Racing at Douglas Park - 1909

Douglas Park was a Louisville horse racing venue that rivaled Churchill Downs in the late 19th century and on into the first decade of the next. As the world grappled with the fundamental transition of the accelerating industrial age such facilities tested the feasibility of introducing motor racing into their entertainment cards.
 
In June 1909 two of American auto racing's brightest stars, Barney Oldfield and Lewis Strang, competed at Douglas Park both representing major factory efforts. Strang was part of a Buick "super team" that included Louis Chevrolet and Bob Burman who were competing elsewhere. Oldfield was at the wheel of a National Motor Vehicle Company entry and was accompanied by that company's founder Arthur C. Newby.
 

Oldfield's National was fresh from victory at the Giant's Despair hill climb where the company's regular driver Charlie Merz rose triumphant. Barney, who owned his private race team, had decided to purchase a National but had yet to take delivery on his car, which would later appear at meets wrapped in stars and stripes with the moniker, "Old Glory."
True to form, the two giants of the day won laurels at the meet, which was hampered by rain. In reality, a card of seven contests was reduced to five and with only two to four competitors taking part.
This was standard fare at many of what was called "track races" of the age. These events were hosted on dirt horse tracks with thin rail fences marking the edges of the course but providing zero service as retaining walls.
 
Other major auto races, such as the Vanderbilt Cup, typically attracted 15 to 20 quality cars. These contests were every bit as dangerous. Conducted on public roads, these races attracted people who did not just stand at the edge of the course, but walked out onto it in the heat of battle.
 
Oldfield, while later in his career competed with at least moderate success on the road courses, built his legend at places like Douglas Park. A handful of the horse tracks - mostly those at state fairgrounds - eventually installed adequate barriers to accommodate automobiles and motorcycles and became viable for the sport. A new breed of purpose-built speedway also emerged. This was not just the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but also board tracks, first with Playa Del Rey near Los Angeles as well as short-lived venues such as the 2-mile red clay track of Atlanta.
 
It's all recorded on First Super Speedway - so vibrant it's almost alive. Click thru and go there. Immerse yourself. With the power of the knowledge you can acquire there and your imagination you can witness old Barney gunning that cannon-blasting National to the limit - complete with the smoke of burning gasoline and motor oil.
We sincerely hope you enjoy.