Racing Indy's legends in a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

2014-08-27T20:12:55.254Z

We’re told the Indy Legends Pro/Am is more of a demonstration than a full-bore race, but the destroyed front end on Buddy Lazier’s '70s Camaro proves otherwise. When you throw 24 former Indy 500 drivers into the ring after, in some cases, more than two decades, that competitive spirit reignites and what is supposed to be an exhibition of vintage muscle cars driven by some of Indy’s greatest shoes morphs into a demolition derby of vehicles worth as much as a decent-sized house.

My goal: keep the yellow and blue 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 I’m driving shiny side up, and challenge Al Unser Jr. for the win in his near-800 hp ’69 Corvette. One of those two goals would prove difficult.

The inaugural SVRA Brickyard Invitational earlier this summer at the Indianapolis Speedway played host to 700 vintage race cars. It was the largest gathering of vehicles for competition this nation has ever seen, with vehicles ranging from pre-war F1 racers to iconic Indy 500 winners to old NASCAR Winston Cup machines.

The Indy 500 today is still the greatest race in the world. Witnessing machines from an era that’s long gone is more than just exciting – it’s strangely moving. Hearing a big block V-8 thunder down the front straight, for example, or the rumble of a 1,000-hp Offy churning at near 200 mph, just as it did in the early ‘80s.

2012 SVRA Mid Ohio Group 1 Race 1

2012-07-06T00:57:13.907Z

Onboard Toybox Racing Mini #168 for the Group 1 Saturday afternoon race, Driver Andy Nelson

Mid-Ohio SVRA Sprite only race (RAIN)

2008-09-03T01:37:29.941Z

SVRA 2008 at Mid-Ohio. It started pouring on pace lap. I went from 13th on a slick grid to 2nd on first lap, (I'm new to this and just don't know better!) Finished 4th overall and 2nd in class. Learned allot!

All Videos Tagged SVRA (The Vintage Racing League) - The Vintage Racing League

Racing Indy's legends in a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

2012 SVRA Mid Ohio Group 1 Race 1

Mid-Ohio SVRA Sprite only race (RAIN)