The Wonder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909

The August 18, 1909, Indianapolis News described the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway this way:
 
"Those visiting the course for the first time will probably be surprised at the magnitude of the Speedway. No expense has been spared to make it complete in every way. Everything is brand new and ready for inspection. There are forty-one buildings, including grandstands, judges' and press stands, garages, offices, etc., and all are painted uniformly in white and green and are gaily decorated with the flags of all nations."
 
And yet the most fundamental feature of the grounds - the running surface - was not ready. The bright white crushed limestone literally glistened in the sun and, contrasted with the verdant grass sod, it was nothing less than beautiful. It was also to prove deadly as five lives would be lost in the next four days.
 
Here you see the "monster" Lozier of pioneer aviator William Heina practicing. What you don't see that even while dozens of race cars circulated the facility at top speed, laborers were still on the track, crushing and raking stones. Not unlike highway construction crews across America today narrowing an interstate from three lanes to one, they toiled as the race drivers lifted just a bit to squeeze through.

 
The amazing wonder of the Heroic Age is available to you now - just step back in time with First Super Speedway.