In June of 1929 Robert F. Bown, the principle of Stewart Jr. High, declared his school's baseball team "the best athletic team ever produced at the south side intermediate." It is easy to understand the pride he held for his team. Not only had Stewart won the city crown with a 5-0 record, they had also defeated Fife Junior High, Clover Park Junior High and Stadium High School. The Stewart team captured their title with a resounding defeat of rival Gray, 21-1. Posed in front of the school on June 7, 1929, as listed in the News Tribune are: third row (rear), coaches H.A. Post, W.C. Cohoon and S.S. Todd, physical director; second row, Howard Berry, Ernest Holm, Clarence Zachow, Clyde Olsen, Verne Kampbell and Arnold Doersam; first row, Howard Converse, Louis Mazza, Charles Mazza, (Capt.) Tommy Mazza, Leonard Brunstad, Albin Semion and Harvey Christlaw. (TNT 5-29-29, p. 12-article; TNT 6-14-29, 6-B) G46.1-023

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma);

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;

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;

The Durant team behind the wheel of Cliff Durant's "Durant Special," No. 34 at the Tacoma Speedway in 1922. The covered grandstands at the speedway are in the background. Durant, son of millionaire Billy Durant- founder of General Motors, was a sentimental favorite in Tacoma, having raced here many times. Plus, he had already announced that the Tacoma Classic would be his last race as a driver. He was now focusing on his career as President and General Manager of Durant Corporation. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the 1922 Classic, exiting the race in the 58th lap with a broken axle. Speedway-135 (TDL 7/5/1922, pg. 1) SPEEDWAY 135

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Durant, Cliff--Associated objects;

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;

Frank Elliott was returning to race in the July 4th, 1921, Tacoma Speedway Classic after an absence of several years. His last appearance in Tacoma was the 1915 Inter-city race. He was replacing Howard Wilcox as the driver of a Leach Special in the 1921 race. Elliott began racing in 1914 as an amateur, driving a souped up Ford that he built himself. He is #56 on the All Time Champ Car World Series Victories, with 5 career wins. Speedway-091 (TDL 7/3/1921, pg. C-3)

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

In 1921, Edward "Eddie" Miller was in Tacoma for his second local appearance at the July 4th Tacoma Speedway Classic. He had been slated to race in 1920, and then loaned his car out in a two way swap with Ralph DePalma and Eddie O'Donnell. He was accompanied by his bride of two weeks. Although Miller would be driving during the race, he had spent most of this career as a mechanic. Associated with the Duesenberg race team since 1916, he had riden as a mechanic with six drivers. He had also built twenty-three race cars, more than any other driver or mechanic. Speedway-126 (TDL 7/3/1921, pg. C-1)

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

Novice driver Alton Soules, 28, posed at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1921. Soules raced a Frontenac in the 1921 Speedway Classic where he had the lead from the second to the sixty-first lap when his old pistons failed and the connecting rod broke. The native of Toledo, Ohio had started racing as a driver in 1920, specializing in board tracks. Previously he had ridden as mechanic with racing greats Joe Thomas, Eddie Pullen, Wilbur D'Alene, Omar Toft and Hughie Hughes. He was the nephew of Charlie Soules, who held the world record for a 24 hour run on a dirt road. After the Tacoma race, Alton Soules was planning to race at Santa Rosa, Uniontown, San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles. He never made it to Los Angeles; Soules and his riding mechanic Harry Barner were killed in an accident on lap 75 at the Fresno Speedway on October 1, 1921. (TDL 7/3/1921, pg. C-6; TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2--results; www.motorsportmemorial.org)

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

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;

Dario Resta is photographed in July of 1919 at the Tacoma Speedway in his Resta Special. Also in the vehicle is his mechanic R. Dahnke. Resta was making his first appearance at the Tacoma track and he was an unknown wildcard. In the trials for the July 4th race, he appeared to holding his car back, only going fast enough to qualify. However, it turned out that the smaller engine in his vehicle could not compete with the four larger cars. He finished last in the 40 mile and 60 mile races and dropped out of the 80 mile race with engine problems. Resta was born in Milan, Italy in 1884. His greatest year in racing was 1916, when he won both the Indy and the Driver's Championship. He was killed in a crash at Brooklands, England on September 2, 1924 when his car went out of control. (TDL 7/5/1919, pg. 1; 7/2/1919, pg. 8-9; www.hickoksports.com) G51.1-109; TPL-1645

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Resta, Dario; Automobile racing drivers;

R.C. "Cliff" Durant, California millionaire and automobile manufacturer, with his "mechanician" Fred Comer, on the Tacoma Speedway track in July of 1919. Five of the country's best known racing stars came to Tacoma for a one-day-only series of three races. Cliff Durant would join fellow racers Dario Resta, Louis Chevrolet, Eddie Hearne and Ralph Mulford at the Tacoma Speedway on July 4th for a total purse of $15,000. Mr. Durant would pilot his Chevrolet Special No. 1 in the afternoon races. He had qualified third with an average speed of 102.56 mph on July 1st, allowing him to be placed in the front row with Ralph Mulford and top qualifier, "Grandpa" Louis Chevrolet, who was on the pole. The Frontenac team of Chevrolet and Mulford would win all three races with Mr. Chevrolet the winner in the 60 and 80 mile events. Mr. Durant finished second in the first race, the 40-mile event, fourth in the second race, the 60-mile, and third in the final race of 80 miles. (TNT 7-2-19, p. 19-article; 7-5-19, p. 1-article) TPL-106; G51.1-108

Durant, Cliff; Comer, Fred; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Chevrolet automobile;

1916 Indy 500 champion Dario Resta made his first appearance at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1919, at the special 5-star 4th of July races. He joined fellow speed kings Louis Chevrolet, Cliff Durant, Ralph Mulford and Eddie Hearne in a one-day, three-race competition. Mr. Resta, already a star on the European tracks and winner on American speedways, brought his Resta "Mystery" Special to town. Although the car was dubbed a "Mystery" Special, it may have had some Frontenac in it. Mr. Resta was able to finish both first and second races but was forced out in the third and longest race of 80 miles with mechanical trouble. His car had qualified last of the five entered in the races with an average speed of 98.09 mph. At that time Mr. Resta indicated that he wasn't out to break any records in practice but was saving his car for the actual races. The Special's motor troubles and bad steering made it a non-factor in the competition. Dario Resta, who was brought up in England but was of Italian descent, would die in England five years later at the wheel of a Sunbeam while trying for a new land speed record. (TNT 7-2-19, p. 19-article; TNT 7-5-19, p. 1, 13-results) TPL-081; G51.1-110

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

A beaming Ralph Mulford behind the wheel of his Frontenac race car, #2, on the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1919. His "mechanician" is believed to be Frank Eastman. Ralph Mulford was last in Tacoma in 1912 at the first automobile races in the Northwest where he drove a six-cylinder Knox on the old five-mile course. He arrived in Tacoma on June 25, 1919, along with fellow Frontenac driver, Louis "Grandpa" Chevrolet and Englishman Dario Resta in his Resta "mystery" Special. The three drivers plus Eddie Hearne and Cliff Durant would enter into a one-day-only three event race at the Tacoma Speedway on the 4th of July. The News Tribune called them "the five greatest speedway pilots in the world" as all had stellar reputations in the racing world. The Speedway's largest crowd of almost 40,000 saw the Frontenacs driven by Ralph Mulford and Louis Chevrolet take first place in all three races. Mr. Mulford won the 40 mile race at an average speed of 100+ mph and took home prize money $1500 for the race. He placed second in the 60 mile race and earned $800. His Frontenac was forced out of the third race with mechanical problems and he did not complete the race. There were no injuries or accidents during the afternoon of racing. TPL-093; G51.1-114 (TNT 7-3-19, p.1, 2-article; 7-5-19, p. 1-results)

Mulford, Ralph; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Frontenac 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. 1922. Racing star Jimmy Murphy in his #35 "Murphy Special" at the Tacoma Speedway circa 1922. Mr. Murphy was the popular favorite for the 250-mile 4th of July race, having won the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in 1921 and the 1922 Indy 500 on Memorial Day. He faced a lineup of formidable opponents including 1921 national champion and defending Tacoma champ Tommy Milton, Californian Harry Hartz who came in second to Mr. Murphy at Indy, local boy Joe Thomas who had recently won at the San Carlos Speedway in San Francisco, 1919 Indy winner "Howdy" Wilcox, and returning veteran drivers Eddie Hearne, Ralph Mulford and Roscoe Sarles. Mr. Murphy would win what would turn out to be the last Tacoma Classic in 1922, outdueling two-time defending champion Tommy Milton before a cheering crowd of some 30,000 race fans. Mr. Murphy had blistered the track during qualifying, averaging speeds slightly less than 109 mph. He would be named driver of the decade, 1920-29, despite the fact that he was killed in a crash at the Syracuse N.Y. Speedway in 1924. (Speedway-128; TPL-132) (TDL 7-5-22, p. 1-results)

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

ca. 1922. Informal portrait of a race car driver or "mechanician" believed to be Ernie Ansterberg who was veteran Roscoe Sarles' mechanic at the 1922 Tacoma Speedway 250-mile race. The Sarles team were in a Duesenberg Special and finished third behind winner Jimmy Murphy and after Tommy Milton. Mr. Ansterberg would drive in the 1924 Indy 500 but did not finish. He died in a racing accident in October of 1924 at age 33. This photograph was taken at the Tacoma Speedway, once a two-mile oval racetrack in Lakewood that was the scene of early automobile racing in Washington. Races were held from 1912 to 1922 and many notable drivers including Barney Oldfield, Ralph DePalma, Tommy Milton, Jimmy Murphy and others competed for prize money and national points. TPL-3170

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

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;