How Much Do You Really Know About the Indianapolis 500?

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Contents

Chapter 1 Drivers: Questions 1-123.....................................1Chapter 2 Track/Facility: Questions 124-182............................36Chapter 3 Owners/Teams: Questions 183-211..............................54Chapter 4 Race Information: Questions 212-348..........................64Chapter 5 Cars/Engines: Questions 349-400..............................107Chapter 6 Rules and Regulations: Questions 401-429.....................122Chapter 7 Qualifications: Questions 430-450............................133Chapter 8 Records: Questions 451-529...................................139Chapter 9 Answers......................................................161Chapter 10 Grading......................................................189

Chapter One

1. Salt Walther raced in seven "500s." What was his real first name?

(a) Anthony (b) David (c) Herschel (d) Thomas

2. Rick Mears drove at the Speedway for how many years before crashing a car?

(a) three years (b) seven years (c) 11 years (d) 14 years

3. Which winner became the first since Ray Harroun to retire in Victory Lane?

(a) Jimmy Bryan (b) Sam Hanks (c) Johnny Rutherford (d) Al Unser Sr.

4. What was Jim Clark's occupation prior to becoming a race driver?

(a) airplane pilot (b) engineer (c) mechanic (d) sheep farmer

5. Who was the first African American driver to qualify at Indy?

(a) Carmelo Anthony (b) George Mack (c) Walter Payton (d) Willy T. Ribbs

6. In 2005, defending champion Buddy Rice had an accident in practice that resulted in a broken back, preventing him from defending his championship. Which former winner, who was also recuperating from serious injuries, took over his car, actually qualifying with the fastest qualifying speed?

(a) Kenny Brack (b) Eddie Cheever (c) Buddy Lazier (d) Arie Luyendyk

7. The 1939 pole sitter Jimmy Snyder was a former what from Chicago?

(a) airplane pilot (b) mailman (c) milkman (d) truck driver

8. Between 1930 and 1932, this top-notch driver led 410 of the 421 laps he completed, or more than 97 percent. Who was this driver?

(a) Billy Arnold (b) Fred Frame (c) Louis Meyer (d) Louis Schneider

9. Which potential race favorite was injured in a motorcycle accident in the infield on Pole Day 1969 and was forced to miss the race due to a broken ankle? (a) Roger McCluskey (b) Johnny Rutherford (c) Al Unser (d) Bobby Unser

10. The pole winner in 2001 did not make it past the first turn on lap one before getting in a single-car accident. Who was it?

(a) Scott Goodyear (b) Roberto Guerrero (c) Greg Ray (d) Scott Sharp

11. Name the driver who arrived at the Speedway in May of 1966 with both arms in casts from a sprint-car accident at Eldora that prevented him from competing at Indy?

(a) Ronnie Duman (b) Billy Foster (c) Bobby Grim (d) Johnny Rutherford 12. Whose car was Tony Bettenhausen testing in 1961 when a suspension failure caused the car to barrel-roll flip down the main straight, proving fatal for Bettenhausen?

(a) Eddie Johnson (b) Eddie Russo (c) Paul Russo (d) Shorty Templeman 13. Match the driver with his hometown.

Rick Mears (a) Bakersfield, CA Bobby Rahal (b) Dayton, OH Danny Sullivan (c) Louisville, KY Salt Walther (d) Maui Island, HI Danny Ongais (e) Medina, OH

14. In 2000, there were for the first time, two female

drivers in the field. Who were they? (a) Sarah Fisher (b) Danica Patrick (c) Lyn St. James (d) Desir Wilson

15. What was the hometown of 2000 pole sitter Greg Ray?

(a) Dallas, TX (b) Fort Worth, TX (c) Houston, TX (d) Plano, TX

16. What driver is famous for the "spin and win" in 1985?

(a) Michael Andretti (b) Rick Mears (c) Bobby Rahal (d) Danny Sullivan

17. Which driver is remembered for spectacular flips down the main straight in three successive years in the early 1960s, resulting in his retirement from racing?

(a) Bob Christie (b) Allen Crowe (c) A. J. Shepherd (d) Jack Turner 18. What former winner had four fine finishes in his first four "500s"-second, second, first, and second?

(a) A. J. Foyt (b) Bill Holland (c) Tom Sneva (d) Rodger Ward 19. Who was the first Mexican driver to qualify for the Indy 500?

(a) Josele Garza (b) Roberto Guerrero (c) Bernard Jourdain (d) Pedro Rodriguez

20. Bob Harkey drove in six "500s." Besides racing, what was another occupation?

(a) bar owner (b) insurance salesman (c) stuntman (d) tax collector

21. What "500" winner wore a green shamrock on his helmet?

(a) Billy Arnold (b) Jimmy Bryan (c) Pat Flaherty (d) Jimmy Murphy

22. In 2004, the son of a former winner qualified for the first time in a car using the same paint scheme and car number as his father's winning car. Who was it?

(a) Marco Andretti (b) Larry Foyt (c) P. J. Jones (d) Robby Unser

23. Who was Mario Andretti's twin brother? (a) Aldo Andretti (b) Jeff Andretti (c) Marco Andretti (d) Michael Andretti 24. The winner of the first race of the Hulman era in 1946 was George Robson. In what country was he born?

(a) Canada (b) England (c) Germany (d) USA

25. After eight years of trying, which driver finally qualified for the race in 1976 and finished 25th?

(a) Sheldon Kinser (b) Ralph Liguori (c) Al Loquasto (d) Jan Opperman

26. Which racing brothers swapped identities (first names), to get around age restrictions so both could race, and retained those identities for the rest of their lives?

(a) Mears (b) Rathmanns (c) Unsers (d) Whittingtons

27. Which driver won the pole position then was fatally injured in a practice accident the next week?

(a) Tony Bettenhausen (b) Scott Brayton (c) Floyd Roberts (d) Bill Vukovich Sr.

28. What was the birth place of Mario Andretti?

(a) Nazareth, PA (b) Rome, Italy (c) Speedway, IN (d) Trieste, Italy

29. Which of the following winners was the only one who never failed to qualify for the "500" race when they made a four lap qualification attempt?

(a) Emerson Fittipaldi (b) A. J. Foyt (c) Buddy Lazier (d) Bobby Rahal (e) Johnny Rutherford (f) Tom Sneva (g) Al Unser Jr. (h) Rodger Ward

30. Who was the first Japanese driver to qualify for the "500"?

(a) Kosuke Matsuura (b) Hideshi Matsuda (c) Hiro Matsushita (d) Tora Takagi

31. Who was the first third-generation starter in the "500" whose grandfather and father also competed?

(a) Marco Andretti (b) Al Unser Jr. (c) Robby Unser (d) Bill Vukovich III

32. Who was the first driver to win the "500" for Roger Penske?

(a) Gary Bettenhausen (b) Mark Donohue (c) Rick Mears (d) Al Unser

33. Sammy Sessions raced in seven Indy 500s. What city was he from?

(a) Nashville, IN (b) Nashville, MI (c) Nashville, TN

34. What former three-time American Motorcycle Association National Champion came within a whisker (nine laps) of winning the "500" in 1968?

(a) Arnie Knepper (b) Joe Leonard (c) Jochen Rindt (d) Sammy Sessions

35. Who was the second African American driver to race at Indy?

(a) Spike Gelhausen (b) Dee Jones (c) George Mack (d) Lee Roy Yarborough

36. Which "500" winner was largely responsible for Jack Brabham deciding to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in 1961?

(a) Jim Clark (b) A. J. Foyt (c) Graham Hill (d) Rodger Ward

37. Didier Theys raced in three Indianapolis 500s (1989, 1990, 1993) and finished a best of 11th place. What country was Theys from?

(a) Belgium (b) Denmark (c) Finland (d) Netherlands

38. North Tonawanda, NY, was the hometown of the 1960 Rookie of the Year and fastest qualifier, who happened to be 2.5 mph faster than the pole winner, Eddie Sachs. Who was this driver?

(a) Don Branson (b) Jim Hurtubise (c) Lloyd Ruby (d) Bud Tinglestad

39. Lone Star J. R. (Johnny Rutherford) was born where?

(a) Arlington, TX (b) Fort Worth, TX (c) Coffeyville, KS (d) Denver, CO

40. In 1920, Ralph DePalma dominated the "500" again, but faltered late in the race and finished fifth. A famous "automobile" name won the race. Who?

(a) Arthur Chevrolet (b) Gaston Chevrolet (c) Louis Chevrolet (d) William Chevrolet

41. Three-time winner Johnny Rutherford qualified for his last "500" in 1988. How many years following his final "500" did J. R. unsuccessfully attempt to qualify before deciding to retire?

(a) two years (b) three years (c) four years (d) five years

42. Steve Krisiloff raced in 11 Indy 500s. Where was he originally from?

(a) Omaha, NE (b) Parsippany, NJ (c) Speedway, IN (d) St. Louis, MO

43. In 1991, four members of the same family raced against each other in the "500." What was the family?

(a) the Andrettis-Mario, Michael, Jeff, and John (b) the Unsers-Al, Al Jr., Johnny, and Robby

44. In 1980, a third Sneva brother attempted to make the "500" field, eventually crashing in practice and realizing Indy was not for him. What was his name?

(a) Al (b) Jan (c) Tim (d) Wayne

45. What driver lost his ride with Penske for the 1975 season after severely injuring an arm in a dirt-car race in Syracuse, NY?

(a) Gary Bettenhausen (b) Jimmy Caruthers (c) Mark Donohue (d) David Hobbs

46. On the day after the 1963 race, which driver called Parnelli Jones a "cheater" and as a result ended up on the floor at the Speedway Motel?

(a) Jim Clark (b) A. J. Foyt (c) Eddie Sachs (d) Rodger Ward

47. Which "500" winner died racing just 16 days after winning the "500" at the same track (Altoona, PA) in which former "500" winners Howdy Wilcox and Joe Boyer were fatally injured?

(a) Billy Arnold (b) Fred Frame (c) Ray Keech (d) George Souders

48. What was Lloyd Ruby's hometown?

(a) Arlington, TX (b) Fort Worth, TX (c) Houston, TX (d) Wichita Falls, TX

49. Spike Gelhausen raced in five "500s." What was his real first name?

(a) Anthony (b) David (c) Daniel (d) James

50. In 1996, a ten-time "500" veteran, after a ten- year absence, was a surprise starter in the "500." Who was it?

(a) Racin Gardner (b) Howdy Holmes (c) Danny Ongais (d) Tom Sneva

51. What was Parnelli Jones's real first name?

(a) Ebb (b) Elmer (c) Parnell (d) Rufus

52. This driver, like several in his time, began his career as a riding mechanic. He was a riding mechanic for 1915 winner Ralph DePalma, who also happened to be his uncle. Who was he?

(a) Peter DePaolo (b) Harlan Fengler (c) Dario Resta (d) Count Louis Zborowski

53. America's highly decorated World War I flying ace, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, was a race driver prior to going into the military. His highest finish was tenth. In how many "500s" did he start?

(a) one (b) two (c) three (d) four

54. Ralph Hepburn was fatally injured preparing to qualify the powerful Novi in 1948. What was Hepburn's age when he passed away?

(a) 22 (b) 32 (c) 42 (d) 52

55. Match the driver with his hometown.

Mario Andretti (a) Nazareth, PA Gary Bettenhausen (b) Pittsburgh, PA Len Sutton (c) Portland, OR Chip Ganassi (d) Tinley Park, IL Roger McCluskey (e) Tucson, AZ

56. In 1982, defending champion Bobby Unser returned as a driver coach, rather than a driver. Who did he coach?

(a) Geoff Brabham (b) Chip Ganassi (c) Josele Garza (d) Al Unser Jr.

57. What "500" winner had sight in only one eye?

(a) Tommy Milton (b) Bobby Rahal (c) Troy Ruttman (d) Jacques Villeneuve

58. In 1948, a 37 year-old rookie, nicknamed "The Cinderella Man," established a new pattern around the track that basically still is used today and is still referred to as the groove. Who was this individual?

(a) Johnnie Parsons (b) Jim Rathmann (c) Bill Vukovich (d) Lee Wallard

59. The 1972 winner Mark Donohue graduated from what university with a degree in mechanical engineering?

(a) Brown University (b) Columbia University (c) Denison University (d) University of Virginia

60. At six feet, three inches tall and 265 pounds, who was the tallest and heaviest winner of the "500"?

(a) Sam Hanks (b) Jim Rathmann (c) Troy Ruttman (d) Bill Vukovich

61. Two Indianapolis 500 winners were riding mechanics before becoming drivers. Which of the following were riders before winning as drivers?

(a) Peter DePaolo (b) Tommy Milton (c) Jimmy Murphy (d) Louis Schneider

62. Who was the first third-generation (grandson) driver to attempt to compete in the "500"?

(a) Marco Andretti (b) A. J. Foyt IV (c) Teddy Pilette (d) Robby Unser

63. Before Jim Rathmann changed his identity so that he would comply with driver age requirements, what was his name?

(a) Herb Porter (b) Dick Rathmann (c) Ebb Rose (d) Dempsey Wilson

64. In 1987, what driver crashed in practice and sustained a serious head injury, which opened up a position on the Penske team for eventual winner Al Unser Sr.?

(a) Jim Crawford (b) Danny Ongais (c) Johnny Rutherford (d) Danny Sullivan

65. What was the first father-son combination to compete against each other in the "500"?

(a) Mario and Michael Andretti (b) Jim and James McElreath (c) Johnnie Parsons and Johnny Parsons Jr. (d) Al and Al Unser Jr.

66. Gordon Johncock was from which town? (a) Flint, MI (b) Hastings, MI (c) Holland, MI (d) Lansing, MI

67. Vern Schuppan raced in three "500s" with a best finish of third in 1981. What country was he from?

(a) Australia (b) Bulgaria (c) England (d) France

68. Which driver had the almost unbelievable record of finishes from 1959 to 1964 of first, second, third, first, fourth, second and then failed to qualify in 1965?

(a) Jimmy Clark (b) A. J. Foyt (c) Parnelli Jones (d) Rodger Ward

69. What driver was diagnosed with cancer after the 1974 race, underwent successful treatment, qualified tenth, and finished 14th in 1975?

(a) Jimmy Caruthers (b) Sheldon Kinser (c) Rick Muther (d) Jan Opperman

70. In 1953, on probably the hottest race day in history, with temperatures in the low 90s and ten of the 23 cars that went beyond 100 laps using relief drivers, what driver stopped for a relief driver and then collapsed and died from overheating? His car, with Bob Scott as relief driver, finished 12th.

(a) Alberto Ascari (b) Ralph Hepburn (c) Chet Miller (d) Carl Scarborough

71. The 1990 and 1997 winner Arie Luyendyk speaks three languages. Which does he not speak?

(a) Dutch (b) English (c) French (d) German

72. The 1986 winner Bobby Rahal was a graduate of what college?

(a) Denison (b) Ohio State (c) Toledo (d) Wooster

73. How old was Lyn St. James in 1992 when she made her first "500"?

(a) 35 (b) 40 (c) 45 (d) 50

74. What was 1985 "spin and win" Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan doing before pursuing auto racing?

(a) car salesman (b) construction worker (c) insurance salesman (d) taxicab driver

75. Who was the only driver in "500" history to drive in the race with a full beard?

(a) Michael Andretti (b) Chet Fillip (c) Herm Johnson (d) Bobby Rahal

76. Which multiple winner of the "500" pulled a rookie mistake in his first race by failing to buckle his helmet for the start?

(a) A. J. Foyt (b) Rick Mears (c) Al Unser Sr. (d) Bobby Unser

77. Sarah Fisher made her "500" debut in 2000. How old was she?

(a) 19 years old (b) 22 years old (c) 25 years old (d) 28 years old

78. Which was the only family to have three brothers qualify for the same Indy 500?

(a) Andretti (b) Foyt (c) Unser (d) Whittington

79. At six feet, six inches tall, who was the tallest driver to race in the "500" mile race since Joel Thorne in 1941?

(a) Jerry Grant (b) Sheldon Kinser (c) Chris Kneifel (d) Troy Ruttman

80. What columnist practiced in 1981 and 1982 before making the race in 1983 and 1984? He was injured in a serious accident in the 1984 race and would never race at Indy again.

(a) Patrick Bedard (b) Mike Chandler (c) Chris Economaki (d) Sam Posey

(Continues...)

Excerpted from How Much Do You Really Know About the Indianapolis 500?by Pat Kennedy Copyright © 2010 by Pat Kennedy . Excerpted by permission.
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