Halfway the Indy 500 Centennial

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By Leigh Dorrington: As 2011 Indianapolis 500 100th anniversary festivities finally draw down, we like to share an image that represents a tipping point in 500 history. It was 50 years ago, in 1961, that A.J. Foyt—‘Super Tex’—won his first 500 driving a traditional Offy-powered roadster for chief mechanic George Bignotti.  That was the 50th anniversary 500 and the same race where World Champion Jack Brabham became the first to successfully compete in a rear-engine car. Foyt did collect more memorable facts. When he won his second 500 in 1964, he became the last man to win the race in a front-engine car.  He wasn’t the first to win with a rear-engine car, but he did win two more 500s in rear-engine cars of his own design to become the first 4-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. A.J. Foyt . Trivial knowledge maybe, but still memorable.

Even more trivial. We all can see Floyt is using Firestones. But can anybody of you recollect or find which exact type of Firestones? Is it a racing version of the 'advanced 2-ply tire' ? There must be some knowledge around as Firestone did some expensive advertising about their racing successes back then ?

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