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An Indianapolis 500 Quilt Tradition Continues

Jill Sheridan
/
indianapublicmedia.org/news

Besides his likeness on the Borg Warner trophy and $2.4 million prize, Juan Pablo Montoya, winner of Sunday's Indianapolis 500, will be going home with a custom made quilt.  

The "Quilt Lady", Jeanetta Holder, has been making quilts for Indy 500 winners since 1976, when she first presented one to Johnny Rutherford.  She’s a long time race fan and says she’s quilted a couple of extras for a few of her favorite drivers.

"I’ve also gone back and done one for Andretti, Jim Rathmann and one for Parnelli Jones, so this really makes 43 quilts," said Holder.

The blankets have the autographs of all winners she’s quilted for.  Last year, Holder had a set back but was still able to complete the quilt for Ryan Hunter Reay.

"I was really in bad shape and I fell," says Holder. "But the good Lord gave me my arm back."

On Monday, Holder was at the Speedway for the day after the race photo shoot and presented  Montoya with her latest creation.