Recognized everywhere by his trademark Stetson hat, the
flamboyant Agajanian is best remembered as the owner of the
winning car in the 1952 and 1963 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races;
however, he was also the most influential promoter on the West
Coast and a midget owner and sponsor.
The son of an Armenian immigrant who parlayed his job as a
dishwasher at the Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles into a
successful hog ranch operation and an even more successful
garbage collection business, Aggie promoted the most USAC
midget races of anyone in the late 1950s and 1960s.
At his father’s request, he became a car owner and
promoter rather than a driver. Unlike many promoters, Aggie
believed that it took money to make money. His two biggest
tracks were Carrell Speedway and Ascot Park. He revived the
“Turkey Night” classic after Gilmore Stadium closed and had a
full-time public relations staff.
Among Aggie’s drivers were Bill Vukovich, Jr., Walt
Faulkner, Troy Ruttman and Parnelli Jones.
J.C. Agajanian died on May 9, 1984 at the age of 70.
