Ed Kretz, Sr. aka Ed "Iron Man" Kretz, was a motorcycle racer in the 1930s and 1940s.

Kretz was known for riding rough. He strove to finish, and win, every race. He rode #38, usually on an Indian

Indian (motorcycle)

Indian is an American brand of motorcycles. Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953 by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but which was renamed the Indian Manufacturing Company in 1928. The Indian factory team took the...

 motorcycle.

Kretz was best known for winning the first Daytona 200

Daytona 200

The Daytona 200 is a 68-lap, motorcycle race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.-History:The race evolved from a beach racing venue in 1937 to the Daytona International Speedway course in 1961....

 race in 1937, riding an Indian Sport Scout. He largely dominated the sport for over a decade. He won the first 200 mile Savannah Nationals at Langhorn (1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, and 1948) and Laconia (1938 and 1945). Kretz was voted most popular rider of 1938 and 1948. Officially retired in 1952, he raced a 100-lap TT race in Ascot Germany, winning the lap money, the heat race, and the trophy race.

Kretz retired from racing in 1959 and from his dealership in 1986.

External links

• Ed Kretz at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
  Motorcycle Hall of Fame
  The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...