Auto Racing History Predicted: May 1910

The attachment below contains an article which orginally appeared in the May 27, 1910 Indianapolis Sun. The article previews the first day of racing at the May 1910 race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These contests were part of the May 1910 weekend that included "national championships," a newly-announced distinction by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for select race meets. Car manufacturers were keen to make a great showing. 
 
The lead of the article is such great prose and reflects the seductive writing style that proved a siren's song for so many race fans of the Heroic age I am compelled to repeat it here:
 
"With the thunderous roar of a battery of artillery great speed monsters of blue, red, slate, yellow and varied colors are whirling around the big two-and-a-half mile brick auto track today in final practice for the championship races, which opens Friday. Record speed is being affirmed by many of the modern juggernauts, and every indication points to a series of races which will go down in history as memorable."
 
The article culls out specific cars and drivers expected to excel. First  up, Johnny Aitken and his six-cylinder, Indianapolis-built National racer. The article surprisingly points to Aitken to win "free-for-all" races despite the entry of other machines of greater engine size. Barney Oldfield, driving a Knox for a local dealership and his employee, Ben Kirscher driving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup-winning Darracq are also noted as formidable entries. Kirscher is reported to have had good success at the recent Playa Del Rey board track race meet, but no specifics are provided.
 
Buick Model 100 cars are referred to as "marvels of speed." They were assigned to 1909 Cobe Trophy Winner Louis Chevrolet as well as Bob (called "Bobby" in the article) Burman - who won the 1909 Prest-0-Lite Trophy the previous August at the ill-fated inaugural race meet at the Speedway before it was paved with brick.
 
The article clearly sees the major events of the meet as a battle between Buick, Marmon and National. Cole is seen as a player in the events for smaller cars. Top amateurs noted are Caleb Bragg and Art Greiner. Bragg, though, based on his triumph over Oldfield in a match race between the two at Playa Del Rey, is more highly regarded. This is especially true because his big Fiat is respected as a speed wonder. Greiner's mount was a National "40."