Those milling around the pit area on Pole Day at Indianapolis in 1958 might’ve noticed a slim, slightly-balding, unassuming man posing with Jimmy Bryan for his post-qualifying photo. Bryan qualified seventh and went on to win the 500.
That man, Joe Sostilio, was a good friend of Bryan’s and an essential part of Bryan’s epic 500 victory. Sostilio was in charge of pit-stop preparation, and in an unusual practice for that day, he coached the team in a string of seemingly endless training stops.
Those drills paid off on race day. The crew responded by getting Bryan in and out of the pits three times for a total of 90 seconds. A record in 1958. Bryan was so appreciative he presented Sostilio, and each crew member, a stylized ring with the No. 90 emblazoned on it. It remained a treasured possession of Sostilio’s until his passing in 2000.
But Joe Sostilio was much more than a talented Indianapolis crewman. He was a racer of renown in his own right and enjoyed a long, successful career in midgets, sprint cars and stock cars.
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