Scoring Controversy - First Indy 500

This is a very interesting article published June 1, 1911 in the Indianapolis Star. The report describes how AAA and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials reviewed records until 3 a.m. following the first running of the Indianapolis 500 to sort out the final finishing order. This was particularly significant for the first 10 finishers because these were the only paying positions.
 
The headline was that Joe Dawson, who originally not credited with finishing the race, was given credit for fifth place after a review indicated that he completed the full 200 laps. While in recent years there have been questions about controversy over whether or not Mulford actually won the race, the newspapers of the time cast the spotlight on the question of the second and third finishing positions. The confusion was triggered by the lap 87 home stretch wreck that distracted timers and scorers.
 
A couple of interesting sidelights to the race this article points to are: 1) Among the scoring records was a dictaphone recording that actually produced audio recordings of the first Indianapolis 500. According to the article, sounds of people cheering and cars roaring were distinct in the background as scorers spoke the names of drivers and car numbers into the device. I have to wonder what ever happened to that data and how fantastic it would be to have it. 2) George Wright, a big fan from Dallas, Texas named his son, who was born May 31, 1911, "Ray Harroun Wright." Now, wouldn't it be interesting to learn whatever became of that young man?
 
Finally, it is worth noting that there are additional articles the describe the departure of various teams and their next destinations. An additional item quotes Carl Fisher affirming that there would be no additional racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the rest of the year.

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