Oldfield "On the War Path" - 1909

The article in attachment Oldfield101009 was originally published October 10, 1909 in the Indianapolis Star. The article concerns outrage Barney Oldfield had over his treatment at the hands of the American Automobile Asscociation (AAA) and the promoters of a track race at Narragansett Park in Providence, Rhode Island and the Quaker City Motor Club of Philadelphia who managed the Fairmount Park road race.
 
In the case of Narragansett Park the AAA refused the promoters their sanction because they did pay $500 of their required fee. Oldfield, whom the article describes as the "star" of the meet, was incensed over this decision although it is not clear how this negatively affected him. I can only guess that without AAA sanction Oldfield was at risk of losing his license if he was to compete in an "outlaw" event. As for the Fairmount Park situation the article reports that Oldfield filed his entry and the promoters cashed his check only to tell him later that his Benz racer was not "stock" and was therefore ineligible for competition.
 
Oldfield's quotes make up almost half the article. His anger with the AAA motivated him to threaten to resign from the club and strike out on his own. Read an excerpt of his comments below:
 
"They cetainly have my dander up and I am on the warpath. I practically started automobile track racing in this country and have made my living out of it for seven years. In fact, after my fence smashing experiences and my many battles with promoters, AAA officials and others, it might be truthfully said that I have fought and bled in the cause. the only thing I have overlooked is dying for the game, but at that I have given fate more than enough chances. I consider the Providence deal a rank holdup and if the AAA stands for such a lot of grafters at the head of one of its clubs and fails to punish the club, then I am very likely to split with the AAA."