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Race Rewind Interviews Dick Harroun – Son of Ray Harroun – the first Indy 500 Champion – Segment # 1 with Dick Harroun

The month of May brings thoughts and memories and anticipation of the Indianapolis 500 to millions of people all over the world.

The running this month of the ninety first edition of the Indianapolis 500 will no doubt be exciting – as it always is.

But just imagine what it must have been like – to be there in person for the first Indy 500 – back in 1911. What those drivers experienced – and felt as they took the checkered flag is only something that we can speculate on today.

At the first ever running of the Indianapolis 500 in 1911 Ray Harroun was the first driver to take “that” checkered flag – behind the wheel of his Marmon Wasp.

The first driver ever to win the Indy 500 – also won that inaugural event driving “solo” – which was totally unheard of in his day.

Now fast forward to 2007 – and we are on the eve of Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 91st running of the Indy 500.

We couldn’t think of a better time to launch the initial episode of the Race Rewind Podcast on RaceRemote.

Who better to open with than Dick Harroun ? – Son of the legendary racer Ray Harroun – (and a very accomplished racer himself) – in all sorts of racing machines.

Race Rewind takes you to the home of Dick Harroun and his wife Lolly – for the first of a number of episodes of Race Rewind on RaceRemote dedicated to the Harroun family and all the great racing families that have made the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the “Brickyard” – what it is today.

Dick Harroun and Lolly

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5 comments

1 jamie harroun { 12.28.08 at 7:35 pm }

I believe Ray was my great,great,great?uncle. I would really like more information. If you can help or can connect me with someone who has more please let me know. Thank You,
Jamie Harroun

2 Derek Ross { 12.29.08 at 3:48 pm }

Jamie – we will see if we can assist you

3 Catherine (Jones) Savage { 02.15.09 at 6:29 pm }

Ray Harroun is my Jones family ‘claim to fame’ in our family records which list him and his achievement!

4 Dave Sullivan { 03.23.09 at 6:57 pm }

My Grand pa was a mechnic on the Morman wasp. At least that is how the story goes. His name was otis Sullivan. The Sullivan’s are having their 100th family reunion of aug.2009. I am wanting some info to see if this is true. I think that he did work for that company and knew alot about the Wasp. Can someone point me in the right direction for this research?

5 Bob Ward { 04.17.09 at 7:12 pm }

About 10years ago I was at Charlotte motor speedway for a race sponsored by Bumper to Bumper auto parts. At our banquet table was a gentleman who introduced himself as Ray Harroun’s grandson. He said that he was from Butte Montana and wasin posession of the indy 500 trophy his grandfather had won. It would beinteresting tointerview him as well.