Griffith in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ray Nichels
Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 23, 2023
1. Ray Nichels Marker, Side One
Racing Hall of Famer Ray Nichels attended Franklin School, which now houses the Griffith Historical Society. In 1954 Ray and his wife Eleanor established Nichels Engineering, eventually becoming one of auto racing's elite race car building and engineering firms. With master craftsmen like Jerry Govert, Sr. and Francis "Minnie" Joyce: Nichels Engineering won 3 National Stock Car Championships, took Daytona wins, set world speed records, and ran in 12 Indianapolis 500s.
In 1964, Ray Nichels constructed the state-of-the-art "Go-Fast Factory" on East Main Street in Griffith, with son Terry Nichels joining the firm. Nichels Engineering was the contract race car builder for GM - Pontiac from 1956-1963 and Chrysler from 1963-1970. Nichels managed the Firestone Racing Tire Test Team from 1954 through 1960, setting a series of world records for both speed and endurance. Ray Nichels was also a co-founder of G&N Aircraft and the Griffith Airport.
Erected 2017 by Indiana Racing Memorial Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 41° 31.487′ N, 87° 25.671′ W. Marker is in Griffith, Indiana, in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern Railway Interlocking Tower (approx. ¼ mile away); Griffith's Grand Trunk Depot Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); Dutch in the Calumet Region (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 3.2 miles away); Lincoln Highway - Ideal Section - 1923 (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Lincoln Highway / The "Ideal Section" (approx. 3.6 miles away); St. John Township School District #2 (approx. 3.9 miles away); First Physician (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Griffith.
Also see . . .
1. Indiana Racing Memorial Association - Ray Nichels. Information about the Unveiling Ceremony and Ray Nichels. (Submitted on June 22, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)
2. Article and photos about Ray Nichels and his partner Paul Goldsmith.
Nichels Engineering, first located in Highland and then in Griffith, would build winning stock cars for many world-class drivers, with the state-of-the-art(Submitted on June 22, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)Griffith facility becoming known as the “Go-Fast Factory.”Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 23, 20232. Ray Nichels Marker, Side Two
Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 23, 2023
3. Marker in Front of Franklin Center at the corner of Broad & Columbia
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 933 times since then and 818 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
