Ed Hinton is truly a national treasure when it comes to auto racing journalism. He always manages a blockbuster Indy 500 story every year on the week of the race. Last year is was the epic history of how American open wheel racing self destructed over the last couple decades. This year he is unveiling the all time greatest Indy 500 field, from the back row to the front in celebration of the spectacle’s 100th birthday.
The stories range from hilarious to tragic and recount many of the race’s most memorable legends and some that we had never heard before, like the story of a hard luck racer who was in line for a qualifying run, and when tech officials opened the hood the car, there was no engine, only a few cases of beer.
From the men of the leather helmet, and no helmet at all era, to the highly specalized racers of today, Hinton manages to hit all the bases with this one. It is a great history lesson on the race. The final two rows are released today and tomorrow, so get caught up now!
LINK:The Indy 500 Field of the Century – Ed Hinton
