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;

Jimmy Murphy and his mechanic Ernie Olson posed in Murphy's Duesenberg #12 on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. The pair were an unknown factor in the July 5th Tacoma Classic. Murphy had won his first major race and the season opener, the 1920 inaugural of the Beverly Hills Speedway. He would come in 6th in Tacoma in 1920, but return to take first place in 1922. (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3; www.rumbledrome.com) TPL-079, Speedway 002

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

This is driver Eddie O'Donnell at the wheel of a Duesenberg race car parked on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. The other man next to him is Lyall Jolls, his mechanic. Mr. O'Donnell had arrived in Tacoma as part of the four-man Duesenberg team of Tommy Milton, Eddie Miller, and Jimmy Murphy, ready to compete in the 225-mile July 5th race. Although the Duesenberg sports the number 29, the local newspaper The Tacoma Ledger placed the number 9 on the car. Mr. O'Donnell did not drive his own car during the race as he had generously opted to lend the vehicle to a competitor, Ralph DePalma, so that race fans would not be disappointed in Mr. DePalma's withdrawl. Teammate Eddie Miller in turn lent his car to Mr. O'Donnell for the race in a losing cause. 1920 was the last time local fans were able to watch Mr. O'Donnell in action as he died later in the year during a race in California. Mr. Jolls was also killed in the same wreck. TPL-100

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

The Duesenberg team brought four cars to the Tacoma Speedway for the 1920 225-mile race. Driver Eddie Miller and his "mechanician," believed to be Gus Duray, are seated in his #31 Duesenberg on the board track in early July of 1920. He had already provided excitement to the crowds avidly watching practice as he survived a crash into the track rail at 87 mph, spinning several times and landing in a ditch. He was uninjured. Eddie Miller was a new driver and had visited the Tacoma Speedway back in 1916 as a "mechanician" with the Duesenberg team of d'Alene and Milton. Mr. Miller ended up not driving at the 1920 race as teammate Eddie O'Donnell, having offered Ralph DePalma the use of his fast car, drove Mr. Miller's Duesenberg with Mr. Miller as the "mechanician." Eddie Miller had graciously offered his car first to Mr. DePalma but it was not as fast as Mr. O'Donnell's. (The Sunday Ledger indicated in their 7-4-20 edition that Mr. Miller's car number was 11, rather than the 31 painted above.) TPL-095 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-4-20, p. 1-article, B-2 -list of drivers & cars)

Miller, Edward; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;

Eddie Hearne poses in his Revere at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. Hearne was in town for the 9th annual Speedway Classic held on July 5th. Hearne was a veteran racer, having started as an amateur in 1907. He was born March 1, 1887, the son of privileged parents. He graduated from Chicago University and entered the automobile business as one of the first Hupmobile dealers in Chicago. He started out racing his own cars as an amateur. In 1909, the same year the Indianapolis Speedway opened, he won the Amateur Championship of America. He soon turned professional, driving for the German Blitzen Benz, as well as other makers. His best year in racing was in 1923 when he was crowned the National Champion. He is #23 on the all time top 40 auto race winners, with 11 career wins. He died February 9, 1955. (TDL 7/2/1920, pg. 1C; 7/3/1921, pg. C-3; www.formulaone) Speedway 098

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

Art Klein and his riding mechanic S. McGarigle pose for the camera from Klein's Frontenac race car prior to the 9th annual Tacoma Classic race, July 5th, 1920 at the Tacoma Speedway. Before a crowd estimated to be over 40,000, Mr. Klein finished the race in fourth position and won $1700 in prize money. This was Mr. Klein's first trip back to Tacoma since the 1914 Tacoma Speedway inauguration where he placed second in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch and third in the Montamarathon. (TDL 7/6/1920, pg 1+-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-4-20, 1C, 3C-history of the track) Speedway 092

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers; Klein, Art; McGarigle, S.;

Barney Oldfield, famed early race car driver, chewed on his trademark cigar at the side of the Tacoma Speedway where he acted as Pace Setter for the July 5, 1920 Tacoma Speedway Classic. The man on the left is believed to be DeLloyd "Dutch" Thompson, exhibition pilot and early partner of Oldfield. Barney Oldfield, whose name is synonymous with early racing, was a consummate showman-famous for speed records, match races and exhibitions. He has been declared by Motor Sports Hall of Fame to be one of the greatest race drivers of all time. Born Bern Eli Oldfield in 1878, he started out racing bicycles until he met Henry Ford who had just designed the first Ford race car. By 1910, Oldfield had broken all existing speed records for the mile, 2 mile and kilometer. He retired from racing in 1918, but continued to tour and make appearances and movies. He died in 1946. (www.motorsportshallof fame.com)

Oldfield, Barney; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobile drivers;

Getting ready to take a spin around the Tacoma Speedway is Ralph Mulford in his #3 Monroe along with his "mechanician," believed to be Thane Houser. Mr. Mulford had run in the 1919 Tacoma Classic which had been restricted to five top drivers including Louis Chevrolet, Dario Resta, Cliff Durant and Eddie Hearne. The Frontenac team of Chevrolet and Mulford won all three events of the day with Mr. Mulford driving to victory in the 40-mile race at an average speed of 100.2 mph. In front of a packed new grandstand and car-filled field, Tommy Milton and his #10 Duesenberg battled Mr. Mulford's Monroe throughout the 1920 race. Ideal weather conditions and the good track resulted in no accidents during the 225-mile race. Both the winning Duesenberg and the second place Monroe used Oldfield tires for the race. Mr. Milton did not have to pit once, not even to change tires, while Mr. Mulford only had to stop once for tire changes. For his second place finish, Ralph Mulford won $5000. (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results) TPL-099

Mulford, Ralph; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Monroe automobile; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles;

A solemn Roscoe Sarles posed behind the wheel of fellow racer Art Klein's #8 Frontenac race car on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. He was entered in the 225 mile Tacoma Classic on July 5th. He would finish 5th in the race while driving his #5 Monroe. (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3) Speedway 052

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

Eddie Hearne posed in his Revere race car, #15, on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway prior to the Tacoma Classic July 5th, 1920. The new grandstands, replacing those lost in a pre-season fire, can be seen in the background. He would come in third in the race, following winner Tommy Milton who completed the course in record time 2:23:28 at an average speed of 95 mph and second place finisher Ralph Mulford. (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3) Speedway 054

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Revere automobile; Hearne, Eddie; Automobile racing drivers; Grandstands--Lakewood;

A confident Ralph DePalma is perched on the back tire of a borrowed Duesenberg parked on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway. Mr. DePalma had come to Tacoma to compete in the July, 1920, 225-mile race along with other famous names including Gaston Chevrolet, Cliff Durant, Tommy Milton and Ralph Mulford. His French Ballot was the only foreign entry in a field crowded with Duesenbergs, Monroes and Frontenacs. Unfortunately his Ballot broke a connecting rod on July 1st and although the Smith Cannery Machine Co. and Western Gear Works of Seattle rushed to make eight connecting rods, the Ballot was not able to be repaired in time. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, Eddie O'Donnell of the Duesenberg team offered Mr. DePalma the use of his ride so that Mr. DePalma would not disappoint the thousands who had come to see him race. Thus, the reason for the Duesenberg shown above with the #2 (number formerly assigned to the Ballot) painted on. Even with the powerful Duesenberg, Mr. DePalma did not win the race as the car broke down before finishing. Tommy Milton, winner of the recent Uniontown, Pennsylvania 225-miler, drove his Duesenberg to a $10,000 payday. (TDL 7-2-20, p. 1-article; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results)

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

Joe Thomas, front, and his mechanic Marcel Treyvoux smiled at the camera from his Monroe race car #7 as they prepared for the July 5th 1920 Tacoma Classic race at the Tacoma Speedway. Joe Thomas was a local boy, hailing from Seattle, and a crowd favorite. In 1920, he was forced out of the race in the 78th lap by a broken piston, but he would return to race in the 1921 and 1922 Classics. After his retirement from racing, he returned to Tacoma in the thirties to serve as director of the state Vehicle Inspection Station. (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3) Speedway 093

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

Race car driver Eddie O'Donnell is behind the wheel of a Duesenberg in this July of 1920 photograph. His "mechanician" Lyall Jolls is seated next to him. The man standing was not positively identified. Eddie O'Donnell was part of the Duesenberg team which sent four top drivers to the 1920 225-mile July 5th race at the Tacoma Speedway, including eventual winner Tommy Milton, Jimmy Murphy and Eddie Miller. Although the number on the Duesenberg is 29, the Tacoma Daily Ledger had listed Mr. O'Donnell's car as #9. Showing a generous spirit, Mr. O'Donnell gave up his car so that a competitor, Ralph DePalma, could drive it. Mr. DePalma, a popular driver, had a broken connecting rod on his French Ballot which was not repairable in time for the race. Mr. O'Donnell did compete in the race by driving his teammate Eddie Miller's vehicle but came in last of the eight cars remaining. Mr. O'Donnell's fortitude was unquestioned; he had broken an arm in a Kansas City race in 1916 and raced with only one arm for months. He was to die later in 1920 in a collision with Gaston Chevrolet in California. (TDL 6-29-20, p. 1-article; TDL 7-2-20, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-4-20, B-2-list of drivers & cars; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results)

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

With his smile forming crinkles around his eyes, race car driver Eddie O'Donnell posed for the camera prior to the Tacoma Classic, held July 5th, 1920, at the Tacoma Speedway. When crowd favorite Ralph DePalma's French Ballot broke down prior to the race, O'Donnell offered him the use of his Duesenberg. O'Donnell himself drove team-mate Eddie Miller's car with Miller riding as mechanic. They were the eighth and last car to pass the finish line. (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3) TPL-3174

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

New racing sensation Jimmy Murphy stands next to a Duesenberg racer #10 at the Tacoma Speedway. He was in Tacoma for the July 5, 1920 225 mile Classic. Born in 1895, Murphy was left an orphan. Going to work at a young age, he made the acquaintance of the racing world at the garage where he was employed in California. He joined Duesenberg as a riding mechanic on his 21st birthday in 1916, and was promoted to driver in 1919. He took the racing world by storm in 1920, winning the first race of the season, also his first personal major race, the inaugural of the Beverly Hills 1 1/4 mile board track and setting a world record to boot. He went on to finish 4th in the 1920 Indy and 6th in Tacoma (behind Tommy Milton, Ralph Mulford and Eddie Hearne.) He was the shooting star of racing during his short 4 year and 9 month career. He won the 1922 Indy 500 and was the first American driver to win the Grand Prix (in 1921.) Jimmy Murphy 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) SPEEDWAY 030

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

Joe Thomas of Seattle lifts up a large can of Richlube Motor Oil in this circa 1920 photograph. By 1920, Joe Thomas had at least four years experience in driving race cars. He started driving himself in 1916 after garnering experience as Eddie Pullen's mechanic on the Mercer team. Always a local favorite, Mr. Thomas appeared many times at the Tacoma Speedway including the last year of the racetrack's existence in 1922. His best finish at the Speedway was third in the 1921 250-mile race.

Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile equipment & supplies;

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;

ca. 1920. Map of the Tacoma Speedway from about 1920 showing, in detail, the layout of the track and stands. Note that the prices for tickets to sit in the stands are listed. Seats in the open stands were $2.50 or $3.00 plus tax. Seats in the covered stands were $3.50 to $6.00 plus tax. In March of 1920, an arson occurred at the track, forcing massive reconstruction of the grandstands. All improvements would be in place in time for the 1920 225 mile classic, the biggest race in Tacoma's racing history. The Indy had placed a requirement that all top finishers compete in Tacoma and crowds turned out to see them. The new grandstands could seat 16,000, with 960 feet of the stands covered. There was room for 10,000 cars to park in the center of the 2 mile track and a tunnel for spectators to cross under the track to the stands. The new entries allowed cars to enter two abreast and they could cross a bridge from the main entrance into the center parking, even with the race in progress. Other improvements included fences, the pits, a water tower and a renewed track. The race would be 225 miles with a purse of $22,500, to be divided into seven prizes. Over 40,000 fans turned out to watch the race. Speedway-053 (TDL 6/20/20, pg. 1-C; 6/27/1920, pg. 1)

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

ca. 1920. Race car driver Joe Boyer and his riding mechanic posed in Boyer's Frontenac on an unidentified brick track in 1920. Boyer had led the pack in the 1920 Indianapolis 500 for the first 250 miles and then hit a brick wall, taking him out of the race. His Frontenac was the topic of much conversation, since the vehicle designed by the Chevrolet brothers had made its first appearance in the Indy. Boyer, a young millionaire from Chicago, would later compete in the July 5th 1920 Tacoma Classic. He was out of the race in the 97th lap. In 1924, Boyer was co-winner of the Indianapolis 500 replacing LL Corum during the race. Boyer was killed later that year in a crash at the Altoona Speedway. (TDL 6/27/1920, pg. B-2) Speedway 013

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

ca. 1920. Ralph DePalma and his "mechanician," believed to be nephew Peter DePaolo, in the French Ballot No. 2, circa 1920. The Ballot was the only foreign entry in the 1920 Tacoma Classic racing event held at the Tacoma Speedway on July 5, 1920. International star DePalma had raced for twelve successive years and was known for driving hard and giving spectators their money's worth. The Ballot broke down prior to the actual July 5th race but Mr. DePalma still managed to compete in a borrowed Duesenberg. TPL-131 (TNT 7-1-20, p. 1, 11-article)

DePalma, Ralph; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Ballot automobile;

ca. 1920. Roscoe Sarles peeked around to be seen behind the grillwork of his Monroe racing car, circa 1920. Sarles was in Tacoma to compete in the Tacoma Classic on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway on July 5th, 1920. He drove car #5 and finished 5th in the race. He was a fearless driver and a ruthless opponent. He began racing by joining Louis Chevrolet's team in 1916. He had proved himself a successful competitor, but in September of 1922 his luck ran out. His Durant special snapped its steering wheel, swerved into another car, and was flipped over the edge of the track's rim, killing him. (TDL 7/4/1920,pg. 1C) TPL-113; Speedway 062

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

ca. 1920. This is Art Klein, race car driver, in an informal outdoor portrait circa 1920. Mr. Klein had prior experience at the Tacoma Speedway when in 1914 he brought his King car directly from the Indy 500 to race alongside such contemporaries as Earl Cooper, Hughie Hughes and Wilbur D'Alene. He came in second in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch and third in the 250-mile Montamarathan. In 1920 he was part of the Frontenac team along with Joe Boyer, Jr. Mr. Klein, running on Oldfield tires, came in fourth with a $1700 payday. (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results)

Klein, Art; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. Race car driver Art Klein, circa 1920. Art Klein was competing in the 1920 Tacoma Classic at the Tacoma Speedway. He had just finished 5th at the Indy 500, which would turn out to be his best finish in that race. In Tacoma, he finished 4th in his Frontenac race car, numbered "8." He raced professionally from 1914-1917 and again from 1919-1923 and built his own Kleinart Indy car. Born in 1889, he managed to survive professional racing; he died in 1955. (TDL 7/4/1920, pg. 1C)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers; Klein, Art;

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;

ca. 1920. Auto racer Art Klein at the Tacoma Speedway. He is aboard the #8 Frontenac along with his riding mechanic, or "mechanician," S. McGarigle. Mr. Klein drove one of the two Frontenacs in the 1920 225-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway; the other was helmed by Chicago millionaire Joe Boyer, Jr. The Speedway had been spruced up with large new grandstand (shown above), fences, pits, water tower, renewed board track and three automobile entrances for spectators. Top drivers including Cliff Durant, Ralph DePalma, Tommy Milton, Roscoe Sarles and Ralph Mulford made the long trek to Washington to compete in the ninth annual event. Art Klein finished fourth after eventual winner Milton, Ralph Mulford and Eddie Hearne. (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-4-20, 1C, 3C-History of the track)

Klein, Art; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); McGarigle, S.; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Frontenac automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1920. Race car driver Jimmy Murphy, circa. 1920. Based on his short professional racing career, only four years and nine months, Murphy is considered by some to be the greatest racer of all time. He was crowned the American Racing Champion in 1922 and again posthumously in 1924. He was known as the "King of the Boards," having competed in 85 board track races in his short career, winning 18 of them. James Anthony (Jimmy) Murphy (1894-1924) was made an orphan by the 1906 earthquake in his home town of San Francisco. His mother was killed in the quake and his father left him with relatives and was never heard from again. Shortly before graduating from high school, Murphy opened his own garage and soon had a loyal clientele. Bitten by the racing bug, he became a "riding mechanic" in 1916, was taken on by the Duesenberg team and became a driver in 1919. His first big race was the 1920 inaugural at the Beverly Hills board track where he blew away the competition, winning and setting a world record. That same year he finished sixth at the Tacoma Speedway in his #12 Duesenberg. In 1921, he became the first American to win a European race in a truly American car, by winning the Le Mans Grand Prix. In September of 1924, he agreed to appear in a race promoted by a friend at the Syracuse New York fairgrounds dirt track. Although considered to be the safest dirt track in the country, Murphy lost control during the race and crashed through an inside rail and was killed by wooden shards that penetrated his heart and abdomen. Speedway 059 (TNT 6/29/1920- picture, Motorsports Hall of Fame website; historicracing.com)

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

ca. 1920. Race car driver Eddie Miller, in Tacoma for the July 5th 1920 Tacoma Classic at the Tacoma Speedway. Miller had been serving the last seven seasons as a mechanic for the Duesenberg team, but he was in Tacoma as a new driver. During practice he had been involved in an accident when his car jumped the course. The car had since been repaired. On the day of the race, favored Ralph DePalma suffered broken connecting rods on his French Ballot, putting him out of the race. Feeling that the crowd would be disappointed, new driver Miller graciously offered DePalma his Duesenberg. Not to be outdone, top Duesenberg driver Eddie O'Donnell offered DePalma his faster car and he drove Miller's with Miller riding as mechanic. DePalma was forced out in the 75th lap with a broken Universal joint on his borrowed car. O'Donnell was the 8th and last man to finish the race, driving Eddie Miller's car. (TDL 7/4/1920, pg. C-1; 7/6/1920, pg. 1) Speedway-115

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

ca. 1920. Tommy Milton made his second visit to Tacoma to compete in the July 5, 1920, 225-mile race on the two-mile board track at Tacoma Speedway. He had raced in 1916, finishing a close second to Eddie Rickenbacker. Mr. Milton's #10 Duesenberg had qualified first at a 99-mile clip in speed trials and his car continued its fast pace, averaging 95-mph as he went around the track 115 times. His sturdy Oldfield tires held up as no stops for tire changes were needed. The victory over second place Ralph Mulford earned Mr. Milton $10,000. (TDL 7-6-20, p.1-results) TPL-101

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