Several viewers are questioning the claim of "most successful race car in history." Part of the point, actually, was to spark a discussion, as that sort of discussion makes history fun. Realize, though, that the Boyle Special was a single car- not a car model, but just one car. What single race car had a better record?

"Killing of the leader of the Ice Cream Truck Union" is a sentence I would have never thought I'd hear.

Brock Yates is my grandfather! So cool to hear you mention him! Thanks for the great video

These pardons always seem to be a dirty affair. That would be a great video, a general overview on the history of pardons.

For those questioning the "most successful car in racing history" claim, it is about that one car, not the car type. That one car finished first, first, broke a hub while in first, sat in a garage for 5 years, came back and finished third, third, and fourth. That is quite a record for a car that was 9 years old by the time of that last race. It also had the distinction of being the car that legend Bill Vukovich used to pass his rookie test in 1950.

As a bit of a motorsports history nerd with a genuine love for 30s-60s racing... thanks for covering one of these stories. There are so many.

The Boyle Special survives. It’s in the IMS museum in Indianapolis.

I love the historical information you present which, unlike some others I see on KZfaq, is easily fact-checked and well-thought-out. Thank you.

Wow he literally shut down the city! That's pretty crazy! Thanks for the episode, them old race cars were wild.

I am 3 minutes into the video and it sounds like you are describing the political field that is currently in Illinois

I have been an Indy 500 fan since I was 7 years old and read a lot of books on its history. I lived in Speedway, IN for 5 years while I was going to college, about 6 blocks from the track. I have been through the museum more times than I can count. And I currently have the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website open on another tab in my browser. But I never knew the Boyle Special was backed by a mobster. History Guy is always able to uncover a detail hidden in the folds of time.

The 500 is like a historical marker for me. I have marked many things that pass in my life and in history by the race, and have many great memories from there with my friends and family. I don't think there is another place where the future and the past are so closely melded to each other. You concentrate on the future and who's going to win, but you have all the obscure history flowing in tidbits at the same time. My friends enjoyed debauchery in our youth there, I took my wife with my unborn daughter there later in life, and the trip I took with my best friend and my now deceased brother was one he never stopped talking about until he died. I drink from the 1995 shot glass every year to celebrate the life of my best pal's girlfriend that went with us one year, bought me that shot glass,and died the same year. The track is like a time ghost. No telling how many ashes of human beings are sprinkled there.

I love this stuff- That era of motorsports is fascinating, and only gets more so, when you mix in an old-timey Chicago mobster.

Superb episode... I had no idea hi influence at Indianapolis. It's a shame media never made his team's dominance comparison with Roger Penske's.

I've seen this car, at the 2019 Hoosier 100 at the Indy Fairgrounds. Beautiful machine. I didn't know there was such a colorful history behind its owner.

I lived about 2 miles away from the track when I lived in Indy. I LIVED for the month of May being able to hear the scream of the engines for time trials or Carb Day. I loved being able to walk through the Track's Museum and look at all of the horsepower and sometimes sheer luck being displayed. Even if you are not a fan of motorsports, going to the Museum at the Track is a must. It is great stroll through American History and I highly recommend it.

Donald Davidson The Extraordinary. Cannot be overstated. I love the podcasts around the Indy races. Extraordinary.The History Guy, Extraordinary.

I've followed the history of the Indy 500 for decades, and I did not know the story about Boyle. Thanks.

We have come a long way. Btw it's becoming a thing to get your vids in the morning and I watch these vids while I have coffee... your becoming very important in my life. Where were you when I was in school? This is good stuff. Thank you 🤙🤙

Chicago and my hometown share a unique history, since it sits approx. halfway between Chitown and Indianapolis and was often a waypoint between the two for certain folks (mobsters). I've been to the track several times, and marvel at the history. Thank you for highlighting a place that was a critical part of my upbringing.

I think the most interesting car at Indy was the 1952 cummins diesel special car. Although it got pole position, during the race it overheated at lap 71 because it was the first turbo charged diesel ever made and they installed it low and behind the grill, which caused the rubber & grime from the track to clog it up. They never put another one on the track after that, but cummins became a household name because of it. It beat the 2nd place in the poles by almost 4mph @ 138mph. pretty interesting story, and the car is awesome to look at in the indy 500 museum.

As a youngster I was fascinated by the Wilbur Shaw story and especially the Maserati race car. I remember it as the Boyle car but I don’t remember reading anything about the owner’s controversial background. Thanks THG!

Corruption still exists there. To quote a movie "That's the Chicago way"

Another excellent presentation. I believe you pronounced ALFA "romero". Of course it is, "Romeo". It's a slice of history... ...that deserves to be remembered. Please caery on with your wonderful work.

My favourite pastime and favourite historian in one episode. Can't beat that. Thanks for this episode about a great race car and an interesting footnote in the history off racing.

Indy is an awesome place to visit. The sense of history is palpable everywhere around the facility.

It's always awesome to hear unique stories about racing!

I never knew this HG, thanks for enlightening me. If they would have run this race in Chicago, it would have been called the "Pothole 500".

Mr. History Guy, if you have interest in a story about a racing fan of the Indy 500 who became known as “Mr. First in Line”, check out Lawrence “Larry” Bisceglia. He was the first spectator in line to enter the Speedway for the month of May for some 30 years or more. I don’t want to give it all away but he became so popular he hobnobbed with all the greats of the 500 and in the 60’s Ford gave him a new van/motorhome conversion as a PR move! No other spectator had a sponsor! Oh, and do Brock Yates as well. He sadly passed from Alzheimer’s but his son Brock Jr. carries his legacy forward. PS: Props to a fellow St. Louisan, I’m a Chesterfield son living in Kansas since 2002.

If we are talking race cars, as a side note, RIP Sabine Schmitz (1969-2021) She is now at the great track day in the sky (No, not Pike's Peak) and breaking God's own lap records.... IN A VAN!!!!

Thank you for such fantastic content!!!!! One of my favorite channels on KZfaq!!!!! Your history stories are told so well its like I was there!!!!

Brock Yates is history that needs to be remembered

Illinois never changed

I am the electrician doing the boyle racing shop renovation. It will be a brewery and a small museum displaying the car. THG always comes through with great content.

Another great short snippet of history. Thanks THG

The Bathurst 1000, as it is currently known, raced up and down Mount Panarama at Bathurst in New South Wales, has a special place in Australian Motor Sport history. It has, over the years, attracted many drivers and teams from around the world, including America. For almost 2 decades, one man, Peter Brock (Brockie), driving Holdens (mostly) dominated 'The Mountain', earning him the nickname 'King of the Mountain'. Perhaps these 2 legends of Australian Motor Sport might make an interesting subject for a future episode of The History Guy?

They must of made sturdier umbrellas back then because I can't think of a single umbrella that I've owned that could of held money of substantial number, much less full and closed. ;-)

The Boyle Garage has been rebuilt and is the Guggman microbrewery where they serve wonderful locally brewed beer and food. They also have the replica car and the original car hauler on display there. If one is visiting the Speedway a visit to Boyle Garage is a must as it's only a few blocks east just off 16th St.

I love gear history - all your videos are great -thank you for preserving history

"Alfa Romero" OK, THG is not a car guy. I'll get over it.

Those old 6c & 8c cars of maserati were great. Fangio drove one and won with it several times.

If you were a fan of early racing, in other areas not just Indianapolis. You may want to look at the history of Long Island Vanderbilt motor Parkway. It was originally built as a private race track for the Vanderbilts. The path of it still exist today as motor Parkway. We are commuters use it to go to work each day.

Great video brother thank you for what you do your knowledge and expertise

As usual, very well done. Just two minor points. 1) The car manufacturer mentioned at 8:08 is "Alfa ROMEO", not "Alfa Romero" and 2) The Maserti 8 CTF had, as you mentioned a couple of times, an 8-cylinder engine. However, at 9:52 in discussing the Maserati which had a damaged engine due to the coolant freezing, you say "the liquid froze and damaged the PAIR of 4-CYLINDER engines." Although the various aspects of the Maserati 4-cylinder engine were used in buidling the in-line 8-cylinder engine, the eight cylinders and pistons were connected to a common crankshaft. The 8 CFT had one 8-cylinder engine, not a pair of 4-cylinder ones. Thanks

Does anyone knows if he makes these intros? I love how there’s a different one every video.

Excellent and interesting Indy snippet! Would love a snippet on the old Formula 1 races and the history behind races like Monte Carlo or Nurburgring...

Randy Lanier says hold my weed...

The leader of the Ice Cream Truckers Union! One of the many reasons I come here.

I love your channel and your way of presenting any topic in an interesting light, you could probably make watching grass grow interesting. I have to have to say, I miss your old intro.

A friend of mine, who recently passed, did the restoration of the car hauler truck. Robbie Sheets, Sheets Body Shop, Parkersburg, IN. Photos on body shop FB page

I can organize a group of photographers around the nation (and possibly the world) to capture footage of some of your locations (ie., Lucky Luciano's casino in Malibu, which still exist on PCH today). That way you're not forced to rely on still pics and archival shots which are cool from a historical standpoint, when available, but on a long(er) story some "live" video footage could add some visual appeal and appear less static. Aerial/drone footage is also an option (think an orbit of the Indy track), etc. Cheers, and with or without the live video footage, your videos are great. Keep them coming.

An additional point related to a "pair of 4-cylinder engines." (9:52) The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W196S) engine basically used two 4-cylinder engines, nose-to-nose, with power takeoff in the middle of the crankshaft/block. This was done to avoid a problem with crankshaft flexing due to its length. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_300_SLR

Although not strictly a car Mick Doohan’s 97 Honda HRC 500 scored 10 firsts and 2 seconds in the 12 race world championship.

i love your channel man !!! the best of youtube !!!!!!!!!!

As a race fan and particularly Indy I appreciate this video and the information given. Thanks

I was aware of Wilbur Shaw and his impact on the Indianapolis raceway. I'd never heard the history of his car. Hope to see more racing history videos in May during Indy Qualifying. Thank you.

What a great episode thank you so much.

I am a big motorsports fan and knew about the car, but not the story behind it, thank you!

Very well done! I take in as many of these bits of history as I can when I can. This is a interesting story about a race car. Have you done a story about"Broadway Freddy"? He was a NHRA funnycar owner/driver starting in the late 60s. He also was a member of the Gambino crime family. Interesting story! Please keep up the great work!!!

Illinois politics have not changed since the 1920's

Minor critique at 8:08 -- it's "Romeo," not "Romero."

Awesome story! Love it

Boy I've been in the museum a million times ,the basement is the kool spot couldn't belive all the cars

Excellent video young sir

Amazing that somebody can go through life causing so much trouble for people and get away with it! What a bastard!

Great story. Thanks history guy

The Maserati engine block cracked while the car was crossing the Atlantic on a ship. Maserati shipped a new engine block from Italy. After WWII, World Champion Juan Fangio drove a similar Maserati in Europe.

The WW2 attack on Ft. Stevens in Oregon is history that deserves to be remembered. Only mainland attack by a foreign nation since the War of 1812.

This reminds me of the Whittington brothers in the 1984 24hrs of LeMans

I enjoyed that as a racing fan and an IBEW member. :) However the title should read "...and the Most successful Race car in Brickyard History". The most successful ever from any manufacturer is debatable.....

Did you know.. Dodge was originally a company that manufactured motors for Mr. Henry Ford? An automotive story from a similar era that usually gets a big reaction. I'd love to hear your take on the story.

The most successful pair of cars in Speedway history would have to be the front drive Blue Crown Spark Plug Specials. 1 & 2 in 1947 and 1948. 1 in 1949 with the second car out with a broken magneto strap. 2 in 1950. Impressive 4 year run for the two cars. Bill Holland was my dad's favorite driver when he was a kid.

ill gotten money? Sounds like piracy. All good stories involve pirates.😉

Please consider making an episode about those nazi racers you mentioned here. This is the first I’ve heard of them and I’d be very interested to hear more.

"The Quad City Times reported" I was like oh crap that's my local newspaper. still printing

I lost my appetite for unions in the late 80s. The company I worked for had a union strike. I had to cross the picket line every day for weeks. The guys on strike were jerks to us, even though they were making good money at the time.

I'd have to argue that the Greer Black and Prudhomme dragster is the winningest race car in the history of auto racing.

Great historical review of the origins of the all-time most popular Monopoly game piece 😎👍

2:45 we also ask how so many of our politicians can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars while only making $175k/year

Lance must like Indy. At least 2 recent stories from there and it's virtually due east of him.

Amazing story. Thanks.

The Chicago way!😎

Very well told Mr HG. Crooks all of 'em.

Interesting episode. Great as usual. Thanks.

Hey I want a History Guy Bobble head

I recognize some of these names from the Indianapolis 500 video, that's quite great.

Well, I did not know about famous Mike Boyle and his background of accomplishment even though he was " a bit shady" in getting things e wanted. I've been an Indy 500 fan for over 60 years and now I'll be looking at the winning records of "The Boyle Specials" with deep wonder. At least he had one of my all-time favorite Indy drivers in history: Ted Horn.

Your drawbridges are stuck in the up position and we need some bags of money to hold them down. Gotta love Chicago politics.

Please do more on this series, I know all those names but didn’t know the mob connection

Illinois hasn't changed a bit from Boyle's time.

I had a feeling that you and Mr. Donald wpuld love to interact. Talk about two heads full of historical knowledge. Yipes.

Things have changed with racing cars.

Should be a part of any good, excellent education, to watch The History Guy! 🏆🥇🎓🎩📜

I thought his nickname was in reference to his wide influence, his shadow over many things.

I wonder if he carried the largest umbrella he could find in those days to hold as much cash as he could carry away? Nothing to see here folks this is where I always carry my money. Politicians being corrupt, no I don’t believe that for one moment!!!

June 6th, 2021, can we look forward to a story about Garbo?

I'm a race fan..what a great story.

Idea for an episode. The involvement of The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the rebuilding of Volkswagen after WW2.

Would love to hear about South America during ww2

If Donald Davidson said it, I believe it. Nice of the H.G. to reference Davidson in this video.