The Celebration of Automobiles was held Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. The second annual event paid tribute to the heritage of automotive development at the famed track for more than 100 years.
Held in conjunction with the Indianapolis 500, the Celebration of Automobiles 2012 featured approximately 200 classic cars from 1920 to ’70 on display among some of the most iconic spots at IMS, including the Pagoda Plaza and Legends Row. Best of Show at the 2012 Celebration of Automobiles was awarded to 1929 Duesenberg J-108 Convertible Coupe owned by John Groendyke, while Richard Mitchell’s 1932 Stutz Bearcat took home the Drivers’s Choice Award.
An event highlight was the awards dinner that featured a question-and-answer session between legendary Indianapolis 500 team owner Roger Penske, Indianapolis 500-winning drivers Rick Mears, Tom Sneva and Bobby Unser, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson.
Indianapolis 500 Celebration of Automobiles 2012 – Winners
Best of Show Award
1929 Duesenberg J-108 Convertible Coupe – John Groendyke, Enid, Okla.
Drivers’s Choice Award
1932 Stutz Bearcat – Richard Mitchell, Montgomery, Texas.
Most Outstanding Indiana Build Automobile
1924 Marmon 34-C – Bill and Barbara Parfet, Hickory Corner, Mich.
Most Outstanding Full Classic
1935 Packard 1005 Coupe Roadster – Terry Love, Ottawa, Ill.
Media Choice Award
1937 Railton Saloon Limousine – Eldon Hostetler, Middlebury, Ind.
People’s Choice Award
1940 Ford Business Coupe Deluxe – Richard Fagersten, Sparta, N.J.
Road & Track Trophy
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport Z28 Coupe – David Renshaw, Fishers, Ind.
Best of Division I
1938 Packard Super 8 Coupe Roadster – Off Bros., Bloomfield, Mich.
Division One:
A. Jim and Becky Aldrich – Raleigh, N.C. (1920 Stutz H’ 7 Passenger Touring);
B. Jerry Arthur – Zionsville, Ind. (1925 REO T6 Roadster);
C. Frank Ricciardelli – Neptune, N.J. (1938 Jaguar SS Coupe);
D. Ronald Stauffer – Portland, Ind. (1953 Ford Sunliner);
E. Ken and Margaret Ellis – Rockville, Ind. (1954 Ford Crestline Sunliner Convertible);
F. Paul Kilker – York, Pa. (1956 Packard Caribbean);
G. Richard and Diana Foster – New Castle, Ind. (1962 Ford Thunderbird M Roadster);
H. Cameron Moore – Auburn, Ind. (1966 Dodge Charger Fastback Hardtop);
I. Duane Landis – Coshocton, Ohio (1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28);
J. Fred Guyton – St. Louis (1928 Bugatti Tipo 40 Torpedo Speedster);
K. Kent Marburger – Palatine, Ill. (1930 Packard 745 Roadster);
L. Greg Ornazian – Rochester, Mich. (1935 Auburn 851 Speedster);
M. Edward Stifel III – Triadelphia, W.V. (1938 Packard 1608 Convertible Sedan);
N. John Groendyke – Enid, Okla. (1933 Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton).
Best of Division II
1930 Cadillac V16 Convertible DeVille – Frank Ricciardelli, Neptune, N.J.
Division Two:
O. Jerry Arthur – Zionsville, Ind. (1920 Paige Six-42 Sedan);
P. Mike and Deb Korneli – West Bend, Wis. (1949 Jaguar Alloy XK 120);
Q. Dale and Judy Zinn – Fremont, Ind. (1952 MG TD Roadster);
R. Philip Taxman – St. Louis (1957 Jaguar XK 140 MC SE Roadster);
S. L.H. Bayley – Carmel, Ind. (1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible);
T. Steve Brody – Fishers, Ind. (1962 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible);
U. Greg and Susan Albers – Zionsville, Ind. (1969 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Sedan);
V. Dennis Sobieski – Downers Grove, Ill. (1930 Cadillac 452 Sport Phaeton);
W. Eldon Hostetler – Middlebury, Ind. (1937 Railton Saloon Limousine);
X. Joseph Poole – Greencastle, Ind. (1941 Cadillac 6227D Coupe).
[Source: IMS]
