The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-24
OLheh Has ConfdenceM
 Larry Stone
By BARNEY oLDFIELD

Written Especially for The Age-HeraId
 Doping out winners of an auto race in advance is much like playing the bank at Monte Carlo-you never can tell.
 In some ways it is like a coach of a certain team picking out an all-American or all-state eleven. They always place at least fuor or five of their own team on the mythical eleven.
 have no axes to grind, although I am now out of auto racing and into the automobile tire making business. So l am not going to say that "so and SCI racing on such land such" tires will win the event, for l might be fooled
 One thing is certain. That is when Duesenbergs. Benzs, Chevrolets and Rajos and the like are in race you. are slated for some classy competition and some new records.
 Ycu know me
 Ever since I pushed the throttle on the Winton Bullet, the Green Dragon, the Blitzen Benz and the Golden Egg, have been for the boys who hit the dangerous dirt track trails
 l drove all the way from Cleveland to Toledo last spring and had the pleasure or seeing Stone crack the track record. I felt the lure, but I SUCK to the pleasure cars now, for I believe In really retiring when I re- tire
 
 News that the Bike are conducting the biggest dirt track race meet to be reid In the south does sort of bring a hankertng to be behind the wheel of one of the speed buggies for me, but my decision to make the race track memory and my business a real live thing of the present has kept me off the race course this season. The fact that I won most of my laurels on the dirt tracks of the country naturally gives me preference to dirt track racing
 Many people have asked me whom considered the Illogical successor as a dirt track driver. Personally I have never made an outright statement. Larry Stone. who was my former teammate, has certainly loomed up in recent years
 1 have been asked to give my ideas on the logical winners at the Birming- ham meet. Without prejudice, I should say that Larry Stone in the Duesen- berg has the best chance of all the famous dirt track stars who have en- tered to line up at the starters tape The last race of my career was against the Duesenberg, and I will say that the graceful golden streak of speed gave me one of the closest calls of my career. The fact the 'Duesey" was on my heels at the finish proves that l.. However. with Jack Walters, the speedy Canadian, entered Stone, had better look to his laurels. Walters Gashes into curves always careful of the other fellow, but careless of him. self
 Fred Barnes Peugeot Blue is one of the speediest cars in the game. and just who Barnes will elect to drive it will make a factor in the races Chevrolet No. 10, designed by Ray Harroun. is conceived only for speed, and should be a veritable demon on the Birmingham course. Robinson in his Severin has only one chance, as I figure it, and that will be on heavy track. The Texans Severin is very much like muddy day horse on the race track and will certainly be one to figure with on long distance event with muddy track. This is also where Ray Rountree and the Essex No. will have their chance, as the Essex is known to be a car which will stand a long grill. The fact that the "Duesey'' has shown it's best on 25- | milo hikes is an argument in it's be- half for the 25-mile derby. Cleo Searles in the Rajo No. 2 will be a figure to contend with, as the Iowan 1 is one of the most persistent, careful and carefree drivers who ever held a drivers license.
 With Ralph Hankinson at the helm, I am sure that everything will be run off with precision. Hankinson pro- noted the last race meet in which I competed. benefit affair. which netted | the war workers a handsome sum.
 took in that fight is fact that never