Photo Credit: IndyCar
During pre-race ceremonies before the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PenGrade Motor Oil at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway eight survivors of the bombing on Pear Harbor will be honored. This comes 75 years after one of the most terrifying terrorist attacks on American soil.
All of the survivors hail from Indiana and them along with their families will walk the red carpet behind the Panasonic Pagoda starting at 9a following the Verizon IndyCar Series driver introductions, and they will be honored at 11:45 am along with a video that will be shown during the pre-race ceremony all to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack.
“We are so very honored and humbled to have eight Hoosier heroes from Pearl Harbor joining us on their special anniversary,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “Indianapolis 500 weekend has always stood as a celebration of our servicemen and women and the chance to applaud these tremendous individuals will be one of the most unforgettable moments of the 100th Running.”
The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Inc. organized the trip to the 100th Indianapolis 500.
The Japanese air force surprise attacked the U.S. on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 and was also a huge part of the history of IMS and the Indy 500. The 29th Indy 500 on May 30, 1941 was won by co-drivers Floyd Davis and Mauri Rose, in the No. 16 Noc-Out Hose Clamp Wetteroth/Offy. It was also the last race held for five years due to the entry into World War 2 by America after the Pear Harbor attacks.
During that time the IMS, track, garages, and grand stands all deteriorated. However Anton “Tony” Hulman saved the historical landmark when he purchased it in November 1945 and took charge of the effort to have the track ready for the 30th Running of the Indianapolis 500 held on May 30, 1946.
