There was never a time when the technology and momentum of automobiles, aircraft, and motorcycles were more intertwined than at the dawn of the 20th Century. The most enthusiastic auto racing fans and historians understand that the fundamental technology of the day — the internal combustion engine — enabled a number of applications in industrial machines, airplanes, automobiles, and agriculture. The possibilities seemed endless to people with the ability to think big.

Talk about Max Verstappen today, but 17-year-old Charlie Merz was the wunderkind phenom of American racing in 1905. Partnered with Indiana favorite son Jap Clemens — who was born during the Civil War — the two drivers spanned generations to partner in a brilliant drive to set the new 24-hour speed and distance records 112 years ago this month on the Indiana State Fairgrounds oval.

Easily one of the most impressive race cars - worldwide - of the first decade of the 20th century was known as the "Blitzen Benz." Unfortunately, few of even the most dedicated race fans today have heard of this groundbreaking masterpiece of engineering

Edgar Apperson and his brother Elmer were partners with Elwood Haynes in an automobile business in the 1890's. They were affiliated with one of the nine cars entered in America's first auto race, the 1895 Chicago Times-Herald race held on Thanksgiving Day. 
 
The car was a Haynes-Apperson, the product of a small business that had been founded in 1894. By 1901 the partnership was dissolved and the Appersons formed the Apperson Automobile Company in Kokomo, Indiana.