By Peter M. DeLorenzo

Detroit. The history of racing is filled with memorable moments, incandescent triumphs and yes, unspeakable tragedies. A kaleidoscope of images has captured these moments since racing's inception, and I plan to present a few of them in this column and in future columns in the coming weeks. I hope you enjoy it.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, early 1963. Dan Gurney in the Team Lotus-Ford Indy car at its first test at The Speedway. Note the "organ" exhaust pipes and the classic Lotus wheels. Dan was instrumental in putting Colin Chapman and Ford operatives together to mount a challenge to the then establishment in Indy car racing. Gurney (No. 93) and Jim Clark (No. 92) were the drivers for the effort. Parnelli Jones (No. 98 J.C. Agajanian Willard Battery Watson/Offy) won his only Indy 500 that year, but not without controversy. His front-engine roadster was spewing oil out of its overflow tank for many laps during the last 50 miles of the race. USAC officials put off black-flagging Jones after J.C. Agajanian argued that the oil level was beneath the crack in the tank and wouldn't leak any further. It was bullshit, however, as the oil continued to leak from Jones' roadster right up to the checkered flag. Colin Chapman accused USAC officials of being biased towards the American car and driver, and he was right. Jim Clark stalked Jones at the end to finish second, but his helmet and goggles were covered in oil from Jones' roadster. Many observers concluded that if Clark was leading, and an American car and driver was in second place, USAC officials would have black-flagged Clark; they just didn't want the "foreign" interlopers to win. The finish remains controversial to this day. Gurney finished seventh.
Johnny Rutherford in the beautiful No. 1 Chaparral Racing Chaparral 2K/Cosworth qualified fifth for the 1981 Indianapolis 500 (after winning in 1980), but retired after 25 laps due to a broken fuel pump. Bobby Unser (No. 3 Penske Racing Norton Spirit Penske/Cosworth) won that year, followed by Mario Andretti (No. 40 Pat Patrick STP Oil Treatment Wildcat/Cosworth) - who started in 32nd position - and Vern Schuppan (No. 33 Red Roof Inns McLaren/Cosworth).
Daytona International Speedway, February 1966. The No. 65 Chaparral 2D Chevrolet during practice; it was driven by Phil Hill and Joachim Bonnier. Hill put the 2D Coupe on the front row next to the No. 98 Shelby American Ford Mk II driven by Ken Miles/Lloyd Ruby, but the Chaparral did not finish. Miles and Ruby led a memorable 1-2-3 sweep for Ford that year. Dan Gurney and Jerry Grant (No. 97 Shelby American Ford Mk II) finished second and Mark Donohue/Walt Hansgen (No. 95 Holman & Moody Ford Mk II) third.
(Photo by Jesse Alexander)
The Nurburgring, August 6, 1961. Phil Hill (No. 4 Scuderia Ferrari 156) in The Karussel during the German Grand Prix. Hill finished third that day behind Stirling Moss (No. 7 R.R.C. Walker Racing Team Lotus 18/Climax) and Wolfgang von Trips (No. 3 Scuderia Ferrari 156). Hill was the 1961 F1 World Champion, only one of two American to win the title, along with Mario Andretti.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1964. Colin Chapman consults with Dan Gurney (No. 12 Team Lotus/DOHC Ford) during practice for the Indy 500 that year. Gurney qualified sixth but was classified seventeenth at the finish. The cosmetics of his cars weren't a priority for Chapman, apparently. A. J. Foyt (No. 1 Sheraton/Thompson Watson/Offy) won that year, as he delivered the last win at The Speedway for a front-engine roadster. Roger Ward (No. 2 Kaiser Aluminum Watson/Ford) was second and Lloyd Ruby (No. 18 Watson/Offy) finished third. But the race will forever be remembered for the horrible, fiery, seven-car crash on Lap 2 which claimed the lives of Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs.
(petelyons.com photo)
Laguna Seca, October 13, 1968. Talented Canadian driver John Cannon stunned the Can-Am Series establishment by winning the Monterey Grand Prix Can-Am - in the rain - in his outdated No. 62 Continental Accessories McLaren Elva Mark IIB Chevrolet. Underdog Cannon was unbeatable that day, finishing one lap ahead of Denny Hulme (No. 5 McLaren M8A Chevrolet), who was second, and George Eaton (No. 98 McLaren Elva Mark III Ford), who finished third.