One of the episodes of the short-lived, pioneering TV documentary series “The Greatest Drama” from 1953, “Speedway Star” tells the story of Wilbur Shaw, one of the greatest American race drivers of his era. Shaw (October 31, 1902 – October 30, 1954) was president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 until his death in 1954 and famous as the automotive test evaluator for Popular Science magazine. Shaw delivered the world’s greatest automobile race to enthusiastic crowds, which grew in number by the year. The Indianapolis “500” of the late Forties and early Fifties was a very special event through the work of Tony Hulman and Shaw, although Hulman was always sure to point out that it was Wilbur putting it all together. Shaw was killed just about a year after this show aired, in an airplane crash near Decatur, Indiana, on October 30, 1954, one day before his fifty-second birthday. The pilot, Ray Grimes, and artist Ernest Roose were also killed

At mark 0:50, Shaw is seen with his historical trophy. That trophy brought back memory of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a Memorial Day race of 1940 as seen at mark 1:27. He had won the last trophy and this one will make his 2 consecutive victories. At mark 1:40, Shaw won the race, there he received a kiss from his wife and was given the silver trophy. The First World War marked the start of Shaw’s racing career as seen at mark 1:50. He tries to enlist in the army and was turn down then he went into automobile racing as seen at mark 2:10. Young Shaw found work in shops that build racing cars and his ambition to drive his own racing car started as seen at mark 2:20. Here he learned all there is to know about engines. In 1922, when he was 20 years old, he begins to learn all that needs to be learnt on the dirt track as seen at mark 3:00. Here he became a speed demon with him and his colleagues paying the prices that needed to be paid. Shaw served his racing apprenticeship preparing for the big one. The annual memorial race at Indianapolis as seen at mark 3:15. At mark 3:25, finally he made the grade entering the Indianapolis race of 1927, the pageantry of the big show which a far cry from dirt track racing. At mark 3:40 is the speed game. The Indianapolis is a 500 mile rectangular track with murderous and sharp turns. At mark 4:00, a racer is seen burnt. A 500 mile lap after lap. 2 years later, he married Catalyn Stern a pretty girl from Indianapolis. The marriage brought happiness but not victory.

In 1931, he crashed, in 1932, his car broke down, in 1933, with victory insight comes an oil leak; in 1935, rain held him back as seen at mark 4:40. Now it is another Indianapolis race day in 1937. At mark 5:00, the race started. His car is a demon to handle and also a demon racer for speed and to him, that’s all that matters. At mark 5:38, he become victorious after 10 long years he had achieved a great victory. At mark 5:47 is the Indianapolis 1941, 4 years have passed. Wilbur Shaw was gunning for his fourth trophy. At mark 5:58, a fire breaks out at the garage but the cars were rescued. The race I seen at mark 6:00. As the race began, he took the lead and meters to his winning, a wheel broke as seen at mark 6:25, which is a disaster. At mark 6:50 is the hospital where Shaw is been taken care of. Here it is announced that he’s ran out of luck due to the fatality and wont race again. Recovering, he works at an airplane tire shop and did a good job of designing there. In 1946, he went to the Indianapolis but not as a driver, he had become president of the track as seen at mark 7:20. At mark 7:36 is the new house in the suburb of Indianapolis with a companion of his son. No more trophies but his family. At mark 8:00, he is leaving for a trip as his work will always demand that. Keeping the public informed about racing. At mark 8:25, he referees and watches the little kids racing. He was reminded of himself when he was a child. At mark 9:00, he is seen at the speedway station. At mark 9:57, the race is on, 500 miles at speed better than 50 miles/hr. IIndianapolis with its glory and tragedy as seen at mark 10:40. Shaw was able to see past these and made improvements. As an automobiles expert, Shaw is seen tasting automobiles on train tracks as seen at mark 11:15. An interview with Shaw is seen at mark 11:30 where he says he is justifiably proud of himself.

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