Man's quest for greatness at speed.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. Though there are many who may dismiss the notion, the Indianapolis 500 is still the greatest single motor race in the world. Yes, there are other big races - the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco GP just to name two - but ask any aspiring driver from around the world, and the Indy 500 is what dreams are made of.

Yes, racing has changed. And yes, the aura of The Speedway was forever tarnished by the infamous and disastrous "split" in American open-wheel racing, but the aura of The Speedway and the enduring quest for that magnificent BorgWarner Trophy resonate still.

Dredging up the past and lamenting what could have been for open-wheel racing in this country is not a value-added activity at this point. It is what it is and wishing that the excitement that percolated at The Speedway during the run-up to 200-mph average speeds would come back is unrealistic.

The fact of the matter is that the run-up to the "500" has been marginalized for years, although the new "Fast Nine" qualifying at least makes an attempt at injecting a modicum of excitement to the proceedings. The Indianapolis 500 is clearly a singular beacon on the IndyCar schedule amid a sea of lesser races that try mightily to be something more, but always come up short. As I've mentioned before, I think we've reached the point that the Indianapolis 500 is like horse racing's Kentucky Derby, a singular event that draws much interest for one day of the year, while the rest of horse racing's schedule languishes in obscurity, just as the rest of the IndyCar schedule does.

But the allure of winning at The Speedway in the greatest auto race in the world is enough to keep major league open wheel racing in this country off of life support, at least for now. And the spirit of that majestic speedway on the west side of Indianapolis seems to transcend the discord and the hand-wringing that seem to provide a constant thrum of negativity when it comes to major league open wheel racing in this country, at least for a few stirring hours in May.

The naysayers who slam the Indianapolis 500 from afar either haven't been there to experience it in person or need to go back for a refresher, because it is simply unlike any other motor race in the world, and I'm very happy to be able to report that.

The hopes and dreams of the hundreds who have tried to make history there hang from the rafters at The Speedway like a glorious shroud. I've been to no other racing place in the world that exudes the drama and the history and man's quest for greatness at speed than at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

So for a few hours on Sunday at least, I will set aside the recriminations and negativity that seem to surround all of racing for one reason or another these days, and revel in the essence of what makes this sport great... on its most hallowed ground.

(Photo by Chris Owens/IndyCar)
The famed pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Though reimagined and on a much grander scale from the much smaller original, it's still one of the signature elements of The Speedway.

(Photo by Kay Nichols/IMS)
A close-up of the top of the famed BorgWarner Trophy.

(Photo by Kay Nichols/IMS)
Each winning driver's face is part of the detail of the BorgWarner Trophy.

Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD
(Photo courtesy of the Ford Racing Archives)
Indianapolis, Indiana, May 31, 1965. Jim Clark and Colin Chapman (with sunglasses) in Victory Lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after Clark dominated that year's Indianapolis 500. Clark (No. 82 Team Lotus Lotus-Ford) started second and led 189 of the 200 laps. Parnelli Jones (No. 98 J.C. Agajanian Hurst Lotus-Ford) was second and rookie Mario Andretti (No. 12 Al Dean/Dean Van Lines Hawk-Ford) finished third. Watch the video here.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD