Backyard to the Brickyard
Explore a unique period in racing history through the lens of the Studebaker Corporation's factory-backed Indianapolis 500 racing team
The Junk Formula
In 1929, a set of rules known as the "junk formula" was introduced to the Indianapolis 500. Designed to open up competition and lower costs, the new rules outlawed superchargers, increased engine displacement, and reinstated the riding mechanic.
Powered by Studebaker
The "junk formula" encouraged the use of production-based engines, like Studebaker's venerable President 336.7 cubic inch inline eight. In 1930, Russell Snowberger and mechanic Paul Rice took the homemade, Studebaker-powered "Russell 8" to an impressive 8th place finish at Indy.
"An Exacting Test of Our Cars"
With solid showings by Studebaker-powered cars in 1930 and '31, the company backed a five-car team for 1932. Here, engineers work on three of the cars in South Bend. Chassis and components were supplied by Studebaker, while the bodies were made by Herman Rigling of Indianapolis.
Studebaker Team in the Pits (1932) by The Studebaker CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Ready for Race Day
The five Studebaker Indy cars are lined up for this promotional photo in the pits on race day at the Brickyard, May 30, 1932. Though difficult to tell here, each car was painted a bright color and wore the "turning wheel" Studebaker logo and "Studebaker Special" script.
Starting Grid (1932) by The Studebaker CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Start Your Engines
The green flag is about to fly at the 20th Indianapolis 500. The Studebaker team had strong qualifying times going into the 1932 race, finishing 10th, 11th, 17th, 20th, and 23rd. The pace car was a Lincoln KB Murphy Model 248 convertible roadster driven by Edsel Ford.
Pit Stop (1932) by The Studebaker CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Pit Stop
The #18 Studebaker Special makes a pit stop at the 1932 race. Piloted by by Peter Kreis, #18 started in 17th place and finished 12th. Note the box for the #34 Miller-Hartz Special on the far right: Fred Frame drove this car to victory in 1932.
A Deadly Sport
Crashes are nothing new at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In the 1930s, however, they could be fatal due to a lack of restraints and driver safety equipment. Here, a car at the 1932 race hits the outside wall and flips into the trees. Five men were killed in 1933 alone.
#25 Studebaker Special
Driver Tony Gulotta and riding mechanic Carl Riscigno pose for a photo in the #25 Studebaker Special at the Speedway, May 30, 1932. Ultimately, the #25 car did not finish after a lost wheel caused damage to the car. Gulotta started in 16th place and finished 20th in 1932.
Studebaker Race Team (1933) by The Studebaker CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Return to the Speedway
The five Studebaker Indy cars are lined up for this promotional photo on race day at the Brickyard, May 30, 1933. Studebaker rebodied four of its five cars for the 1933 race. The new streamlined bodies were designed with the aid of the University of Michigan's wind tunnel.
Meeting of the Minds
The Studebaker team confer behind the #34 Studebaker Special before the 1933 Indianapolis 500. Piloted by Tony Gulotta, who also drove for Studebaker in the 1932 race, the #34 car qualified with an average speed of 113.578 and started the race on the outside in row four.
Pounding the Bricks
The Studebaker team can be seen here rounding a turn on the 2.5-mile track, May 30, 1933. Dubbed "The Brickyard," the track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was paved with 3.2 million bricks after the inaugural race in 1911. Today, most of the track is paved in asphalt.
Smiles for Miles
The #34 Studebaker Special piloted by Tony Gulotta finished in 7th place at the 1933 Indianapolis 500. Here, Gulotta and mechanic Carl Riscigno greet the press still covered in track dirt and grime from their 500-mile trek.
From the Speedway Comes Their Stamina (1933) by The Studebaker CorporationStudebaker National Museum
From the Speedway Comes Their Stamina
One of the Studebaker-built Indy cars sits for this promotional photo in front of the Administration Building in South Bend. Due to financial challenges brought on by falling sales during the Great Depression, 1933 was the last year the company backed a team for the Indy 500.
Centennial Celebration
Studebaker celebrated its Centennial at the 1952 Indianapolis 500. A selection of vehicles from the company's museum were paraded around the track, and a new 1952 Commander Convertible served as the pace car.
The Speedway Revisited
In 1962, the new Studebaker Avanti and a 1963 Lark Daytona convertible were chosen to pace the Indy 500. To mark the occasion, the #22 and #34 Studebaker Indy cars were also brought out and run around the historic track—the first time in almost three decades.
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