Ward Photos Available

A gallery of high-resolution photos featuring two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rodger Ward, who died July 5 at age 83, is available for download at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media Web site, www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/media. The gallery is located in the Photos area of the Indianapolis 500 section of the site. It includes head shots, racing action shots and feature shots of Ward, one of the greatest drivers in Indianapolis 500 history. The art is a mixture of black-and-white and color photos. Please contact Paul Kelly of the IMS Public Relations Department at pkelly@brickyard.com or (315) 673-0184 for username and password information.

Club Notes

The National Indy 500 Collectors Club sponsored a lap at the USAC Speedrome midget race on May 27th. Ms. Eleanor Vogler (mother of the great Rich Vogler) sponsors the Rich Vogler Scholarship Fund. The club donated $50; $25 for a Lap Prize and $25 to the Scholarship Fund. Thank you all for making it possible.

From National Speed Sport News – Don Freeland qualified Bob Este’s champ car at Langhorne, and as soon as he stopped asked, “Did we make the show?” Turned out he was on the pole.
Now Freeland is needing cheer. He’s at the Veterans Home of California, 718 E. Naples Court, Chula Vista, Calif. 91911. Send him a card.

Doug Shierson, who fielded 500 entries for Al Unser, Jr. and Danny Sullivan and won the 500 with Arie Luyendyk, died of cancer last week at age 62 in Florida. He retired from racing the day after winning Indy..

Member Richard Ockomon passed this piece of info to us:
The Champ Car and Indy Car Online Data Warehouse can be found on the net at: ChampCarStats.com

Member Rich Poisson sent us a note with the information that Joe Freeman has purchased the Firestone Test car (roadster). Rich says Joe is a very knowledgeable person and he is sure the car has found a good home.

More Rodger Ward Information

Cards and letters: Cards and letters can be sent to Sherrie Ward, 24701 Raymond Way, No. 29, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

Donations: Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Note From John Blazier

After many, many hours of work I have downloaded my Indy 500 autograph collection. If you would like to see it the web address is
http://photos.yahoo.com/ridingmechanic1937
Please let me know if that gets you there. If not, I will send you an invite to visit it. Just click on the Indy 500 albums after you get there.

Midget Racing Trading Cards

Thirty-two of the world’s best midget drivers have been honored in a trading-card set produced by American open-wheel photographer David Sink.
Some of the best Midget photographers from around the world have joined to make this one of the best trading-card sets ever produced. Honoring Midget champions from around the world, including the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the U.K. and South Africa. Top American drivers such as Dave Darland, Tony Elliott, Mel Kenyon, Davey Ray, Cory Kruseman, Bobby East, Dave Steele and Aaron Fike are included in the set.
For more information, contact David Sink at: mrlittle500@aol.com

Friends of Racing at Milwaukee

The Wisconsin State Fair Park has formed The Milwaukee Mile Friends of Racing. An advisory group which will organize events on behalf of the Milwaukee Mile.
The Milwaukee Mile Friends of Racing’s goals include the creation of a series of events which will encourage racing fans to visit Milwaukee and The Milwaukee Mile.
Their first project was assisting in the creation of a “Speedfest” prior to the inaugural IRL IndyCar Series race held at Milwaukee in July.
Included in the activities was a “Rhythm and Zoom” gala on July 22 that was a benefit for local charities. IRL President Tony George and his wife Laura served as hon- orary chairpersons for the event.