Above: Jim McElreath, 1980. McElreath made 15 Indy 500 starts. Jim McElreath, who started his Indianapolis 500 career as rookie of the year in a roadster back in 1962 and finished it 20 years later in the ground-effects era as his own chief mechanic, passed away Thursday at the age of 89. In a life spiced with racing successes and personal tragedies, McElreath was thought of as one of the toughest drivers – mentally and physically – ever to buckle up a helmet. The man who cut his teeth on IMCA sprint cars captured the inaugural California 500 at Ontario, scored four other IndyCar wins and finished second and third in the USAC national championship in addition to being a fierce...
Full Story »