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.

Moross Runs Benz Team

This article discusses various entries for the first Indianapolis 500. Of particular focus is the announcement that Billy Knipper was joining Bob Burman on the Benz racing team managed by former Indianapolis Motor Speedway Director of Contests Ernie Moross.
Moross Plans "Monster" Car

This package contains an article and reasonably good image (relatively speaking). The article focuses on Ernie Moross' plans to work with an American manufacturer to develop a world land speed record car. The image is of Lewis Strang preparing to take boxer "Kid" McCoy for a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. McCoy offered his services as a relief driver for the Case team, of which Strang was captain. The article was published May 16, 1911.
Fisher to Pace Race, Burman in Blitzen Benz

This article announces Carl Fisher's historic decision to pace the start of the Indianapolis 500 with his Stoddard-Dayton automobile. He sold Stoddard-Daytons at his local dealership. Also, the article announces the Benz team's plans to stage an exhibition run with Bob Burman driving the famous Blitzen Benz racer the morning of the race. The Blitzen Benz engine was too large to conform to race regulations, but it was the car that Burman had used to set a new world land speed record of over 141 MPH earlier in the year.
Hearne, De Palma, Aitken and Others Arrive

This article reports on the arrival of some of the top driving stars of the day arriving at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Eddie Hearne, Johnny Aitken, Howdy Wilcox, Hughie Hughes, Ralph De Palma  and even Barney Oldfield who had been declared as ineligible by the AAA for organizing unsanctioned races. This article was published May 18, 1911.
Tetzlaff Crashes

This article focuses on the accident of Teddy Tetzlaff when a steering knuckle on his Lozier racer broke and he crashed into the wall. The article was published May 19, 1911.
Mulford Drives Race Car to Indy From Detroit

This package contains two articles reporting odd sidelights to preparations for the first Indianapolis 500. One example has Bob Burman driving on the Long Island Motor Parkway in New York at speeds exceeding 80 mph - at midnight! He was testing a new Remy electric product, a headlight. Also, Ralph Mulford is reported to have driven from Detroit to Indianapolis in his Lozier race car. His wife Dolly rode in the riding mechanic's seat.
Oldfield's Odds on the First 500

This package contains five articles, all providing tremendous color to the events leading up to the first Indianapolis 500. One article describes preparations for time trials, another provides a frist hand account of Bob Burman's world land speed record run where he claimed attaining speeds of 155 mph in the Blitzen Benz. Another article is in poetic style, comparing the Indianapolis 500 to the chariot races of Ben Hur. Best of all, though, is Barney Oldfield's predictions of best bets to win the first Indianapolis 500.
Jagersburger Crashes Case Entry

This package contains an article that describes how the concrete wall served to keep errant cars on the running surface after blowing tires. Case driver Joe Jagersburger was one of the drivers to smack the wall. A sidebar story talks about a special train carrying 300 fans from Cleveland. There is also an image of Ralph De Palma with a cutline. This material was published on May 22, 1911.
Spencer Wishart Tops Speed Charts

This article from May 24, 1911 reports on practice runs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for the first Indianapolis 500. Spencer Wishart, son of a millionaire Wall Street investor George Wishart, headed the speed charts with a lap at 84.90 mph.

This folder has three articles focusing on the fortunes of Indianapolis automobile companies in the summer of 1910. One article talks about Marmon as well as Moon Motor Company plans to enter the Elgin, Illinois road race. Another article reports on Marmon’s racing plans for the coming season in 1911. A third article focus on the Premier Automobile Company.

Elgin Road Race Entries

This article discusses the entries for the Elgin, Illinois road races, the main event of which was the Elgin National Trophy.