Sparks did at least two stints in jail, yet created some of the most innovative, successful race cars conceived in American racing. “All I wanted to do was fool with cars and motorcycles,” he said. After that episode, Sparks again enrolled in college, his sights set on becoming a doctor. With that tooling, Sparks built his first race car, including machining the parts for the engine he designed himself. In 1930, Sparks quit his teaching and stunt duties to focus solely on racing. Paul Weirick funded the operation, while Sparks designed and built the cars. Using those funds, Sparks built an Indianapolis car powered by a straight-six engine of his own design.

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