Abstract
Visitors to Spartansburg, Crawford County, in 2023 would be forgiven for not associating the area with cutting-edge automotive technology. With a population of less than 500, it is notable for its stunning agricultural landscape and quiet roads frequented by Amish buggies, not race cars. And yet one of its own helped transform automobiles as we know them. Ray Ward Harroun was born in this small village on January 12, 1879, the son of Russell and Lucy (Halliday) Harroun.1 Young Ray quickly gained a reputation for inventiveness, and before long the “Little Professor” was motoring up to the starting line of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race with a few new tricks up his sleeve.
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