National Races & the Brickyard

This article was published in the March 31, 1910 Indianapolis Star. This is a curious item in that it affirms what I believe had been previously affirmed - the auto racing events hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1910 were designated as part of the elite American Automobile Association (AAA) "national championship circuit." 
 
While winning such races with this designation could allow the victor to make a variety of claims it is unclear exactly what any of them meant. Obviously, the driver and the team could pronounce themselves "national champions." Just keep in mind the main motivation of AAA was to distinguish races they endorsed as "real" racing as opposed to the barnstorming antics of the likes of Barney Oldfield.
 
The article indicates that these stock chassis races were for distances of five and ten miles. Gold, silver and bronze medals were being prepared to award drivers that finish one-two-three. The gold medals were reportedly valued at $150. Additional championship medal events were planned for record speed trials, free-for-all races of Class D.
 
Because of the special designation of these races the plan was the AAA to govern every aspect of the competition and the operation of the events. This required that entry forms be filed with Sam Butler, chairman of the AAA contest board at 437 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York. Among the prizes catalogued for the upcoming May race weekend were: $20,000 in cash; a plate; the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy (200 miles); the Prest-O-Lite Trophy (100 miles). 
 
The article refers to the May event as the track's inaugural which is a bit curious in light of the August 1909 race meet - understandably something Speedway management would like to forget due to the loss of five lives. It is fair to say the May race meet was the debut of the Brickyard.
 
The penultimate paragraph of the article reports that the Speedway had secured four "Grand Circuit" (I assume this is another reference to national championship contests) race dates: May, July, August and September. The August race date was for a 24-hour competition which was not produced. The June 1910 aviation show and the requirement by the Wright brothers that they license all the pilots is noted.