One of America’s best known and best-loved motor racing drivers gets a suitable tribute in the shape of a well-presented and informative book. The author is a personal friend of Rodger Ward’s son, so was granted access to the family archives – a big advantage which really allows O’Leary to get down to personal details as he describes Ward’s easy-going character and his zest for life and motor racing.
Ward, who won the Indy 500 in 1959 and 1962 – and finished in the top three in 1961 and 1964 – began his racing life on the US Midget circuit before graduating to the big Indy roadsters during the early ’50s. Although Ward was one of the last of the Offy road- ster hold-outs, he eventually moved over to rear-engined cars for his final appearances at Indianapolis.
O’Leary traces Ward’s life from his birth in Kansas, recounts the rarely told tale of Ward’s war-time exploits as a P-38 fighter pilot, the racing days – both good and bad – his retirement years and, finally, Ward’s demise in 2004.
Well written, lots of evocative photographs – and a must for all those interested in historic oval racing.
Rodger Ward – Superstar Of
American Racing’s Golden Age by Mike O’Leary
Review book supplied by Techbooks
Review by Allan Walton
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