My father is an oil painter, in particular, Historic Auto Racing scenes. He loves to research interesting stories and then design a painting that depicts it.
Here is a little history of the second Indy race, in 1912:
In 1912, Mulford was driving a Knox that had had some severe mechanical problems. Mulford reentered the race after a half hour pitstop, very far in arrears. However, 500 miles of racing in those days was a very great distance and a very difficult feat. At the end, only 10 cars were running, Mulford being the last. He pulled off the track and asked if he was going to get the 10th place award monies.
No, he had to complete all 200 laps. Okay, says he and immediately softened the shock absorbers and reduced tire pressure, then resumed the event at a quite leasurely pace of 40 miles per hour. A bit later, he returned to his pit and had a chicken dinner. After driving around a bit more, he returned and had a drink. Finally, to the exasperation of the officials, he crossed the line in the late evening to collect his $1200 reward.
The rule was changed for all subsequent years.
