APRIL 9, 2002

Duesenberg back at the Brickyard

THE Duesenberg name will return to Indianapolis this year with Johnny Herbert driving a Duesenberg Brothers Racing effort, sponsored by Western Union. The choice of driver is significant in that Herbert is a former F1 and Le Mans 24 Hours winner.

Keith Duesenberg is hoping to continue the winning ways of Fred and Augie Duesenberg who built cars which dominated the Indy 500 in the 1920s with four wins.

Duesenberg holds a unique place in Indianapolis/F1 racing as in 1921 the brothers sent a Duesenberg racer to France for the Grand Prix de l'ACF at Le Mans. Jimmy Murphy became the first American to win a European GP and the following year, at the wheel of the same car, Murphy won the Indianapolis 500. Duesenberg remains the only company ever to win a Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 with the same car - a record which is unlikely to ever be beaten.

"Since I was 10 years old I wanted to win in Formula 1 - which I've done, Le Mans - which I've done, and the Indy 500," says Herbert.

The only man ever to have done that was Graham Hill.

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