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Donald Davidson
IMS Historian Davidson Shares Excitement of Indy 500 through Expanded Speaking Tour

March 22, 2017 | By IMS


Donald Davidson has given speeches and conducted question-and-answer sessions about the history of the Indianapolis 500 to enthralled fans across Indiana for decades.

That popular program saw Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Davidson talk in most of the counties in the state of Indiana in 2016 as part of the buildup to the historical 100th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” last May. It’s almost a travelling road show version of his beloved, longtime radio show during the Month of May, “The Talk of Gasoline Alley.”

But this late winter and spring, Davidson is driving the speaking tour past the border of The Hoosier State.

Davidson, believed to be the only full-time historian at a racetrack in the world, is participating in nearly 50 speaking engagements to promote the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 28 at IMS. The program remains centered in Indiana, but additional dates are scheduled in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin through May and beyond.

“I love doing the talks,” Davidson said. “It’s so rewarding because the people are so neat. They’ve been very, very well received.”

Every presentation by Davidson is different, depending on the venue and the audience. He can dig more deeply into the lore and traditions of the Indianapolis 500 when speaking to racing-oriented groups, while he provides a more basic, “101” history of the race when speaking to general audiences.

Sometimes Davidson is the only speaker, with plenty of time to expound on Indianapolis 500 history. Other times he is one of many speakers on the program, with limited time. Some presentations are open to the public, while others are for private groups.

Davidson is accompanied to the speaking dates by friend and former Greencastle, Indiana, Mayor Mike Harmless, who has spearheaded the tours and makes arrangements with venues.

It’s never dull and always a thrill for Davidson, a respected, revered institution of the race and facility with fans worldwide.

“Everywhere we go we've been warmly received,” Davidson said. “There are always people nodding heads. They have their own stories, and they want to come up and share with you.”

Hosts for the tour include auto racing fan clubs, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, Chambers of Commerce, local racetracks, libraries, museums and local governments.

Davidson remains thrilled and grateful for the crowds that attend the presentations in Indiana and neighboring states. But he’s particularly impressed by the zeal for the Indianapolis 500 and IMS shown by one group.

“What has been really neat to me are the number of mayors that are genuine fans,” Davidson said. “That’s really been amazing. They come up and say, ‘I used to listen to the race with my dad, etc.’”

Fans can learn about Davidson’s presentations open to the public by following the IMS Twitter feed, @IMS.

Visit www.IMS.com to purchase tickets for the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and for more information on the entire Month of May schedule at IMS.

Donald Davidson's tour schedule is below:

Date City, State Event Location Start Time
25-Mar Toledo, OH Toledo Speedway Toledo Speedway 3 p.m.
27-Mar Champaign, IL Rotary Clun Luncheon Hawthorn Suites, Trade Center Drive Noon
27-Mar Danville, IL Hulvery Event Turtle Run Banquet & Golf Club 5 p.m.
28-Mar Evansville, IN Rotary Club Luncheon Tropicana Executive Conference Center Noon CST
29-Mar Springfield, IN VFW # 10302 258 Stockyard Rocd 5 p.m.
4-Apr Greenfield, IN Greenfield Chamber Luncheon New Star Connect, 2331 East 600 North 11:30 a.m.
4-Apr Lawrenceburg, IN Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg Speedway, 351 East Eads Parkway 6 p.m.
6-Apr Bedford, IN Bedford Rotary Club Lawrence County Museum, 929 15th Street 11:30 a.m.
6-Apr Shelbyville, IN Theatre Event The Strand, 215 South Harrison 7 p.m.
7-Apr Plymouth, IN Marshal County Historical Museum Christo's Banquet Center, 830 Lincolnway East 6 p.m.
11-Apr Kokomo, IN Kokomo Rotary Club Kokomo Country Club, 1801 Country Club Drive 11:30 a.m.
12-Apr Fort Wayne, IN Fort Wayne Public Library 900 Library Plaza 1 p.m.
13-Apr South Bend, IN Studebaker National Museum 201 Chapin Street 1:30 p.m.
17-Apr Indianapolis, IN Pike Lions Joint Club Event TBD 7 p.m.
18-Apr Salem, IN Salem Speedway 2729 IN - 56 5 p.m.
22-Apr Winchester, IN Winchester Speedway 2656 IN - 32 Noon
27-Apr Greenwood, IN Greenwood Sertoma/Rotary TBD 6:30 p.m.
28-Apr Logansport, IN Mayor Event Ivy Tech Community College, Logansport 6 p.m.
30-Apr Schaumburg, IL MIRPA Event TBD 1 p.m.
2-May Bloomington, IN Bloomington Rotary Club Indiana Memorial Union, East 7th Street Noon
4-May Rushville, IN Rushville Race Night Knights of Columbus, 227 East 3rd Street 5 p.m.
4-May Lafayette, IN Lafayette Kiwanis Club MCL Cafeteria, Sagamore Parkway, Wast Lafayette 11:30 a.m.
5-May Boonville, IN Mayor Event Studio B, 120 Flint Street 11:30 a.m.
9-May Connersville, IN Chamber Luncheon TBD 11:45 a.m.
18-May New Albany, IN Rotary Club Luncheon Calumet Club, 1614 East Spring Street 11:30 a.m.
19-May Martinsville, IN Chamber Luncheon Morgan County Admin Building, 180 South Main Street 11:30 a.m.
24-Jun Green Bay, WI Road America Speaking Event TBD 5 p.m.
6-Jul Peoria, IL Peoria North Rotary Club Luncheon Barracks Cater, 1224 West Pioneer Parkway 11:30 a.m.
8-Jul Kokomo, IN Kokomo Speedway Kokomo Speedway, 2455 North Davis Road 3 p.m.

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