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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2007 => Topic started by: Tifosi on May 15, 2007, 03:08:14 PM

Title: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Tifosi on May 15, 2007, 03:08:14 PM
This will be a different sort of puzzle, mainly because I don't have pictures of the 2 men I'm basing the exercise on.  It concerns 2 drivers who achieved unique status at the Speedway, each parallelling the other in three areas.

The drivers in question are:

L.L. Corum

Floyd Davis

To get credit for solving the puzzle, you must identify all three achievements these two men have in common.  The first two are pretty easy to ID, but the last one might be a little more difficult.


Good luck...


Dan
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: GRAYWOLF on May 15, 2007, 03:45:17 PM
1) didn't lead a lap during the race they won
2)  never led any laps at Indy
3) both DNF for Shocks.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 15, 2007, 04:25:41 PM
I think the first two are right. The other connection is they both ran the entire race without changing tires.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: GRAYWOLF on May 15, 2007, 05:29:58 PM
All three are correct, I just don't know if that is what he is looking for.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: Tifosi on May 15, 2007, 09:51:22 PM
Graywolf's first two answers are correct.  I don't know about shocks or tires, but there's one more piece of the puzzle...


Dan
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: GRAYWOLF on May 15, 2007, 10:49:30 PM
Is there some connection between Duesenberg & Offenhauser that you are looking for?
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: Tifosi on May 16, 2007, 01:38:03 PM
Is there some connection between Duesenberg & Offenhauser that you are looking for?

No, it's a parallel between Corum and Davis...you're making it harder than it really is...


Dan
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: Ultra on May 16, 2007, 01:50:09 PM
Neither took the checker.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: GRAYWOLF on May 16, 2007, 02:43:03 PM
They were both replaced during the race which is how they never lead a lap.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle
Post by: Tifosi on May 16, 2007, 07:19:22 PM
Neither took the checker.

That's what I was looking for...Corum and Davis are each credited with winning the 500, although neither one actually took the flag in first place.  Corum was relieved by Joe Boyer in 1924, and Davis was relieved by Mauri Rose in 1941.  Corum competed in 6 races, and Davis in 4, but neither ever led a lap at Indy, even though they are listed as winners.

Some sleuthing on my part uncovered that Karn was right about Davis and Rose winning  without changing tires...details on the 1924 race are more sketchy, so I can't comment on Corum/Boyer's tire usage.

Relief driving was fairly common into the late '60's, but the changeover to rear-engine cars with smaller cockpits made it more difficult.  Today, it's almost unheard of, since the seats are molded to the driver's physique.

I didn't know just how to word this puzzle any simpler without giving at least part of the answer away...sorry if it was confusing.  So, 2 points for GRAYWOLF and 1 for Ultrra...


Dan
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 17, 2007, 04:49:01 AM
I wuz robbed!  :ranton:
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: GRAYWOLF on May 17, 2007, 09:37:14 AM
I wuz robbed!  :ranton:

Me too! They each really did have a DNF for shocks.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Tifosi on May 17, 2007, 11:12:54 AM
I have adjusted both of your totals...sorry that this puzzle was so complicated. 


Dan
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: GRAYWOLF on May 17, 2007, 11:32:37 AM
Hey, there isn't any need for that...I was just giving everyone a hard time. I didn't have the answer you were looking for...that is fine. I have had puzzles like that. That is all part of the game!
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 17, 2007, 11:42:41 AM
I was only pulling your leg. It was fun saying what others have said to me so many times!  ;D

Please, deduct my point, as well.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Tifosi on May 17, 2007, 10:23:14 PM
Points deducted.  I found one more area that Davis and Corum shared...both were native-born Hoosiers.

Dan
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Tifosi on May 18, 2007, 11:20:12 AM
I finally found headshots of Corum and Davis, from the 1988 edition of The Indianapolis News 500 Mile Race Record Book.
Title: Re: An Indy 500 Puzzle <SOLVED>
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 18, 2007, 01:16:31 PM
What - no shots of their tires?  ;D