Indiana Automotive, an Indiana Landmarks affinity group, sponsors Davidson’s annual talk. In the past, Davidson appeared solo but this year he’ll interview Hoosier natives Gehlhausen and Parsons. Gehlhausen, who qualified for the Indy 500 five times, attends the race every year. He says his biggest racing thrill was qualifying with his father’s car in 1976, his first entry at the famed oval.

Johnny Parsons Jr., son of Indy 500 winner Johnnie Parsons, raced in a dozen Indianapolis 500s, the last in 1996. He finished fifth in 1977 and 1985. When Davey Hamilton came out of retirement to run in the 2007 Indy 500, Parsons replaced him as commentator for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network’s broadcasts.

Davidson, Gehlhausen and Parsons will talk about racing at the Brickyard, a National Historic Landmark, and about track culture. The talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

The affinity group Indiana Automotive welcomes members interested in the early auto visionaries and the preservation of the cars they made, their factories, showrooms, and homes, and the landscaped parkways and roadside architecture birthed by the auto age.

WHAT: Talking Track with Donald Davidson and veteran Indy 500 drivers Spike Gehlhausen and Johnny Parsons, Jr.

WHEN: April 5, 6-7:30 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Indiana Landmarks Center, Grand Hall, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis

TICKETS: $10 for Indiana Automotive members, $15 for Indiana Landmarks members, $20 for general public.

# # #

Media contact: Tina Connor, Indiana Landmarks Executive Vice President, 800-450-4534 or 317-639-4534, tconnor@indianalandmarks.org.

# # #

Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to our heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.