Few in racing have contributed to the sport in a more diverse manner than Levon Fredrick “Freddie” Agabashian. He was an 11-time Indianapolis 500 starter, winner of multiple midget championships, a popular spokesman for the sport and an acclaimed radio and TV commentator. Agabashian toured three years with Irish Horan’s Automotive Thrill Show, perhaps an acknowledgement of his theatrical leanings, but by the mid-1930s his focus was exclusively on midgets, securing the NCRA championship in 1937. Following World War II, Agabashian’s achievements in northern California midget racing peaked. In 1947, Agabashian joined a host of other West Coast midget racers who trekked to Indianapolis during the post-war years. Agabashian made his debut in the Ross Page Kurtis, starting 23rd and finishing ninth. In his 11 Indy 500 starts, Agabashian started on the front row three times, and in fourth twice.

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