Ray Harroun - Anderson, IN - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Ray Harroun’s involvement in auto racing began when he was part of a team that set the land speed record between Chicago and New York City in 1903 and then again in 1904. He also participated in several long-distance car races in Atlanta, Louisville, New Orleans, Los Angeles and other locations. But today, he mostly known as the winner of the first 500-mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway held in 1911 on Memorial Day (then known as Decoration Day).

Harroun helped design the #32 Marmon ‘Wasp’ which he drove to victory at that first Indy 500. Since it was a single-seat design, Ray committed a breach of auto racing etiquette by driving without a ride-along mechanic. Since these mechanics would also look out for other cars, Ray mounted a mirror such that he could see what was behind him. This became the first recorded use of a rear-view mirror. Ray Harroun won the race with an average speed of just under 75 mph.

Fifty years later, in 1961, Ray Harroun appeared on the television show ‘I’ve Got a Secret’ with that year’s Indy 500 winner A. J. Foyt. It took panelist Bill Cullen less than a minute to figure out who they were. In 2011, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. The stamp shows a stylized image of Ray Harroun driving his Marmon Wasp to victory at the first race in 1911. And by the way, that original #32 Marmon Wasp is on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
(Source: wikipedia.org)

Description: Ray Harroun’s grave is located in Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson, Indiana. Date of birth: 01/12/1879 Date of death: 01/19/1968 Area of notoriety: Sports Marker Type: Horizontal Marker Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: none Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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