This collection of articles reviews the plans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to stage an air show during the autumn of 1909. The effort came in the wake of the tragic first automobile race where five lives were lost including two spectators. This forced the founders to pave the track in effort to advance safety. This probably had something to do with the eventual cancellation of the air show but also it is likely Speedway management simply did not plan far enough in advance. The logistics of staging the event may have overwhelmed them and the availability of top pilots and airplanes may have been tight.

Big Aero Dreams

The article in attachment IMSaero092609 is a time capsule for studying journalistic standards of the era it was published, September 26, 1909 in the Indianapolis Star. Proclamations of the greatest air show in the world at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are made with a tone of certainty that would soon prove baseless. Check out this excerpt:
 
Speedway's Venue Vision

The article in attachment IMSaero101109 was originally published in the Indianapolis Star on October 11, 1909. It concerns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's quest to host the 1910 international air show featuring the James Gordon Bennett Cup for airplanes which was won by American Glenn Curtiss in August 1909.
The Brickyard Lures Aviators

The article in attachment Curtiss101009 originally appeared in the October 10, 1909 Indianapolis Star. While the headline focuses on America's biggest aviation star Glenn Curtiss' pending arrival in the city to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway several other prominent figures in the field are noted as well.
Air Show Cancelled

The article in attachment IMScancel100109 was originally published in the October 1, 1909, Indianapolis Star. With its announced event dates of October 14-16 fast approaching the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had to cancel out on its planned aviation show.
Airshow & International Aspirations

The article in attachment IMSaero091509 was originally published in the September 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star. The lead focuses on the liklihood that Charles H.
Glenn Curtiss in Indianapolis!

The article in attachment IMSaero101309 first appeared in the Indianapolis Star on October 13, 1909.
Fisher at the YMCA

The article in attachment IMSaero102009 was originally published in the Indianapolis Star on October 20, 1909. This was during a time that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was both paving its track with brick and also positioning its facility as America's aviation capital.
 
Looking For the Future in 1909

The article in attachment Aero112809 first appeared in the Indianapolis Star on November 28, 1909. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Founder and President Carl Fisher was a leading advocate to position his track as the American capital of aviation.
200 MPH at the Brickyard - 1909!?

Attachment Brooklands121209 contains a tiny article noting the speed records at the Brooklands track in Surrey, England with those at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Atlanta Speedway. It was published in the Indianapolis Star on December 12, 1909.
 
Overland Advertising - 1909

This adveritsement of an Overland automobile by the Fisher Automobile Company appeared in the Sunday, December 12, 1909 Indianapolis Star. This ad is significant because it provides a quick summary of facts - or at least claims. Check these out: