The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-05-17
BY VERN BOXELL
Times Stan Writer

INDlANAPoLIS - say,
that's where they hold
the big 50O-mile race every
year, isn't it? Sure, every
body knows about Indian
apolis and the 500. Who do
you think will win this
year,
In Paris. Berlin, London, Milan,
Buenos Aires - any place you
choose-just mention you're from
indianapolis, and that's the an
swer you get And right here in
the United States, be it Podunk or
New York, it's the same.
That's the progress of Indian
apolis Motor Speedway from a
campfire dream" in 1907 to an
annual international sporting
classic today that draws 10000
thrill-seeking fans through the
turnstiles every May 30.
It was Carl Fisher who first
suggested a big automobile rae
ing plant for Indianapolis. He ex-
planned his idea to three friends
huddled around a hobo fire at
tire State Playground while famous
daredevils of by-gone days pilot
ed Indianapolis-made National
cars around the dirt track there in
a 24-hour test race.
Fishers dream appealed to the
sporting blood of Arthur Newly,
who had built the famous Newly
Oval of bicycle days. Frank
Wheeler, chilled by the night
breeZes, looked at the moon and
said nothing. James A. Allison,
the third listener, suggested it
might be a good idea to go back
to the little shack and stuff some
more Prest-O-Lite tanks. And
so the dream rested for two years
until all four of these men had
amassed fortunes in the automo-
bile industry.
IT was in 1909 that the fireside
Il dream became a reality, and a
Observation-Disclosures oval, sur
faced with macadam and tar. was
built. The first races were short
stunts for varying prizes and
purses. They were not success
full, either from a financial or
amusement standpoint, and the
dreamers were more than a little
discouraged.
In 1910 the track was resur-
faced with bricks-3,200,000 of
them. the same over which the
worlds fastest chauffeurs will
hurtle trim little speed creations
this Memorial Day.
Then in 1911 came the first in
ternational 500-mile classic. 1t
was an awe-inspiring announce
ment, involving a prize of $4,000,
a new high for sporting event
purses. T. E. Pop) Myers was
named manager of the track. and
today still serves as vice preSi-
dent and general manager of the
biggest racing event in the world.
Col Eddie Rickenbacker, former
racing driver and World War ace,
is now the president.
The first 500-mile race was won
by an Indianapolis-made car, a
Marmon, driven by Ray Harroun,
who averaged 7479 miles an hour.
Joe Dawson brought a National
under the wire first in 1912. This
race was such success both from
the promoters and spectators
standpoint that the purse was
raised from S25 900 to $4,000.
BY this time the motor car
manufacturers of the world began
to take notice of the event. In
1913, contingent of foreign cars
and pilots invaded the field. Jules
Goux in a French Puget won in
1913 and started series of for
eign triumphs that went unbroken
OAAtA 40@O. NAlCl odoOOl1 SllCNIO-
let drove an Indianapolis-made
Monroe to victory.
q q
DRIES have mounted with the
Il higher speeds until the total
prize money offered is estimated
at 100000. Since 1911. it is esti-
mated that the Indianapolis
Speedway has paid out 81 ,230,800
in prize money.
Spectators vino come from far