In its previous 100 incarnations the Indianapolis 500 has created heroes, hard-luck Harrys and row after row of drivers that tried hard but blended in with the scenery.We know that Vuky, A.J., Big Al, Rocket Rick, Parnelli, J.R., Uncle Bobby, Gordy and Mario became legends because of their prowess at...

Above: Don "Pappy" Branson winning at the Sacramento Mile in 1965.Fifty years ago in a sprint car race at Ascot Park, a veteran hero and a future star perished in the same accident to bring the curtain down on one of USAC's darkest seasons.Don "Pappy" Branson, a 46-year-old master of...

The standard line at the time was there were bold race drivers and old race drivers but there were no old, bold ones.Don Branson was the exception.At the age of 39, Branson qualified for his first Indianapolis 500 and also edged out A.J. Foyt for the 1959 USAC sprint car...