Driver Profiles

Great Articles on Lewis Strang

Attached is an article (attachment Strang100408)that was published in the Indianapolis Star on October 4, 1908 - the greatest year of Lewis Strang's career. This article summarizes an interview the author apparently had with Strang about the risks of racing.
Guy Vaughan

A bright young driver of the early 20th Century was Guy Vaughan, who is most frequently noted for his heroics in 24 hour speed tests.
A.C. (Alonzo) Webb

A.C. Webb was a respected driver star of the early 20th Century. He won the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Trophy and competed in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup race.
Ollie Savin

This small article published in the July 4, 1906 edition of the Indianapolis Star and concerns a record breaking success by a little known driver of the era - Ollie Savin. Savin is credited with breaking world speed records previously held by Barney Oldfield. Also mentioned in this article is driver A.C. Webb.
"Jap" Clemens' Trouble With Traffic Laws

Attached are a pair of attachments containing articles reporting on the reckless driving of racer Fred "Jap" Clemens while in everyday traffic on the public streets of Indianapolis. An interesting point here is that we begin to establish a behavioral pattern as the articles cover two separate accidents spanning two years.
 
Luther Smelser

Here are a couple of items concerning the death of little-known Luther Smelser, an Indianapolis man who drove race cars in the early 20th Century. These articles appeared in the Indianapolis Star in October 1907. Smelser's accident was one of several that contributed to the view of many to stop track racing.
Drivers Discuss Danager

This brief article is an interesting artifact of the yellow journalism times as it focuses on the danger of driving race cars for a living. The specter of death is the underlying message and the sensational theme for readership appeal is clear. Several big name drivers are mentioned and apparently had experienced significant accidents.
Joan Cuneo Image

This attachment was published in the Indianapolis Star on July 28, 1908. It is an image of Joan Cuneo, the top female race driver of the early 20th Century. Cuneo enjoyed reasonable success with the best example coming in 1909 on an oval dirt track in New Orleans.
1908's Top Drivers

This article from the January 30, 1909 Indianapolis Star reflects on the previous year's top drivers with a particular focus on Americans.
 
Cuneo Speaks Out

This article from the April 11, 1909 Indianapolis Star was developed from an interview with Joan Cuneo, the top female race driver of the early 20th Century. Cuneo enjoyed reasonable success with the best example coming in 1909 on an oval dirt track in New Orleans.