By Dick Mittman
indy500.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Bill Hunter returned to the Speedway last Saturday for his 40th year. It's magic that brings him here.
Literally!
Hunter, who lives in Danica Patrick's hometown of Roscoe, Ill., is a magician who loves racing. He was introduced to the sport by former driver Lloyd Ruby, who met him while racing in the late 1960s at Milwaukee. Ruby helped Hunter get credentials at Indy.
Hunter has been performing in the suites, the garages and even the pits ever since. His specialty among smaller groups is card tricks. Even at 85, his fingers are still limber enough to practice prestidigitation with the deck that wows his watchers.
"I learned magic from a soldier when I was stationed in Australia during World War II," he said.
Life-long bachelor Hunter practiced as an amateur but eventually turned professional. He began touring the country presenting a full magic act on stage, even with stops in Las Vegas.
"About all the drivers knew me," he said about his racing connection.
"I went to dinner one time (at Indy), and (late Speedway owner) Tony Hulman was having a party next door. A friend told him about me, and I was invited in to do my magic act. This led to many racing people inviting me to entertain."
Hunter, whose first name is Willie (his father named him after Scotsman and British Amateur golf champion Willie Hunter), admits he has made some boo-boos during his career. The worse came when he shredded a paper and brought it back as whole only to forget to hide the torn paper in his other hand.
"I told the crowd I just wanted to show you what happened to it," he said of his quick response. "They began applauding me."
Hunter never knew Danica but met her parents in one of the Speedway suites about 15 years ago.
Hunter said this probably will be his last year at the track.
***
Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, the 92nd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.
Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Monday-Sunday during May, with special hours of 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Race Day, Sunday, May 25. Online orders can be made at any time. Race Day ticket prices start at just $20.
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