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Harlan Fengler

Harlan Fengler, Tacoma Speedway, 1922. Originally from Marvin D. Boland collection. Taken before 1923, so free to use because the author died in 1950, so this work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 60 years or less and this work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1923.

Harlan Fengler, Tacoma Speedway, 1922. Originally from Marvin D. Boland collection. Taken before 1923, so free to use because the author died in 1950, so this work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 60 years or less and this work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1923.

Harlan Fengler, 1965 Indianapolis 500. Copyright The Dave Friedman Collection, 1946-2009, repository of the Henry Ford archive, Benson Ford Research Centre, 2014. All photos are permissible to use under a Creative Commons licence.

Harlan Fengler, 1965 Indianapolis 500. Copyright The Dave Friedman Collection, 1946-2009, repository of the Henry Ford archive, Benson Ford Research Centre, 2014. All photos are permissible to use under a Creative Commons licence.

Born:

01 Mar 1903
Chicago, Illinois

Died:

26 Mar 1981
New Lebanon, Ohio

Nationality:

United States

Indy 500s:

1 (1923-1924)

As a driver, Harlan was best at board track racing. Better known at the speedway as the Chief Steward, a role he held, often ruling with a strong, immovable stance, from 1958 until 1974. His chief 'claim to fame' was his involvement in the Parnelli Jones-Jim Clark argument of 1963 when he controversially, albeit under huge pressure, didn't black flag Parnelli Jones' car for having an oil leak - Jones later beating Clark who'd come over from Europe to try and beat the Americans on their own soil, and there were feelings Fengler had delayed making any call due to his patriotism. That said, when Fengler retired, he left his role as a hugely respected administrator. Harlan was also a car builder and mechanic for many years.

Biography last updated 1 Oct 2014