Meet Charles Stutz in 1909

Charles Stutz, cousin to his better-known genius engineer and corporation-founding entrepreneur Harry Stutz, was a pretty fair race driver in the first decade of the 20th century. He drove for the Marion auto company, an Indianapolis-based manufacturer Harry was chief engineer for prior to founding the Ideal Motor Car Company who produced the Stutz branded automobile.

Here you see an image of Charles wearing an IMS sweater. This apparel was designed in the colors of the various Indianapolis-based manufacturers in a show of unity for the Hoosier capital's automotive industry. In the case of Marion, the color was red.

Perhaps Charles' best moments at the wheel came in the summer of 1909 when on a sweep of the northeastern United States he picked off victories in New Jersey beach races and hill climbs. Despite his success it is hard to read what little bit of information there is about Charles and not come to the conclusion the man lived with doubts born of the danger of his profession.

It was a brutal world. Racing mishaps - fatal and crippling accidents - were regular events. On the other hand, what more exciting time can anyone imagine for the auto industry? Racing was never more relevant to the development of the breed. Pushing equipment to its breaking point in front of tens of thousands of witnesses was raw testimony to performance and an authentic opportunity to learn easily as much from failure as success.

You can learn, too. You know what to do. Click thru. Go meet Charles, learn of his success and his doubts. Dig deeper still into a wondrous world of adventure and daring. It's all there...on First Super Speedway.