Colonel Bob Ingersoll & Racing

It may seem a stretch, but nineteenth century orator Colonel Robert (Bob) Ingersoll had a very real impact on automobile racing - as long as you believe the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been a factor in the sport. According to all the biographers of Speedway founder and original president Carl Fisher, he devoured Ingersoll's teachings, reading every volume of the philosopher's works. Ingersoll was a paradox. A confirmed atheist in a largely Christian society, he was also one of the most powerful - and popular - orators of the post Civil War era. During the war, he raised an Illinois Calvary Regiment and earned his colonel title. He was a member of the Republican Party and became Attorney General of Illinois after the war. At the 1976 Republican convention, he was the man that nominated James G. Blaine, who became the party's nominee for president. He was best known for his writings and speeches and his philosophy appealed to Fisher, who apparently was moved by the following Ingersoll credo:

"I have creed for this, the only world of which I know anything: 1) Happiness is the only good. 2) The way to be happy is to make others so. 3) The place to be happy is here. 4) The time to be happy is now."

Looking at Fisher's life, it's not hard to see the influence of these thoughts. Especially when 300,000 people gather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to witness the Indy 500 every May.