A Great Name Returns to Indy

From the 1930's through the mid-1960's, one of the best known names in Indy Car racing was J.C. Agajanian. This pioneer owner in the open-wheeled racing circuit was twice a winner at the Indy 500, once in 1952 with Troy Ruttman at the wheel and again in 1963 with Parnelli Jones in the cockpit. Not only that, but J.C. owned one of the premier tracks in the country, Ascot Park, home to many midget and sprint car championships.

I remember hearing my dad talk about "Aggie" and his trademark #98 since I was a small child. Now, the Agajanian legacy will continue at Indy, with the announcement that J.C.'s son Cary will be an owner of Billy Boat's new ride. Agajanian joins forces with recording giant, Mike Curb, to sponsor the new team, which if tradition and history have anything to do with it should do well.

A few years ago, Cary commented, "Our family's 50-year involvement is a very emotional and wonderful milestone for us. We're so proud of our involvement with the "500" and what my dad has accomplished there." He went on to say that his earliest memories were of J.C. leaving home in early May to make the annual trek to Indy, along with driver Johnny Mantz and chief mechanic Clay Smith.

"He had a special love for the Speedway," Cary said. "My dad used to light up, it seemed, when May came around. That was the best time of his life every year. He just had such a good time, so many friends."

Speaking of his return, he said, "When I go back there, it makes me feel very good not only because of the way our family is treated so nicely by the Hulman-George family, but to know I'm in a place my dad loved so much. It's an emotional thing for us."

Cary continued that his dad always wanted to be a race driver, but according to Cary, this story tells why he never succeeded.

"When my dad was 17-18 years old, he went out and bought a race car and put it in the garage. My grandfather came home and said, 'What's that?'

My dad said, 'It's a racecar. I'm going to be a race driver.'

My grandfather said, 'OK, you have three things you have to do then.'

'What's that?'

'Well, you go inside, pack all your bags, kiss your mom goodbye, change your name, and you can go do anything you want. That's the only three things you have to do.'"

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