Ray R. Nichels
Nichels Engineering
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In 1938, at the age of 15, Ray Nichels, went on the road as a midget car crew chief, racing at tracks across America. From 1938-1948, the drivers of the Ray Nichels prepared midgets (campaigned by his father Rudy Nichels) were Ted Duncan, Tony Bettenhausen, Johnnie Parsons, Paul Russo, Mike O’Halloran, and [...]
Ray Nichels … The complete story
Nichels Engineering Burns up the Brickyard in an effort to accomplish Pontiac Perfection …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Region Racers at the Brickyard
Published in the Post-Tribune — July 23, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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If you listen to the NASCAR PR dept. you might be led to believe that stock car racing in America began in 1972, commonly referred to as the “modern era”. But in reality stock car racing has been around [...]
Region’s connection to Indy touched many …
Region Racers at the Indianapolis 500
Speedway Sightings
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 25, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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Indianapolis has long been the destination of many world-class racers.
The 2 and 1/2-mile Mecca of American motorsports is where young boys and now young girls dream of racing their way to Indianapolis [...]
The Chicago Gang ….
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 24, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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The first recognized race for midget cars was held in California in the summer of 1933, and by 1937 it was one of America’s fastest growing recreational experiences, spreading across the nation like wildfire.
Midget racing quickly [...]
Crown Point’s Logan Gomez will start ninth …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 23, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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The sound of engines returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday as the Firestone Indy Lights Series went through practice and qualifications for today’s running of the Firestone Freedom 100.
Dillon Battistini in the No. [...]
The Granatelli Brothers …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 22, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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When racing fans hear the name Granatelli, the first image that usually comes to mind is that of a large, jovial man wearing a white sport coat, covered in red, oval-shaped, STP decals. Although an accurate [...]
Field set for Indy’s 92nd running …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 19, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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The field is now set for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500.
“Bump” day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday was one of illusion and late day drama.
Sunny skies were combined with stiff winds making for [...]
Bamboozled at the Brickyard …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 18, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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Ask any engineer what makes an IndyCar go and you will likely get a long dissertation about the internal-combustion engine, gearbox ratios and the aero effects created by the car’s downforce. In fact, if you listen [...]
It takes a guy, who knows a guy …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 18, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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As the son of a Chicago South Sider, I learned long ago that if you want to get something done, “It takes a guy who knows a guy.”
Michael J. “Umbrella Mike” Boyle was just such a [...]
It’s Now or Never …
Speedway Sightings …
By: Wm. LaDow
Daily Trackside Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Published in the Post-Tribune — May 17, 2008
Speedway, Indiana
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Like Thursday, the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened for business at 12 noon sharp.
Unlike Thursday, the sun showed brightly on Friday afternoon when 36 cars took the track.
Track temperature at the start of the [...]
