Newspaper Man as Riding Mechanic

Check out this neat article written by an Indianapolis Star "newspaperman," as they referred to journalists back in the day. The reporter rode with driver Harry Endicott during practice for the first Indianapolis 500. He not only describes his sensations and the attire (goggles, leather duster and leather face mask), but also recounts stories he had heard about the heroic efforts of professional riding mechanics. These insights to the role of long-forgotten riding mechanic are too rare and always intrigue.