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11th Indy 500 winner had a relief driver

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INDIANAPOLIS -- The 1920s were also referred to as The Jazz Age.

In 1923, musician Wes Montgomery was born in Indianapolis. Montgomery would later become known as one of the best jazz guitarists of the 20th Century, influencing countless other musicians.

And racing found its rhythm at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 11th running of the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race on Wednesday, May 30.

Riding mechanics were no longer mandatory, and of the 24 drivers that qualified, all but one team rode solo.

Tommy Milton, the 1921 Indy 500 champ, became the first repeat champion with a victory in 1923, but not without a little help, and a little back and forth.

Milton had to have his hands bandaged due to blisters and Howdy Wilcox, the 1919 Indy 500 winner, drove relief from lap 103 until lap 151.

In the end, the pain helped push Milton to the checkered flag in what was one of the most competitive races to date. The lead changed between six drivers 28 times, a record that wouldn't be beaten until 1960.

He took home $29,000 for his team HCS. 

 

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