In 1905 the biggest, most important auto race in the world was the James Gordon Bennett Cup. Bennett, the mercurial Paris editor of the New York Herald, was an avid sportsman enthused by horses, gas balloons, airplanes, and race cars. He loved celebrating them in competition and becoming the center of attention by awarding the triumphant with trophies carrying his name.
 

Ray Harroun and Carl Fisher were both born on January 12. Fisher in 1874, Harroun in 1879. Click thru if you're ready for the largest treasure trove of information on these two terrific auto racing pioneers in the world! 

On this day 108 years ago one of the strangest auto races in history took place. The venue was a dirt track in Sheepshead Bay, New York and the featured characters were America’s first auto racing superstar, Barney Oldfield, and Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion.

The New York newspapermen dubbed Joe Dawson "The Indiana Whirlwind" after the 21-year-old stormed to the front of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup with something less than 50 miles remaining to the finish.