CHICAGO, IL – The WPA Film Library has added a large archival auto racing footage collection to its holdings. Originally captured on color 16mm film, this fascinating collection covers high profile races, legendary drivers and celebrities involved with motor sports from the 1950s, 60s and early 70s.

NASCAR stockers, NHRA dragsters, IRL Indy race cars are included, as well as racing legends Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts, A.J. Foyt, Lee Roy Yarbrough, Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, Al Unser, Sr., and Dan Gurney battling in such big races as the Indy 500, Daytona 500, U.S. Nationals, Miller 500, Winternationals, Riverside 500, and Charlotte 500 during their prime.

The collection contains hydrofoil, soapbox, midget car, motocross, Baja, Can-Am, and motorcycle racing from every corner of the United States. Celebrities such as Wilt Chamberlain, James Garner, John Wayne, Lorne Green, Ronald Reagan, Barry Goldwater, and Paul Newman displaying their profound affection for the sport also appear in the collection.

Some highlights include racing legends Lee Roy Yarbrough and Mario Andretti relaxing at home with their respective families, some of the last known footage of stock car legend Glenn "Fireball" Roberts at the 1964 Charlotte World 600, and pre-race outtakes of the 1973 Indy 500 featuring some of the last known footage of Swede Savage (David Earl Savage, Jr.), who died in a horrific accident on lap 57.

The WPA Film Library, founded in 1987 by independent producers, began as a repository of archival and stock footage for documentary programming. Acquired by the MPI Media Group in 1989, the company’s holdings now include a vast amount of high-quality footage with tens of thousands of hours of vintage and contemporary images available. Formed in 1976, MPI Media Group is a leading independent producer and distributor of movies, home video and music.