Comments on: Vukovich – Part I

By: Mark Wick

Mark Wick — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:16:21 +0000

I’m guessing at the year, but I think it was ’03, when I was leaving the media center at IMS and a group of men were standing near the bottom of a stairwell having quite a conversation. I realized they were gathered around Rodger Ward, my first 500 hero. At the urging of the others, he was telling many stories of his career in general at at the Speedway in particular. One of the group asked him about the crash that killed Vuky. Ward was clearly disturbed that he had been involved in it, but didn’t blame himself. He said his axle broke as he exited two and there was nothing he could do.

By: Oilpressure

Oilpressure — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:32:38 +0000

I agree on your top-two cars, but I could make an argument for either one being at the top.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:59:09 +0000

I put Vuky in the Top Three because it is argumentative that he was the best ever. I think he was, but AJ is second with a photo finish followed by Mears and Al Unser. There is also an argument that Vuky might have won 4 in a row. George, your article is a good one and I feel that it will inspire those that are not as familiar with Vuky’s career to read further and research the amazing things he did.

By the way, I would rank Vuky’s Fuel Injection Special as the number one car to ever run at Indianapolis followed by Wilbur Shaw’s beautiful Boyle Special (Maserati) as number two.

By: james t suel

james t suel — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:31:17 +0000

I read the book in a few days! I dont believe anyone could go very deep into Vukys personnel life! he did not ever open up about it to anyone. Keller was the cause of the crash being as bad as it was. Wards car broke an axle to start the crash . YOU WERE TOLD IN THOSE DAYS ,IF YOU SPIN INTO THE GRASS STAY THERE. I think vuke was the best ever at the speedway, but thats a endless debate.

By: Travis R

Travis R — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:30:01 +0000

George, in your opinion, how did this book compare to Wilbur Shaw’s autobiography? I read that, and thought it was excellent. I’ll probably still try to pick up a copy of this, but I’m curious as to what I’m in for…

By: Mike Rice

Mike Rice — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:33:03 +0000

I gave Vuky a top-5 ranking. It may in fact be too little, he may have been the best ever to run the Speedway, or maybe top 3.

The problem is trying to compare a driver from one generation to another. There’s a refining process that happens through the years, in a sense, but it’s impossible to know how my own “top 5″ would shake out against one another in those cases where they never raced each other, or only raced once or twice as one was coming up as a rookie while the other was winding up his career. Stats only go so far to tell the story.

How to compare Vukovich to Mears, Unser (which one?), Foyt, Rutherford, or who else? Laps led, wins, or performance based on the strength of their competition?

Parnelli Jones only raced at the Speedway 7 times before retiring from driving Indy cars. He won once. He dominated twice, and “could have” won at least 4 times. I believe that he was among the toughest of all the drivers I’ve ever read about or watched. He raced against many drivers that should end up on the list of the top 33 ever.

What about the drivers who could have and should have, but never did win at the Speedway? Rex Mays? TK? Michael? Or Mario’s one win when he was always so competitive?

The stats surrounding Vuky are stunning, and compelling. I gave him top 5, but really think he was among the top 3 that I’m aware of…which is why I had to back it off, because I don’t know about all of ‘em.

By: noname

noname — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:38:33 +0000

The reason i choose him was that Rick never really had a weak showing at the speedway. Except for 1989 he always performed when the car held up. Foyt won 3 races out of luck and Al Unser sr did dominate a few races but he won 87 out of luck to. Rick always won out of hard work and skill.

Then again im kind of hard pressed to justify anyone else who deserves to have the number one spot.

By: Zachary

Zachary — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:56:48 +0000

I actually had this book on my reading list. Interesting review so far.

By: Mike Silver

Mike Silver — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:36:03 +0000

While Mears was a great driver, I wouldn’t consider him the best ever. He tended to be quite conservative until the last part of the races. I woukld put him in the top ten, but not necessarily top 5.

By: Mike Silver

Mike Silver — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:34:18 +0000

I just finished the book this morning. I agree with you, George, about the lack of depth regarding his personality. Still, I found many things that I never knew before in it. I think it would be a good read for newer fans who think that sports began with the debut of ESPN.
The Dean report at the end had a lot of good information in it.