Indy 500 and Local History

Going to the race this weekend? The O’Brien Automotive Family has a long history with the race. I have only been with the organization for a couple of years, so you can imagine my surprise when the Tom O’Brien CJDR Greenwood President carried in a large copy of the photo included in this post into a meeting this past Monday! Check out this interesting tidbit of history!

Per our company history, the O’Brien family automotive business started in January 1933 when Thomas J. O’Brien opened Sullivan and O’Brien DeSoto and Plymouth dealership on Virginia Avenue here in Indianapolis. One of their first advertising ventures included sponsoring car #25 during the Indianapolis 500 in 1933, a mere 5-months after opening. The car was driven by Shorty Cantlon.

Shorty’s race ended short of the finish that day, but the experience of sponsoring a vehicle for the dealership was well-received by the general public. Consequently, they went on to sponsor a car several years after that initial race.

 

 

 

 
Do you have a story to share about your family and their involvement with the Indianapolis 500? We would love to hear about it!
Regards,

O’Brien Automotive Family – “Our family works for you. Since 1933”

Your leading Greenwood, Franklin, Indianapolis, Carmel, Plainfield, Avon, Lawrence, and Noblesville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT Toyota and Scion Dealer!

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The Month of May & Indianapolis, quite a combo!

It’s May in Indianapolis, and you know what that means! In a word, excitement! So much to do, and it is all crammed into 31-days!

 

 

 

One of the first things I think about when May rolls around is the Indy 500. And of course, I then think about the tradition of the event and everything that leads up to the race. Jim Nabors and his rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana”….Let’s start with the announcement that Jim Nabors will not be here, in person, to sing “Back Home Again in Indiana”….Did you know Nabors began performing the song in 1972? The 81-year-old will undergo a heart surgery later this month and will miss the pre-race celebration where he has sung for years. An IMS Productions video crew is scheduled to fly to Hawaii next week to film Nabors singing the song, IMS spokesman Doug Boles said today….so, the tradition lives on!

Other events of interest / Of course for us, it is ALL about cars:

 

 

The Celebration of Automobiles also will take place on Opening Day, Saturday, May 12 at IMS, with nearly 200 beautiful, rare vehicles competing for awards – including the Road & Track Trophy — in the Vintage and Historic Car Show. An Emerging Tech Showcase has been integrated into the Celebration of Automobiles this year.

 

 

 

 

Full-sized Hot Wheels® cars are ready to race into The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis May 26 in the all-new exhibit, Hot Wheels For Real™. just in time for The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. This new family exhibit will serve up immersive activities for three generations of Hot Wheels fans. There’s something for mom, dad, grandparents and of course today’s youngest Hot Wheels fans.

Lots to do in and around Indianapolis during the month of May – do you have any plans? Any family traditions regarding the Indianapolis 500? We would LOVE to hear about your favorite memory regarding the Indianapolis 500!

Regards,

O’Brien Automotive Family – “Our family works for you. Since 1933”
Your leading Greenwood, Franklin, Indianapolis, Carmel, Plainfield, Avon, Lawrence, and Noblesville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT Toyota and Scion Dealer!

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