Strang & Scudellari, 12/18/1909

This image was published in the December 18, 1909, Sunday Indianapolis News. It shows star driver Lewis Strang at the wheel of his "Giant" 200 HP Fiat racer that he drove in the December 17-18 time trials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was the first high-speed event held at the track after it was paved with 3.2 million bricks. I believe the riding mechanic beside him to be Anthony Scudellari, who later partnered with David Bruce-Brown and lost his life with him in an accident practicing for the 1912 American Grand Prize.
 
Check out an image of Strang in this racer setting records on the bricks at this event elsewhere on First Super Speedway. This image was one of several that complemented articles reporting on the time trials.
 
Newspapermen and railbirds of the day that referred to drivers of fast cars like the Fiat as "scorchers." The story of Strang's "Giant" Fiat appears elsewhere on First Super Speedway. In 1910 Ralph DePalma succeeded Strang as the driver of this great car.
 
Additional images and articles about Strang can be found elsewhere on First Super Speedway.

• Strang at the wheel. 
• Strang Contemplates.
• Briarcliff.
• Strang speeds to victory.
• Strang in 1910.