"I think it was because of things like that that I really never got that close to Pollard, away from racing, worked as a car dealer and mechanic and worked with mental health charities. Driver Art Pollard was killed in an accident during a practice Driver Swede Savage and mechanic Armando Teran also died A crowd estimated at 250,000 swarmed Indianapolis Motor Speedway's. No one did. He moved up the ranks, eventually testing himself against the best in the United States Auto Club Championship Car Series. His racing was not professional in the Northwest and the Western states. Miller was surprised when Pollard said he would take the car out during pre-qualifying practice. Search above to list available cemeteries. as good of friends as you can be when you race against each other," Unser led early, then Savage went to the front. builder who was credited with discovering Savage. I had a lot of skin grafts on it. At the Brickyard, back in Indianapolis, they always knew him as the kinda guy that looked out for the other drivers. The red flag flew as the rain intensified on Lap 133. Green, who lives in Eugene, was once Pollards body and paint man. overturned, flaming car came to rest right in front of Dallenbach, who helped firefighters and trigger another explosion of fuel and car parts. Pollard frequently visited Larue Carter Memorial Hospital, a facility for mentally ill youth, and each May arranged for a busload or two of its children to come to the track for a picnic. gravity. the condition of Savage. catching its nose and twirling like a propeller a half-dozen times while also overturning. The two went to high school together, played football together and even ended up at the same Navy base in San Diego. He had suffered internal lung lesion due to flame inhalation, a broken leg, a fractured right arm, third-degree burns and a severe spinal injury. It was just a week after the local heros 46th birthday. He unstrapped and pronounced the day "the happiest of my life.". This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Try again later. 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. But for a while I was very depressed. 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. It began on this day in 1973 when American race car driver Art Lee Pollard, Jr., died in an accident while running practice laps for the Indianapolis 500. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. preparations four times. One driver, when he saw me, made a claw of his hand and with that warped fist, waved and said, "Hi, how are you?" Still, his professionalism and upbeat demeanor had impressed his peers. I've been lifting weights since I was sixteen years old. He was a natural race car driver, Caskey said. The car was demolished. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Art Pollard (7232111)? I found on Findagrave.com. I was lucky to have him for a dad, even if I had him less time than I wanted. It did provide money. Like Christie, Art Pollard of Medford began his racing career in midgets and stock cars. A popular super-modified champion in the Western States in the 1960s - to . They carried a full fuel load of 75 gallons. "It was part of the gig.". The message was stressed in the costliest of terms Nov 13, 1957 - Oct 2, 2019 You have to get on the turbine much sooner. Swede Savage, driver of another Patrick Racing, STP-sponsored car, and Armando Teran, mechanic on a third Patrick/STP car, also died. "When I finally did come back to racing, the other drivers didn't coddle me about what I'd been through. Pollard raced at Indy seven times, finishing eighth in the 1967 race. Back then, the Wide World of Sports televised the qualifier, but they did radio updates every thirty minutes, Mike said. I went out in qualifying later and set a new track record. Afterward, Patrick and Johncock held the most muted of victory banquets. Sunday marks the 99th year of what many call the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500. He died of liver failure, attending physician Steve Olvey wrote in his book, "Rapid Response," due to a transfusion of contaminated plasma. "He came off the wall and almost landed on the front of my car," said Lee Kunzman, whose first Indy start carried him only a few hundred yards. Kunzman took over Pollard's car for the remainder of the 1973 season. In 1945 Pollock married the painter Lee Krasner and moved to East Hampton, on the southern shore of Long Island, New York. Art L. Pollard. He liked to have fun. google_ad_type = "text_image"; For the third turbine, Granatelli lost the services of Jackie Stewart; he was suffering from a hairline fracture in his wrist and was forced into a cast, making him unavailable as a driver. He did everything so well. He was a truck driver who was elated when asked to become an STP crewman.]. ", Meanwhile in the pits, Teran, an STP crewman, headed toward the accident scene. Last Updated: Jan 24, 2023 Article History Table of Contents Jackson Pollock See all media Born: January 28, 1912 Cody Wyoming Died: August 11, 1956 (aged 44) East Hampton New York Notable Works: "Mural" Movement / Style: Abstract Expressionism Action painting automatism modern art Notable Family Members: spouse Lee Krasner "Probably after me and you are dead and gone, that stuff they'll be racing will be Art was born May 5, 1927 in Dragon, Utah. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. It was 5:30 p.m. Only 10 cars were still running. | Again on Wednesday, after another rain delay, the teams tried again. "When somebody's hurt, he goes through a helluva rehabilitation process. Kind, generous, friendly, outgoing, persistent, honest, gentlemanly, optismistic, competitive, even-tempered, vibrant - these words describe a few of the qualities of this exceptional person who was also a great race driver. admitted that seeing an old friend's accident kept him on the safe side of 200. Walther's 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. A proud family man, a well-respected competitor, a humanitarian, and a friend to all, was gone. Walther touched wheels with Jerry Grant's car in the sixth row and was launched into the catch fence near the starting line. Now engineers design and redesign cars and seats and helmets to minimize the effect on wrong," said Dan Gurney, himself a driver until 1970 and later an owner and car ToDo It was a lot of fun.. Pollard was pronounced dead an hour later. Drivers and crews were taut. Fast forward 36 years. Photo courtesy of Bob Pollard. He was a true sportsman, a very strong competitor, and wouldnt hurt a fly. Schedule I couldn't walk at all. . "They could have just as well red-flagged the thing and we would have been happy to have gone on to Milwaukee.". This brought back many memories for Fletcher, who owned the car that Art Pollard died in during the 1973 race. If I can find it, I will attach a shot of it in another e-mail. The car clipped the wall coming out of turn one and did a half-spin as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. momentarily blinded by the fuel spray and ended up in the infield grass. And that was the most impressive thing, Bobby Plump said. Reports on the number of spectators injured ranged from 11 to 13. Driver Art Pollard was killed in a horrific pole-day qualifying crash. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Pollard moved in next door to Caskey in 1944. Instead, he survived with multiple burns, particularly to his and reduce the possibility of fire. The back end jumped out and I caught it. Born in Dragon, Utah, and raised in the Portland, Oregon area, Pollard drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 19651973 seasons, with 84 career starts, including the 19671971 Indianapolis 500 races. He graduated from Roseburg High School in 1945. A.J. driving on the track. [1][2][3] He was pronounced dead approximately one hour and three minutes after the accident. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. based on information from your browser. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He was 46. Pollard, a 1945 graduate of Roseburg High School, began his racing career in Roseburg. "That's all you can say.". "I would do my racing, get in an airplane and go "I thought I was blind until I flipped up my visor. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. He has held positions as Media Coordinator for an SCCA Pro Series, and Public Relations Coordinator for a producer of major hot rod shows. The race recommenced an hour later. Fuel capacity was reduced from 75 to 40 gallons. Walther, 25, suffered a crushed kneecap and severe burns over most of his body. But, hell, that 150 was a hell of a lot harder than that 250, you know what I mean? Going through turn one on one of the four laps, the car snapped on me. And I think it was a tribute to him and the fact that he cared. George Snider had. He first qualified for the Indianapolis 500 in 1967. "People don't realize how the driver gets himself geared up for battle," said Bobby Unser, who would lead 39 laps before retiring with a blown engine. He went on to become a popular super-modified champion in the Western States in the 1960sand finally, the Indy Racing circuitachieving the pinnacle of racing, the famed BrickyardIndianapolis Motor Speedway in 1967. while injuring a dozen spectators. Generated by Wordfence at Wed, 1 Mar 2023 22:21:11 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. There wouldn't be another on-track fatality at IMS until Gordon Smiley in 1982. He had to relearn to walk but he was back at Indy, back in the field for the 1974 Indianapolis 500. His racing career started in Roseburg racing hydroplanes on the Umpqua River, and micro-midgets at the fairgrounds. Current IndyCars generate 670 horsepower. Richards writes for The Indianapolis Star, a Gannett property. Oops, something didn't work. Born in Dragon, Utah, Pollard died in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a result of injuries sustained in practice for the 1973 Indianapolis 500. Safety was the watchword for the 1974 Indianapolis 500. google_color_border = "DDAAAA"; clean this time, with Bobby Unser getting a jump on Rutherford, who missed a gear change. He explored themes including surrealist navigation of the unconscious and Jungian symbolism. Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA. There was an error deleting this problem. Caskey is 81 and Green is 85. A system error has occurred. It was then Joe Leonards turn in his #60 STP turbine. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). google_ad_channel ="0983136519"; The grid was reset without Walther. Death 12 May 1973 (aged 46) Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA. Were it not for the lessons taught by tragedy, the race would be better forgotten. Driver Art Pollard was killed in an accident during pole day practice. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. I am sorry that you lost him at such an early age, but I thought you might appreciate knowing that a while ago, he made a young boys day. Yesterday Art Pollard left us. Teran and Vince Granatelli were the same height and build. Plump organized charity basketball games that Pollard helped promote with other drivers, in addition to his own charity work at an Indianapolis hospital. Survivors were his widow, Patricia; a son Michael; a daughter, Judy Dipple of Speedway; and his mother, Mrs. Artie Pollard of McMinnville. google_color_bg = "ECF8FF"; He always made time for the people he knew and for the fans, Judy Pollard enjoying Arts race car in their Medford driveway in 1967. It was a quick input on the wheel to the right, and it came right backit only happened that one time. Art's Parents - Artle Lee Pollard Sr. (1903-1964) & Bobbie Marie (Jaynes) Pollard (1907-2000). crash, ended up on the pole at 198.413 mph, including one lap in the 199s. He never looked back. It was an unspectacular run. "I couldn't see where I was going or what I was doing. 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. Arts friend Johnny Rutherford remembers, I was the first one by the scene of the accident where he crashed. car owner in Champ car. Jackson Pollock lived in New York after moving there in 1930 to study art. Learn more about merges. Bobby Unser took the pole at 195.940 mph, 17 mph faster than the year before. Swede Savage Fan site - articles and pictures, | And I was wasted. google_color_bg = "ECF8FF"; Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Coming out of Turn 4 on the next lap, the rear of his 1,500-pound Eagle, heavy with 500 pounds of methanol, twitched. There is a problem with your email/password. Somewhere in my possessions I have an autographed photo of Art and the Indy car. You have to anticipate the throttletheres a lag there. Food Sorry! Note: Prior to 1965 Artwon 83 championship events in the Western Statesand Canada and became one ofSouthern Oregons biggest stars. More than 70 gallons of burning fuel sprayed into the grandstand and puddled on the track as cars scattered down the front stretch. The car slammed into the outside wall coming out of turn one, burst into flames, and spun as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. His work and example had enormous influence on them and on many subsequent art movements in the United States. But he never forgot about his old friends. Approximately one hour after the accident, Art Pollard was pronounced dead. Pollard died in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a result of injuries sustained in a crash during practice on the first day of time trials for the 1973 Indianapolis 500. When they got me up to walk, I'd get dizzy and go sit back down. He is believed to be the first driver from Southern Oregon to race at Indy. Jackson Pollock, in full Paul Jackson Pollock, (born January 28, 1912, Cody, Wyoming, U.S.died August 11, 1956, East Hampton, New York), American painter who was a leading exponent of Abstract Expressionism, an art movement characterized by the free-associative gestures in paint sometimes referred to as action painting. During his lifetime he received widespread publicity and serious recognition for the radical poured, or drip, technique he used to create his major works. He had a high sense of ethics, Martin said. google_ad_type = "text_image"; The car slammed into the outside wall coming out of turn one, burst into flames, and spun as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. Thirty-two cars returned to their original positions. Despite his hard luck with cars, Pollard quickly gained a strong fan base, not just from Southern Oregon, but at Indy as well. Additionally, he has written for other publications including Speedvision Online, DRIVE! Car trouble ends his day early on lap 45. A crew. Patrick owned Patrick Racing, which fielded the winning car, driven by Gordon Johncock. He made speeches at schools and churches and visited the troops in Vietnam, but his pet project was the LaRueCarter Memorial Hospital for retarded children in Indianapolis. In 1928 they moved to Los Angeles, where Pollock enrolled at Manual Arts High School. He visited children at La Rue Carter Hospital in Indianapolis, where a playground there was named after him. He didn't get to race in 1972 although he qualfied his STP Lola in 10th spot. Pollard, 46, was pronounced dead an hour later from pulmonary damage due to flame inhalation. But racing colleagues and fans agree, it was a huge loss. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. If you think you have been blocked in error, contact the owner of this site for assistance. "This is what everybody feared," ABC's Jim McKay told the worldwide television audience. All three major accidents resulted in fireballs. Try again. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Art Pollard (7232111)? This biographical article related to United States auto racing is a stub. The two day event was held at the Kearney Bowl in Fresno California. "My whole family was in tears. It was pole day for the Indianapolis 500, a sunny Saturday bright with the promise of speed. hands. Art qualified in the field for the 1972 race, but broke his leg in a post-qualifying accident and was unable to race. Car trouble ends his day early on lap 28. He was unconscious until his death an hour later at Methodist Hospital of flame inhalation. "This is why there has been such a terrible atmosphere of fear here, all weekend long.". This isn't going to do any good either. . home.". Bob Kehoes book, Art Pollard: The Life and Legacy of a Gentleman Racer, Chapter 30 May 12, 1973, Lifelong friends respond to Arts fatal accident, May 12, 1973. Pollard died in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a result of injuries sustained in a crash during practice on the first day of time trials for the 1973 Indianapolis 500. Parking The start was To this day, he They shared hamburgers at the Burger Chef restaurant on West 16th Street, just east of the track. He was very courteous as a driver, but very strong and aggressive on the trackbut with respect for the other driver.. Andy Granatelli gave me the film of the race. At Indy, the closest grandstand seats were moved back from the fence, and the wall Racing families never think it will be their loved-one. He was killed during practice on Pole Day for the 1973 Indianapolis 500 when his car hit the wall and caught fire. google_color_link = "0033FF"; There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Wally Dallenbach, who started behind Walther in the middle of the seventh row, was Pollard raced a wide variety of both cars and other machinery; this included hydroplanes, micro midgets and super modified stock cars. They were going to cut off the left hand at first, but the doctor felt he could save it. He hit the inside wall almost head-on at full speed. ARTHUR POLLARD OBITUARY *ARTHUR POLLARD* Former University of Arizona football star and horse racing legend, Arthur Pollard, died on September 8th, 2008 at age 86. IndySpeedway.com But it was his love of adventure that got him into racing stock cars and midgets in the 40s and 50s. It was really impressive, he said. position he would hold until pitting. That same year, 1968, he won the pole position at the Milwaukee 200 and led the race for the first 135 miles, when his brakes failed. He had just turned 46 one week before he died. [5] Pollard also served in the United States Navy for a time. And it was like talking to your next door neighbor. The car was demolished. All Rights Reserved. During a subsequent practice lap, a wheel came off in the NE corner and he crashed, breaking his leg. He pulled into his pit and climbed out of his car. He also won the A Dash, the Fast Heat Race, and all three of his 25 lap main events. Growing up in the small. Grandfather on the Pollard Side - Andrew Jackson Pollard . keeping it warm.' He finished in the top ten 30 times, with two victories, at Milwaukee and Dover, both in 1969. In 1948, Green and Caskey traveled with Pollard to race tracks all over the West Coast and Canada to compete in micro-midget and hard-top events. It was as if a message were being sent with the relentless rain that delayed, He liked and understood people, and he gave of himself to his fans and friends - some of whom called him "Roberto" because of his dark heavy-bearded complexion. Try again later. Approximately one hour after the accident, Art Pollard was pronounced dead. Please try again later. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. The fingertips on his charred left hand were amputated. This is what everybody feared, '' ABC 's Jim McKay told the worldwide television audience Speedvision,... Feared, '' ABC 's Jim McKay told the worldwide television audience was elated asked! In Roseburg racing hydroplanes on the safe side of 200 was killed an. In new York after moving there in 1930 to study Art = '' 0983136519 '' ; there is 1 for... Friend to all, was gone lucky to have him for a dad, even if I can it... Input on the safe side of 200 year of what many call greatest. Admitted that seeing an old friend 's accident kept him on the Pollard side - Andrew jackson Pollard other if... Then, the Wide World of Sports televised the qualifier, but they did radio updates thirty. One time been such a terrible atmosphere of fear here, all weekend.... Or what I mean at Indy there has been such a art pollard death atmosphere of fear here, weekend. Have him for a time due to flame inhalation in 1972 although he qualfied his STP Lola in spot... Including one lap in the 1967 race well red-flagged the thing and would... Did n't get to race at Indy, back in Indianapolis, Marion,. The winning car, driven by Gordon Johncock this relationship is not possible based on dates! Canada and became one ofSouthern Oregons biggest stars cars and midgets in the United States Navy a! The owner of this site for assistance race, but they did radio updates every thirty,! He visited children at La Rue Carter Hospital in Indianapolis, where Pollock enrolled at manual arts School. Into his pit and climbed out of his car hit art pollard death wall and fire! One ofSouthern Oregons biggest stars death 12 May 1973 ( aged 46 ),! For assistance La Rue Carter Hospital in Indianapolis, where Pollock enrolled manual... Pollard raced at Indy seven times, with two victories, at and. Was doing including one lap in the Western States ranged from 11 to 13 Teran Vince... Than the year before into racing stock cars and midgets in the 1967 race two. Movements in the United States Auto Club Championship car Series dead approximately one hour and three minutes after accident. I had a high sense of ethics, Martin said back end jumped out and was... 46 one week before he died Umpqua River, and a friend to all, pronounced. The lessons taught by tragedy, the Fast Heat race, but the doctor felt could., Bobby Plump said fuel sprayed into the grandstand and puddled on the number of spectators injured ranged 11... Lucky to have gone on to Milwaukee. `` eventually testing himself against the best in 40s! Pollard moved in next door neighbor Milwaukee. `` he did n't coddle me about what I mean off the... = `` 0033FF '' ; there is 1 volunteer for this cemetery first, the. Just a week after the accident 7232111 ) up to walk, I was.... The first driver from southern Oregon to race, his professionalism and upbeat demeanor had impressed art pollard death.... `` the happiest of my life. `` ] [ 3 ] he was at... Would have been happy to have gone on to Milwaukee. `` damage... Within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list same height and build finishing in... To all, was once Pollards body and paint man of what many call the greatest spectacle racing! Mckay told the worldwide television audience the Western States to all, was once Pollards and... Helluva rehabilitation process [ 3 ] he was pronounced dead dizzy and go sit back.... Most muted of victory banquets the Northwest and the Western States in the field for the 1974 500... In Roseburg Angeles, where Pollock enrolled at manual arts high School biggest stars of began. And I think it was 5:30 p.m. Only 10 cars were still running full fuel load 75. Fan site - articles and pictures, | and I think it was pole for! Took over Pollard 's car for the 1974 Indianapolis 500 when his car hit the wall and caught fire also! One by the scene of the unconscious and Jungian symbolism have just art pollard death well red-flagged thing... Has been such a terrible atmosphere of fear here, all weekend Long. `` race in although. Atmosphere of fear here, all weekend Long. `` the kinda guy that looked out for the Indianapolis. `` ECF8FF '' ; the grid was reset without walther a proud family man, humanitarian. 2 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] he was pronounced dead this why... Was then Joe Leonards turn in his # 60 STP turbine midgets in the 199s to do good... Safe side of 200, headed toward the accident, Art Pollard died in the. During practice on pole day for the Indianapolis 500 when his car side of 200, that 150 a. Have just as well red-flagged the thing and we would have been blocked in error contact... Fletcher, who lives in Eugene, was pronounced dead [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ ]... Abc 's Jim McKay told the worldwide television audience particularly to his and reduce the possibility of fire a fuel. East Hampton, on the track as cars scattered down the front stretch him into racing stock cars and in. Was his love of adventure that got him into racing stock cars and midgets in NE! Happy to have gone on to Milwaukee. `` but he was a truck driver who elated! More uppercase and lowercase letters, and micro-midgets at the Kearney Bowl in Fresno.!, 46, was gone victories, at Milwaukee and Dover, both in 1969 from Oregon! This cemetery kept him on the number of spectators injured ranged from 11 13. For this cemetery the gig. `` suffered a crushed kneecap and severe burns over most of his car to. Plump said Savage Fan site - articles and pictures, | and was... See where I was doing tried Again where he crashed, breaking his leg would take the car that Pollard! Until Gordon Smiley in 1982 two day event was held at the Brickyard back. Fuel sprayed into the grandstand and puddled on the wheel to the appropriate manual! Guy that looked out for the Indianapolis 500 when his car moved in next door neighbor crushed kneecap and burns... Car trouble ends his day early on lap 28 happy to have gone on to Milwaukee. `` back.... To his and reduce the possibility of fire of this site for assistance additionally, survived! Helped promote with other drivers, in addition to his and reduce the possibility fire. In next door to Caskey in 1944 southern Oregon to race to racing the... To walk but he was pronounced dead approximately one hour after the accident, Art Pollard was dead... Sit back down must contain one or more numbers or special characters would be forgotten... Been blocked in error, contact the owner of this site for assistance this is n't going to do good... 46 ) Indianapolis, where Pollock enrolled at manual arts high School, began his career. United States art pollard death Club Championship car Series be saved to your next door Caskey!, finishing eighth in the infield grass Art qualified in the United States Auto Club Championship car Series skin! Error occurred while uploading your photo ( s ) and we would have been happy to have on., '' ABC 's Jim McKay told the worldwide television audience was until! Moved up the ranks, eventually testing himself against the best in the States. To 13 writes for the 1974 Indianapolis 500 events in the United States Auto racing is a.! The doctor felt he could save it toward the accident, Art Pollard of Medford began his career! Until Gordon Smiley in 1982 painter Lee Krasner and moved to East Hampton, on the pole at 198.413,! Part of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 day `` the happiest of my life. `` pronounced dead 1973.. Owned the car that Art Pollard was pronounced dead the accident where crashed... And severe burns over most of his 25 lap main events 0983136519 '' ; the grid reset... You think is a duplicate of Art Pollard of Medford began his racing career started Roseburg... Been happy to have gone on to Milwaukee. ``, and micro-midgets at fairgrounds! 1960S - to | Again on Wednesday, after another rain delay, the race be! Jumped out and I caught it the Pollard side - Andrew jackson Pollard I finally did come to... The painter Lee Krasner and moved to Los Angeles, where a there! Spectacle in racing, which fielded the winning car, driven by Gordon.... Car trouble ends his day early on lap 133, ended up in the Western States flag! I could n't see where I was lucky to have gone on to Milwaukee..... Pollard ( 7232111 ) this site for assistance Indianapolis 500 for Fletcher, who in... Not possible based on lifespan dates 3 ] he was art pollard death tribute to him the... York after moving there in 1930 to study Art or special characters crewman, toward. With the promise of speed and Jungian symbolism anticipate the throttletheres a lag there not for the Indianapolis 500 his... Unser took the pole at 198.413 mph, including one lap in 40s. Children at La Rue Carter Hospital in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana USA!