Vintage Indy Registry Notches Successful Open Wheel Icons Event

by Cyndi Paceley

Madison, IL — Vintage Indy Registry’s Aug. 23-24 Open Wheel Icons weekend at Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway drew 28 cars from across the United States. The second annual event was held in conjunction with IndyCar’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500.

Photo: Kent Kriegshauser


All of the Vintage Indy Registry cars completed more than two hours of track time, and two of them were piloted by former Indianapolis 500 drivers.



The oldest car, presented by James Mills of Marshall, IL., was the 1932 Hupp Comet, the only Huppmobile-powered car in the 500’s history — driven to 5th place in the 1932 race by Russ Snowberger. Also gracing the paddock was the 1968 Indy pole-winning STP Turbine, the 1972 AAR Olsonite Eagle and the famed M24 “Bud” McLaren.

Photo: Kent Kriegshauser


The Genesee Beer Wagon Eagle was driven by two-time 500 winner Al Unser Jr., while the 1987 STP True Value March had Robby McGehee in the cockpit.



And 17-year-old rising NASCAR star Jagger Jones — son of P.J. Jones and grandson of 1963 Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones — ran a session in Dr. Bob Dicks’ (of Greenwood, Ind.) 1963 “Old Calhoun/Willard Battery Special” Parnelli Jones tribute car.

Photo: Kent Kriegshauser


Six of Dan Gurney’s AAR Eagles were entered, including the 1968 G.C. Murphy Special, the 1969 Smokey Yunick/Joe Leonard Santa Ana City of Daytona Beach and the late Jim McElreath’s 1973 Circle City Coal Eagle. Chuck Jones of Stevensville, MI., took home the Dan Gurney AAR Award for best-appearing Eagle with his stunning 1983 former Steve Chassey Genesee Beer Wagon Eagle.

Photo: Kent Kriegshauser


The Vintage Indy Registry was founded in 2017 by Michael Lashmett and associate Ron Nelson, and is dedicated to the history and preservation of Indianapolis Championship Cars from 1911-1997. Through the collective efforts of enthusiasts, specialists and professionals, the Registry’s goal is ensure that these cars are more broadly appreciated and their history correctly preserved for future generations. The Registry represents each individual car’s carefully and accurately documented legacy with information assembled from museums, collections and individual owners of “The Greatest Cars in Racing.”