Aitken 3rd in Wheeler-Schebler

This image of driver Johnny Aitken orginally appeared as a photo in the May 29, 1910 Indianapolis Star. The photo supported an article reporting on the race results for the second day of racing (May 28) for the May 1910 race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These races were part of the Memorial Day Weekend that included "national championships," a newly-announced distinction by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for select race meets. Car manufacturers were keen to make a great showing. 
 
Check out other articles that provide additional summaries on the results of the races staged the previous day (May 27). You can also find an article published May 28 that set the stage for the day's program elsewhere on First Super Speedway.
 
The Star ran several articles on racing at the new Brickyard the previous day. I suggest you reference them to attain a more complete picture of this incredible day of racing.

• C.E. Shuart's report focusing on the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy.
• H.G. Deupree's report on record-breaking speed.
• May 28 Weather Report.
• Event card for May 28.

 
The fifth, final and feature race of the day was the $10,000 Wheeler-Schebler Trophy. The first three finishers were:  Ray Harroun (Marmon "Wasp"); Leigh Lynch (Jackson); Johnny Aitken (National "60"). Winning time: 2:46.31.00. This was a new American speedway record for the distance. 
 
Aitken was praised for his third-place effort in the National stock car, clearly no match for the purpose-built Marmon. He was well up in the front half of the field throughout the contest, running as low as seventh but never higher than third according to the best information. At one point he blew a tire and had to limp almost the entire length of the course on a rim to get to his pit. 
 
Aitken was credited with delivering an inspired performance despite setbacks. He was forced to stop three times to replace spark plugs and tires. In his efforts to make up time he may have been the fastest car on the track, passing Harroun to earn back one of his lost laps. He lapped second-place finisher Leigh Lynch in the Jackson twice but was simply too far behind to advance beyond third.