Tony Hulman

<p> Almost unknown when in 1945 he purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its famous race Tony Hulman soon became a household name in auto racing circles. He is credited not only with saving the Speedway from becoming a residential housing development but also with reinvigorating auto racing in the United States. Until his purchase of the Speedway Hulman had not been involved in auto racing; he was the CEO of Hulman & Company a wholesale grocer. An astute businessman Hulman made Clabber Girl Baking Powder a national brand and successfully led the reorientation of the family fortunes to include a range of businesses including a beer company a Coca-Cola franchise a broadcast empire and real estate and gas companies.</p><p> This biography of Hulman covers his many ventures particularly the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis 500 and his philanthropy.</p>