Beyond the Bricks Podcast 1075 THE FAN

Tonight, on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, Jake and Mike talk about the sponsors and commercials in past Indy 500’s, such as Pennzoil with Rick Mears, Texaco/Havoline, Cam2, and STP with Granatelli that brings back nostalgia for many race fans. 

In the second half of the show, Jake and Mike talk more about in the sponsors that help give the Indy 500 looks such as Willard with Parnelli Jones. They also look into more food/drink sponsorships such as Domino’s on Al Unser Jr along with Budweiser on Bobby Rahal. 

In the final segment of the show, Jake and Mike talk about the popularity with Target and Chip Ganassi Racing along with the Johnny Lightning special. 
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Tonight on Beyond the Bricks, Jake and Mike talk about notable retirements in Indy 500 history. They lead off the show with AJ Foyt. Jake and Mike talk about Foyt’s decision to retire in 1993, and we hear PA audio from Foyt’s retirement announcement. AJ talks about what caused his decision to retire, and Robby Gordon’s crash. Jake and Mike then talk about Kenny Brack’s Indy 500 win in 1999. They then shift their attention to Johnny Rutherford’s retirement, and how he officially retired in 1994, although he had not run for several years by that point. We also hear about Mario Andretti’s retirement, and how he was annoyed that they cleaned his car after the final race. 

In the second half of the show, we hear some retirement announcements from drivers in the 50s, including Johnnie Parsons, who explains to Sid Collins why he retired in 1959. He talks about the trouble with his car, and what makes a driver decide to retire. We heard about Pat Flaherty and the reason he decided to retire. Pat talks about how he feels after retiring, and what he plans on doing after his career. We also hear about some odd items Mike received from Pat when he sent away for an autograph once. 

In the final segment of the show, we hear retirements from Gene Hartley and Jack Turner. Gene talks about how he is working too much with his own business and cannot keep working and racing both. We also hear about Gene’s father who was still racing after Gene retired. We also hear Sid Collins talk about Jack Turner’s retirement that same year after a crash. 
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Tonight on Beyond the Bricks, Jake and Mike talk about the history of the legendary Donald Davidson. Mike and Jake both talk about their connections with Donald, and the legacy he left on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Donald talks about how he got into racing, and his first experiences listening to the Indy 500 on radio. 

In the second half of the show, Jake and Mike talk about Donald’s first time at Indianapolis. We hear audio of Donald talking about his first couple of days at the track, how he got to Indianapolis, and where he lived early on. We hear audio from Donald’s first appearence on the IMS Radio Network as a guest in 1964, his thoughts on the the 1964 race, and hear about his concerns after that first race, thinking that racing may be outlawed due to the fatal crash involving Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald. 

In the final segment of the show, Jake and Mike talk about Donald’s first time working for the IMS Radio Network in 1965. They also talk about some of his others places of employment over the years, including USAC, and TelX. Donald talks about pursuing your dreams, and Jake and Mike round out the show talking about working with Donald. 
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Tonight on Beyond the Bricks, Jake and Mike talk about the legendary Bill Vukovich! We talk about the early days of Vukovich’s career, and his first Indy 500 in 1952. They talk about how close he came to winning the race in 1952, and if he could have won it had the steering pin not giving out. Vukovich led 154 laps before giving the lead over to Troy Ruttman, who won the race. They talk about his first Indy 500 win in 1953, and how the Fuel Injection Special won on such a hot day. In 1954, Vukovich managed to win but started further in 19th. We hear audio of his second win in 1954. Jake and Mike also talk about Easy Gwynn and referring to drivers as “boys” during the 50s. 

In the second half of the show, Jake and Mike interview Mark Montieth on Bill Vukovich and his connection to him through the book Vukovich: The Man Who Wouldn’t Lift. Mark talks about how he found the manuscript for the book, written by sports-writing legend Angelo Angelopoulos. Mark talks about how he edited the original manuscript, and how he came to uncover it. Mark also talks about how Vukovich was as a person, and as a driver. We hear audio of Vukovich’s fatal crash, and the announcement of his death. 

In the final segment of the show, Mark talks about Angelo Angelopoulos, and his illness that took his life in 1962. Mark tells Jake and Mike about where you can buy the books, and the feedback he received from people buying the book. 
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Tonight on Beyond the Bricks, Jake and Mike are by a special guest, Johnny Rutherford! Rutherford tells his story about how he got into racing, including the first race he ever saw at Tulsa on a quarter-mile dirt track. Rutherford talks about Kurtis-Kraft race cars, and why he enjoyed racing so much. We hear audio of Rutherford’s first qualifying attempt, in which he bumped Pedro Rodriguez. 

In the second half of the show, Jake and Mike talk to Johnny Rutherford about how he got to work with McLaren and become their driver. He talks about how challenging his early years of racing were, and when he knew he had found the right car and team in 1974. We hear audio from Rutherford’s first win, and how traveling around a lot as a kid allowed him to be a better race car driver. Johnny talks about his favorite ice cream flavors, and how the myth about his liking of strawberry ice cream came to be. Rutherford talks about how he met his wife Betty when she was a nurse at the track.  

In the final segment of the show, Johnny talks about the Pennzoil Chaparral, and how dominant it was in 1980. He talks about breaking records with it, and how much downforce the car had. We hear audio of Johnny’s win in 1980. He also talks about some of the memorabilia he will have at the memorabilia show in Plainfield. 
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Tonight, on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, Jake and Mike wish Helio Castroneves a very happy birthday and look back at his legacy as one of the four four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500, by replaying the finishes of all his wins.  

In the second half of the show, Jake and Mike talk about Sid Collins broadcasting for the Indianapolis 500 and former baseball player, Bob Feller, and his love for the 500. 

In the final segment of the show, Jake and Mike talk about George Harrison and his growing interest in motorsports along the Speedway Motel and learning that The Beatles used to stay there in private during their tour stops in Indy! 
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