Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Indy 500 - Eddie Rickenbacker


When you hear Eddie Rickenbacker's name, your mind turns skyward, borne aloft by canvas and balsam into the dawning of aerial combat. Rickenbacker was a Medal of Honor recipient, America's most decorated ace, and an emblem of those daring young men in their flying machines that inspired a generation to take to the skies. But when World War I came to a close and the parades were over, what's a flying ace to do? Well, quite a bit, actually.


On November 1, 1927, Rickenbacker purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, beginning a decade during which the flying ace would oversee improvements to the facilities. He continued to run the Speedway up until the beginning of World War II after which he sold the track to the Hulman family.

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