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From indystar.com:
Parade gives man another ride at Indy
Float will feature ex-mechanic, now 93, who rode in the car that won the 1935 race.
By Rob Schneider
rob.schneider@indystar.com
Indianapolis, May 27, 2005: When the IPL 500 Festival Parade struts down Pennsylvania Street on Saturday, odds are no one will be more excited than Jimmy Dunham.
Dunham, 93, will get to ride on a parade float. It also will be the first time the California man has returned to Indianapolis since 1935, when he rode as a mechanic with winning driver Kelly Petillo.
He kept his helmet, racing goggles and a scrapbook, got married and raised two children.
In recent years, stories about his race experience have appeared in newspapers, including the newsletter for the retirement community where he lives in Nipomo, Calif.
An acquaintance contacted the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and suggested it invite Dunham to the race. That set off a series of events that included the Never Too Late Foundation, an Indianapolis group that helps senior citizens make their wishes come true.
Bob Haverstick of the foundation arranged for sponsors to cover many of the expenses for Dunham and his son, Bruce, to travel to Indianapolis.
"Bob was telling me about the parade and wanted to know if I wanted to ride in it," Dunham said. "I said I certainly would."
So on Saturday, Dunham will ride on the American Senior Communities' "Hats Off to Excellence in Health Care Float."
The float is one of about 90 units in the parade, which is celebrating its 48th year. It's expected to attract some 300,000 spectators, said Melissa Mann, spokeswoman for the 500 Festival.
The parade, which will include the 33 drivers in the race and retired Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller as grand marshal, starts at noon.
Celebrities, including last year's 500 winner Buddy Rice; Regina King, who co-starred in the movie "Ray" and mostly recently "Miss Congeniality 2"; Edward Herrmann, who appears in the WB program "Gilmore Girls"; and Patrick Dempsey, who stars in the ABC show, "Grey's Anatomy," will appear in the parade.
The 500 Festival will sell about 30,000 seats along the route, while others will stand and watch the 90-minute affair.
The parade will include some new characters, such as Hello Kitty and Veggie Tales for children, but has old favorites like the Purdue University "All American" Marching Band and the Indianapolis Police Department's motorcycle unit, Mann noted.
For Dunham, his involvement with the race is as clear as if it was yesterday.
He had attended the 1929 race with his father and vowed he would be back as a participant.
Dunham's family moved to California from Michigan; it was there that he was introduced to Petillo. Dunham, skilled as a mechanic, was asked to join Petillo's crew. As was the custom in those years, a mechanic accompanied the driver on the track.
May 1935 was a tough one for the racing crews: Three drivers and a mechanic were killed during practice, qualifications and the race.
Dunham recalled that they finished building the Gilmore Speedway Special car at the track. Petillo set a record qualifying run of 122.4 mph, but it was disqualified when his car was found to have more fuel on board than allowed.
An engine part broke during the second attempt, and on the third try, Petillo qualified 24th.
During the race, Petillo and Dunham took the lead at the halfway point.
"We had the lead from then on. We had a wonderful car," Dunham said.
The victory also marked the end of his racing career.
When Dunham returned to California, he discovered that one newspaper reported he had been killed in the race. Another said he had been injured during practice and qualifications.
He promised his mother and fiancé he would never race again.
"I guess that's why I'm still here," he said jokingly.
Call Star reporter Rob Schneider at 317.444.6278.