This folder has numerous articles on 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. Most of the major American drivers entered – Barney Oldfield, Ray Harroun, Bob Burman, Tom Kincaid, Lewis Strang, Louis Chevrolet, Jap Clemens, Charlie Merz, Eddie Hearne, Ralph De Palma and Tobin DeHymel among them. With the exception of a Fiat and a Benz, the entries were American, including: Marmon, Marion, Stearns, National, Jackson, Stoddard-Dayton, Buick and Apperson. Tragedy came in the loss of several lives, including Willfred Bourque, who became the first driver to die in a racing accident at the Speedway.

Procedures for Protest @ IMS

The attachment to this entry contains an article on officiating procedures for the upcoming first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races. It originally appeared in the August 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star.
 
Rule Makers Convene in Indy - 1909

The first attachment to this entry contains an article on a convention for the rule makers of auto racing in 1909 to tackle the pressing issues of managing competition events. Logically the men involved decided to coincide their meeting with the upcoming first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races held August 19 - 21.
The City Backs the Speedway

The three attachments, each with articles describing the enthusiasm of the Indianapolis business community for the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway, can be found below.
 
IMS Practice, Day 2

This article first appeared in the August 17, 1909 Indianapolis Star and reported on preparations for the first automobile races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 19-21.
 
Cliff Literall Injured, IMS Practice

The article in attachment IMSpractice091809 you will find here originally appeared in the August 18, 1909, Indianapolis Star as part of the ongoing coverage of events leading up to the first automobile races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which were to begin the following day.
Oldfield Sets IMS Track Record

This article first appeared in the August 19, 1909 Indianapolis Star and reports on the fourth day of practice and associated preparations for the first automobile races every held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 
More Speedway Hype

This article is yet another from a special Sunday edition of the Indianapolis Star that touted the excitement of the upcoming first automobile races at the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The date was August 15, 1909.
 
IMS Second Day Schedule & Results

Here you will find two attachments containing Indianapolis Star articles published on subsequent days both reporting on the second day of auto racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Attachment IMSschedule092009 contains an article from August 20, 1909, and previews the second day of the first automobile race meet at the new Speedway.
Trophies & Fan Engagement

The two attachments here contain articles that are more artifacts from a special Sunday edition of the Indianapolis Star that touted the excitement of the upcoming first automobile races at the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The date was August 15, 1909.
 
Overland Advertorial

This article in attachment Overland091509 is yet another from a special Sunday edition of the Indianapolis Star that touted the excitement of the upcoming first automobile races at the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The date was August 15, 1909.