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.

Indianapolis Speedway Harvest Classic 1916

This is the story of nearly forgotten 1916 Harvest Classic - almost a footnote in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As America prepared for war, Speedway President Carl Fisher knew that he may need to curtail operations at the track as the country weathered WWI.
The 24 Hours of Indianapolis

This article appeared in the 2005 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Allstate 400 program. It recounts the brave drive of 17-year-old Charlie Merz and co-driver "Jap" Clemens.
Rudi Caracciola

In a giant trophy case at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum sits an impressive collection of trophies from the best among 1930's Grand Prix drivers: Rudi Caracciola. Caracciola led a life of triumph and tragedy. With Tazio Nuvolari, they stood as the giant driving talents of Europe in the years immediately prior to World War II. Winning the European Grand Prix championship several times, Caracciola collected sterling silver trophies of all variety: clocks, loving cups, platters and more. His lows were as devastating as his victories were stellar.
1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

This is the story of America's first international road race, the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup. Commissioned by William K. Vanderbilt Jr., the millionaire scion of one of America's richest families, this was the first major road race held in the United States.
Wilbur Shaw's 1937 Indy 500 Win

This is the story of the first of Wilbur Shaw's three Indianapolis 500 victories in 1937. Driving what he called his "pay" car, a machine he designed and built himself, local boy Shaw won what would prove to be the Indy 500's closest finish for 45 years. He narrowly beat Ralph Hepburn by little more than two seconds on a hot, sunny day. The finish remains among the top ten closest in the Indy 500 history, and the only one on that list that occurred before 1982.
The Louisiana Purchase Trophy

This article originally appeared in the Missouri Historical Society's quarterly magazine for summer 2004. It marked the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase Trophy, the first major auto race in Missouri. Barney Oldfield was the marquee name at the state fairgrounds track that day, the recognized super-star of early track racing.
 
Cannon Ball Baker

"No Record, No Money," was the mantra of rugged Erwin George "Cannon Ball" Baker, best known for traversing the country coast-to-coast on the roadless, craggy terrain of early 20th century America. After one record-setting grind in 1915, newspapers nicknamed him "Cannonball" after New York's Cannonball Express Locomotive. It was just one of his 143 endurance record attempts with motorcycles, cars and trucks.
Holman-Moody

This article, which originally appeared in the 2007 Allstate 400 program, catches up with the legendary speed shop of Holman and Moody. Its founders, John Holman and Ralph Moody, were a force to be reckoned with in the 1960's working with such marquee names as Fred Lorenzen, Curtis Turner, David Pearson, Johnny Beauchamp, Fireball Roberts, Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti and even Formula One all-time great, Jimmy Clark. Currently headed up by John's son Lee Holman, the business focuses on restoring 1960's vintage Fords for clubs and vintage car races.
Unsung Heroes of the Indianapolis 500

This is the story of the unsung heroes of the Indianapolis 500; men who drove relief for the winning car. Setting aside co-winners Mauri Rose (1941) and Joe Boyer (1924), four men contributed to Indy 500 victory in relative anonymity. Most interesting of these was perhaps Howdy Wilcox, who won the race for himself in 1919.
The 1909 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Motorcycle Race Meet and Jake DeRosier

This article recounts the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's disastrous motorcycle race meet of 1909. This was the Speedway's first motorized competition - a balloon race having been conducted two months prior. Newly constructed, the crushed stone and tar track was raw. Sharp stones tore at tires, and ruts worn in the track twisted handlebars in the riders' hands.