New book provides insight into Indy 500 history

<p>The extraordinary history of the Indianapolis 500 has been examined in book form from virtually every conceivable angle. Nonetheless, Greenwood-based author Rick Shaffer is confident his just-released 262-page effort is unique.</p><p>Even the title seems long enough to cover half of the main straightaway — &quot;500 on (the INDY) 500: Tales, Facts and Figures on ‘The Greatest Race in the World.’&quot;</p><p>Published by Coastal 181 out of Newburyport, Massachusetts, the hardcover book offers a collection of rare photographs, both color and black and white, and little-known anecdotes regarding the goings-on at the intersection of 16th Street and Georgetown Road in the month of May.</p><p>Shaffer, 68, a Southport graduate, has been going to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since attending his first race in 1964. What started as a passion for watching the greatest spectacle in racing evolved in time into a career writing about it for various print publications and websites.</p><p>“I’ve read probably every 500 book there is, and I thought this format, first of all, it’s easy to read,” Shaffer said. “I actually thought this would be a book (Indy 500 historian) Donald Davidson should do. I got to thinking, I know a lot of stories. As I got into the project, I kept thinking I could get 500 stories.”</p><p>Shaffer actually had more than 500 interesting stories on the 500, but pared it down to the best in order to match the name of the race that has captivated audiences worldwide since Ray Harroun took the checkered flag in 1911.</p><p>Some of the yarns spun end in tragedy; others are humorous and/or just plain unbelievable. Penning the Foreward for Shaffer’s book was three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves.</p><p>“I have read enough 500 histories and driver biographies to know what would be considered common knowledge,” Shaffer said. “My inspiration was typical newspaper coverage of a sporting event, with a notebook featuring items that would not be in the main story but still possess interest for the reader.</p><p>“In a sense this book is a gigantic reporter’s notebook on 500 history, with an individual report on each race, but with three to seven additional and unusual items for each of the 104 500s run to date.”</p><p>&quot;500 on (the INDY) 500: Tales, Facts and Figures on ‘The Greatest Race in the World’&quot; is available at <a href="http://www.coastal181.com">www.coastal181.com</a> or by calling (877) 907-8181. The cost is $39.95 plus $6 shipping and handling.</p>