Aitken Mystery

This article is a complete mystery to me. Published in the August 20, 1909 Indianapolis Star it is purported to cover the drive of National Motor Vehicle Company star driver Johnny Aitken in the second race of the first day of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 
The problem with this report is there is no record of Aitken appearing in any of the first day (August 19) races. He did win a race on the second day but this article was published prior to that event.
 
This report claims that Aitken endured a rock breaking his glass goggle lens to inflict a "slight" injury to one of his eyes. Reportedly Aitken soldiered on to the finish later announcing to team manager George Dickson that "One of my lamps is out of commission."