New Marker to Honor Ray Harroun
(1911 image of Ray Harroun courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA historical marker where the first winner of the Indianapolis 500 is buried will be unveiled May 1. Representatives from the Indiana Racing Memorial Association, Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson will participate in a ceremony at Ray Harroun’s grave site at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.
Other notable attendees slated to be at the event include Harroun’s granddaughter and great-granddaughter and well-known announcing names from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Bob Jenkins and Howdy Bell.
IRMA co-founder Brian Hasler says "the Indiana Racing Memorial Association, is proud to add Ray Harroun to our list of honorees being commemorated with race-themed historic markers. Harroun is an iconic figure in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history and it is very appropriate that the City of Anderson is joining with IRMA to recognize him this year during the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500."
Broderick says "Anderson is proud that Ray Harroun chose Anderson as his home and that our City serves as Ray’s final resting place. We are so pleased that Anderson will be part of the kick-off to the “Month of May” by honoring Ray with this celebration and by providing this lasting historic marker."
The ceremony at the cemetery will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of Harroun’s life at the nearby Anderson University Flagship Event Center. Everything is free and open to the public.
