The Town of Brownsburg and the Indiana Racing Memorial Association are proud to announce the unveiling of a new memorial marker for the Brownsburg Racing Memorial Trail, honoring two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rodger Ward. The dedication ceremony will take place on Friday, May 23, at 4:30 p.m. on the B&O Trail, near the Ronald Reagan Parkway tunnel. Parking will be available at The Landing Apartments, 9906 Runway Dr., Indianapolis, IN, with a short walk along the B&O Trail. A golf cart will be available for those with mobility issues.
Rodger Ward was a revered figure in American motorsports history, best known for his victories at the Indianapolis 500 in 1959 and 1962. He made a significant impact on the racing world and also won 24 USAC National Championship races between 1957 and 1966. Additionally, Ward played a vital role in the history of Brownsburg as a co-owner and founding partner of Indianapolis Raceway Park. He served on the USAC Board of Directors for several years. Rodger Ward passed away on July 5, 2004.
“We are honored to pay tribute to Rodger Ward with this memorial marker,” said Brownsburg Town Council President Travis Tschaenn. “His remarkable achievements have had a lasting impact on the world of racing and our Brownsburg community. This dedication celebrates his legacy and proudly highlights Brownsburg’s vital place in motorsports history.”
Former voice of the Indianapolis 500, Paul Page, will be in attendance, along with former drivers Merle Bettenhausen and Johnny Parsons Jr. A replica of Parnelli Jones’s car, which he drove against Rodger Ward in 1962 and won the Indianapolis 500 with in 1963, will also be on display.
The Indiana Racing Memorial Association has been instrumental in preserving the history of racing in Indiana. The organization works tirelessly to create memorial markers that honor the great drivers, mechanics, and contributors to the sport.
The Indiana Racing Memorial Association is honored to once again partner with the Town of Brownsburg in the unveiling of a historic marker along the Brownsburg Racing Memorial Trail,” said the Indiana Racing Memorial Association. “Memorializing Rodger Ward in this manner is especially significant, as he is an auto racing icon.”
The event is open to the public. This is the sixth memorial marker to be unveiled as part of Brownsburg’s “Racing Memorial Trail” to celebrate motorsports history in Indiana.
