INDYCAR Stats Digitization

***INDYCAR has begun the process of digitizing our historical records dating back to 1909 and the earliest days of our sport. You are viewing an initial phase of this project. Please continue to visit this page and follow us on social media for updates as we continue to expand this historical experience.

Anyone have any idea as to what records that INDYCAR is actually digitizing? Specifically, what is the source (or perhaps sources) of this material? The material that Gordon White had microfilmed, which is supposed still in the archives of the IMS Hall of Fame Museum? AAA, USAC, CART material not yet digitized?

With what might be seen as scarcely even a cursory look at the earlier "stats" on the site there are these examples which do not necessarily inspire confidence:

  11/25/1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition Course Road Course Earl Cooper Stutz  

This was an invitation event, only four drivers, that was held on the one mile (dirt) track that was part of the exhibition...

....and...

  11/26/1914 Grand Avenue Boulevard Board Eddie Pullen Mercer  

...I was unaware that the circular boulevard in Corona was boarded over.

I have sent an email to indycar@indycar.com asking for additional information regarding this project and awaiting a response....

I now have a better idea of what this is all about and, to be honest, think that there is something very good for motor sport historians that will come out of it.

After a recent conversation, it appears that I will be involved in some aspects of this effort and that it could/should literally open the doors for serious motor sport researchers and historians.

Too early in the process to say much more, but I think that this has great possibilities and will actually come to pass, albeit not as quickly as some might wish, of course, given that it is still in the very early stages.

Something fitting in Sisyphus liking your post, Don...

Something fitting in Sisyphus liking your post, Don...

Well, if the Augean stables get a good clear out ...

As someone who still clings, justifiably or not, to the notion of dum spiro spero, this project does give me hope for better days ahead for motor sport history. With TNF in the sure hands of Richard and Tim, the Argetsinger Symposium moving its way to being a fixture, along with several others things beginning to fall into place with those already existing such as the Hertfordshire gatherings that the Other Richard gives us, there is reason for some measure of hope for the future. With topics related to motor sport history being presented at the Popular Culture Association conference in Indianapolis at the end of March and the II Automotive History Conference in Allentown in mid-April, some headway is being made.

This effort being made by the IMS is going to take time to get started, of course, but it looks as if it will become a reality.