The Concept of the Speedway

"Deep-dive" Indianapolis Motor Speedway historians readily recognize the painting on the cover to a 1917 National Motor Vehicle Company brochure that told the story of two Hoosier capital-based milestones in auto racing. The night the 24 hour world speed record was established at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and, during, that flat-out, startling event, the night four visionaries who built America's most historic track conceived of the idea.
 
Yes, the men depicted around that fireplace are none other than Carl Fisher, James Allison, Art Newby and Frank Wheeler. Fisher had been ruminating over the concept for months, largely born of his frustration over the shameful state of American roads but also his impatience with what he felt was the myopia of both government officials and industry leadership in taking action to make things better.
 

Fisher was impassioned and it's not hard to imagine his loud harangue as all but teetotaler Newby probably passed their flasks and fueled collective enthusiasm. The mile horse tracks were simply not enough.
 
"They aren't big enough, for Christ sakes!"
 
Fisher wanted a three-mile track with billiard-table smooth stretches where engines could unwind to the point of exploding. Only then could American industry - especially Hoosier-based car companies - improve the breed by pushing them to brink of self-destruction. Fisher was a patriot, a pragmatist and damn well wanted to beat those Europeans.
 
In his heart, he knew the cars overseas were better - particularly in France, Germany and Italy. By damn, he would through the massive force of his singular willpower lift the entire industry if he had too. It was November 1905 and it would be three years before he would purchase the farmland to grow a speed plant.
 
Just imagine sitting there by the warmth of the flame as Newby's National with Charlie Merz and Jap Clemens taking turns at the wheels rumbles in the background. Shadows of the men's noses across their cheeks alter length and width as the fire flickers with steady consumption of tinder and the whip of the chilled November breeze. Let us put you there...
 
Come read the brochure. Click through in all sorts of directions...in the world of First Super Speedway. It's 1905 again, and you can go there...