Charles Stutz Quits

This image of race driver Charles Stutz was published in the Indianapolis Star on Sunday, March 20, 1910. It was part of  a special supplemental section about the upcoming March 28 Indianapolis Automobile Show presented by the Indianapolis Automobile Trade Association (IATA). Key features of the event were the Floral Parade, contests at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the concluding banquet at the Denison Hotel.
 
Stutz was a reasonably well-known driver at the time and a hometown favorite, as he lived in Indianapolis. He was the cousin of Harry Stutz, the chief engineer at Marion, but would soon establish the Indianapolis car manufacturer that was his namesake—Stutz. The "IMS" letter sweater he is pictured in was presented to him by the Speedway, a known driver at the time and a hometown favorite, as he lived in Indianapolis. He was the cousin of Harry Stutz, the chief engineer at Mario,n but would soon establish the Indianapolis car manufacturer that was his namesake—Stutz. The "IMS" letter sweater he is pictured in was presented to him by the Speedway   to commemorate his participation in its opening auto races before it became "the Brickyard."
 
During this time, much was made of the dangers of motor racing. While this was part of the appeal, it also garnered outrage. This was especially true in Indianapolis after the tragic first races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Stutz must have weighed these concerns and concluded that he should retire from driving race cars.
 
The copy associated with the picture read as follows: "(There he lies!) is an expression Charles Stutz, driver of Marion race cars, declares persons can not have a chance to say about him. He has quit the motor car racing game because of its risks. Mr. Stutz lives in this city and last year competed in several speed contests, but has never had a serious accident."