Undated informal portrait of auto racer Leon Duray. The square-jawed, mustached driver has his goggles resting on his forehead. Born George Stewart and renamed Leon Duray, he raced at Indy eight times between 1922 and 1931, winning the pole position twice. His best finish was sixth in 1925. He later became a car owner whose car finished second at Indy in 1934. (theoldmotor.com)

Duray, Leon; Automobile racing drivers;

Ernie Olson, ace mechanic, smiles broadly in this undated photograph believed to have been taken at the Tacoma Speedway during the short period of time when the racetrack was in existence, from 1912-1922. He is seated in his car dressed in the race style of the day: goggles, cloth or leather headgear and a jacket/uniform opened to show a dark tie and collared shirt. Mechanics in that era rode along with their drivers. TPL-2432 (Identification provided by a reader)

Olson, Ernie; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Men--Clothing & dress;

Auto racer Ralph Mulford. This undated photograph of Mr. Mulford was believed to have been taken at the Tacoma Speedway either in 1919, 1920 or 1922 when Mr. Mulford entered the races at the two-mile oval board track. Usually pictured with a large toothy grin, Ralph Mulford was a two-time National Driving Champion in 1911 and 1918 and a popular entry in auto racing due to his propensity for very fast cars and skillful driving. Mr. Mulford outlived many of his racing colleagues, dying at the age of 89 in 1973. TPL-3176

Mulford, Ralph; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood;

Seattle driver Joe Thomas and his "mechanician," believed to be Marcel Treyvoux, smile for the cameraman while seated in their #28 car, thought to be a Frontenac. The duo were to race at the Tacoma Speedway, post-1914. Mr. Thomas was to race at the Speedway many times, driving cars ranging from the Mercer to Monroe. He also drove in the Indy 500 from 1920-22. Unlike many of his racing colleagues, Mr. Thomas survived his racing career and later became a State of Washington employee.

Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood; Automobile racing--Lakewood; Racing automobiles; Grandstands--Lakewood;

Unidentified informal portrait of an automobile race car driver or mechanic. He smiles genially in front of the camera while wearing goggles and leather headgear. He is thought to have participated in the Tacoma Speedway races on the Lakewood board track that was opened from 1912-1922. G52.1-025

Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920;

Undated close-up of auto racer or mechanic circa 1919-20. This is possibly Frank Eastman, mechanic, of New York or driver Jules Ellingboe. Mr. Ellingboe was not part of the July 4, 1919 five-man race at the Tacoma Speedway. He was expected to drive in the 1921 Tacoma race but injuries incurred at the Uniontown, Penn. track prevented him from coming. Frank Eastman was present for the 1919 Tacoma race as a mechanic for veteran driver Ralph Mulford. G52.1-029

Portraits; Automobile racing;