Comments on: Art Pollard: Always Overshadowed

By: Jerry Hoskins

Jerry Hoskins — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 22:44:58 +0000

I watched Art at Eugene Speedway when I was growing up, and Art was my favorite driver. He had cool cars, and one year he showed up with a car that looked like an Indy roadster, small block Chevy and it seems like it had either 6 twos or eight twos on it. It was the neatest thing around. Its too bad he started at Indy so late, he probably would have been one of the best consistently.

By: Paul Bjore

Paul Bjore — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 06:29:24 +0000

I remember Art mostly for the time he spent in the Northwest in the sprint car days, running the 1/2 mile at the Portland Speedway, in Portland, OR. As a youngster I got to meet him after one of the races. Pat Vidan was a family friend and took me on the track to meet him. Pat was the starter at that time, and later flagged the Indy 500. Followed Art’s career through the end. That year of his fatal crash was the first time I ever turned off the broadcast of the Indy 500. Couldn’t get myself to listen that year. . .

By: Judy Pollard Dippel

Judy Pollard Dippel — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:25:09 +0000

Thank you, George, for a profile that I believe Dad would appreciate. Though it is always bittersweet to look over the facts of 1973 at Indy, the flip-side is that Dad is remembered. Thanks to those of you who have commented, as well. I’m still a racing snob, I guess. I never thought Nascar would gain popularity over open-wheel championship racing in the U.S. As we all know, nothing stays the same. Keep up the good work! -Judy Pollard Dippel

By: james t suel

james t suel — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:01:56 +0000

Thanks George very nice piece. Art Pollard was whae i called a journeyman driver. He was a good wheel man, i was ther that sat morning it was truly a shame .I also though he was primed far he best run at INDY.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:39:11 +0000

As always, very nice work George.

By: DZ

DZ — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:21:45 +0000

Love the retro piece! How important they are to remind us where we’ve (Indycar fans and sport) been and the important bits of the past.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:04:10 +0000

I remember that day when Art Pollard died. Reading this account made me tear up. Thanks for the memories, George.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:30:55 +0000

George, I really enjoy your taking us to the past to admire the legends of the sport. Great article.

I remember Art Pollard as a fan favorite and my favorite memory is of his run with Andy Granatelli. Upon hearing the bad news that May day in ’73, I told a co-worker at Spinola’s Union 76 service station what had happened. It gave him the blues that day, too. Back then we didn’t have the internet or cable television with 24 hour sports news. I went through the day a bit lonely and by myself. This is a sport that can deliver some horrible tragedy and I knew that as a youngster. This last one with Dan Wheldon, I think, has hit me harder than any of them. With that, I do enjoy this racing athletes and appreciate their devotion to the sport. As for Art, one aspect of his many that I admire was getting in to the Indianapolis 500 at 40. He showed that there is plenty of life in us more mature folks.

By: Mike (15daysinmay)

Mike (15daysinmay) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:29:15 +0000

Great writing, George. BTW, you were great on Trackside last week!

By: Simon Garfunkel

Simon Garfunkel — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:36:21 +0000

I can remember those three turbines as a teenager. That was also the first time I had heard the name Art Pollard. The years after the turbine drive, I always connected him with that car. I was devastated when I heard he had been killed in 1973. Thank you so much for this piece, George. The work you did with Art’s daughter brought a forgotten driver back to the forefront. Great stuff as always!!!