1950s Kuzma champ dirt car displayed on Concourse B

INDIANAPOLIS – The latest in a lineup of classic racing cars greeting passengers at the
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has arrived. The Dowgard Special #2, from the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, is on display on Concourse B near the
exit to Civic Plaza.
According to the museum, other than the Indianapolis 500, virtually all National
Championship races held between the early 1930s and the late 1950s were dirt track "100-
milers," the popular events still counting toward the national title as late as 1970. These
dual-purpose, solidly built cars won the 500 in 1950, '51 and '52, and were still in the
lineup as late as 1956.
The car on display at IND was built in 1958-59 by Eddie Kuzma. Owned by Lindsey
Hopkins, it was driven on one-mile tracks by Jim Rathmann, Ed Elisian, Bobby Grim, Jimmy
McElreath, and two-time National Champion Tony Bettenhausen, who won with it at
Phoenix in 1959.
It became known as "The Grey Ghost" after a rush repair job in 1962 led to an appearance
at a track in gray primer.
About the Indianapolis Airport Authority
The Indianapolis Airport Authority owns and operates Indiana’s largest airport system. In
addition to the Indianapolis International Airport, its facilities include the Downtown
Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport, Indianapolis Regional Airport, and
Metropolitan Airport. IND has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing it as a
leader within its class, including best airport in North America in 2010, 2012, and 2013 in
Airports Council International’s annual Airport Service Quality awards. IND is the first
airport in the U.S. to win LEED® certification for an entire terminal campus, and the airport
has won additional recognition for excellent customer service, concessions programs, and
art and architecture.
IND generates an annual economic impact in Central Indiana of more than $4.5 billion,
without relying on state or local taxes to fund its operations. About 10,000 people work at
the airport each day. IND serves more than 7 million business and leisure travelers each
year, and averages 133 daily flights to 35 nonstop destinations. Home of the world's
second-largest FedEx Express operation and the nation’s eighth-largest cargo facility, IND is
committed to becoming the airport system of choice for both passenger and cargo service.
For more information, visit IND’s Facebook page at Indianapolis International Airport and
Twitter page at @INDairport.