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Qualifying Cards Endure As Speedway Tradition

Bill York and Julie Cordess keep up the tradition of hand-penned “qualifying cards” at Indianapolis. [Andy Clary Photo]

Bill York and Julie Cordess keep up the tradition of hand-penned “qualifying cards” at Indianapolis. [Andy Clary Photo]

by Allan Brewer

There are numerous traditions associated with the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and among them are the thirty-three “qualifying cards” that are hand-penned by IMS staff and arrayed in eleven rows of three on display to the media on the fourth floor of the infield Media Center at Indy.

Bill York and Julie Cordess work on the qualifying cards.  [Allan Brewer Photo]

Bill York and Julie Cordess work on the qualifying cards. [Allan Brewer Photo]

Each “card” (actually a 12×14 inch piece of lined, white poster-board) represents a driver and a car, and lists the times and speeds of each of four qualifying laps on the oval. At the bottom of each card is the total elapsed time and the four-lap average speed of the qualifying run that has put the entry into the field of 33. Previous winners are celebrated with an upper-case “W” in green ink, as are the year or years of victory along with the team name and engine manufacturer

Bill York, the longtime manager of the Media Center is credited with the idea, which dates back to his arrival at Indianapolis in 1957, fresh out of the Army and newly-awarded a degree from Purdue University. Today, he is assisted by Julie Cordess of Indianapolis whose charting with the Professional Golfers Association Championship has earned her a trusted spot at York’s side. It’s a duty both take extremely seriously, as befitting any Indianapolis racing tradition, and the cards are held in such high esteem that they often “disappear” after the race is over.“ The drivers take them as souvenirs, especially the one for the driver on the pole, or the winner,” said Cordess.

Both York and Cordess came to IndyCar by serendipity: York by virtue of his early career working for a food-maker and Cordess via a link to the National Basketball Association. York’s first job out of college was as a “hog-buyer” for Stark and Wetzel, an Indianapolis meatpacking firm. S&W sponsored the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year program in those days, and York was assigned to photograph, film, provide transportation for and present (with the driver) a number of dinners featuring the company’s wares around the Hoosier state.

When S&W’s sponsorship of the rookie program ended, York was asked to join the staff at IMS where he was a fixture until his official retirement in 2009. During the racing off-season, York acted as press secretary for the Indiana Pacers, and also in media relations for the Indianapolis Colts. However, he continues to produce the qualifying cards that are a signal part of each year’s media information duties at the Speedway; and his enthusiasm is just as great for the race as it ever was. “The start of the Indianapolis 500,” York said, “is the most exciting thing in sports, anywhere in the world.”

Cordess was drafted into duty by York helping out with the 1985 NBA All-Star game which was held in Indianapolis. Once into York’s circle, she found herself in the vortex of York’s obsession for sports and played roles in the NCAA basketball championship, PGA Championship events and public relations in Indy and in Detroit. “Bill has helped so many people get their foot in the door,” Cordess said of her workmate. “If it weren’t for him I wouldn’t have been able to do half the things I’ve done in my life.”

York, a native of Peru, Indiana out of Bunker Hill High School, for years has been known as one of the Speedway’s best goodwill ambassadors. On his fingers are a Colts Super Bowl ring, an Indiana Fever WNBA Championship ring, and one (of three) championship rings from the American Basketball Association Pacers. Among the names he has helped usher through their debut year at the Indianapolis 500 are Parnelli Jones, Bobby Varshman, and Danica Patrick..”Over the years, the Rookie of the Year award has become the second most-coveted award to the Borg Warner trophy that goes to the winner of the race,” said York.

Bill York celebrates his 83rd birthday on Monday 23rd May, less than a week ahead of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Happy Birthday, Bill, and “Thank you” from hundreds of grateful members of the press past and present.

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