Scorching Frozen Bricks in 1909

Understand this with certainty: the single most important racing event held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909 occurred 107 years ago today - in 14 degree weather. Indeed, it may have rescued the track from powerful sentiment that had then-Lieutenant Governor Frank Hall leading the charge for legislation to outlaw auto racing in the Hoosier state.
 
This weekend First Super Speedway dives deeper into what really happened in 1909 when the new track was rushed into revenue-generating service. The grandeur of the place as it has presented itself and created history through the decades implies glorious beginnings.
 
The reality 107 years ago was that the new speed plant had killed five people, including two spectators and one of the top American racers of the day. The carnage also included critical injuries to two motorcycle racers, one America's biggest star - Jake De Rosier.
 
The motorcycle riders originally planning to race at the Speedway in August had largely defected, reducing a grand battle of hundreds of riders to a humble gathering of just one day that mustered only six sprint races, none more than four laps with fields of nine bikes or less. The historic passenger balloon race in June consisted of but nine competitors.
 
Promised race meets had been cancelled, and the ones held were reduced due to crumbling, treacherous track conditions that had race teams up in arms. The deteriorating running surface produced evidence of hazards even a denying track management team had to confess.
 
In a brilliant example of the consequences of not doing things right the first time, Speedway Founder Carl Fisher and his colleagues were cornered by reality. They were compelled to invest as much as they had in the acquisition and initial development of the grounds in a state-of-the-art transformation project. The new work performed in the autumn of 1909 included retaining walls, sand traps, observation decks and a massive repaving of the running surface that earned the plant its now legendary nickname: the Brickyard.
 
Once more, the restless, impatient, kinetic Fisher pushed the bounds of good judgment by squeezing one last competitive show into the waning days of 1909. He again hoped to attract an audience willing to lighten their wallets for a gander. Harsh weather - even for December - destroyed the appetite for such fare in the minds of consumers.
 
Fisher's December time trials of December 17 and 18 were reduced to a media event with important photo opportunities. Still, it ended the year easily the most successful happening the troubled facility could point to in its turbulent first year.
 
The new brick racing surface passed its initial crucial test. It gave a glimmer of hope it could host speed contests with a responsible level of safety for a necessarily risky pastime. Also vital was the fact that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway could point to new American track speed records as evidence that it was the most advanced facility of its kind in the United States.
 
This crucial beginning has never before been adequately described. Only those long passed - who lived in the day - understood a reality dimmed by time, sentiment and manipulating public opinion. Let's be clear, we don't see villains here, just ambitious entrepreneurs inventing a sport and learning through the school of hard knocks. They met difficult challenge in an age without understanding through precedent.
 
You can learn the reality, no...you can live it at - but only at First Super Speedway. Click thru and recognize the times for what they were. You won't find it anywhere else.
 
The image here is of Speedway hero Lewis Strang who drove a 200 HP Fiat to a new American mile speed record on that frigid December day.