This is a large collection of articles concerning the 1911 Indianapolis 500. This content covers practice and preparation for the event, many featuring the star drivers such as eventual winner Ray Harroun, Ralph Mulford, Bob Burman and Ralph DePlama. Barney Oldfield, who was banned by the AAA during this period and missed the first Indianapolis 500, wrote a racing column and several of his contributions are contained in this folder. Complete race day coverage is yet to be added, but will be included them in the future.

Time Trials for First Indy 500

This article was originally published in the May 26, 1911 Indianapolis Sun. It discusses the preparations for the first time trials ever conducted for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An interesting point is the use for C.H. Warner's Warner Chronograph, the electric timing device used at major speed events of the era.
"500" Center of Summertime Fun

This article was published in the May 27, 1911 Indianapolis Sun. This article is a great context-setting reference for all the happenings in Indianapolis during the Memorial Day weekend leading up to the Tuesday, May 30, 1911 running of the first Indianapolis 500. Events included the arrival of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, boxing prize fights, summer stock plays at the Murat Theatre, Indianapolis Indians baseball games and special church services. Soda fountains stocked up for thirsty throngs. It was a grand kickoff to summertime in Indianapolis.
First Day Qualifiers - 1911

This article was originally published in the May 27 Indianapolis Sun. It discusses a driver's meeting to be conducted by Starter Fred Wagner that evening and lists the drivers who qualified for the first Indianapolis 500 the day prior. This is the only list I have of these "first day" qualifiers. The requirement was to hit 75 mph in a quarter mile on the home stretch. Note that Ralph De Palma's Simplex blew a cylinder gasket and failed to get the job done.
Bob Burman's Driving Mask

This item was originally published May 27, 1911 in the Indianapolis Sun. An image with a cutline, the item promoted Bob Burman's upcoming May 29, 1911 record runs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The image focuses on a unique leather mask that Burman fashioned to protect his face from grime and debris.
Mulford: "Gumdrop Kid"

Here are two articles originally published May 27, 1911 in the Indianapolis Sun. My favorite is a brief bio sketch of Ralph Mulford that is associated with an image.
De Palma's "Head Work"

This article was originally published in the Indianapolis Sun on May 27, 1911. This is the same article that ran in the May 28 Indianapolis Star that describes De Palma's views on what it takes to win a race like the first Indianapolis 500.
Ticket Prices Soar

This article was originally published in the May 29, 1911 Indianapolis Sun. It reports on the high level of interest in the first Indianapolis 500 in the days leading up to the historic event. Because of "scalpers," ticket prices increased five-fold, and the throngs of visitors were likened to molten lead or locusts forming a dark cloud through the streets. That imagery is a little surprising, given that the influx of people from across the country and throughout the world was generally viewed by Indianapolis residents and leaders as a good thing.
Burman's Records, Church Ire

These two articles were originally published in the May 29, 1911 Indianapolis Sun. The best is a report on the events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the day before the Indianapolis 500 when Bob Burman set several records. An interesting point that I had not come across before is that his Blitzen Benz may have caught fire - and the flames were extinguished with dirt from flower pots!
Millionaires in First Indy 500

This is an interesting article that was originally published in the May 29, 1911 Indianapolis Sun. Three "millionaire" drivers are discussed: David Bruce-Brown, Ralph Beardsley and Caleb Bragg. Bruce-Brown and Beardsley are both compared to Adonis. Bruce-Brown is called a "blonde giant." The article reports that Bragg's mother bought him his car.
Bettors Make Mercedes Favorite

This brief article was originally published in the May 29, 1911 Indianapolis Sun. It reports on the odds for cars to win the first Indianapolis 500 based on bets booked up to that time. The favorite was the Mercdes of Spencer Wishart. Note, too, that the ALCO that won the previous two Vanderbilt Cups in the hands of driver Harry Grant is rated near the top at 7-to-1.