Lytle Enters IMS Opening Race Meet

This article was published July 14, 1909 in the Indianapolis Star and concerns developments for first automobile races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway coming up in August.  It heralds the entry of the well known veteran racer Herb Lytle in the Apperson "Jack Rabbit" from Kokomo, Indiana in the race meet. Lytle was a man of tremendous experience, his career dating back to before the turn of the century and including such races as the 1905 James Gordon Bennett Cup in France. Driver Joe Bates was mentioned as Lytle's teammate.
 
The article also discusses the work of the Speedway's Director of Contests Ernie Moross to attract the owners of European race cars to enter in the track's inaugural race meet. Apparently word on the street was that a local automobile enthusiast had plans to purchase a Darracq from Sam Stevens of Rome, New York. Stevens is incorrectly identified in this article as "F.B. Stevens." The car was allegedly driven by Victor Demegeot at Ormond Beach with success at their big race meet early that year.
 
This report also alludes to a gold-plated Overland touring car as an award for the driver recording the fastest mile run on the track. Also, the report indicates that while the event had received three entries for its biggest event, the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy, despite being open for submissions for only 48 hours. The article expresses confidence that Indiana factories would enter cars as well as other American manufacturers and those mentioned were Chalmers-Detroit, Locomobile, Stoddard-Dayton and Knox.