Q: Thanks for the fine article remembering the life of Don Edmunds. Don hired me in June 1976 to help him build the run of Roman Slobodynskyj-designed Lightning Indy cars for Lindsey Hopkins. I worked at his business, Autoresearch, for a challenging but unforgettable three years, and Don and I became lifelong friends. I also came to appreciate how a for-profit race car operation was run. Seeing a midget, sprint, or dirt champ car leave the shop almost every week was an impressive achievement! He usually employed young people from around Anaheim, California where Autoresearch was located. He coached and mentored them all, in addition to helping them acquire useful skills they applied to his business and could use later in life. No matter how busy the shop was, Don always found time to relax flying radio-controlled gliders, building and collecting model race cars and engines, or hunting for artifacts in the desert. Do you have any memories to share of Don or his cars over the years?

Bruce Selby, TX

RM: My memories are the stories that Jim Bob Luebbert and Jerry Weeks tell because I didn’t get to meet Rotten Red until later in his life, but I’ve read his book four or five times and it’s fascinating. He built so many different types of race cars, and gave a lot of guys their start in the business and he was also a damn good racer. Makes me wish I’d have been in L.A. in the mid-’60s.

Q: I noticed the IndyCar employees in the flagstand are now wearing helmets.  Is this a change brought on by Penske’s purchase of IndyCar, or was there another reason for it? Just curious on the reasoning in either case. I’m sure it is a safety thing – just wondered.

Steve, Mooresville, IN

RM: They’ve been wearing helmets for years.

Edmunds’ broader contribution to the sport and racing community went far beyond his Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors. IMS Image

Q: So sad to hear of Bruce Flanders passing. I remember his voice on the PA when I raced motorcross in the infield of ascot in the mid ’80s. He also made Thursday night speedway at Ascot fun, and of course the LBGP. I remember talking to him at the Indy airport during the IRL/CART split, and I was excited to hear he was going to be announcing the CART races. His voice was always on the radio doing Southern Cal Toyota commercials back in the ‘80s. Such a cool guy. SoCal race industry lost a good one.

Fred, Rolling Hills, CA

RM: I first heard him calling Speedway bikes and then at Ascot and finally he became the voice of Long Beach. He was bright, witty and a helluva a good guy.

Q: Was sorry to hear that The Indy Star no longer does the 11 rows of three for the 500 line-up on race day. [ED: The Star is planning to run the 11 rows of three chart as part of its race day section]. I used to go over that to see how consistent the drivers were, like all four of Parnelli’s laps topped the 150 mph mark in ’62, etc. I imagine the scorecard is gone, too. Dad used to sit down with that front page and he would chart the progress of the race as we listened to Sid Collins’ broadcast. Great memories. Gannett has a knack for bringing in people who think they know more than the local editors/reporters about what the readers want. I could go on forever on that subject, but not worth it really. Guess there isn’t a question here, but want to say thanks that we have you and others on RACER.com for auto racing coverage. Hope you are doing well.

Paul Borden, Miami, FL

RM: There is no question but you badmouthed Gannett so I ran your letter (smile). The Star has tarnished every good thing we produced for 50 years.

Q: Since it was announced that the Indianapolis 500 would be run with 50%, 25% and ultimately no spectators, many people, including myself have had to come to the realization that our streaks of attending the race will be coming to an end. I’ve read many posts on various social media sites from people sharing their extraordinary attendance streaks and their disappointment in them coming to an end on August 23rd. I’m no different in that my streak of 38 in row that began in 1982 will be coming to an end as well.

It wasn’t until things were put into perspective that any disappointment I felt over my streak ending became inconsequential. One of the comments that really stuck with me read that it’s not about how many in a row, but rather how many in the end. There are many people out there that could have streaks of 40, 50 or 60+ years, but they made the unselfish choice to put their lives on hold to serve our country.  Many returned home and were able to increase the “how many.” To those who didn’t get that chance, they are with us each Memorial Day weekend and we honor them through the words of Jim Phillippe, for making it possible for us to witness as free men and women, the world’s greatest sporting event and for making racing the world‘s most spectacular, spectator sport. I look forward to my 39th Indianapolis 500 whenever that day may be.

Joe Gangi, Libertyville, IL

RM: Thanks Joe, we will let your thoughtful letter take us to Sunday’s green flag.