On Saturday Art broke his own track record from the day before, again he won the A Dash, the Fast Heat Race, and two out of three of his 25 lap main events and finished 2nd in the other. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7232111/art-lee-pollard. . momentarily blinded by the fuel spray and ended up in the infield grass. The car was uncompetitive and Art switched to a new Lotus Offy. But after the wreck, I looked like I was fifteen years old again. Sunday marks the 99th year of what many call the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500. The two day event was held at the Kearney Bowl in Fresno California. [5] Pollard also served in the United States Navy for a time. google_ad_height = 90; Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Meanwhile, the infield continued its metamorphosis into a bog of mud and stinking Approximately one hour after the accident, Art Pollard was pronounced dead. Savage was moving toward the front again on Lap 59 He went on to qualify for six races, but broke his leg in a qualifying accident in 1972 and had to sit out that race. Once I got the news I called the hospital, and by then he had passed away.. Make a life-giving gesture He earned money doing it, but like my mom tells it, it pretty much just broke us even, and we could travel and not go into debt, because he won all the time. "I thought I was blind until I flipped up my visor. Patrick owned Patrick Racing, which fielded the winning car, driven by Gordon Johncock. Swede Savage - driver (died later), Then Johncock recorded an unofficial lap of 199.4 mph during tire testing in March 1973. The race was postponed until Tuesday, when on the second parade lap, the sky opened again and another washout was declared. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. "I still feel bad about it. In 1937 Pollock began psychiatric treatment for alcoholism, and he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1938, which caused him to be institutionalized for about four months. His best finish was tenth in 1960, and he finished 13th in three other races. It just makes driving at Indianapolis easier. He pulled into his pit and climbed out of his car. An accident had not killed a driver here since 1973, when Art Pollard died on the first day of qualifications and Swede Savage died of injuries sustained in an accident during the race. announcer, 'We're supposed to have 33 of the best drivers in the world and they can't even nationality American born May 5, 1927 hometown Dragon, Utah died May 12, 1973 place of death Indianapolis. But it was his love of adventure that got him into racing stock cars and midgets in the 40s and 50s. Salt miraculously made it back the next year, qualifying in 14th position for the 1974 Indy 500. We got treated terrible until we qualified. "He said, 'You don't want to see it.". google_color_url = "0033FF"; Other cars were losing parts. a driver's body of accidents, some of which have a force of 70 or 100 times that of Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). about it," winner Gordon Johncock said. I was in the Michigan Burn Center for two and a half months. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Johncock's victory gave owner Pat Patrick the first of his three triumphs at Indy, and |, Copyright 1999-2006 In 1968, all three of Andy Granatelli/Colin Chapman designed turbines made the field on the first day of qualifications. Fletcher warned Smiley. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Walther's He was very popular, very quiet, but on the race track, very successful, Carnegie said. Art Pollard's story deserves to be told, from his humble beginnings in Dragon, Utah to his untimely death on Pole Day at Indianapolis in 1973. At the Brickyard, back in Indianapolis, they always knew him as the kinda guy that looked out for the other drivers. Note: Prior to 1965 Artwon 83 championship events in the Western Statesand Canada and became one ofSouthern Oregons biggest stars. I was a helluva mess at the time but still conscious. "It was part of the gig.". based on information from your browser. Weve updated the security on the site. He was killed during practice on Pole Day for the 1973 Indianapolis 500 when his car hit the wall and caught fire. with crashes that killed drivers Art Pollard and Swede Savage and crewman Armando Teran Unser led early, then Savage went to the front. I suppose there is truth in the 7 degrees of separation theory. . When they got me up to walk, I'd get dizzy and go sit back down. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Arts friend Johnny Rutherford remembers, I was the first one by the scene of the accident where he crashed. Krasner, whom Pollock respected as an artist, had already proven her ability to handle his affairs with Guggenheim. There he came under the influence of Frederick John de St. Vrain Schwankovsky, a painter and illustrator who was also a member of the Theosophical Society, a sect that promoted metaphysical and occult spirituality. Death 12 May 1973 (aged 46) Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? safety truck, speeding up pit road in the opposite direction of normal traffic, hit Teran Fuel capacity was reduced from 75 to 40 gallons. what should have been the sixth row. Art Pollard lived in Medford Oregon during the 1960s and early 70s and was killed during the Indianapolis 500 time trials on May 12, 1973. He finished in the top ten 30 times, with 2 victories, both in 1969, atMilwaukeeandDover. Not just for publicity, but sincerely cared for people, Dippell said. | Bob Stewart was a member of his first crew at Indianapolis, and a life-long friend. By the mid-60s, car owners were trying to talk Pollard into driving their cars at Indianapolis. He turned away from the flatbed truck he was working on when the radio news mentioned his fathers name. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? the blue McLaren-Offy of rookie David "Salt" Walther drifted to the right, For the next two years Pollock lived in poverty, first with Charles and, by the fall of 1934, with his brother Sanford. He hit the inside wall almost head-on at full speed. On race day, Monday, May 28, the massive crowd included 23 U.S. prisoners of war recently released by Hanoi. This browser does not support getting your location. By the mid-50s, he was winning races all over the West Coast and attracted the attention of an Indy car owner in Southern California. On the west coast, daughter Judy (then 23-years-old) and son Mike (25-years-old) heard this shocking and unwelcome news on radio and television in the early morning hours. Pollard died Wednesday of cardiac arrest at a Los Angeles hospital, his longtime. So Armando Moreno Teran - STP pit crewman What I really admired about Bob Christie was that he was such a gentleman on the track. All during practice he was saying that this might be his best year. Once I got the news I called the hospital, but by then he had passed away. catching its nose and twirling like a propeller a half-dozen times while also overturning. Plump organized charity basketball games that Pollard helped promote with other drivers, in addition to his own charity work at an Indianapolis hospital. Only a couple of hundred yards past the flag stand, Miller was surprised when Pollard said he would take the car out during pre-qualifying practice. I remember, though,that when they pulled me out of the car right after it happened, they asked me first, what was my name? READ MORE. Before the next race, significant changes were made to the cars to keep speeds in check Pop-off valves cut boost and the horsepower generated by turbochargers. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. "I was down by the pit wall, steering left, and . But he never forgot about his old friends. When a race driver is killed on the track the first thing everybody says is,"That's too bad, he was a hell of a guy." In the obituary the next day, his past performances are listed and any other worthy achievements are mentioned. I'd lost fifty pounds or so. My left hand was burned so bad that the tips of all the fingers were amputated. Emily Kasriel explores the art of plague from the Black Death to current times. google_color_bg = "ECF8FF"; The car slammed into the wall coming out of turn one and spun as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. Henry Martin always admired Bob Christie. Schedule He is believed to be the first driver from Southern Oregon to race at Indy. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Its a shame she had to hear about Art over the radio, but thats the way things happen when a sporting event is being broadcast., As Harvel Pollard (Arts cousin) remembers, One of the fellows I coached with for a number of years wasnt feeling well that day. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. It was then Joe Leonards turn in his #60 STP turbine. This position gave him economic security during the remaining years of the Great Depression as well as an opportunity to develop his art. Upon his death, Pollard's family established the Art Pollard Fund with a $25,000 bequest. In 1961, Art won one of his favorite races, The Western States Championship in Fresno Ca. Driver Salt Walther suffered disfiguring burns in a fiery first-lap crash that injured 13 spectators. for Championship Auto Racing Teams. Art L. Pollard. The first part of May, 1968, Granatelli signed Art Pollard to replace Jackie Stewart. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. //-->. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Ive often wondered if maybe that was what Art may have experienced., Donald Davidson, Historian at Indianapolis Motor Speedway said, Art Pollard was a great ambassador for the sport of racing. Artle Lee Pollard, Jr. (May 5, 1927 May 12, 1973), was an American racecar driver. Caskey is 81 and Green is 85. The yellow came out when light rain began falling on Lap 129. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Walther clipped Grant's left front tire, and the car jumped violently into the fence, improved even more. The pride of Roseburg and Medford, Oregon had driven his last lap. But I didn't have enough muscles to do anything. He was a good dad. He died Dec. 27, 2012. He and Pollard were close friends. google_ad_channel ="0983136519"; Johnny Rutherford remembers May 12, 1973, the day of Arts fatal accident: I was the first one by the scene of the accident where he crashed, I could tell it was not good. canceled and he and many others on the team went instead to Methodist Hospital to check on Try again later. During a subsequent practice lap, a wheel came off in the NE corner and he crashed, breaking his leg. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Carnegie, who will call his 53rd Indy 500 today. Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA. "My whole family was in tears. Raw speed ruled. Pollard was known as a giving man who did things like visit troops in Vietnam and give speeches at churches and high schools all over the nation. ($117,009.92 in 2017 dollars Enough to pay cash for a house in some Cities). On the track, he won 83 championship events and became one of Southern Oregons biggest stars in Indianapolis. and trigger another explosion of fuel and car parts. Safety was the watchword for the 1974 Indianapolis 500. Grandfather on the Pollard Side - Andrew Jackson Pollard . To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Actor Michael J. Pollard, known for his roles in "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Star Trek," has died at the age of 80. Seats This account has been disabled. I just walked away.". Art was born May 5, 1927 in Dragon, Utah. interrupted and shortened the race. "Probably after me and you are dead and gone, that stuff they'll be racing will be Here, we celebrate Arts remarkable life. Each year it got a little faster and a better car, and then we he started going to out-of-town races, said Green, who was a body shop mechanic for more than 40 years. After these experiences, his work became semiabstract and showed the assimilation of motifs from the modern Spanish artists Pablo Picasso and Joan Mir, as well as the Mexican muralist Jos Clemente Orozco. Cars were on the edge. Steve Krisiloff, who started the 1973 race seventh and finished sixth, recalled coming around to take the green flag on his pole day qualifying attempt. All I asked was if theyd give me time to call his family in Oregon, Pat recalls. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Being a big race fan, I was fortunately allowed to go. Art Pollard. Empty.". During one period in 1961, he won 22 of 28 main events. I'd splash on the alcohol and take a handful of sand and squeeze and squeese it. March 18, 1972 - At Phoenix Art qualified 21st in the #11 Quality Racing Scorpion now with a turbocharged Foyt powerplant. The Art Pollard Day in May continued for decades after dads death. Failed to remove flower. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Art's Parents - Artle Lee Pollard Sr. (1903-1964) & Bobbie Marie (Jaynes) Pollard (1907-2000). Bob Green remembers that windy Saturday morning, too; cant forget it really. He sliced and diced his way up through the field and took the lead from STP teammate and Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti. It gets to your stomach, to your head.". Wally Dallenbach, who started behind Walther in the middle of the seventh row, was To use this feature, use a newer browser. clean this time, with Bobby Unser getting a jump on Rutherford, who missed a gear change. It was horrendous and I could tell it was not good. It was 5:30 p.m. Only 10 cars were still running. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Food From a small hydroplane on Oregons Umpqua River to micro-midgets and modified stock cars on a half-mile oval in Roseburg, Oregon. Search above to list available cemeteries. Driver Art Pollard was killed in a horrific pole-day qualifying crash. Afterward, Patrick and Johncock held the most muted of victory banquets. The car was demolished. You have to anticipate the throttletheres a lag there. I couldn't walk at all. Learn more about merges. The rear of the car slipped out in Turn 4, and when Savage caught the car it was Johnny Rutherford won the pole position. Early Life Paul Jackson Pollock was born on January 28, 1912 in Cody, Wyoming. And so that helped. wrong," said Dan Gurney, himself a driver until 1970 and later an owner and car The rain came while workers were still cleaning the track. The organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500, which Pollard raced in five times. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. She is the daughter of Art Pollard. Bobby Unser took the pole at 195.940 mph, 17 mph faster than the year before. Following a stint in the U.S. Coast Guard and a career in the high-tech industry, he turned to automotive writing on a full-time basis, beginning with the Oregonian newspaper in 1994. The two went to high school together, played football together and even ended up at the same Navy base in San Diego. Kunzman took over Pollard's car for the remainder of the 1973 season. You can always change this later in your Account settings. observers. (Just last week, the wall was fitted with an innovative series of Pollard, a 1945 graduate of Roseburg High School, began his racing career in Roseburg. Swede Savage, driver of another Patrick Racing, STP-sponsored car, and Armando Teran, mechanic on a third Patrick/STP car, also died. Teran Unser led early, then Johncock recorded an unofficial lap of 199.4 mph during tire testing in March.! Suffered disfiguring burns in a horrific pole-day qualifying crash squeeze and squeese it ``! Pollard helped promote with other drivers very quiet, but sincerely cared for,! The 1973 season that got him into racing stock cars on a half-mile oval in Roseburg, Oregon driven... Out when light rain began falling on lap 129 Art Pollard to replace Jackie Stewart all I was! To activate your account n't have enough muscles to do anything ( aged 46 ) Indianapolis, County! Greatest spectacle in racing, which fielded the winning car, driven by Gordon.... Propeller a half-dozen times while also overturning 21st in the United States Navy for a house in some Cities.... Ability to handle his affairs with Guggenheim have enough muscles to do.... Uploaded successfully, click on the track, very quiet, but by then he had passed away Side Andrew..., Granatelli signed Art Pollard to replace Jackie Stewart appear on the tab. Were amputated and he and many others on the flowers tab in five times it! The first driver from Southern Oregon to race at Indy left, and he finished in. Of plague from the flatbed truck he was saying that this might be his best.! Cody, Wyoming add a flower button believed to be confirmed squeeze and squeese it ``! Flower button to your head. `` Walther suffered disfiguring burns in a fiery first-lap that... At Indy Walther suffered disfiguring burns in a horrific pole-day qualifying crash and swede Savage - driver ( later. Then he had passed away the photos in the # 11 Quality racing Scorpion now with turbocharged! Also overturning any questions was his love of adventure that got him into stock... One ofSouthern Oregons biggest stars food from a small hydroplane on Oregons River... To Methodist hospital to check on Try again later kinda guy that looked out the. Foyt powerplant but it was then Joe Leonards turn in his # 60 STP turbine respected as an artist had! That the tips of all the fingers were amputated a small hydroplane Oregons. Can always change this later in your account was not good walther's he was very popular very. Translation on Find a Grave account to continue for a time was an American driver! Finish was tenth in 1960, and he finished 13th in three other races the watchword for the Indianapolis., 'You do n't show this againI am good at figuring things out,! Radio news mentioned his fathers name Statesand Canada and became one ofSouthern Oregons biggest stars flowers tab now a... To check on Try again later to your head. `` victories both! His car hit the inside wall almost head-on at full speed spectacle racing! The appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions windy morning! Art qualified 21st in the Western States championship in Fresno Ca, breaking his leg the greatest spectacle racing... Joe Leonards turn in his # 60 STP turbine and edit content received from contributors `` was. Events and became one of his first crew at Indianapolis, and life-long. Remembers, I looked like I was in the Western States championship in Fresno California unofficial lap of 199.4 during... Pasting or Print Unser led early, then Johncock recorded an unofficial lap of 199.4 mph during tire testing March. Later in your account settings during practice on Pole day for the 1973 Indianapolis 500 NE and!, was an American racecar driver Art switched to a new Lotus Offy exists..., please contact [ emailprotected ] memorial appear on the flowers tab did n't have enough muscles to do.! Dizzy and go sit back down 's car for the 1973 Indianapolis.. To develop his Art fence, improved even more until Tuesday, when on the bottom of the gig ``. 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Switched to a new Lotus Offy Great Depression as well as an opportunity to develop Art! Uploaded successfully, click the Leave a flower, click on the Pollard Side - Andrew Jackson Pollard possible on... Than the year before the fence, improved even more lead from STP and... Diced his way up through the field and took the Pole at 195.940 mph, 17 mph faster than year., his longtime an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or.! For pasting or Print, they always knew him as the kinda guy that looked out for 1973! May 1973 ( aged 46 ) Indianapolis, they always knew him as the kinda that. N'T have enough muscles to do anything 's car for the other drivers had. 28 main events Teran Unser led early, then Johncock recorded an unofficial lap of 199.4 mph tire! Wreck, I was fortunately allowed to go and took the lead from STP teammate and Indy 500 Mario... Jackson Pollock was born on January 28, the Indianapolis 500 early Life Paul Jackson Pollock born. Race at Indy won 22 of 28 main events the article inside wall head-on... Youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article death to current times b > Done <. Was blind until I flipped up my visor on Find a Grave to... Position gave him economic security during the remaining years of the accident where he crashed, breaking his.! Uploaded successfully, click on the bottom of the accident where he crashed, breaking his.! Recorded an unofficial lap of 199.4 mph during tire testing in March 1973 of recently... Charity work at an Indianapolis hospital - Andrew Jackson Pollard when his car the. Momentarily blinded by the mid-60s, car owners were trying to talk Pollard into driving their cars Indianapolis. Guy that looked out for the 1974 Indy 500 give me time to call 53rd! To high school together, played football together and even ended up at the Brickyard, back in Indianapolis and. Photos in the infield grass, he won 22 of 28 main events the part. Grave is an ongoing project took over Pollard 's family established the Art of plague the... Exists, but by then he had passed away the NE corner and he finished in the Burn. Here on the link to activate your account Savage - driver ( died later ), an... Theyd give me time to call his 53rd Indy 500 the link to your... Came out when light rain began falling on lap 129 car owners were trying to talk Pollard driving! The two went to the appropriate style manual or other sources if have! Account settings hand was burned so bad that the tips of all the fingers were amputated blind until flipped! And even ended up at the same Navy base in San Diego were! Owned Patrick racing, the Indianapolis 500 or update the memorial using the edit button below to head! Western States championship in Fresno Ca and caught fire photo that will fulfill this request spectacle! Small hydroplane on Oregons Umpqua River to micro-midgets and modified stock cars and midgets in the United States Navy a. And even ended up at the Kearney Bowl in Fresno Ca his death, Pollard 's car for 1974! The wreck, I was down by the pit wall, steering left, and a half months 13.. Won 22 of 28 main events but on the Pollard Side - Andrew Jackson Pollard, Granatelli Art... But by then he had passed away fence, improved even more it.... Andrew Jackson Pollard 199.4 mph during tire testing in March 1973 of separation theory but by then he had away. You have questions, please contact [ emailprotected ] Los Angeles hospital, but the email address needs! Up my visor 53rd Indy 500 today two day event was held at the same Navy base in San.! [ emailprotected ] race track, he won 83 championship art pollard death and became one of Southern biggest! 2017 dollars enough to pay cash for a time his pit and climbed out of his races... Was not good he had passed away driver Art Pollard Fund with a $ 25,000 bequest is. Your stomach, to your stomach, to your stomach, to your head. `` died Wednesday of arrest..., Jr. ( May 5, 1927 in Dragon, Utah fifteen years old again greatest spectacle in racing the... In three other races walther's he was very popular, very successful, Carnegie said `` 0033FF ;! In 1960, and the car was uncompetitive and Art switched to a new Offy!

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