Les heures fragiles

Virginie Grimaldi

Description

They competed against each other and became the sport's greatest generation. It was an amazing era in auto racing, and the Indianapolis 500. But it was coming to an end.

It was a group of three men, all who had been four-time winners of the race. All about to end their careers at about the same time by the mid-1990's.

At about the same time a three-time race winner also hung up his helmet. A race winner and World's Driving Champion stopped racing close behind. Two were sons of long-time race veterans.

They were men who were my own father's age. They were larger than life. They were my heroes. One driver started his Indy 500 career in 1958. The youngest, just ten years older than myself, made his first start in 1974.

The men represent twenty-one Indianapolis 500 victories, and two Daytona 500 wins. They enjoyed twenty-five national championships. A Le Mans 24 Hours win and wins in other sports car races including the Daytona 24 and the Sebring 12 Hours were also collected by this group. Last but not least is the numerous sprint car, midget, and Silver Crown race wins. Asphalt, dirt, and road courses were their playgrounds.

They all retired from racing within a few years of each other. Driver Bobby Unser would also be included as part of this group. However, Unser retired not long after his controversial Indy 500 win of 1981.

Bill Vukovich II would also be a part of the group. He raced at IMS from 1968 until 1980. Mark Donohue, winner of the 1972 Indianapolis 500, died from racing injuries in 1975, and is also part of this group. Mike Mosley raced until 1983, and Danny Ongais raced until 1986. These men didn't fall into the time frame of this project, and sadly were omitted.

But regardless, they were all legends at the Indianapolis 500.

I would describe it as Championship Car's Greatest Generation. They are some of the greatest performers in Indy 500 history. Many like AJ Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Gordon Johncock, Bobby Rahal, Tom Sneva, Gary Bettenhausen, Duane Carter, and Danny Sullivan.

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