Harley Rider Ralph Hepburn

Fifteen-time Indianapolis 500 starter Ralph Hepburn is see here at the Altoona, PA board track speedway in July 1925. At this point Hepburn was transitioning from motorcycles to race cars, competeing in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time that same year. His best finish in the "500" came in 1937 with the closest margin up to that time - 2.16 seconds behind winner Wilbur Shaw. After winning the pole, he dominated the 1946 "500" with the famous Novi Governor Special until the engine failed at 121 laps. He lost his life at age 52 while practicing with a Novi in preparation for the 1948 "500." His name is definitely part of the conversation about the greatest drivers never to win the classic race.
 
Hepburn began his racing career with motorcycles most notably for Harley-Davidson and their team of tough competitors known as "The Wrecking Crew," as well as their top rival, Indian Motorcycles. He is a member of the AMA Hall of Fame as well as Auto Racing Hall of Fame at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 
Thanks to the Paul Sheedy Collection for this photo.