This category contains feature stories on auto racing history that have been published in Indianapolis Motor Speedway Programs and historical publications. Most of the articles pertain to per-WWI auto racing, but others cover more recent history. Among the subjects covered are: Barney Oldfield, the 1914 Cactus Derby; Jim Clark racing in NASCAR; Jim Hurtubise racing in NASCAR; an interview with John Surtees; the 1909 Motorcycle meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; the first French Grand Prix; the Vanderbilt Cup; the 1937 Indianapolis 500; Wilbur Shaw; Cannon Ball Baker; Holmon and Moody; Indianapolis 500 relief drivers; Ralph De Palma; Smokey Yunick; the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Harvest Classic; Rudolf Carraciola; Dan Gurney and Johnny Aitken. The articles are a mix of biographical pieces and stories of milestone events in auto racing history.

First IMS Races - 1909

This article I wrote for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 program is about the inaugural auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These races occurred only days after the Speedway hosted the Federation of American Motorcycles (FAM) race meet. The auto races were a blend of success and tragedy.
"Legend of the First Super Speedway" Excerpt

This is my wife's favorite excerpt from my book, "The Legend of the First Super Speedway." Autographed copies available at the link.
Hulman Purchase of IMS

Thanks to auto racing history researcher Ken Parrotte we can present this collection of articles from 1944 and 1945 that chronicles the change of ownership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Speedway Association of America 1915

Thanks to auto racing history researcher  Ken Parrotte we have a pair of articles from 1915 that reflect the unrest and tension between the primary auto racing sanctioning body, the American Automobile Association (AAA) Contest Board and dirt track venues across the country.
William H. Pickens Saturday Evening Post

Thanks to auto racing history researcher Ken Parrotte, we have this series of six articles written ultra-promoter William Hickman Pickens for the Saturday evening post in 1927 and 1928.
William H. Pickens Saturday Evening Post

Thanks to auto racing history researcher Ken Parrotte, we have this series of six articles written by ultra-promoter William Hickman Pickens for the Saturday Evening Post&nbs
Barney Oldfield in Atlanta 1906

Thanks to auto racing history researcher Ken Parrotte, we have the attached article from the March 22, 1906 Atlanta Constitution. The article is full of color, focusing almost exclusively on the spectacle of just being at the track. The sport was still in its nascent stage and it is obvious the sights and sounds of automobiles at speed were still a marvel to the average person.
Oldfield at Ascot Park

Thanks to Ken Parrotte for this important 1910 Los Angeles Daily Times article about Barney Oldfield racing at Ascot Park. See an associated image elsewhere on First Super Speedway.

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"Legend of the First Super Speedway" Excerpt

This is my wife's favorite excerpt from my book, "The Legend of the First Super Speedway." Autographed copies available at the link.

From LA to Phoenix - 1914
Twenty-two files document the Los Angeles to Phoenix off-road race of 1914. The winner was Barney Oldfield in the Stutz racer he also drove to fifth place in the 1914 Indianapolis 500. Other top drivers in the race included Louis Chevrolet, Cliff Durant, Louis Nikrent.

1914 Cactus Derby (Motor Age)

This is the cleanest, most readable article on the 1914 Cactus Derby on First Super Speedway. It was published in the November 19, 1914 Motor Age. The article is broken into two parts, because, frankly, I made a mistake and omitted the last page on my first pass. I could have done more work to stitch it all together, but I think this works, don't you? Note that in the second attachment we discover that the Metz entry was late to finish, but did arrive in Phoenix at midnight.