Indy 500 flashback: 1939 and 1941

It’s rewind time again, and today's feature is an awesome set of newsreels from the 1939 and 1941 Indianapolis 500s. Incredible to think that is the same track they race at today, considering how much construction has gone on since the Hulman family took possession of the property.

It would also appear the Delphi Safety Team has greatly improved as well.

The 1939 clip features three-time winner and former IMS President Wilbur Shaw, but it’s the 1941 clip that provides a glimpse into one of the speedways more noteworthy races. Mari Rose wins the first of his three Indy 500s, but he did so by taking the helm of Floyd Davis’s Wetteroth/Offenhauser with 128 laps to go. How did this happen? Did Rose just walk over and say “Excuse me sir, my car broke down and I was wondering if I might drive that fine machine of yours to Victory Lane...?”

Maybe Dan Wheldon should have tried this with Scott Dixon last year. Maybe not.

A case could be made for Rose being the most dominant driver in Indy 500 history, because although he only had three wins those came in ’41, ’47 and ’48 – and there was no racing from 1942 to 1945 due to World War II. As it was he finished in the top 3 three other times in his 15 races at The Brickyard.