INDY 500: Before roger, there was Moore

Blue Crown Spark Plug Special racecar. (Image source: Bing.com)

 

As that’s definitely not a  “Shaken, not Stirred” intended pun. Get it?

 

Like much past history I try delving into here upon No Fenders. Even after having finished my monstrous six part Blue Crown Spark Plug Saga Wayback in Gory 2009. The year of my debutante Indianapolis 500 race, where some pesky Brazilian was making His own history following a tax trial, I still feel like I know only the rudimentary facts about Lou Moore…

 

Lewis Henry Moore was born on September 12, 1904 in Hinton, Oklahoma, before His family migrated to California. Reportedly at age 16, He became a mechanic and started building and racing cars, having bought an old Ford Model T.

 

Moore made His rookie debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1928, qualifying eighth and finishing runner-up behind Louis Meyer for that year’s 16th running of the Indianapolis 500.

 

Moore’s crowning accomplishment as a driver was winning the 1932 Indianapolis 500 pole. Along with His second place finish, He scored a brace of third place finishes between 1933-34.

 

Interestingly, Moore also competed in the 1934 Tripoli Grand Prix, held on May 6th that year. With this Formula Libre event being won by the great Achille Varzi aboard an Alfa Romeo Tipo-b P3. With Moore finishing seventh in a Miller 3.0-litre racecar.

 

Yet Moore is best known for his racing exploits as a team owner, beginning in 1937, after having retired from driving the year prior.

 

More entered one car for Mauri Rose in 1937, which finished 18th, retiring with an oil line failure.

 

The following year, His entry for driver Floyd Roberts won the first of His eventual five victories as a car owner. Yet sadly, Roberts was killed in the 1939 Indy 500 aboard the same car.

 

Mauri Rose drove once again for Moore, finishing third in the 1940 race at the Brickyard. Following the race, Lucy O’Reilly Shell sold Her two Ecurie O’Reilly Maserati 8CTF’s to Lou Moore.

 

For 1941, Moore entered an unprecedented four racecars at the Speedway, with the two Elgin Piston Pin Maserati’s driven by Rose and Duke Nalon. While a further two Wetteroth Offy’s (Offenhauser) were entered as the Noc-Out Hose Clamp Specials for Floyd Davis and Cliff Bergere.

 

Rose would start from pole aboard His No. 3 Maserati, before retiring on lap-60 due to spark plug issues. Moore then inserted Mauri into the hapless Floyd Davis’s No. 16 Wetteroth Offenhauser entry and the rest was history, with Rose winning the race, while Davis was nowhere to be found afterwards…

 

For 1946, Moore didn’t enter any racecars and moonlighted as Cliff Bergere’s chief mechanic. Interestingly, this was the ex-Floyd Roberts 1938 winning Champ Car, and Bergere claimed His one and only Indy 500 pole aboard it that year, before finishing an unheralded P16. As the Noc-Out Clamp racecar ironically was listed as Out of Oil…

 

The year’s 1947-49 cemented Moore’s legacy as a winning team owner, when His Blue Crown Spark Plug front wheel drive Diedt Offenhauser “Specials” won the race an unprecedented three years in-a-row.

 

The 1947 race saw “the thrill of Victory, and Agony of defeat”. As rookie Bill Holland led a dominant 143-laps and was leading when confused by Lou Moore hanging out an EZ sign for both drivers.

 

And while Holland was cruising to victory at reduced speed, He simply waved to teammate Mauri rose, who He thought was unlapping Himself on lap-193. With Rose going onto claim His second Indianapolis 500 victory, to Holland’s disbelief!

 

Rose won again in 1948, leading another 1-2 Blue Crown Spark Plug sweep. And then in ’49, Holland was circumspect when the EZ sign came out once again while leading. As Rose was disobeying team orders again, yet this time His magneto packed-up with eight laps remaining and Holland finally won at Mother Speedway. And Moore fired Rose immediately following the race.

 

Thus Moore not only had won five Indianapolis 500 race’s, but became the first ever team owner to win three consecutive events. A feat that has only been accomplished once more by Team Penske between 2001-03.

 

Meanwhile, Moore’s legacy as the winningest Indy 500 team owner stood for 38 years until El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske won His sixth Borg Warner trophy in 1987. While we all know that Roger and Team Penske have gone onto win a staggering total of 20 Indianapolis 500’s between 1972 and 2025.

 

To read my very long, detailed Mega six parts Blue Crown Spark Plug Specials Saga, with pictures provided by Dean Jackson. Whose father Purvis was the proprietor of Blue Crown Spark Plugs, please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2012/05/blue-crown-spark-plug-specials-saga.html

 

Aftermath

Lou Moore died at the age of 51 on March 25, 1956. Complaining of a headache, Moore was rushed to hospital where He died of a brain hemorrhage, according to the Indianapolis Star.

 

Ironically, I just listened to Marshall Pruett’s podcast with Ed Justice Jr, who dryly noted that Lou Moore was considered the “Roger Penske” of His day, but wasn’t Roger!

 

Chip Ganassi, who just won His sixth Indianapolis 500 as a team owner, took 66 years to surpass the great Lou Moore’s accomplishment! While Andretti Global remains tied with Moore for five wins apiece… 

PRM: First Time Winner

2023 Shell V-Power Nitro+ IndyCar. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Front view of Josef Newgarden’s 2023 Team Penske Indianapolis 500 winner, replete with de riggour Aeroscreen.

 

(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel) 

PRM: Josef Newgarden’s 2023 Indy 500 winner

Side view of Shell V-Power Nitro+ Dallara DW12 Chevrolet. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Here’s Josef Schlick’ Newgarden’s 2023 Team Penske chassis, winner of the 107th Indianapolis 500 on display in Scottsdale.

 

(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel)         

PRM: Menards Magic

Menards 2019 Dallara DW12 Chevrolet. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Front view of Simon Pagenaud’s 2019 Menards Team Penske IndyCar. Winner of the 103rd Indianapolis 500.

 

(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel) 

PRM: Simon Pagenaud’s Indy 500 winner

Side view of Menards 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Here’s Simon Pagenaud’s bright, neon green Menards 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner on display in Scottsdale. As Symone’, nee Pageantry’ (Simon Pagenaud) gave John Menard His debutante Indy 500 winners ring, after forty years of frustration!

 

Long ago Bruce Martin story on John Menard’s path to finally claiming victory in the Indianapolis 500.

 

https://www.indycar.com/News/2019/05/05-29-BMartin-John-Menard

 

(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel) 

PRM: Red Menace

Verizon Dallara DW12 Chevrolet IndyCar. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

On display at the Penske Racing Museum this March, sat DJ WillyP’s, aka Will Power’s shiny red Verizon racecar He drove to victory at the final Belle Isle IndyCar race in 2022, along with winning that year’s Astor Cup aboard.

 

(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel) 

Traipsing thru the Penske Racing Museum, Again

Scott McLaughlin’s 2018 Supercars Championship winning Ford Falcon on display in Scottsdale. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

As no jokes about ScottyMac’ needing His Ford Falcon to bounce off the walls at Mother Speedway. Or Team Penske’s travails during Ye Month ‘O May…

 

In what’s become a cherished tradition during every visit to The Valley of The Sun, once again your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso was blissfully ensconced in the Penske Racing Museum this past March.

 

Some three weeks plus after my latest visit, I suddenly found myself wondering if my recollection of my inaugural visit was correct? To which I’m happy to say it was fairly spot-on nearly twenty years later. Albeit it was actually November 30, 2005 when I first set foot inside the Penske Racing Museum thanks solely to Blogmeister Miguel taking me there. Having seen El Capitano talking to Ye ‘Ol Windbag Dave Despain on Wind Tunnel the same year from the museum…

 

Although it slays me now, I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised that I launched a nine page story on my first visit to la Museo some 13yrs ago. For which if you’re inclined. Whale’ Yuhs better be Damn well inclined or comfy if you’re gonna read All Gory 4,253 words written in Thy No Fenders Post, Aye Karumba!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2012/04/penske-racing-museum-inaugural-visit.html

 

Arriving at 1PM, Blogmeister Miguel and I accidently walked into the adjoining Aston Martin dealership, where we were immediately met by a friendly Salesman curtly asking if He could help us? To which Miguel seeing the rest of our party waving at us thru the glass walls, said I guess the museum is next door…

 

The first IndyCar chassis encountered was Josef Schlick’ Newgarden’s 2023 Indianapolis 500 winner. Followed by His 2017 Championship winning mount. Other various IndyCars sat on display, including two Norton Gould Rick Mears cars. Mears 1984 No. 6 “Yellow Submarine” Indy 500 winner. Whilst Snowbyrd MJ’ read to me the information plaque upon Tom sneva’s racecar that He set the first official 200mph lap at the Brickyard in.

 

Gil de Feran’s 100th race winning Reynard/Honda resplendent in Team Penske’s long standing Marlboro white with Dayglo red also graced the museum’s main floor. Being the car that won El Capitano His “Ton” of IndyCar victories, becoming the first ever IndyCar team to do so.

 

Along with Newgarden’s 2023 Indianapolis 500 winner, there were a further three chassis I’d never “seen” before. One being the red No. 12 Verizon of Will Power, the Aussie’s 2022 mount that He won the final Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle, along with that year’s Astor Challenge Cup aboard. Nee 2022 IndyCar Series title.

 

Both Blogmeister Miguel and Artiste Dave were “wowed” by and audaciously bright neon lime green IndyCar bellowing to Symone’, nee Pageantry’, aka Simon Pagenaud. Being Simon’s 2019 Menard Indianapolis 500 winner.

 

The fourth and final “New” car that initially stumped me as Snowbyrd MJ’ said it was the #17 of ScottyMac’s, Huh? Turned out to be Scott McLaughlin’s No. 17 Ford Falcon FG X racecar that He campaigned for FordDJR Team Penske between 2017-18. The last Falcon model raced Down Under in V-8 Supercars.

 

As it makes sense that the car that Mclaughlin first came tantalizingly close to winning the 2017 Supercars Championship with, and then securing the first of His three consecutive Supercars titles in 2018 with, is now proudly on display in Scottsdale.

 

https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/mclaughlin-reunites-with-first-supercars-title-winner/

 

Also, initially I was Cornfuzed’ over why Newgarden’s 2023 Indy 500 winner wasn’t the same chassis that He used to repeat winning in 2024? And I still hadn’t figured it out some three weeks later, until No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets came up with a close answer. Whale’, at least He pointed Mwah in the right direction…

 

Having “read”, err listened to the IndyStar’s article on the gala reopening of the IMS Museum, which includes the Penske Gallery. Replete with the 1988, 1994, 2009 and 2024 Indianapolis 500 winning chassis on loan. Along with Penske Racing’s first Indianapolis 500 entry, Mark Donohue’s 1969 Lola T152. And the winner from El Capitano’, aka roger Penske’s very first trip to Mother speedway in 1951.

 

Do Y’all know the answer to this riveting trivia question? Time’s up, put them pencils down…

 

Yep, that’s right, the 2024 Dallara DW12 chassis featured the new for that season’s Hybrid Energy Recovery System, (ERS) adding some 100lbs to the ageless DW12 racecar. Having made it’s 200th start at St Pete one year ago!

 

Although IndyCar didn’t introduce the Hybrid ERS system until Mid-Ohio in July, 2024. I’m 86% certain that the 2024 Dallara DW12 was decked out with the new magnesium bell housing/transmission casing and other ERS ancillaries, minus the ERS unit…

 

Hence, Arse-suming this Dallara DW12 also included the auxiliary “plumbing” systems. Most notably the right hand side ERS cooling radiator, that Chevrolet teams used the “blocker” plate , louver or whatever they’re called at the Thermal Club this year to negative effect. When the increased temperature sent the ERS into “limp” mode to preserve itself from overheating!

 

Or was it simply the fact that I heard sometime this May that Penske simply pulls every Indianapolis 500 winner out of service for posterity’s sake to be displayed in perpetuity?

 

Naturally, as time marches on, and we’ve just wrapped up another vaunted “Month of May”. Especially with how crazy this year’s race was! I’m beginning to forget what else was on hand? Although I know Mark Donohue’s 1973 IROC Porsche 911 Carrera RSR was there. Along with El Capitano’s 1963 Catalina NASCAR Tintop’.

 

Whilst Snowbyrd MJ’ told me that the 1972 Hurst Oldsmobile Pace Car was on display. Although I don’t remember if Donohue’s 1972 McLaren M16 Sunoco Indy 500 winner was on display?

 

And although I knew it wouldn’t be there, I was still disappointed that one of the Porsche Penske Motorsports Porsch 963’s weren’t present. Then again, Id Arse-sume that the All conquering No. 7 will once day in the future grace the Penske Racing Museum.

 

And that’s just a slice of what was Thar’, since I didn’t even mention Joey “Sliced bread” Logano’s 2015 Daytona 500 winning Pennzoil Ford fusion, or All of the “Eye Candy” outside the museum…