Honoring its rich heritage, the City of Novi is renowned for something more than just its establishment in 1832 – it has a long and proud history of Indy car racing, particularly with the iconic Novi Special race car. This special race car solidified itself as a part of motorsport history after its impressive performance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, starting an era of motorsports passion in the powerhouse automotive capital of Detroit which rippled across the country. The Novi water tower memorializes this history alongside its celebration of Dr. J.C. Emery and his wife’s establishment of the city’s name.
Origin Story of Novi
The City of Novi has an incredible history, most notably its origin story which dates back to 1832 when Dr. J.C. Emery and his wife suggested the name Novi. This was due to the land being the sixth stop on the Grand River Road toll road, with the numbers “NO.” and “VI”, becoming part of Novi’s namesake. After it was officially incorporated in 1969, Novi quickly made a name for itself in the world of Indy car racing. The city continues to expand today, as a testament to the proud history it has established over the years.
The Novi water tower is a historical landmark, marking the birthplace of the renowned “Novi Special”. This beloved race car broke records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway shortly after World War II. As Detroit emerged as the automotive capital of the world, its citizens developed a newfound passion for racing. This hobby quickly spread across America, inspiring countless fans and drivers alike.
The Novi Special was made possible by industrialist Lew Welch and engineer Ed Winfield. Welch had the foresight to see the potential of Winfield’s straight-eight engine design, supercharged with a powerful V8. He gave Winfield the resources and encouragement he needed to make it happen, ultimately leading to one of the most iconic race cars in history.
It was driven by Ralph Hepburn during the 1941 Indianapolis Motor Speedway and featured a revolutionary 450 HP V8 engine, powered with a gear-driven centrifugal supercharger that spun 5.35 times faster than the crankshaft speed. This engineering feat captivated audiences with its remarkable speed and sound, setting a new standard for motor racing technology.
In 1946, Hepburn finished 4th in the race and set an all-time track record, leading the field for 44 laps. This impressive performance was followed by Duke Nalon, who achieved a respectable 3rd place finish at the 1948 Indy with the Novi Special despite having to make two pit stops on his way. The Novi engine proved to be a powerful force in motor racing, dominating tracks for nine years until 1955, despite the unfortunate deaths of drivers Hepburn and Chet Miller who lost their lives during practice runs.
The Novi engine continued to make its mark in history with the 1959 and 1960 entries driven by Paul Russo and Dempsey Wilson, that although they did not qualify, still showcase the amazing capabilities of this remarkable car.
The City of Novi continues to display remarkable durability and strength in its rich history, beginning with its invention in 1832 due to Dr. J.C. Emery and his wife’s suggestion of the name Novi, and officially becoming incorporated in 1969. With the founding of the illustrious “Novi Special” race car and a newfound excitement for racing during Detroit’s industrial era, Novi has already achieved much throughout its past. With that experience, plus a beautiful symbol of their commencement being the water tower landmarking the birthplace of the famous race car, Novi surely will continue to achieve success in the decades to come.
