He participated in the 1927 Indianapolis 500.[1]. Five members of the Canadian Football League, returning from an all star . HI Mailbag: Northside Chinese Restaurants, Preservation Denied: West Washington Street Duesenberg Plant, Metropolitan Hall: Indianapolis First Theatre, A Bathing Revolution at the Indiana State Fair. While reading it again, I was shocked by how much of it I remembered- not just the episodes, but the exact wording. The dapper Shaw was the ideal man to represent racing to automobile executives, whose cooperation Shaw realized was sorely needed. He spent the rest of the year recuperating. He told a newsman recently: "Auto race drivers are like boxers, or pit bull dogs. Today is the sixty-fourth anniversary of Wilbur Shaws death in a plane crash near Decatur, Indiana. Bill Shaw, 57, was born in Akron, Ohio, where his father was director of aviation at Firestone during World War II, and now resides near Nashville, Ind. Shaw was killed in an airplane crash near Decatur, Indiana, on October 30, 1954, one day before his fifty-second birthday. The pilot of the plane was identified as RAY GRIMES, 40, Greenfield, Ind. Wilbur Shaw tragically died in a private plane crash near Decatur, Ind., on Oct. 30, 1954, the eve of his 52nd birthday. They dont make them like Wilbur Shaw any more. Box 2999, Indianapolis, IN 46206 2009-2017 HistoricIndianapolis.com. Indiana, "Wilbur Shaw Is Killed In Indiana Plane Crash", Shaw's Blend Of Skill, Charisma Looms Large In Speedway History, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wilbur_Shaw&oldid=1105015907, International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1954, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 18 August 2022, at 02:24. Shaw sent out letters to the major car manufacturers trying to find a backer to buy the speedway. Shaw sent out letters to the major car manufacturers trying to find a backer to buy the speedway. With Hulmans financial backing and Shaws foresight and leadership as track President, the two managed to turn a weed riddled eyesore into what would become known as the greatest spectacle in racing. World War II ended his career as a driver, but when ANTON HULMAN, JR., of Terre Haute, Ind., bought the big two-and-one-half-mile track at the west edge of Indianapolis in 1945 he gave SHAW the job of running it. However, his dedication to restoring America's most notable racetrack helped preserve an important piece of Indiana's motorcycle and racing history. They also made this request of the Speedway. From 1947 through the 1954 race, Shaw presented this silver cup, filled with ice and water, to the hot and thirsty Indianapolis 500 winner in Victory Lane. In 1941, in his last Memorial Day race, he hit the wall and spent the summer in a cast with three smashed vertebrae. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. From the time he entered his first 500 in 1927, Shaw thought he had a chance to win every time. Wilbur Shaw (born 31 Oct 1902 Shelbyville, Indiana; died 30 Oct 1954 nr. Wilbur Shaw was born in Shelbyville on October 31, 1902, and reared here. It seemed as though Shaw and Hulman had a "Midas touch" at the Speedway. When a plane crash ended Shaw's life in 1952, AAA official James H. Lamb wrote: In the racing world, Wilbur Shaw was a champion, and in the universal definition of the sports world, he was a true and great competitor. Shaw was the second person to win the 500 three times, and the first to win it twice in a row. Date3-29-1940Harold Nutt to Wilbur Shaw with tables4-25-1945Wilbur Shaw to Charles S. Davis prosing sale of Motor Speedway5-28-1945C.J. This trophy has a significant history, as it was first presented to the winner of a race at IMS in 1910, before the creation of the Indianapolis 500. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, Oct 31 1902 - Shelbyville, Shelby, Indiana, United States, Oct 30 1954 - Decatur, Indiana, United States, Apr 1 1950 - 5th Ho Hussey Lane, Clay Township, Hamilton, Indiana, United States, ", Decatur, Columbia (Continued Od Page Six column "sj Sel, ") Funeral services were read today for, "of other stories. Father of Private. Required fields are marked *. All rights reserved | Privacy policy | About us | Image policy. This flight, conducted on Kill Devil Hill just outside of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, was the very first flight by a manned, controlled, heavier-than-air aircraft that flew under its own . USA, Omaha, This was the car in which noted drivers RALPH HEPBURN and CHET MILLER were killed -- but SHAW wasn't afraid of anything. 08:30 /* Crittenden Library Topic Box 300x250 */ A heart attack felled him in 1951 as he ran up a hill at the Soap Box Derby in Akron, O. Shaw survived sveral racing accidents and a severe heart attack. Yes, he was the first driver to win back-to-back runnings of the Indianapolis 500, and the second to win it three times. But under Shaw's direction the Memorial Day event boomed again, drawing crowds estimated at more than 150,000. 3 cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. From 1935-1940 Shaw won three times, had two second place finishes and a seventh place. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. An Indianapolis 500 great, one of the '500's finest and most skillful drivers who was killed in an aircraft crash, when the plane crashed into a cornfield in a snowstorm. He was in critical condition for several days but made it back to his office before the 1952 race. A household name because of his racing exploits, he loved to talk about his first race here at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, in a goat cart! It was a very fortunate thing that he and Tony were introduced, because they clicked. Today is the sixty-fourth anniversary of Wilbur Shaw's death in a plane crash near Decatur, Indiana. But Shaw feels that sharing the priceless pieces of history with fellow Indianapolis 500 fans, via display at the Hall of Fame Museum, is the right thing to do. Shaw was president and general manager until his untimely death. We have set your language to Please enter your email and password to sign in. Warren Wilbur Shaw (October 31, 1902 October 30, 1954) was an American racing driver. The track, built in 1953 and recently upgraded to feature a laser timer, digital weighing system and scorers bridge at the base of the hill, has featured an All-American race each year since its construction. At the time of his death in plane crash, he was president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and had just finished this autobiography. He was president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 until his death in 1954. To this job, Shaw brought his extensive knowledge of the business of auto racing, something Hulman would admit that he himself didn't have, and Shaw's hard work only cemented the reputation of the "500" as the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing.". He has a Fine Art degree from Indiana University, a Masters in Historic Preservation from Ball State, and currently works with the State of Indiana to advocate for the adaptive reuse of Indiana's historic buildings into affordable housing. He was the leading money winner at the track, with a total of $91,300 in winnings, until Bill Vukovich won his second straight victory last May 31. Shaw was returning from a race car demonstration in Michigan at the Chrysler test track. SHAW flew the plane to Detroit and ROOSE was to have flown it back, the advertising man said. SHAW was identified by a credit card and a private pilot's license. Peterson is 20 miles south of Fort Wayne. Hershey to Wilbur Shaw relating to proposal of 400 mph tire4/22/1951John E. Scanlan to Wilbur Shaw requesting Shaw write a short article on automobile testing for an encyclopedia4/26/1951Wilbur Shaw to John E. Scanlan replying to request to write article4/30/1951John E. Scanlan to Wilbur Shaw signed agreement to purchase article written by Shaw4/30/1951John E. Scanlan to Wilbur Shaw thank you letter relating to article agreement5/3/1951Wilbur Shaw to John E. Scanlan stating article will be completed before July deadline6/1/1951John W. Hobbs to Wilbur Shaw relating to the Harper Automatic Headlight Dimming Device6/1/1951John W. Hobbs to Wilbur Shaw relating to conversation with Toby Harper6/10/1951Toby Harper to Wilbur Shaw discussing dimmer device and entry into the oil business 6/22/1951Wilbur Shaw to John E. Scanlan relating to article on automobile testing7/20/1951Written for the American Education Press by W. Wilbur Shaw article on automobile testing8/1/1951Marian Lockwood to Wilbur Shaw discussing article on Cars on Trial8/2/1951Wilbur Shaw to Marian Lockwood reply to letter with copy of Cars on Trial4/6/1952Toby Harper to Wilbur Shaw relating to dimmer device4/25/1952Kenneth Loucks to Wilbur Shaw detailing appreciation for Shaws work at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway8/10/1952Harold Connally to Wilbur Shaw extending invitation to the 11th International Tuna Cup Match8/27/1952Wilbur Shaw to Harold Connally declining invitation to the 11th International Tuna Cup Match2/8/1956Horace to Boots [Mrs. Wilbur Shaw] discussing Wilbur Shaws autobiography being listed on the 46 most notable books chosen by The American Library Association for 1955 No Date[For Floyd Clymer] Rough Draft on new driving technique by Lee WallardNo DateDraft of The Story of our Time Encyclopedia Yearbook Automobile Testing by Wilbur ShawNo DateRough Draft of Automobile Test by Wilbur Shaw (2 copies)1954 1956 Newspaper Clippings No DateTwo Photographs, Date11/29/1946Sketch of Proposed 11.00-29 tire profileby Firestone Tire and Rubber Co development co. Akron, OH5/30/1956Newspaper ClippingNo DateSketch of Proposed 400 mph tire. Shaw held the position at the Speedway until he died in a plane crash on Oct. 30 . TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. The couple had one child Warren Wilbur Shaw Jr. Wilbur Shaw tragically died in a plane crash near Decatur, Indiana on October 30, 1954. Despite what Hulman saw amongst the weeds and deterioration when Shaw took him to Indianapolis, he purchased the Speedway from Rickenbacker in November 1945 for the sum of $750,000. Call (317) 492-6784 for more information. He was previously married to Cathleen "Boots" Stearns and Beatrice Patrick. As the automotive test evaluator Shaw's articles were superior to those of his contemporaries in that they gave consistently accurate reports without relying on Popular Science's lead in the marketplace over competitors such as Mechanix Illustrated. 31 October 1954. My mind is weird. DECATUR, Ind., Oct. 30 -- Wilbur Shaw, president of the Indianapolis motor speedway and three-time winner of the 500-mile race, was killed with two companions in a plane crash near here late today. Any fan of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway should give profuse thanks to Shaw. The only death which seemed to really move him to tears was that of Ralph Hepburn. While working a racecar driver, Shaw also worked for Firestone Tire Company and wrote several articles on automobiles and auto parts. If not for his efforts, 16th and Georgetown would now be the site of apartments, homes, or a strip mall. The name Wilbur Shaw is synonymous with auto racing in Indianapolis. RayCampbell, LetterioCucinotta, NickEckerle, AlGordon, SamHoffman, JerryHouck, CyMarshall, ChetMiller, JohnnySawyer.