In the Indy Formula One Garage: The 1939 Maserati Racer that Won the 1939 and 1940 Indy 500 Races
One day prior to the 2011 Indy 500 Race, the Black Beast and other race cars that participated in this year's pre-race ceremonies were stored in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Formula One Garage. Among these racers was the Maserati 8CTF Boyle Special that won the 1939 and 1940 Indy 500 Races driven by Wilbur Shaw:
This Maserati (chasis #3032) with Wilbur Shaw behind the wheel won both the 1939 and 1940 Indy 500 Races. Shaw's consecutive wins were the first in Indy's history. The racer was nicknamed the Boyle Special to honor its US-based sponsor.
The racer was described in a recent Indy Hall of Fame Museum brochure "The Ultimate Indianapolis Winning Car Collection":
Wilbur Shaw
MASERATI/MASERATI
Average speed- 115.035 mph (139)/114.277 (1940)
Perhaps the most successful race car in the history off the Indianapolis 500, this Mike-Boyle entered straight-eight, dual supercharged Maserati carried Wilbur Shaw to his second and third victories in 1939 and 1940, the first occaision on which either a driver or car had won in consecutive years. Shaw was well on his way to yet another win in 1941 when a wire wheel collapsed while he was leading athe the three-quarter mark. Ted Horn had finishes of third, third, and fourth with this car 1946-1948. Lee Wallard led with it in 1949, and future winner Bill Vukovich used it for his "rookie" test in 1950.
Owner: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation
The Maserati was driven by Mario Andretti during the second parade lap of the 2011 Indy 500 pre-race ceremonies.
Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com and the Internet:
Race Results for the 1939 Indianapolis 500
Race Results for the 1940 Indianapolis 500
Maseratis in Action at the 1939 to 1948 Indy 500 Races
In the Formula One Garage: The 1912 National that Won the 1912 Indy 500 Race
Comments
I have a photo of a car on the brickyard track that seems to date 1939 - 1940 looks very similar to the Maserati pictured above with one exception it has two rear axles for a total of four rear wheels? and appears to be #19, can you shed any light on this car or race?
This would be the Pat Clancy Spl. Driven by Billy DeVore in the 1948 500. It finished 12th. I believe 1948 was the only race it ran.
hi my father Henry Seitz was a mechanic he had always told me that he helped blueprint the engine in the car that won the Indy 500 driven by Wilbur Shaw, I would like to no is there any truth in that. I would appreciate it if anyone could help me. Thank you for your time…..........Pat Seitz