ca. 1921. This is race car driver Tom Alley with his thick wavy hair blowing in the wind. He made his first trip to the Pacific Coast to race in the 250-mile July 4, 1921, event at the Tacoma Speedway. Nine cars, including Mr. Alley's #27 Frontenac, qualified by running at least 90 mph. Tommy Milton in his #2 Durant Special came from behind in a field of fast drivers during the latter half of the long race to win for the second straight year but had to set a new Tacoma long-distance race record to do so. His time of 2 hours, 34 minutes, 30 seconds, averaging 98 mph, was nearly three miles an hour faster than the 225-mile race of 1920. Tom Alley came in fifth with a time of 2:39:44 and averaging 93.90 mph. He earned $1,500 and 50 championship points. Only one car was mechanically disabled during the race, that of Alton Soules, and there were no accidents or reported injuries. (Copy by Boland of photo by W. A. Hughes) (TNT 6-23-21, p. 15; TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-results)

Alley, Tom; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

ca. 1920. Veteran early race car driver and "Grand Old Man" of racing, Barney Oldfield was in Tacoma in July of 1920 to serve as pacesetter for the Tacoma Classic on the 5th. He was photographed with his signature cigar behind the wheel of an automobile. During his career as a driver, Oldfield broke speed records, won match races and put on exhibitions. A consummate showman, he helped develop the image of auto racing as dangerous and exotic and its drivers as outlaws, and made a fortune doing it. His name became synonymous with the sport. He retired in 1918 from racing, but continued public appearances. He died in 1946. (TDL 7/4/1920, pg. 1C) Speedway 082

Oldfield, Barney; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobile drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

ca. 1920. Race car driver Joe Thomas, circa 1920. The world of early automobile racing had a high mortality rate. Local boy Joe Thomas, born in Aberdeen (then called Grays Harbor City) in 1890, was able to avoid fatal crashes and live to the ripe old age of 75, dying in 1965. Although he was forced out of the race in 1920 with a broken piston and finished eighth, he would race at the Tacoma Speedway many times before it closed in 1922. After his racing days were over, he would return to Tacoma in the late 1930's to serve as director for the State Vehicle Inspection Station. Speedway 074 (TNT 6/29/1920)

Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Thomas, Joe;

ca. 1920. Eddie O'Donnell (right) and his mechanic pictured in his Duesenberg #10 on an unidentified brick track. They would be in town on July 5th 1920 to race at the Tacoma Speedway. Although O'Donnell had been racing for several years, he was a new face at the Speedway. The 225 mile 1920 "Tacoma Classic" offered a winning purse of $22,500. The new grandstands allowed 15,000 fans to view the race comfortably from the stands when O'Donnell was the 8th, and last man, to finish the race, by driving fellow racer Eddie Miller's car. O'Donnell had graciously offered his car to Ralph DePalma, whose car was not running at race time. Eddie O'Donnell would die tragically later in 1920 from injuries sustained in a crash on November 25th. Gaston Chevrolet and Eddie O'Donnell collided with one another during the Thanksgiving Day Beverly Hills Speedway Classic race. Chevrolet was killed along with O'Donnell and mechanic Lyall Jolls. (TNT 6/19/1920, pg. 10; 6/30/1920, pg. 18) Speedway 042

O'Donnell, Eddie; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1920. In July of 1920, lots of eyes at the Tacoma Speedway were on novice driver Jimmy Murphy, mechanic Ernie Olson and his Duesenberg. He was in Tacoma for the July 5, 1920, 225 mile Classic after winning the first race of the season, the inaugural at the Beverly Hills Ca. board track. Murphy raced for the Duesenberg team that had taken him on as a mechanic in 1916 and promoted him to driver in 1919. He finished 6th in the Tacoma Classic in his #12 Duesenberg. Jimmy Murphy was the shooting star of racing during his short 4 year and 9 month career, named National Racing Champion in 1922 and 1924. He was killed in a crash at Syracuse, New York, in September of 1924. (Jimmy Ralstin's Racing Home Page; www.ddavid.com/formula1/; TDL 7/6/1920, pg. 1; TNT 6/30/1920, pg. 18) Speedway 047

Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Murphy, Jimmy; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1920. This is speed king Jimmy Murphy (at left) with his mechanic, Ernie Olson, on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway circa the summer of 1920. He had entered the 9th annual race as a newcomer to the Pacific Northwest but had already started to establish himself as a rising star in the world of auto racing. He and his mechanic are standing in front of his Duesenberg, one of four entered in the July 5th race. The 1920 Tacoma race was filled with veteran well-known drivers including 1920 Indy 500 winner Gaston Chevrolet, NW favorite Eddie Hearne, Roscoe Sarles, Eddie O'Donnell, Ralph DePalma, Cliff Durant, Ralph Mulford and the eventual winner, Tommy Milton. Mr. Murphy drove well and finished sixth, claiming a payday of $1,100. In 1922 he returned to the Tacoma Speedway and won the last big race held there. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 6-20-20, 3B-article; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-results)

Murphy, Jimmy; Automobile racing drivers; Olson, Ernie; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile;

The grand old man of racing Barney Oldfield posed with thirteen drivers on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway prior to the race on July 4th 1922. The 1922 Speedway Classic would turn out to be the last auto race held on the track. It was closed at the end of 1922. Only ten of the drivers would actually compete in the race. Oldfield led the pack as Pacemaker. Pictured, left to right, are Jimmy Murphy, Tommy Milton, unidentified, Frank Elliott, Roscoe Sarles, Jerry Wanderlich, Harry Hartz, Joe Thomas, unidentified, Barney Oldfield, unidentified, Eddie Hearne, Cliff Durant and Ralph Mulford. TPL-3177

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1920. Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Howard "Howdy" Wilcox was photographed for his official Speedway picture in 1920 by local photographer Coburn. He is seated in a Peugeot along with his "mechanician." Mr. Wilcox made eleven starts at Indy from 1911-1923 with a stellar five top ten finishes, including his 1919 triumph. He entered the eleventh and last Tacoma Speedway long distance race in 1922 to vie for total prize money of $25,000 and more importantly, race with his compatriots Jimmy Murphy, Ralph Mulford,Tommy Milton, Cliff Durant, Roscoe Sarles and others. It was Mr. Wilcox's first visit to Tacoma but his Peugeot Special did not have quite enough to win the event. He ended up fifth with average speed of 90.8 mph, behind eventual winner Murphy, Milton, Sarles and Wonderlich. (copy of Coburn photograph made by Marvin Boland) (www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com-stats; TDL 7-5-22, p. 1-results)

Wilcox, Howard Samuel; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis, IN);

ca. 1922. Driving icon Barney Oldfield, hat in hand and cigar in mouth, posed with the nine driving mechanics, or "mechanicians," who would accompany the world class racers at the 11th and final Tacoma Speedway long distance race in July of 1922. Harlan Fengler, who rode with Californian Harry Hartz, is third from left next to Mr. Oldfield and Terry Curley is seated, extreme left, front row. Others were not identified. TPL-2743; TPL-3169

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Oldfield, Barney; Fengler, Harlan; Curley, Terry;

ca. 1920. Eddie O'Donnell (left) and mechanic Lyall Jolls pose in front of a Duesenberg race car at the Tacoma Speedway circa the summer of 1920. The Duesenberg team brought four cars for the 225-mile race driven by nationally known race stars Tommy Milton, Jimmy Murphy, Edward Miller and Mr. O'Donnell. Teammates Milton, Murphy and O'Donnell had finished 1-2-3 at the Uniontown, Pennsylvania 225-mile race a few weeks prior to the July 5th Tacoma event. Tommy Milton was the victor in Tacoma while driving his #10 Duesenberg at a blistering pace, the fastest then set for the long race at the Speedway. Race car drivers were a tight fraternity; Eddie O'Donnell generously gave up his ride on a Duesenberg to Ralph DePalma, whose Ballot broke down before the race. Mr. O'Donnell then hopped onto teammate Eddie Miller's ride and Mr. Miller served as mechanic. They finished last of the eight cars remaining in the race. Mr. O'Donnell's car had qualified at a 98 mph clip so it says much of the spirit of camaraderie that he gave up the car to a competitor so that the crowds jammed into the Speedway would not be disappointed at the non-appearance of this international star. Both Mr. O'Donnell and Mr. Jolls died later in 1920 of injuries incurred in the November, 1920 Beverly Hills Speedway Classic. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-20-20, 3B-article; TDL 7-3-20, p. 1-article; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results)

O'Donnell, Eddie; Jolls, Lyall; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile;

ca. 1920. Racing sensation Jimmy Murphy poses next to his Duesenberg race car #12 at the Tacoma Speedway, circa 1920. Murphy has been named the driver of the decade for Championship cars, 1920-1929, claiming 19 victories from 1920-24. He went to work for Duesenberg as a mechanic on his 21st birthday in 1916. He burst on the racing world as a driver in 1920, winning his very first major race in Beverly Hills, Ca. He is most famous for his 1922 Indy 500 win and for being the first American to win the French Grand Prix, in 1921. Jimmy Murphy was a familiar face in Tacoma, racing at the Classic in 1920, where he finished sixth and 1922, which he won. He was killed in a crash at the Syracuse, N.Y., racetrack in September of 1924. Speedway-044 (TDL 7/2/1922, pg. C-1, C-6)

Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Murphy, Jimmy; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1921. Auto racer Roscoe Sarles and unidentified driver/"mechanician" with Richlube Motor Oil. The motor oil was manufactured by the Richfield Oil Co., Los Angeles. 1921 was the second year that Mr. Sarles had ventured to the Tacoma Speedway to compete with racing colleagues such as Eddie Hearne, Tommy Milton, Joe Thomas and Eddie Pullen. Mr. Milton passed Mr. Sarles on the home stretch after the 200-mile mark and beat him by a mere 22 seconds. For his second place finish, Mr. Sarles accepted $5000 and 260 championship points. (TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-article on results) TPL-3175

Sarles, Roscoe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile equipment & supplies;

ca. 1921. Speed king Eddie Hearne watches as fellow driver Harry Hartz pours Richlube Motor Oil in Mr. Hearne's vehicle. Richlube Motor Oil was manufactured by the Richfield Oil Co. of California. This photograph may have been taken around 1920 or 1921 at the Tacoma Speedway. Both years Mr. Hearne drove a white Revere.

Hearne, Eddie; Hartz, Harry; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies;

Automotive legend Louis Chevrolet, standing, looked on as race car driver Joe Thomas tinkered with his Monroe racing car at the Tacoma Speedway on July 2, 1920. Thomas' riding mechanic, Marcel Treyvoux, leans against the car. Local boy Thomas, from Seattle, had just qualified for the 225 mile Tacoma Classic by driving at speeds up to 96 mph. He was a veteran, experienced driver, having been recruited by famed Barney Oldfield in 1907 for an exhibition in Seattle where the high schooler drove a Franklin. He later became Eddie Pullen's mechanic on the Mercer team and started driving himself in 1916. Louis Chevrolet was an early successful race car driver with 27 major wins to his record. He was also a design genius, creating the first Chevrolet with W.C. Durant and Frontenac race cars with his brothers, Gaston and Arthur. In 1920, he was working with Monroe to design a race car, which his brother Gaston drove to victory in the 1920 Indianapolis 500. (TDL 7/3/1920, pg. 2; TNT 7-1-20, p. 11-article) TPL-092, Speedway 016

Chevrolet, Louis; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Thomas, Joe; Treyvoux, Marcel;

Race car driver Roscoe Sarles, circa 1920. Although he had been a familiar face at major races for the past five years, Sarles made his first appearance at the Tacoma Speedway during the July 5th, 1920 race. He raced a Monroe, numbered "5," and finished fifth in the race. Two years later, in September of 1922, Sarles was killed in an accident at the Kansas City Speedway when he collided with Pete Depaola's car on the 110th lap and plunged over the edge of the track. Speedway 101 (TNT 6/24/1920, pg. 19)

Sarles, Roscoe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1921. Eddie Miller shown pouring Richlube Motor Oil into his Duesenberg race car circa 1921. His jacket bears the name of his team, Duesenberg, on the front and back. This was Mr. Miller's first appearance as a driver in Tacoma. He rode as a "mechanician" with Eddie O'Donnell as driver in his own car in 1920. Known as a skilled mechanic, he had built 23 cars and had ridden as a "mechanician" with six different drivers. He finished in sixth place in 1921's 225-mile long distance race at the Tacoma Speedway, earning $1000 and 35 championship points. (TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-results; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-3-21, C-3-small article on Mr. Miller)

Miller, Edward; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies; Duesenberg automobile; Racing automobiles--1920-1930;

Twenty thousand race fans crowded into the covered grandstands of the Tacoma Speedway to watch the July 4, 1921 Speedway Classic. The drivers, mechanics and race officials stand on the board track prior to the start of the 250 mile race. The race cars are lined up on the track three abreast, with the Marmon Speedster pace car in the lead. In the front row are, left to right, #6 Roscoe Sarles' Duesenberg, #1 Eddie Hearne's Revere Special and #3 Frank Elliott's Leach Special. Middle row: #5 Joe Thomas's Duesenberg, #7 Eddie Miller's car, #2 Tommy Milton's Durant Special. Last row: #27 Tom Alley's Frontenac, #12 Anton Soules' Frontenac, #21 Eddie Pullen's Duesenberg. The crowd was treated to an exciting race where Tommy Milton repeated his win of the previous year, breaking all distance speed records with an average speed of 98 mph. He completed the race in 2:34:00, followed closely by Sarles at 2:34:52. (TDL 7/2/1921 - 7/5/21, all pg. 1) G51.1-081

Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Grandstands--Lakewood;

On July 4, 1921, some of the cars participating in the 10th annual Speedway Classic are lined up on the board track. In the lead is #27 Tom Alley's Frontenac followed by #1 Eddie Hearne's big white Revere Special. The Marmon Speedster pace car, which would be driven by Ray Harroun, brings up the rear. In the background is the judge's viewing tower. Twenty thousand fans turned out to cheer on the 9 drivers in the 250 mile race. The drivers finished in the following order: Milton, Sarles, Thomas, Hearne, Alley and Miller. Pullen and Elliott were flagged off the track at the completion of the race. Soules did not complete the race, leaving on the 61st lap with a blown piston. (TDL 7/5/1921, pg. 1) G51.1-067

Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racing automobiles--1920-1930;

ca. 1921. Informal close-up portrait of auto racer, Eddie Miller. Mr. Miller, part of the powerful four-car Duesenberg team, paid his third visit to Tacoma's Speedway in 1921. He picked up his bride from back East before arriving in Tacoma in late June, following the path laid by his former teammate, Tommy Milton, who had done the same before winning the 1920 Tacoma race. Eddie Miller in his #7 Duesenberg came in sixth in 1921 with a time of 2:39:55 and average mph of 93.70. He earned $1000 and 35 championship points. Mr. Miller was credited in building 23 cars. Before piloting a car himself, he had riden as a "mechanician" with six drivers. Eddie Miller had been on every speedway in the United States, traveling over 23,000 miles in racing cars alone. (TNT 6-30-21, p. 15; TDL 7-3-21, C-3-article; TNT 7-5-21, p. 1, 2-results) G52.1-060

Miller, Edward; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

On July 4, 1921, at 2:30 in the afternoon, the flag dropped starting the 10th annual Tacoma Speedway Classic. Nine drivers had entered the 250 mile race. It was driven on Tacoma's infamous board track and had a purse of $25,000, to be divided nine ways. On the right is the pace car, a Marmon Speedster, carrying referee Eddie Rickenbacker and pace maker Ray Harroun. The car would pace the drivers for one lap before the race actually took off. Rickenbacker was a former star of the race track and a famous ace of the air and Harroun was also a veteran driver. Harroun was a last minute replacement for Louis Chevrolet. The car on the left of the pace car is #6, the Duesenberg driven by Roscoe Sarles. Sarles had earned the pole position by driving at the top speed of 101 mph during the trials. The race was won by favorite Tommy Milton. Milton broke all speed records for distance with his average speed of 98 mph. (TDL 7/4/1921, pg. 1; 7/5/21, pg. 1) G51.1-082

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930;

The grandstands being rebuilt at the Tacoma Speedway in May of 1920. In March, before the beginning of racing season, a firebug started a blaze that wiped out 3/4 of the grandstands at the Speedway. The fire was ruled an arson and the Speedway had no insurance. The future of the racetrack was in doubt. $100,000 was raised by selling bonds to Tacoma businesses and individuals. The new stands would have a seating capacity of 15,000 and be 1/3 mile long. For the first time, 960 feet of the stands would be covered. Another improvement was a tunnel entrance leading from the parking, in the field inside the track, to the stands. There would be room for 10,000 cars in the field. The main entrance now featured an overhead bridge to drive cars two abreast into the parking area in the center of the field. There were 190 reserved parking places right in front of the pits. Everything would be ready in time for the July 5, 1920 races, when the largest crowd in Tacoma racing history was expected. (TDL 5/23/1920, pg. 9-C-picture; TDL 6/6/1920; www.historylink.org)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Grandstands; Construction--Lakewood--1910-1920;

This is George Hill and his "mechanician" in car #2, a Stutz, on the Tacoma Speedway wood-based track in 1915. Mr. Hill was one of a trio racing Stutzs including Earl Cooper and Dave Lewis. He had entered both the big 250-mile Montamarathon and 200-mile Golden Potlach races held on July 4-5, 1915. If the #2 car looked familiar, it should have been. It was the old #8 "ghost" Stutz of Earl Cooper's with which he (Mr. Cooper) had won the 1913 Golden Potlatch and the 1913 & 1914 Montamarathon events. Unfortunately, it did not win either race for Mr. Hill. He failed to finish the Montamarathon when his car caught fire and subsequently was too damaged to compete in the Potlatch. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-4-15, p. 1-article; TDN 7-5-15, p. 1,2-results)

Hill, George; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;

Roscoe Sarles aboard his #5 Monroe race car with his "mechanician, " believed to be Henry Franck, seated at his side. This photograph was believed to have been taken for the 1920 Tacoma Classic, a 225-mile race with 13 top drivers (12 started) entered. The top seven drivers would share in a $22,500 purse. Roscoe Sarles finished fifth in the race, behind winner Tommy Milton, Ralph Mulford, Eddie Hearne and Art Klein. Behind Mr. Sarles is the empty new grandstand, capable of holding 16,000, that was finished shortly before the July 5th race. TPL-082 (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-results)

Sarles, Roscoe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Monroe automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;

Eddie Miller and his riding mechanic, believed to be Gus Duray, pose in Miller's Duesenberg, #31, on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway. The pair were in town to compete in the 9th annual Tacoma Classic on July 5th. Miller had started out on the Duesenberg team as mechanic, but was now a new driver. When favored driver Ralph DePalma was forced to withdraw from the race when his French Ballot had mechanical failure, Miller offered him the use of his car. Eddie O'Donnell, the top driver of the Duesenberg team, then offered DePalma his faster car and he drove Miller's with Miller riding as mechanic. Miller returned to race in the 1921 Classic. (The Sunday Ledger listed Mr. Miller's car as #11 in their July 4th edition) (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3) TPL-096, Speedway 001

Miller, Edward; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers;

In September of 1914, nine "Kid drivers" lined up two abreast at the starting line of the Tacoma Speedway in their smaller, less powerful "Baby racers." The cars were built with motorcycle engines and were sometimes called "cycle cars." The planned race, the first of its kind to be held north of Los Angeles, was originally scheduled for September 8th. However, a torrent of rain interrupted what had been a string of dry days and drenched the dirt track, causing the race to be rescheduled for the following Sunday at 1 p.m. However, true to form, the Northwest weather produced a light but continuous rain on the 13th that fell nearly all day long and covered the track with water. The race was cancelled indefinitely and the drivers returned to the more predictable Southern California weather. (Tacoma Tribune 9/14/1914, pg. 8, 9/13/1914, pg. 2-B)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920;

Driving Stutz #2 in the 1915 Montamara Festo races was George Hill, accompanied by his unidentified "mechanician." The big race car formerly ran successfully under the number 8 when driven by Earl Cooper. In 1915 Mr. Cooper chose to drive another Stutz which had come in 4th at the Indy 500 and his old #8 "ghost" was re-numbered 2. Mr. Hill was one of 13 drivers in the big Montamarathon event but his car caught fire and he was eliminated from the race. He had also entered his vehicle in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch but was not one of the eight cars who eventually started. TPL-4426 (TDN 7-5-15, p.1,2 -results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Hill, George; Stutz automobile;

Indy 500 winner Gaston Chevrolet is seated in the #4 Monroe, a car designed by his brother Louis, as he prepares for the 1920 Tacoma Class 225-mile run at the Tacoma Speedway. His dirt-stained uniform indicates that he has already put in a few practice runs on the two-mile board track. The man seated beside him is believed to be his "mechanician" John Bresnahan. The No. 5 vehicle next to the men, also a Monroe, will be driven by Roscoe Sarles at the July 5th race. Both cars, plus Ralph DePalma's Ballot (not shown) were garaged at Mueller-Harkins in downtown Tacoma. Last year's big winner at the Tacoma Speedway, Louis Chevrolet, journeyed to Tacoma to assist his brother in getting the car ready for the big race. The third member of the Monroe team was Ralph Mulford, who would drive #3, and come in second in a hard fought battle with winner Tommy Milton and his Duesenberg. Mr. Chevrolet's Monroe came in seventh with prize winnings of $1000. He had been forced to the pits to replace a broken water pump. He was able to continue but his engine couldn't keep up the pace set by Tommy Milton. (TNT 7-3-20, p. 15-article; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-results; TNT 7-6-20, p. 14-results)

Chevrolet, Gaston; Monroe automobile; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930;

Gaston Chevrolet poses in his race car #4 at the Tacoma Speedway with his "mechanician" John Bresnahan standing at his side. Gaston was racing his Monroe race car at the July 5, 1920 Tacoma Classic with the assistance of his brother, Louis, who had won two races at Tacoma the year before. Fresh from a Memorial Day victory at the Indy 500, he finished a disappointing 7th in Tacoma. 1920 was the last year that Gaston Chevrolet raced, he was killed in a crash in Beverly Hills, Ca., in November of 1920. He was posthumously awarded the 1920 AAA National Champion title. Speedway-036, TPL-098, TPL-622.

Chevrolet, Gaston; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers; Bresnahan, John;

This is possibly Chicago millionaire and sportsman Joe Boyer, Jr. with his "mechanician" Norman Etger in their Frontenac #7 racing car. The photograph is believed to have been taken for the July 5, 1920, 225-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. There were two Frontenacs entered in the race, driven by Mr. Boyer and Art Klein. Neither won the 1920 Tacoma Speedway event; that honor went to Tommy Milton and his #10 Duesenberg. Art Klein came in fourth, earning $1700. Mr. Boyer was out in the 97th lap with a broken wrist pin. TPL-129 (TNT 7-6-20, p. 14-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Frontenac automobile;

Seattle's Joe Thomas at the wheel of his Duesenberg 8 as he prepares for the 1922 Tacoma Speedway long distance race. Duesenbergs were a popular ride; in 1922, Harry Hartz, Roscoe Sarles, Jerry Wonderlich, and Joe Thomas were in Duesenbergs with Eddie Hearne in a Disteel Duesenberg. Joe Thomas had come in third place in the 1921 Tacoma Speedway event but the 1922 race, the last ever at the Speedway, saw his car #10 flagged down by the starter. Jimmy Murphy was the winner of the 11th 250-mile race, a few seconds ahead of Tommy Milton's Leach Special. (TNT 7-5-22, p. 1+-results)

Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile;