mr. Dick Mittman
interviewed Mr. Dunham for the Brickyard this morning,
and Mr. Dunham had a great view of the race. Mr. Dunham
did no more racing and went on to be a successful salesman
in the years that followed the winning of the Indy 500.
Figures from the 1935 Indy 500
Winner: |
Kelly Petillo |
Car No.: |
5 |
Chassis: |
Wetteroth |
Engine: |
Offy |
Started: |
22nd |
Total laps: |
200 |
Laps led: |
102 |
Time: |
4:42:22.710 |
Speed: |
106.240 mph |
Prize: |
$30,600 |
Cheech Marin, Actor. Director, Cartoon Voice, and fun guy
on the Red Carpet at the Brickyard.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Los Angeles born actor and icon Cheech Marin walked
the Red Carpet and when I thought of his first well know
film "Up in Smoke" I thought to ask him what he thought about the ruling in Bali (Indonesia), where the young and beautiful Australian girl Cory Schapelle was found guilty
and sentenced to 20 years in prison for bringing in 9 pounds
of marijuana. Cheech and I spoke some Spanish from
time to time and his response in Spanish would translate something like "All F**ked up...". The courts in Bali could have put her to death or given her life in prison and there
is also a judge in Bali who thinks that she got off too easy
and would like to appeal the sentence for something more
severe. She has claimed that the drugs were planted in
her luggage and some 90% of Australian people believe
that she is innocent of all charges and should be brought
home. The average person should think twice about going
to a country with such severe penalties for drug offenses
and if you want drugs and your vacation to go together
you should go to Amsterdam where it is legal and the cost
with airfare is still much less in money than the legal fees
in a foreign country-not to mention the prison time.
Cheeh Marin's Biography
Russell Crowe Talks Racing Tactics with the Local News.
© Oak Park Journal photo
When Russell Crowe finished his talk about car placements and
the like, with the local news, I spoke with him about being an
Australian and his views on the sentence handed down to his
kinswoman Cory Schapelle (20 years in an Indonesian prison).
He was well aware of the sentiments of the population of
Australia and added that the "whole situation was a big
mess" and "not just".
Russell Crowe would like the Indonesian Government to Let the
Australian Woman Return Home.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Earlier Russell Crowe had commented that he did see how
Cory Schapelle could be forgotten. He told CNN that he
did not see how the Australian government could let her
"rot away in a foreign prison."
Next, I wished him the best from Oak Park and Forest Park, where Circle Theatre is, and that they are making good use of his sound system that he paid for. He smiled, we shook hands and then he signed autographs for the some of the fans.
© Oak Park Journal photo
When he finished with some autographs, he turned to
leave and came back yet another time, when some
admirers called to him. He was nice and courteous to
one and all.
Now On To the Race
"Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Engines", Safety Crew Between
Turns 3 and 4, and the Stealth Bomber all signal the start of the Race.
© Oak Park Journal photo
And They're Off......
© Oak Park Journal photo
Danica Patrick runs strong even when she is behind.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Danica Patrick spins out and is soon to be hit.
© Oak Park Journal photo
She collides with the #2 Car Tomas Enge, others brake, and try
to avoid damage.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Less than a second later and debris is still in the air from the #2 Car,
while more cars enter the area of damage and caution.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Chassis on the ground and sparks light the area to avoid.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Closer view of the photo above.
© Oak Park Journal photo
The sparks stop, but so too does the race for some
of the drivers.
© Oak Park Journal photo
The safety crew rushes to the scene and begins to help.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Some cars choose to pit during the caution.
© Oak Park Journal photo
The larger portions of the missing car parts are
brought to the lawn for removal.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Sweepers clean and clean some more.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Every little piece is found and removed
from the track.
© Oak Park Journal photo
The crowds could be heard all around cheering once they knew
that Danica Patrick was still in the race, and this was before she
took the lead and made history (Note the missing body part on this
side right by the front wheel).
© Oak Park Journal photo
Danica Patrick makes history as she takes the lead in the Indy 500 and holds it for a run that many thought would see her as the victor of the
race. She was passed with only a few laps remaining and if this race
had run like NASCAR, she might have had a chance for one more
attempt at the finish line. Dan Wheldon who started in 16th place now
takes the finish line and the win, but much of the attention was on the
small driver, the woman, the thrill of the race.
© Oak Park Journal photo
© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
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