Jim Parsons and his mechanic W. Ogden pose at the July 1914 races at the Tacoma Speedway in Parsons' race car #7, a Frantz. Parsons won the 100 mile Intercity race on July 3rd with a winning time of 1:21:29 with an average speed of 73.6 mph. He triumphed over a field of 12 cars from cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Parsons was from Seattle. He returned on July 4th to place 4th in the 250 mile Montamarathon. TPL-1639, Speedway-066 (T. Tribune 7/3/1914, pg. 1)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Parsons, Jim; Ogden, W.; Automobile racing drivers;

Grover Ruckstell and his mechanic Quicksell pose in Ruckstell's Mercer at the July 1914 races at the Tacoma Speedway. On July 4th, in front of a crowd of 35,000 screaming fans, Ruckstell would fight his way to a second place finish behind Earl Cooper in the Montamarathon. Ruckstell's time for the 250 mile race was 3:23:33. It was the largest crowd in Tacoma's racing history and they were not disappointed with the heavily fought race. Teddy Tetzloff was in the lead until he dropped out in lap 113 with wheel problems, and limped to the pits with his mechanic laying across the hood holding the wheel. Ruckstell fought Bert Dingley for second place until Dingley spun off the course in lap 123, sustaining life threatening injuries. The crowd was in a frenzy as Ruckstell passed the checkered flag. TPL-103 Speedway-067 (T. Tribune 7/5/1914, pg. 1)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Ruckstell, Grover; Mercer automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

The stands look a little empty for the start of the July 3, 1914, InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. Drivers and their accompanying "mechanicians" are lined up in their race cars two abreast. These included at front: Tacoma driver Jack Croston in car #1, a Chevrolet; #2 -believed to be Barnes in his Romano; #5 -Joe Thomas in his Mercer; #26 - N. Latta of Seattle in his Lozier. This particular race was restricted to cars from Pacific Northwest cities. Total prize money was $1500 with first place winner Jim Parsons getting the lion's share of $750. Mr. Parsons, of Seattle, had won the event for the second straight year. TPL-5697;

Croston, Jack A.; Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Chevrolet automobile; Mercer automobile; Lozier automobile; Romano automobile;

On July 3, 1914, Jim Parsons and his mechanic W. Ogden won the Intercity 100 mile race at the Tacoma Speedway in their Frantz racer, repeating their victory of the previous year. The winning time was 1:21:29 with an average speed of 73.6 mph. The Intercity allowed only car entries from cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Parsons was from Seattle. A total of 12 cars were entered in the race. Parsons won the race, but the most publicity went to 2nd place finisher S.F. Brock. On July 2nd, Brock and his mechanic N.E. "Nervy" Green ran down and killed spectator R.C. Pollock who was attempting to cross the track. The Wright race car flipped, injuring the pair, and severely damaging the car. The pair worked into the night getting the car back into racing condition and received a standing ovation when they finished second. In addition to picking up the InterCity honors, Jim Parsons may have also gotten a little something extra from the City of Tacoma: a possible speeding ticket. He was caught traveling 60 mph on South Tacoma Blvd. on Friday, June 26th. According to the June 27th News Tribune, the case was postponed in police court until Monday, June 29th, but no further information was provided. (T. Tribune 7/3/1914, pg.1; 7/2/14, pg. 1)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Parsons, Jim; Ogden, W.; Automobile racing drivers;

Exhaust fills the air as the speed kings prepare to race at the Tacoma Speedway. The InterCity 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile races were both run on the same day, July 3, 1914. This is believed to be the start of the Golden Potlatch with Californian Billy Taylor in his #12 Alco and "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff in his #3 Maxwell side-by-side and Jim Parsons of Seattle in his #7 Frantz directly behind the Maxwell. None of the three would win the race. Another Maxwell driver, Englishman Hughie Hughes, won the $1500 first place award with Art Klein in his King and Earl Cooper (the previous year's winner) in his Stutz coming in second and third. Mr. Hughes averaged 74.28 mph while beating Mr. Klein by 6 2/5th seconds. Mr. Parsons would finish in sixth place and Mr. Taylor in eighth. If the track looks a bit oily, it probably was. According to a Standard Oil Bulletin, some 1331 barrels of Richmond road oil were used on the two-mile track. (TDL 7-4-14, p. 1-results; Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Taylor, Billy; Tetzlaff, Teddy; Parsons, Jim; Alco automobile; Maxwell automobile; Frantz automobile;

Joe Thomas of Seattle attempts to pass Jim Parsons' #7 car, a Frantz, during the July 3, 1914, InterCity 100-mile race at Tacoma Speedway. Mr. Parsons would hold off Mr. Thomas' Mercer to win the race and the $750 first place prize money for the second consecutive year. Last year he rode to victory in a veteran Stutz. In 1914 his time was faster by 14 minutes and he made only one stop to change a rear tire. TPL-3167 (TDN 7-3-14, p. 1-article; TDL 7-4-14, p. 9-article)

Parsons, Jim; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Thomas, Joe;

In September of 1914, racing fever over miniature racers and their junior drivers took Tacoma by storm. The "cycle cars" were in town for Labor Day races scheduled at the Tacoma Speedway. Most of the cars and drivers were from California, although Tacoma boys Joe Rovegno, Clarence Healy, Phil "Babe" Sullivan and "Swift" were scheduled to race. All the boys were feted by Tacomans and felt that the city "sure did treat a fellow fine." Six of the cars and drivers are pictured on A Street. At the left rear is the Park Hotel, at 802 A St. The building at the front left may be the J.F. Hickey Motor Car Co., at 812-14 A St., and a Seattle-Tacoma interurban car provides the background. In the front row are: (l to r) veteran junior driver Mott Haynes in his Mercer and novice driver Walter Gossman in his Red Devil. In the center are Homer Loudenclos, in either the Peugeot or the Hudson he designed, and Al Bruce in his National. In the rear are an unidentified car and Shirley Williams in a Theim. The cars were designed and built, in most cases, by the drivers themselves. They were in some cases backed by the motor companies whose names they carried. It was common for companies to bankroll race cars as advertising.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Haynes, Mott; Gossman, Walter; Loudenclos, Homer; Bruce, Al;

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;

Tacoma was known as the Indianapolis of the West when cars roared on the Tacoma Speedway. The race track, located near the site of today's Clover Park Technical College, was in operation from 1912 to 1922. In September of 1914, Tacoma was abuzz with the arrival of the junior racers and their "baby" race cars. The cars, also known as cycle cars, ran on motorcycle engines and could race at 35-50 mph. The junior races were originally scheduled for Labor Day but were postponed because the track on the back stretch was too muddy and dangerous for speed. A practice start was scheduled after the postponement to reacquaint the boys with the method of starting. A true race soon developed as the competitive boys picked up speed trying to best one another. The Seattle Bug, piloted by a boy named "Meagher" and his mechanic, took the curves too fast in the first lap and slid in the mud, crushing the two rear wheels. The two seem at a loss as where to go from here. Tacoma Speedway-064, TPL-6337; TPL-8543 (T. Tribune 9/9/1914, pg. 6)

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

The Tacoma Speedway had a special treat in store for its fans on Labor Day 1914, the first "cycle car" race to be held north of California. Cycle cars were built with motorcycle engines and were designed, for the most part, by their junior drivers. Three races would be held, a ten mile dash, a ten mile free for all (featuring the losers in the first race) and a 40 mile free for all, with a top prize of $250. Pictured in a horseshoe are, left to right, an unidentified car, the Mabel Normand's Keystone Theim driven by Shirley Williams, the Red Devil driven by Walter Gossman, the Pantages Bug driven by a Tacoma boy identified only as "Swift," unidentified car #3, unidentified, unidentified, Allan Bruce and his National, Harry Hartz and his #22 Indian and a "baby" Hudson partially built by Homer Loudenclos in Tacoma with Clarence Healy scheduled as pilot. Although the weather stayed dry for the trials, rain made the track unsafe on race day. The races were rescheduled and again rained out. Discouraged, the drivers returned to sunny California.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Gossman, Walter; Bruce, Al; Hartz, Harry;

Ray Ritters of Los Angeles poses in his cycle car, #2, a Velie, at the Tacoma Speedway. The Velie autos and trucks were manufactured by Velie Motors Corp. of Moline, Ill., from 1902-1928. In September of 1914, the small race cars and their junior drivers took Tacoma by storm. Each day the newspapers were filled with stories about the boys who, for the most part, designed and built, as well as raced, their own cars. The cars were usually powered by motorcycle engines and could travel at 35-50 mph. Ritters had raced many times in the South, but had never finished in the money. He arrived early in Tacoma and rebuilt his car here, making many changes, including mounting the engine on the side. He never got to show off his improved vehicle in Tacoma, both the Labor Day race and the rescheduled race were called due to rain. (T. Tribune 9/13/1914, pg. 2B, plus preceding dates in Sept. 1914)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Ritters, Ray; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

Walter Gossman of Los Angeles poses in his cycle car, the Red Devil, at the Tacoma Speedway. Cycle racers, primarily from California, were in Tacoma in September of 1914 for the first "junior race" to be held north of California. Gossman was participating in his first race ever. He had designed and built the unique looking Devil. Outside of practices and speed trials, Tacomans were never able to see it race. The actual races were rained out. Speedway-061 (Tacoma Tribune 9/13/1914, pg 2B)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Gossman, Walter;

This unidentified driver is believed to be piloting a "cycle carriage" or car during speed trials at the Tacoma Speedway in September of 1914. There were 14 entries, mostly from Southern California and including future star Harry Hartz, for the Labor Day races. Four of the junior drivers were from Tacoma. Vehicles had to reach a speed of 40 mph to qualify. These cars had for the most part motorcycle engines and were smaller than regular race cars. Although days preceding the event were dry, the Labor Day race was cancelled due to rain and a rescheduled race the following week was also postponed indefinitely due to inclement weather. (TNT 9-6-14, 2-b-article)

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

ca. 1915. Although photographer Marvin Boland has labeled the driver as "Earl Cooper" in his "Stutz," and the condition of the Tacoma Speedway board track identifies it as being post-1913 (the last year of the dirt track), it is not certain that this was a race during the 1915 Montamara Festo. In 1915 Mr. Cooper came in a close second during the Montamarathon on July 4th, as he attempted to win the big 250-mile race for the third consecutive year. He did run a Stutz in that year but it was the #8, not the #4 shown above. He earned $1500 for second place, sandwiched between the winner, Grover Ruckstell and Mr. Ruckstell's Mercer racing partner, Eddie Pullen, who came in third. TPL-4423

Cooper, Earl; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;

ca. 1915. This is Grover E. Ruckstell, newly crowned "Speed King" of the 1915 Montamarathon race at the Tacoma Speedway. His winning time of 2:57 on July 4th barely beat out two-time champ Earl Cooper's 2:58:5 as he collected $2500 in cash and the possession of the Montamarathon trophy for one year. He again drove a big Mercer, this time painted red, and wore a jacket advertising Ventura Gasoline. Mr. Ruckstell kept the lead from the 105th lap to the finish as he ran the last three laps on bad tires without pitting to change them. The average winning speed was 84.4 mph, faster than in 1914 but much slower than expected on the new "lattice" track. Mr. Ruckstell, from California, came in second the year before, losing to defending champ Earl Cooper and his Stutz. Later Grover Ruckstell would head the famous Mercer racing team and develop the Ruckstell axle. (TDN 7-5-15, p. 1; TDL 7-5-15, p. 1-article)

Ruckstell, Grover; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile;

ca. 1915. Vincent E. "Ventura " McDermott, wearing a heavy sweater emblazoned with a "Ventura Gasoline" emblem, shakes hands with a race driver drinking from a glass bottle in this circa 1915 photograph taken at the Tacoma Speedway. Mr. McDermott had come to Tacoma for the big July auto classics, bypassing stops in Chicago and Omaha. The Ventura brand of gas was popular with racers as cars using it came in first, second and five other places in the June, 1915, Indianapolis 500, accummulating $39,700 in prizes. The two other racers in the photograph were not positively identified although the man in the middle is believed to be Joe Thomas, an eight-year racing veteran from Seattle. His Mercer car failed to start for the 100-mile InterCity Century race at the Tacoma Speedway that year. The man enjoying a drink is believed to be veteran driver Eddie Pullen, Mr. Thomas' Mercer teammate, who went on to win the 200-mile Golden Potlatch race on July 5th. (damaged negative) (TNT 6-27-15, p. 13-alt. photograph & article on Mr. McDermott) TPL-1636; G52.1-102

McDermott, Vincent E.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Shaking hands--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. Firestone tire service truck at Tacoma Speedway circa 1915. The location was the Tacoma Speedway, about seven miles from Tacoma. The occasion was probably the three auto races which composed a great part of the summer Montamara Festo. The Firestone service vehicle was there in all likelihood to supply replacement tires to the cars which raced 100, 200, and 250 miles respectively. A new "lattice" track was in use. It had replaced the old dirt track in 1914 but racers still had to deal with unexpected difficulties such as splinters. Two million feet of lumber, board measure, consisting of Washington fir, were used for the new track. Speedway construction was a relatively new process at that time. (speedway construction information: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

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

ca. 1915. Cars in pit area at Tacoma Speedway circa 1915. Grandstands are sparsely filled indicating that the occasion might have been practice time for the racers who had entered in the three races composing part of the Montamara Festo circa 1915. Pit area is still dirt although the track itself was built of split boards consisting of 2 x 4 Washington fir. Filling in the spaces between the planks was 2500 cubic yards of gravel and sand. Over this was poured 500 barrels of hot Richmond road oil after which 400 cubic yards of sand was spread on top of the oil. (information on track construction provided by Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

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

ca. 1915. Bob Burman sails around a curve at the Tacoma Speedway behind the wheel of his Peugeot, #9. The photograph was probably taken at the July 4, 1915 Montamarathon Classic in which Burman finished fourth. Burman broke into racing as the driver of a Buick, part of a team including Louis Chevrolet and Lewis Strang. The trio won more races and broke more records than any team racing. After Chevrolet retired and Strang was killed, Burman struck out on his own. He set the speed record on Daytona Beach, one mile in 25 2/5 seconds at 141 mph, earning the title "Speed King." His most prominent characteristic as a driver was his fearlessness. He was killed in a crash in Corona, California in 1916. TPL-2949 (Tacoma Tribune 7/4/1915, pg. 12)

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

ca. 1915. Harry O'Brien and his "mechanician" zipping around the $100,000 Tacoma Speedway in their "Great Big Baked Potato Special" during the July, 1915, Montamara Festo races. #33 was believed to be in reality a Stutz. Mr. O'Brien had planned to race both the InterCity Century 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile events on July 5th. How he placed in the InterCity was not known but his "Baked Potato" did not run in the Potlatch. Only eight cars started in the Potlatch, the final race of the festival, as the others were too damaged by the previous races to compete. The InterCity was won by Jim Parsons for the third time in 1:15:27 while Mercer ace Eddie Pullen shattered Earl Cooper's chances of repeating as champion in the Potlatch. (TNT ad 7-4-15, p. 2; TDN 7-6-15, p. 5-results)

O'Brien, Harry; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1915. At the wheel of the "Great Big Baked Potato Special" is driver Harry O'Brien. The #33 car was entered in both the InterCity 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile races at the Tacoma Speedway during the 4th of July holiday weekend in 1915. The "Baked Potato" was believed to be a Stutz and the Stutzs and Mercers entries had withdrawn from the InterCity race. The car also did not run in the Potlatch on July 5th as only eight cars started the race. TPL-128

O'Brien, Harry; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1915. "The Famous Tacoma Speedway, Annually the Scene of Exciting Automobile Races" This photograph was believed to have been taken in 1915. The grandstands are full of excited spectators while many others view the action from their parked cars across the way. Winners that year were Grover Ruckstell in the Montamarathon, Eddie Pullen in the Golden Potlatch and three-time winner Jim Parsons in the InterCity 100. TPL-8065

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood; Sports spectators--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. Veteran driver Barney Oldfield, chewing on his ever-present Havana, at the wheel during the July, 1915 Tacoma Speedway races. He took his first spin around the board track on June 26th, declaring it "a wonder." Mr. Oldfield drove his #1 Peugeot in both the Golden Potlatch 200-mile and Montamarathan 250-mile races. This is the car he bought from Dario Resta who had previously won the Vanderbilt Cup and Grand Prix races in San Francisco as new foreign cars were not available due to the European war. He also brought his special Fiat Cyclone and 300 hp Christie to town to attempt world records; those cars did not compete in the actual races as they did not meet piston displacement rules. Barney Oldfield finished fifth with a time of 3 hours, 17 minutes in the big Montamarathon race on July 4th and third in the Golden Potlatch on the following day. (TDL 6-27-15, p. 20-article; TDL 7-5-15, p. 1-results; TDL 7-6-15, p. 1,2-results; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-2-22, C-1-photo) TPL-3162

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

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;

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;

Frank Elliott in his car #5, the "Gordon Special," leads the way during what is probably the InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway held in early July of 1915. He would eventually finish second with a time of 1:20:28, two laps behind three-time winner Jim Parsons of Seattle, shown in the background in the Parsons Special, #22. Twelve cars from the Pacific Northwest had entered the race on July 5th but only six finished. T.F. Barsby came in third in his Velie Special and Earl Staley fourth in his Studebaker. The Mercer and Stutz entries were withdrawn from the InterCity. Mr. Elliott had also submitted entries to the big 250-Montamarathon and the Golden Potlatch 200-mile races. He finished sixth in the Montamarathon won by Grover Ruckstell. Although 21 drivers had entered the Potlatch which was run the day after the Montamarathon and on the same day as the InterCity, only eight were in condition to start with the others too damaged to race. Mr. Elliott's Gordon Special did start but did not win. TPL-1641 (TDN 7-6-15, p. 5-article; TDL 7-6-15, p. 1, 2 -results)

Elliott, Frank; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

Jim Parsons and "mechanician" in his #22 Parsons Special on the track at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1915. Mr. Parsons had entered his race car in all three of the races held over the July 4-5 holiday. In 1914 his car ran under the Frantz label and was accorded the #7. In 1915, his vehicle was entered as the Parsons Special and it wore the #22. No matter what his car number was his record remained impeccable in the InterCity 100-mile race. With an average speed of 79 1/2 mph, he won the race for the third consecutive time and got to keep the trophy. In 1915 the big 250-mile race, the Montamarathon, was run on July 4th and the two other races, the InterCity 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile, followed on the 5th. This was in reverse order from 1914. TPL-1643 (TDL 7-6-15, p.1-2-results)

Parsons, Jim; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

On July 4, 1915, Earl Cooper approaches the checkered flag in his Stutz racing car at the Tacoma Speedway, finishing second in the Montamarathon. The crowd of 20,000 spectators stands and cheers. Cooper had won the 250 mile race in 1913 and 1914 and had hopes of retaining the perpetual trophy for the Montamarathon, second only in importance to Indianapolis's 500. His hopes were dashed by his second place finish at 2: 58: 5. Grover Ruckstell finished first at 2:57. The track's split board planking consisted of 2 x 4 planks which were laid end to end and were a hazard to the car's tires. The race was also marked by the board track's first fatalities. Billy Carlson's Maxwell 17 blew a tire and left the track in the 60th lap, launching both Carlson and his mechanic in the air. The mechanic, Paul Franzen, was killed instantly and Carlson died later that day of injuries. TPL-130, Speedway glass- 040 (Tacoma Tribune 7/5/1915, pg. 1 & 2)

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

Earl Cooper in his #8 Stutz motors past the checkered flag on July 4, 1915, at the 250-mile Montamarathon held at the Tacoma Speedway. Thirteen cars had started on the "lattice" track which consisted of 2 x 4 Washington fir planks over which gravel, sand and hot oil were applied. Mr. Cooper had hoped to retain his title in the big race which he had won for two consecutive years but came in a close second to Grover Ruckstell in his red Mercer. Mr. Ruckstell's time was 2:57 which nipped Mr. Cooper's 2:58:5. Although Mr. Cooper's car was numbered 8 which had graced the car previously and was still a Stutz racer, it was not the same car that won him the previous titles. This particular #8 had finished fourth at Indy. Mr. Cooper's old #8 Stutz was re-numbered 2 and driven by George Hill. (TDL 7-5-15, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-4-15, p. 1-article)

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

The Mercer racing team had a very successful journey to the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1915 as young Grover Ruckstell won the big 250-mile Montamarathon on the 4th with Eddie Pullen in third place and Mr. Pullen emerging victorious in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch race the following day. Mr. Pullen is shown waving his arm to the thrilled crowd as he prevented the 1913 titleholder, Earl Cooper in his Stutz, from recapturing the title. Mr. Pullen's winning time of 2:21:14 paid off with $1500 and the Golden Potlatch trophy. 1915 also saw the first appearance of veteran driver Barney Oldfield in his Peugeot at the Tacoma Speedway. Mr. Oldfield, who had high praise for the new planked track, came in third in the Potlatch after a disputed finish and fifth in the Montamarathon. (TDL 6-27-15, p. 20-article on Mr. Oldfield; TDL 7-5-15, p.1-results; TDL 7-6-15, p. 1,2-results)

Pullen, Eddie; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood; Sports spectators--Lakewood;