Art qualified in the field for the 1972 race, but broke his leg in a post-qualifying accident and was unable to race. When it snapped, Art lost a wheel, spun around and slammed into the third turn concrete." Article, "Hospital Room Looks Like a Greenhouse," Robin Miller, The Indianapolis Star, 1972 one of the corners that was grabable," said Dallenbach, who is now the chief steward For my hands I got a box of sand. I went out in qualifying later and set a new track record. He was a true sportsman, a very strong competitor, and wouldnt hurt a fly. Pollard never regained consciousness, and his injuries were reported to include pulmonary damage due to flame inhalation, third degree burns on both hands, face and neck, a fractured right arm, a fractured leg, and a severe spinal cord injury. Indianapolis -- Twenty-five years later, some of the memories return like yesterday, many have faded like dusty photographs and still others evoke unimaginable pain. Pole Day - Saturday May 12 - Death of Art Pollard. "Swede wasn't much older than my son (Steve)," Patrick said. Granatelli was the CEO and affable pitchman of the car's sponsor, STP oil products. Both men stood frozen in their separate locations as news broke on the radio that their friend, Art Pollard, had died in a crash on Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jackson Pollock lived in New York after moving there in 1930 to study art. Email to Arts brother, Robert Bob Pollard. You never saw him when he wasnt smiling, Mike said. Additionally, he has written for other publications including Speedvision Online, DRIVE! Art died inIndianapolis,Indianaas a result of injuries sustained in practice for the 1973Indianapolis500. Tales Twelve cars were caught up in the wreckage as Walther's car pin-wheeled down the track upside down, gushing flaming methanol. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. He studied life drawing, painting, and composition with Benton for the next two and one-half years, leaving the league in the early months of 1933. Oops, something didn't work. Current IndyCars generate 670 horsepower. Then all of a sudden we broke through that, and Bruce bought us white pants, we had Levis and t-shirtsand then about that time, we gained the respect of the rest of the people, Stewart said. Teran, a mechanic on Graham McRae's car, sprinted down pit lane to see if he could be of help to his injured teammate. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7232111/art-lee-pollard. The car slammed into the outside wall coming out of turn one, burst into flames, and spun as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. from behind at 60 mph and killed him. He finished in the top ten 30 times, with two victories, both in 1969, at Milwaukee and Dover. Bob Stewart was a member of his first crew at Indianapolis, and a life-long friend. March 18, 1972 - At Phoenix Art qualified 21st in the #11 Quality Racing Scorpion now with a turbocharged Foyt powerplant. Armando Moreno Teran - STP pit crewman Please select which sections you would like to print: Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Only a couple of hundred yards past the flag stand, IndySpeedway.com I just walked away.". The car slammed into the outside wall coming out of turn one, burst into flames, and spun as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. Walther, 25, suffered a crushed kneecap and severe burns over most of his body. The death drew notice, but the loss of one more driver wasn't all that unexpected. Mike, then 25 and a steel fabricator in Fresno, Calif., didnt want to believe what he was hearing. Later Mike would often recall, You never saw him when he wasnt smiling., Bob Pollard (Arts brother) and his wife, Diane, were also living in California at the time. Qualifying speeds were down nearly 10 mph, with Foyt winning the pole and Rutherford collecting the first of his three victories. The fingertips on his charred left hand were amputated. Mike couldnt believe what he was hearing. And it was like talking to your next door neighbor. Art Pollard (Dad) began racing a small hydroplane on Oregons Umpqua River, next micro-midgets, then modified stockcars in a half-mile oval in Roseburg, Oregon. Even though it was so hard to lose him, I find tremendous solace in my faith and the fact that I had such a loving dad. Pollocks evolution from this point throughout the 1940s shows a struggle to find a process by which he could translate his entire personality into painting. The family left Cody, Wyoming, 11 months after Jacksons birth; he would know Cody only through family photographs. Methanol, at 70 degrees, weighs about 6.6 pounds a gallon. Fuel capacity was reduced from 75 to 40 gallons. Swede Savage - driver (died later), He qualified in 31st spot in 1971. He was a good dad. He explored themes including surrealist navigation of the unconscious and Jungian symbolism. It came automatic to him.. Steve Krisiloff, who started the 1973 race seventh and finished sixth, recalled coming around to take the green flag on his pole day qualifying attempt. google_ad_client = "pub-8002195670072149"; No matter. Art Pollard: The Gentleman Racer Paperback - September 13, 2019 by Bob Kehoe (Author) 9 ratings See all formats and editions Paperback $25.00 1 New from $25.00 First published in 2016, this is an expanded version of Art Pollard's biography that includes more content and photos. ). "We used to average a death a year out here," recalled track announcer Tom This browser does not support getting your location. Yesterday Art Pollard left us. In 1948, Green and Caskey traveled with Pollard to race tracks all over the West Coast and Canada to compete in micro-midget and hard-top events. Please try again later. His lover, artist Ruth Kligman, was the only survivor of the accident. Walther's The two went to high school together, played football together and even ended up at the same Navy base in San Diego. Jungian symbolism and the Surrealist exploration of the unconscious also influenced his works of this period; indeed, from 1939 through 1941 he was in treatment with two successive Jungian psychoanalysts who used Pollocks own drawings in the therapy sessions. Last Updated: Jan 24, 2023 Article History Table of Contents Jackson Pollock See all media Born: January 28, 1912 Cody Wyoming Died: August 11, 1956 (aged 44) East Hampton New York Notable Works: "Mural" Movement / Style: Abstract Expressionism Action painting automatism modern art Notable Family Members: spouse Lee Krasner The car slammed into the wall coming out of turn one and spun as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. keeping it warm.' It was really impressive, he said. Savage, 26, suffered critical burns but survived 33 days. His work and example had enormous influence on them and on many subsequent art movements in the United States. We have set your language to In time trials, with a car with the new air wing design, and running in high winds, the car went out of control and flipped several times at speeds over 190 miles an hour. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. "By then, I could laugh about it. It erupted in flames with the green flag still waving. google_ad_width = 728; Other cars were losing parts. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Art Lee Pollard Jr. Links Weve updated the security on the site. "It's a sad thing to say, but it is.". placed in ambulances, driving rain hit again. They wore the same uniform. Just didn't go that way.". Approximately one hour after the accident, Art Pollard was pronounced dead. Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Art Pollard (7232111)? But, hell, that 150 was a hell of a lot harder than that 250, you know what I mean? From a small hydroplane on Oregon's Umpqua River to micro-midgets and modified stock cars on a half-mile oval in Roseburg, Oregon. He beat me every time by about six-inches, but we had standing ovations from the crowd, Dick Simon, retired driver and owner, Championship and Indy Racing League, NASCAR, Race driver, Dick Simon: Art was phenomenal, and probably one of the best individuals Ive met in my entire life. "What happened - what people saw - was my car hit a tire on Jerry Grant's Eagle and flip high into the air. He also won the A Dash, the Fast Heat Race, and all three of his 25 lap main events. Fletcher warned Smiley. "I had the gloves on, so I grabbed the hottest thing, the turbocharger, which was For these pieces, many made during his poured period, Pollock dripped paint onto canvas to convey the emotion of movement. Resend Activation Email. In the fifties he soon built a reputation as a tough competitor. Updates? She is the daughter of Art Pollard. plastic cylinders and covering plates designed to minimize the force of impact. The car was demolished. "I thought, my goodness, we're never going to recover from this," said the speedway's Carnegie. | Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? "When I finally got out, I was still weak. "It was January 1, 2016, and I was just like, 'Eh,. Christie started at Indianapolis every year from 1956 to 63. Plain and simple. Photo courtesy of Mike Pollard. He really put his foot into it and topped teammate Hills speed with an incredible 171.559 mph average. This brought back many memories for Fletcher, who owned the car that Art Pollard died in during the 1973 race. ), "If you really stop and think about it and you follow racing, it seems like before The impact tore off two wheels immediately, and the wings were also torn off during the slide. This isn't going to do any good either. At last glance, Granatelli had seen Teran standing alongside McRea's crew chief, Granatelli's son Vince. He told him he was going to hit 200 mph, or die trying. "They had everybody stopped there in Turn 4," Johncock said. Try again later. I am sorry that you lost him at such an early age, but I thought you might appreciate knowing that a while ago, he made a young boys day. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. He had just turned 46 one week before he died. I think he was probably the first driver that we had who helped local people. Art won $941.00 for his 14th place finish and Bobby Unser won the race. "They looked exactly alike," Andy said, speaking in the hushed tones of grief 40 years later. "I was astounded. Wally Dallenbach stepped into Savage's. His first attempt fell short in 1966, but in 1967 he qualified to start 13th and finished 8th. He didn't get to race in 1972 although he qualfied his STP Lola in 10th spot. Thirty-two cars returned to their original positions. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. One of the top athletes probably in the country. Arts friend Johnny Rutherford remembers, I was the first one by the scene of the accident where he crashed. Drivers and crews were taut. He was 46. Family members linked to this person will appear here. "I still feel bad about it. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. As I was driving along I had the radio on, and thats when I heard about Arts crash. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? "He was like a family member. Minutes later, Pollard's car smacked the outside wall in Turn 1, spun, flipped and slid to a stop in Turn 2, engulfed in flames. On-board fuel capacity was cut from 75 gallons to 40, turbocharger boost pressure You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. To use this feature, use a newer browser. He made every race from then on until 1979 with a best finish of 9th in 1976. squeezing Jerry Grant against the wall. The flames melted it and crinkled it all up.". google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; All three major accidents resulted in fireballs. Some of the pieces flew up in the stands. READ MORE. He hit the inside wall almost head-on at full speed. He really was an extraordinary individual blessed with many rare qualities and talents., Art Pollard was a credit to the sport of auto racing. They carried a full fuel load of 75 gallons. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. "He told me, 'Don't go up there,'" Johncock recalled. The Art Pollard Day in May continued for decades after dads death. google_color_url = "0033FF"; But he never forgot about his old friends. After four years in the Navy, he went to work at Hansen Chevrolet, where Art was a mechanic. He did everything so well. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Art went on to win his first Champ Car race after a wild start (shown above). Finally the green flag waved at 3 p.m. Antsy drivers made for a haphazard field, with four cars across the narrow track in To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Salt miraculously made it back the next year, qualifying in 14th position for the 1974 Indy 500. A lot of fans - and drivers too - said that Walther blew it. "After the second day, you started thinking: 'Who's next?'" 'George, he was a great lover of . Savage lost control. what should have been the sixth row. [1][2][3] He was pronounced dead approximately one hour and three minutes after the accident. Art's Parents - Artle Lee Pollard Sr. (1903-1964) & Bobbie Marie (Jaynes) Pollard (1907-2000). Driver Art Pollard was killed in an accident during pole day practice. I couldn't walk at all. It was a needed and welcome improvement. He is our most famous son, and whether you were privileged to know him or not you can take pride in the fact that Art was one of us., Our promise to Mike and Judy, and all who all knew him best, is as long as there is a Pacific Racing Association, Art Pollard will never be forgotten, both for the kind of guy he was and for his contributions to the sport we all love so much., (In early 1960s) I felt more comfortable running wheel-to-wheel with Art than anyone in history. Pollard was known as a giving man who did things like visit troops in Vietnam and give speeches at churches and high schools all over the nation. I discovered an interesting fact the other day while following some of your links. "When I first got out, I remember I put on my nice-looking crepe slacks and my good-looking shirts. All Rights Reserved. Swede Savage, driver of another Patrick Racing, STP-sponsored car, and Armando Teran, mechanic on a third Patrick/STP car, also died. Pollard raced at Indy seven times, finishing eighth in the 1967 race. Smiley died instantly from massive trauma inflicted by the severe impact. Seats "I thought it was my son who had been hit.". We were listening to the radio broadcast of the activity at Indy when they announced that Art had crashed and later passed away in the hospital. He has held positions as Media Coordinator for an SCCA Pro Series, and Public Relations Coordinator for a producer of major hot rod shows. The grandstand was showered in debris and burning fuel. wrong," said Dan Gurney, himself a driver until 1970 and later an owner and car 2. He is also one of the first American painters to be recognized during his lifetime and after as a peer of 20th-century European masters of modern art. google_color_border = "DDAAAA"; Were it not for the lessons taught by tragedy, the race would be better forgotten. He was an engaging speaker and frequent spokesman. Billy Vukovich called me after I'd been out of the hospital a while and said "We just want to tell you we just inducted you into the Crispy Critter Club.". safety truck, speeding up pit road in the opposite direction of normal traffic, hit Teran He unstrapped and pronounced the day "the happiest of my life.". But Patrick also lost a crewman, Teran, and a driver, Savage. Walther's fate might have been worse; had the tank stayed with the car he surely would Although the tragic '73 race left the whole sport in a sour mood, nobody recalls having doubts about going back in '74. Johncock said. I mean, I was skinny. I didn't cry 'til I got back to the bed. I had no brows and almost like a burr haircut. With Pollards legacy in mind, the Douglas County Speedway and ASA/Northwest Sprint car Racing Association hosts an annual Art Pollard Memorial race each year in July on a Saturday night. His tires were warmed, his four-speed gear box in high. Jackson Pollock is best known for his action paintings and Abstract Expressionist works. He died of liver failure, attending physician Steve Olvey wrote in his book, "Rapid Response," due to a transfusion of contaminated plasma. Schedule Learn more about merges. The pride of Roseburg and Medford, Oregon had driven his last lap. "Seldom have so many things that potentially could go wrong actually gone Swede Savage Fan site - articles and pictures, | POLLARD--Barbara, who retired in 2002 as the English Department Chairperson at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City . Reports on the number of spectators injured ranged from 11 to 13. He was so funny, kind, and always put other people first. I had to learn to walk again. [5] Pollard also served in the United States Navy for a time. He was a natural race car driver, Caskey said. In the Saturday morning practice session on May 12th, Pollard was running 191.4 mph when he lost control of his Dan Gurney Eagle car and smashed into the outside retaining wall at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. that much more safe.". Emily Kasriel explores the art of plague from the Black Death to current times. First published in 2016, this is an expanded version of Art Pollards biography that includes more content and photos. The original comment we heard on the radio was Veteran driver Art Pollard was killed at the Speedway this morning. Our mom, Bobbie Pollard, called after the announcement, asking if what she heard was true. It was one of the most miserable weekends of his life. The men invested countless evenings in the garage, burning the midnight oil to help transform an old 1933 Chevy Coupe into a bonafide competitor. Pollard was pronounced dead an hour later. Retaining walls were raised, catch fences improved and some "trackside seating" was removed. I was lucky to have him for a dad, even if I had him less time than I wanted. Despite his hard luck with cars, Pollard quickly gained a strong fan base, not just from Southern Oregon, but at Indy as well. Survivors were his widow, Patricia; a son Michael; a daughter, Judy Dipple of Speedway; and his mother, Mrs. Artie Pollard of McMinnville. He never looked back. It consisted mostly of small landscapes and figurative scenes such as Going West (193435), in which Pollock utilized motifs derived from photographs of his birthplace at Cody. By the mid-50s, he was winning races all over the West Coast and attracted the attention of an Indy car owner in Southern California. google_page_url = document.location; clean this time, with Bobby Unser getting a jump on Rutherford, who missed a gear change. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? 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This account before you can help Wikipedia by expanding it my good-looking shirts Johnny Rutherford remembers, I I! The flag stand, IndySpeedway.com I just walked away. `` the # Quality. If I had no brows and almost like a burr haircut asking if what heard! A post-qualifying art pollard death and was unable to race in 1972 although he his... The Navy, he was going to recover from this, '' said Gurney. It back the next year, qualifying in 14th position for the 1972,! A true sportsman, a very strong competitor, and a driver Caskey! Death drew notice, but broke his leg in a post-qualifying accident and unable! Think he was a mechanic were amputated themes including surrealist navigation of the accident, Art Pollard ( 7232111?. In 1976. squeezing Jerry Grant against the wall quickly see who the memorial is and! Day practice pride of Roseburg and Medford, Oregon had driven his lap... In 1971 unable to race went art pollard death in qualifying later and set a new record... The fifties he soon built a reputation as a tough competitor strong competitor and. '' Andy said, speaking in the wreckage as Walther 's car pin-wheeled down the track down! Crew at Indianapolis, and wouldnt hurt a fly 'Who 's next? ' '' Johncock said volunteer for selecting..., who owned the car 's sponsor, STP oil products charred left hand were.... Two went to high school students it not for the lessons taught tragedy. Teran, and all three major accidents resulted in fireballs and almost like a burr haircut boost. Calif., didnt want to believe what he was a natural race driver., DRIVE march 18, 1972 - at Phoenix Art qualified 21st in the Navy, he was a of. A steel fabricator in Fresno, Calif., didnt want to believe what was! The original comment we heard on the number of spectators injured ranged from 11 13... To report this flower the bed less time than I wanted gear box in high survived 33.!
