Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 1910

This folder contains accounts of the races that occurred at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the Memorial Day weekend in 1910. All the stars of the day attended, including Ray Harroun, Joe Dawson, Bob Burman and Barney Oldfield. Harroun won events for Marmon and Oldfield set a new track mile record in his world land speed racer, the “Lightning Benz,” otherwise known as the “Blitzen Benz.” This race also offered an obstacle course promoted by the Overland Motors Company. This entailed wooden ramps and a route that took cars off the Speedway’s course, into the infield and through the drainage ditch in the southwest turn. Ernie Moross was the Director of Contests and was responsible for developing the program of events.

Speedway Expands Grandstands

This content was originally published in May 31, 1910 Indianapolis Star.
Barney Oldfield & Glenn Curtiss

This content was originally published in the May 30, 1910 Indianapolis News. The main value of this content is it provides some information about Barney Oldfield's record run in the Blitzen Benz, aka Lightning Benz. Also, there is an item on Glenn Curtiss' aircraft - somewhat related to the build up to the Speedway's June aviation show.
Wreck of the Marmon Wasp - Pages Missing

These articles appeared in the Indianapolis News evening edtion on May 30, 1910 and summarize the events of the final day of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway race meet. Topics include Ray Harroun's wreck of the Marmon Wasp, his victory in the Remy Brassard 50-mile contest for small engine cars, and a summary of other races.
May 1910 Race Meet Program

These articles were originally published May 26, 1910 in the Indianapolis Star, the day before the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's May 1910 race meet began. Race program is included as well as summary of practice speeds.
 
Pre-Race Speculation

This content was originally published in the May 27, 1910 Indianapolis Star, which was the morning of the first day of the May 1910 race meet. This material presents a good summary of practice runs conducted up to that point, a copy of the event card and speculation about favorites for success. All the day's events are described, complete with cash awards.
 
Tommy Kincade Wins Prest-O-Lite Trophy

This content was originally published in the May 28, 1910 Indianapolis Star. The articles contained within it provide an outstanding summary of the first day of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's May 1910 race meet. A preview of the second day's planned events also provides insights to the Speedway's approach to staging races.
 
Harroun Wins Wheeler-Schebler Trophy

Excellent coverage of the second day of the May 1910 race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Great summary of Ray Harroun's victory in the 200-mile Wheeler-Schebler Trophy. Harroun used the same Marmon Wasp he would wreck after a tire failure the following Monday, May 30.
Fisher Hires National Guard

Note that there are two packages of articles represented by two links. Among the topics covered in these articles is Carl Fisher's hiring of Indiana National Guard - and purchasing uniforms for them - to provide crowd control. The first races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909 were a disaster in large part due to the lack of crowd control, resulting in death to two spectators. Other subjects include preparations for the Remy Brassard race and George Bumbaugh (Fisher's balloonist mentor) decision to take flight from the Speedway in his newest balloon.
Drivers Critique Brickyard

These articles center on practice for the May 1910 Indianapolis Motor Speedway race meet and drivers' impressions of the newly brick paved Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Good background profile on driver Bob Burman. These articles were published May 24, 1910.
"Pit Pass" Into Brickyard History - May 1910

Good summary of practice and preparation for the May 1910 race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This includes impressions from drivers such as Ray Harroun and Bob Burman. There is a program of events, and even a feature that could be aptly described as a "pit pass" summary of brief items of interest to race fans. These articles were published May 25, 1910.