National Circuit Race Dates

This article with an update to the previously announced American Automobile Association's (AAA) new "National Circuit" was published in the January 28, 1910 Indianapolis Star. A couple of points jumped out at me in reading the article. One, apparently there were plans for a points-paying championship but not for drivers - just cars. This is referenced under the sub-head, "Local Cars Did Well." Also a man by the name of W.H. Wellman was reportedly awarded the sanctioning manager's role but precisely what that entailed is difficult to ascertain. My guess is that he was awarded a contract to promote the races. Wellman wrote an earlier bylined article on the National Circuit but at that time was not revealed as having any managerial role with the events.
 
An interesting point was made with respect to the priority of National Circuit races. While the AAA could sanction other races on conflicting dates with a National Circuit race, the later would take priority in that it would only be at those events that speed records would be recoginzed. A special note was made that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had been awarded all the best dates on the 1910 calendar. These were dates surrounding the major American summer holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Note, too, that the Brickyard was scheduled for both August 12 & 13 and October 7 & 8 dates which, while not explained, was almost certainly to accomodate plans for 24 hour events. Also, with the absence of both the Vanderbilt Cup and the American Grand Prize it appears the National Circuit was focused on oval speedway racing.
 
The schedule with host cities - which was authorized by AAA Contest Board Chairman Sam Butler - was revealed:

• New Orleans, February 5 & 6
• Montgomery, February 12 or April 20
• Los Angeles, February 18 to 22
• Birmingham, April 27
• Atlanta, May 5 - 7
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 29 - 31
• Boston, May 30
• Brighton Beach, May 30
• Philadelphia, June 4
• Milwaukee, June 4
• Columbus, June 14
• Detroit, June 21
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway, July 1, 2 & 4
• Dallas, July 4
• Galveston, July ?
• Kansas City, July 23
• Louisville, July 9
• Cincinnati, July 16
• Cleveland, August 1
• Philadelphia, August 6
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 12 and 13
• Buffalo, August 22
• Pittsburg, August 29
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway, September 2 & 3
• Minneapolis, September 5 to 10
• Baltimore, September 16
• Washington, October 1
• Providence, September 9 & 10
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway, October 7 & 8
• Dallas, October 25
• Atlanta, November 15
• New Orleans, November 5 & 6
• San Antonio, November 6,9 and 13