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.

Editorial Cartoon - Economic Impact

This editorial cartoon from the June 1, 1911 Indianapolis News poses the question to John and Jane Q. Public, "Did you see any of the estimated $500,000 spent by visitors to the city for the big 500-mile race?" The insinuation, apparently, is that all that cash was exchanged between "fat cats." The cartoon illustrates that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was big business to the city from the very moment it was born. There was a sense of extraordinary destiny to the place and its importance to Indianapolis - right from the beginning.
Wild Bob Burman Named to Drive Benz

Renowned auto racing promoter Ernie Moross made much of entering "Wild" Bob Burman to drive one of his two new Benz imports for the first Indianapolis 500.
Louis Chevrolet Buick Relief Driver

Although Lewis Chevrolet had retired from auto racing to form the Chevrolet Motor Company with William Durant in 1911, the sense of grandeur about the first Indianapolis 500 compelled him to throw his hat in the ring as a relief driver. At first he considered the Buick team, and then later he offered his services to Amplex. None of those cars would last long enough in the race for a relief driver to be necessary.
 
Hero: "Farmer" Bill Endicott

This package contains an interesting item about "Farmer" Bill Endicott at a May 13, 1911 race at Latonia, a track near Cincinnati. Endicott was praised for keeping his head when entangled in a multi-car pile-up at the start of the race. He dashed down the backstretch to warn race leaders of the cars blocking the track. Boy, did these guys need a yellow-light system!
Romance at the First Indy 500

These items from the May 14, 1911 Indianapolis Star are of great human interest. First there is the story of Louis Disbrow, who drove his "firey red" Pope-Hartford racer over 1,000 miles from Hartford, Connecticut to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to drive it in the first Indianapolis 500.
Harry Grant and the ALCO

Harry Grant was one of the most understated drivers of the early days.
Harroun Background

This article provides an image of Ray Harroun as well as a brief biographical sketch of the first winner of the Indianapolis 500. Among other things, the article talks about his founding of an aircraft business and his family history dating back to Arabia and then their moves to Ireland, and, finally, America.
Intense Practice for First Indy 500

This collection of articles is particularly interesting. It covers practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23, 1911.
Joe Horan Breaks Leg in Practice

This article package was published in the May 25, 1911 Indianapolis Star. It focuses on Joe Horan's practice accident on May 24, 1911. Horan was driving the #12 Amplex, an ill-fated machine that may have been wrecked by Art Greiner during the first Indianapolis 500 (although there is information indicating it was not), causing the death of riding mechanic Sam Dickson.
Drivers Prepare for First Time Trials

This article presents an interesting report on how drivers prepared on the final day of practice before the first time tirals for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This article was published the morning of the time trial day, May 26, 1911, in the Indianapolis Star.