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Blog #400!!-1996 CART Miller Genuine Draft 200 Indy Car race at the Milwaukee Mile
May 30, 2022
On June 2,1996, the CART Indy Cars came to the Milwaukee Mile. This was the good old days when the race was traditionally the weekend following the Indy 500.
That particular race had a bunch of caution flags, but it was really a race between Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Paul Tracy who had the pole position. They finished that way and were followed by Emerson Fittipaldi and Greg Moore.
This was at the time when Michael Andretti basically owned the race wins at the Milwaukee Mile for several years. This 1996 race was no exception with Mario Andretti being an awesome father and mentor.
It was a nice 80 degree day but windy I recall which probably didn't help driver Parker Johnstone. He spun on the first lap and then crashed with 5 laps to go!
In 1996 Jimmy Vasser would become the series champion and Alex Zanardi was the rookie of the year.
Enjoy a look at that day and my 400th blog!
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
May 16, 2022
In 1988, the Briggs and Stratton 200 Indy Car CART race was held at Road America. Danny Sullivan had the pole position but Emerson Fittipaldi won the race!
Road America looked a bit different back then, and I see the new media center was already built. Didn't think it was that old.
The short lived Porsche Indy Car was racing then with Teo Fabi. It was a beautiful car that never did very well and was only around a few years.
Must have been a combined weekend with the IMSA racing cars because I notice a photo I took of Walter Payton! Looks as if his #34 blew an engine in turn 5. He is standing next to it as it's smoking away.
Love the livery on Arie Luendyk's car!!!!
Enjoy a look back to 1988. Were you there that weekend?
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
May 2, 2022
One of my most memorable days at Summerfest occurred on June 21, 1972 when I was photographing for the Bugle American newspaper here in Milwaukee.
George Carlin was opening the show for musician Arlo Guthrie that night. It became a night known around the country if not most of the world because of what happened. George Carlin was arrested for saying the "seven words you can't say on radio or television".
The show was great but Milwaukee Police Lieutenant ,Andrew Busalacchi, was just waiting for George to say the words and arrest him. I saw the lieutenant on the side of the stage as I was photographing George and you could tell something was going to happen.
George didn't care and did his show, including the famous seven words you shouldn't say on radio and television. He even finished his show and then they escorted him off the stage to be arrested and charged.
The promoter and stage manager emptied George Carlin's pockets before the Milwaukee Police got him. That was a good thing or he would have had drug charges too!
In the end, the charges were dismissed by a smiling judge and George even became friends with the policeman that arrested him.
Had to dig up these photos again and clean them up a bit for a documentary being done on George which is very cool! I will let you know when that documentary comes out.
Enjoy a look at a little Summerfest and George Carlin history.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
