Amateur Van Camp (Stearns)

This image artifact was derived from a photograph originally published in the August 18, 1909, Indianapolis News. It was part of the coverage leading up to the first auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 
 
Here we see amateur driver Gilbert Van Camp with riding mechanic Bert Blacker at his side practicing for the upcoming American Automobile Association (AAA) race meet at the Speedway. Van Camp was an heir to the Van Camp packaged goods (best known for pork and beans, but later Gatorade) company. Note, too, the car with stripes on the cowling parked in the pit area at the side of the running surface. The was undoubtedly the "Old Glory" National of Barney Oldfield. Other sources indicate there was a business relationship between Oldfield and Van Camp.
 
The caption with the original photo read:
 
"Gilbert Van Camp, Driver. Bert Blacker, Mechanician. Gilbert Van Camp, an Indianapolis driver, will compete in the ten-mile amateur championship event on Saturday. He appeared on the track for the first time Monday and drove his Stearns car the full distance of the outer course in 2:30. Van Camp will have as rivals, Hearne in a Fiat, Greiner in a Thomas, and Ryall in a Buick."