Davidson talked to Chicago fans about 500-winning drivers ranging from Ray Harroun (the race’s first winner) to Chicago residents Billy Arnold and Pat Flaherty, as well as such stars as Bill Vukovich, A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones and Mario Andretti.

Davidson is British by birth, and scrapped together the funds to come to Indianapolis for the first time in 1964. He was taken under the wings of many officials, broadcasters and drivers, and made his move to the United States in 1965. Now 73 years old, he has been a resident of Speedway for many years; marrying and raising a family. He lives within a mile of the track.

“Until the aches and pains started up, I had a tradition of every race day morning I would walk to the track, to see the fans and the festivities,” Davidson said.

Goldsmith, now 91 years old, and operator of the Griffith-Merrillville Airport, had a racing career on both two and four wheels. He first was an American Motorcycle Association motorcycle racer, riding a Harley-Davidson to three championships in the late 1940s through the mid-1950s. Switching to four wheels, Goldsmith won the United States Auto Club championship in 1961 and 1962, and between 1958 and 1963 he drove roadsters in the Indy 500, finishing third in 1960 and a fifth in 1959.