Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-10
BARNEY OLDFIELD
PLANS TO RETIRE
Race at Uniontown on July
l8 May Mark His Last
Appearance
OLDEST in THE SPORT

Barney Oldfeld. the Master Driver"
has decided to retire from active parti-
cipation in automobile racing. and that
he will make his last appearance on any
speedway in the big event at the Union
town Speedway on July 1S.
Patrons of the Uniontown track will
learn with regret the Barney Oldfield
has decided to quit the racing game, but
they are, rejoicing over the fact that
they were to be given one more oppor-
tunty to watch and cheer for the "Old
Master" before he relinquishes his grip
upon the wheel of his Golden Sub
marine.
Oldfield is the oldest man IN the coun-
try still actively engaged in automobile
racing. He has been in the business
virtually ever since it became sport
and has made record which is the
envy of all he, rivals. He has seen seven
teen consecutive years of the automobile
racing game and has had all sorts of
peculiar and hair-raising experiences.
Idol Of young America
Barney has provided thrills for mil
lions of misunderstanding people and
has probably been watched in action
by more >,)ersons than any other driver.
He Is the idol of Young America" in
whom he has always taken more than a
mere passing interest Els passion is to
become acquainted with every youngster
he secs and to shake hands with
him.
Barney is n busy man, but he has
on his list of regular correspondents
scores OF youthful friends who have
made his acquaintance at the various
tracks at which he has appeared. and
who have refused tC allow that acqua int
6nce to end.
The "Old Master is an artist at the
auto game. and. like most people of
rare accomplishments along a certain
line. is inclined to be temperamental.
He has been termed extremely hard to
handle, and in his career on the track
has had many different managers. For
several years he has been under the
direction of the capable bill" Pickens,
who seems to understand his nature and
appreciate his fcibles more than any
other man.
Oldfeld is at present the holder of
all dirt track records up to twenty-five
miles. On the big board tracks he has
not been quite so successful, and his eN-
periences at Uniontown have been of
such a nature that he is determined to
make a good showing in the Independ-
, ence Auto Derby On July IS, and thus
wipe out the memory of several singing
defeats he has suffered there.
Barney was in the Liberty sweep
stakes at Uniontown on May Is, and
was unable to finish the course. How
ever, he did not depart without honor
on that day, as he met Louie Chevrolet
the famous Frenchman. in n match race
which gave him the title of speedway
champion. He has informed the Union
town management that he wants to drive
his last race on the track that gave
him his title.
Will Sell Tires
Oldfeld plans to retire to his home In
Los Angeles and his lucrative tire bust
ness, The automobile game has beer
good to the veteran and he is said to
have amassed fortune of at least a
quarter of a million dollars from his
activities
Oldfield has competed in practically
every race meet held at the local. track
since 1t was opened, and he has made a
host of friends not only in Uniontown
but throughout western Pennsylvania
It is expected that the fact that his
coming race at Uniontown is to be his
last anywhere will bring out all his
admirers on July IS.
President c. w. Johnson, Of the Speed.
way Association, has been busy during
the last few weeks lining up entrants
for the coming meet and a complete list
OF the starters In the big 100-lap race
will be announced shortly. 1t is already
certain that the field viii be one Of the
classiest that has ever competed here
and that patrons of the track will be
treated to some thrilling sport. There
are six events on the card, and every
one of them is regarded as a special
feature.