The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-14
EXCITING SPEEDWAY RACES DISTINGUISH FAIRS CLOSING DAY Oldfield and Chevrolet Draw Immense Crowds for
 the Finale | OFFICIALS PLATED OVER GREAT SUCCESS Generally Conceded That the Best Free Attractions Ever Of
 fered Were Provided
 This Year

Covered with glory, red clay dust and "shekels," Barney Oldfield and Louis Chevrolet said good-by to record break ing crowd at the Alabama State Fair grounds yesterday afternoon. following the three races, the big end of which went to Oldfield, local favorite. The race featured the final day of the most suc- cessful state fair in history
 Oldfield took the second race, 15 miles, in 14:09. the third, 10 miles. in flat. while the first race of 10 miles went to Chevrolet in 7:7. The races were thrill CTS, the two last ones being won by Bar ney by wheels length. The crowd had spasms of joy as the big benz wagons numbered by kicking up dust enough to kill hundred thousand people, allowing the proverbial peck to the man.
 The track was in bad shape at each end where the turns had to be made, and it looked like for awhile the races would be slow, but the two old heads of the auto racing game, Oldfield and Chev- rolet-the oldest in the business-poured in the gas and yanked speed enough from the engines of their speed demons to cause hats to raise and breaths to come quick.
 BIGGEST CROWD IN HISTORY
 Never before in the history of the Ala bama State Fair has such crowd of humanity spared for seeing room. , For a half mile up and down the track, they were damned against the fence rail, in front of the grandstand, the inner field being crowded, and every seat in the grandstand taken. Such a sea oi humanity has never before been tolleo through pay-as-you-enter gate in this city by any one attraction. The old timers in the auto racing game brought home the bacon in setting a new high attendance record.
 All day long the crowd was going to the fair until you got there, for every where you looked you saw them going. but after you got there they Were com ing all the rest of the day, for every time you looked they filed in the turn stiles. And still they came It was revelation to the fair management, as all last days of previous fairs have been looked forward to as very un- happy ending to perfect week. Yes- terdav changed the dope" entirely. how ever.
 USUAL ATTRACTIONS
 The usual attractions of free acts pre- ceded the races, and every one enjoyed the offerings immensely, the Beilclaire brothers being the favorites with the Arah troupe next, while the dog ana horse act was splendid. There was ho curtailment of the programme last night. every act being carried out just the same as every other night
 Oldfield's Golden Submarine-that IS his official racing car-attracted much attention in view Of It's pecunar ess shell shape. The car Is completely en- closed and in case of an accident, the car rolling over, Oldfleld believes that if would protect the driver The driver sees through a grating in the front of the car The small boys and men hero worshipers-followe the big win ner around after the race In grand style. admiring his car for moment, then gazing longingly and long at the master driver himself Chevrolet was not the favorite in Birmingham that Oldfeld was, for Oldfeld was making his third racing trip to Birmingnain'
 
 It was generally conceded that the Alabama State Fair has given the pub- lie the best attractions this year that the association has ever offered the people, especially in the free acts that have been served to those attending, and while everyone may not know it, the acts were the most expensive ever brought here, and cost the fair man agement a bunch of money.
 SPLENDID PUBLICITY
 In a large measure the success of the fair is attributed to the splendid publicity given the attractions, and inc splendid manner in which the pub- lie was kept informed as to the acts for each day giving special effort to make each day distinct, success, by putting on a special drive for each days record. Publicity Manager B. H. Mooney was being congratulated yes- terday on the splendid flash that he has kept before the public throughout the fair week. MT. Mooney believes that advertising every day is the way to keep before the people, and he prac- ticed at this fair what he breaches. and it worked out most successfully.
 The fair management Is elated over the success of the 1917 fair, beyond expression, and it is generally con- ceeded that the attendance has out classed all records for any six days of the state fair ever yet recorded.
 The fair closed at 12 o'clock last night, and immediately the midway. the exhibitors, the concession people and the members of the various troupes putting on acts began to tear up their tents pack away their belongings and get on board for the next stop. which is New Orleans.
 Today the fair grounds will begin to take on that gloomy appearance that will characterize 1t for the next II months-until the next fair in 1918. RE-EXAMINED MEN
 TO C0 T0 CAMp pTKE