Vintage Indy

The early 70’s. The Beatles disband, Watergate, the Boeing 747, wild times back then. But even 50 years ago, people still did a pilgrimage to the small town of Speedway, Indiana in late May. The Indy 500.

With names like Al Unser, Johnny Rutherford, Aj Foyt and Gordon Johncock, the field is stacked with legends. The cars of this era live in infamy. Known for their speed, historic wins, and striking liveries.

Fast forward 50 years. Sat in a brewery, tucked away in central Indiana, we had the pleasure of chatting with Brad Edwards. Sharing conversation over some beer and burgers, Brad, a lifelong fan of racing and the Indy 500, shared his stories. Stories of sitting in the stands watching his favorite driver, Al Unser, fling the car around the track, arguing with his father about why Unser is better than Foyt and Andretti, he was able to watch history as it was made.

When asked what his dream car would be, it was a quick “Al Unser Johnny Lightning”. When his son Brett was asked, it was the Lotus of Jim Clark from the 60’s. A true racing family, deeply embedded in the sport, with a love of the classics.

But speaking of cars, Brad happens to be the owner of a very special car. You have seen our article on memorabilia, but what happens when magazine clippings and signed hats aren’t enough? In 2012, Brad had the absolute pleasure of purchasing a race used Indy Car.

Introducing: The 1971 Mongoose.  A car used on the famed bricks of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driven by legends of the sport. Brad’s collection includes a running, working, GORGEOUS legitimate IndyCar.

Now, any fan would love to own an IndyCar, or race car for that matter. Give me Dan Wheldon’s 2011 William Rast Indy winner and I’ll be a happy man. But unfortunately, for me, that is in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

But Brad has his own piece of history. Purchasing it in 2012 from another private collector, Brad put blood, sweat and tears into this car to get it back running. Finally, in 2017 putting her on track.

Driving with Vintage Indy, he has put the car on The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Nashville Motor Speedway, Pocono, and Gateway Motorsports Park (AKA Worldwide Technology Raceway). Pushing her to speed, reaching 150 miles per hour in her. What we wouldn’t do to get to do that.

Speaking of speed, Brad let us in on a story from years and years ago, driving a friends vintage car, he was able to take it 175mph around Fontana Motor Speedway. A dream.

Speaking on our favorite tracks, Brad mentioned Fontana, which come on, he sent a race car around it, that’s cool as heck. And the obvious choice, The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Anyone who gets to drive an old race car around that track is a legend. And Brad, is definitely that is the racing world. When asked what it’s like, he just described the feeling of coming off turn 4 and seeing the grandstands and pagoda. Oh, what we wouldn’t do to experience that.

Our conversation continues. Having raced around a few tracks in his car, He stuck to his guns, Indy is the pinnacle, where he loves to take it. Although he can only take her out a few times a year, every moment is cherished and loved by this driver.

We swap stories of past Indy500s, sharing his hatred for Mclaren, and my love for them. Our mutual hatred for Joey Logano, and our feelings of not really knowing about how to feel with Kyle Larson. A clash of generations, connecting through a mutual love of speed.

One thing that seemed to persist throughout our conversation about his car, was the cost. In his words, one of the harder things about owning a Vintage IndyCar, aside from the mechanical upkeep.

A rough day of car troubles.

Through all the upkeep and logistics of moving the car from place to place, Brad has set a very clear goal for this year. Get the car on track in Nashville later this year.

If Vintage cars are your thing, keep an eye on Vintage Indy, and make sure to keep an eye out for our friend Brad, and his beauty of a car.