ca. 1920. Gaston Chevrolet, the youngest brother of the racing triumvirate, was born in France of Swiss parents on October 26, 1892. He was brought to the United States by his older brother, racing car driver and designer Louis Chevrolet. In 1916, he became a partner with his brothers Louis and Arthur in Frontenac Motors. After initial success, the company went under after World War I. The trio went to work for Monroe Motor Co. In 1920, Gaston broke the European dominance of the Indy 500, winning in a Monroe-Frontenac designed by his brother Louis. His average speed was 88.62mph, a feat achieved with only a four cylinder engine. He was also the first racer to go the distance without a change of tires. His victory was only enjoyed briefly however, he died in a fiery crash on November 25th at the Los Angeles Speedway board track in Beverly Hills, Ca. He crashed in lap 146 and was killed, along with driver Eddie O'Donnell. At the end of the year, he was awarded the recently revived AAA National Champion title for 1920 posthumously. Speedway 086 (TNT 6/29/1920)

Chevrolet, Gaston; Automobile racing--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1922. California sportsman and car manufacturer Cliff Durant at the wheel of his blue Durant Special, accompanied by his mechanic, circa 1922. Mr. Durant, a favorite of Northwest race fans, arrived in Tacoma on June 28, 1922, to compete in the eleventh annual race at the Tacoma Speedway. He joined a cast of nationally known racers for the July 4th event, including Ralph Mulford, Roscoe Sarles, Jimmy Murphy and defending champion Tommy Milton for a total purse of $25,000. Mr. Durant was using the same car in which Tommy Milton had captured the national championship. Newspapers announced that this was to be Mr. Durant's last race of his illustrious career as the business world had taken over his attention. His Durant Special qualified fourth with average speed of 104.5 mph, as the track and cars ran extremely fast. Jimmy Murphy, who had won the pole position with nearly 109 mph, would eventually defeat Tommy Milton by just a few seconds. Mr. Milton had led the majority of the distance before tire changes cost him the race. Cliff Durant did not finish the race as broken rear axles claimed both his and Ralph Mulford's Leach Special. (print from badly damaged negative) (TDL 7-5-22, p. 1-results)

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

Jerry Wonderlich (his name is misspelt on the print) in car #24 and Harry Hartz in car #12 were two of the nationally known drivers who competed on July 4th, 1922 in the National Championship Race at the Tacoma Speedway. The men were pictured above on June 29th during practice laps on the board track at speeds of about 90 mph. Hartz had just taken second place in the 1922 Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day. Both men were driving Duesenberg Straight 8 race cars. The Tacoma Speedway was south of Tacoma in what is now Lakewood, opposite the Mountainview Cemetery. The wooden bridge over the track provided access to the parking area in the middle of the track. TPL-619; TPL-133; Speedway-133 (TDL 6-30-22, p. 1)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Wonderlich, Jerry; Hartz, Harry; Duesenberg automobile;

Twelve top racers, including 1920 Indy 500 winner Gaston Chevrolet and Northwest favorite Eddie Hearne, would compete in the 1920 Tacoma Classic held at the Tacoma Speedway on July 5th. The ninth annual event featured one race of 225 miles with drivers competing for a $22,500 purse. Tommy Milton, in his #10 Duesenberg, picked up first place honors and $10,000 by outdueling Ralph Mulford's Monroe #3. Mr. Milton's time of 2:23:28 and 95 mph average was the fastest pace ever set for a long race at the Speedway. He made no stops along the race vs. Mr. Mulford's one stop for tires in the 55th lap. This was the second visit to Tacoma for Tommy Milton. He raced in 1916, finishing a close second in the 300 mile race to Eddie Rickenbacker. Mr. Milton was the last to arrive in Tacoma for the 1920 race, having picked up a new bride in Minneapolis on his way. (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+) TPL-4425

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

ca. 1921. Roscoe Sarles in his #6 Duesenberg on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway circa 1921. Driver Sarles, winner of the recent Uniontown, Pennsylvania race, was expected to vie with 1920's Tacoma Speedway winner Tommy Milton for the $10,000 first prize money and 500 championship points in the July 4th 250-mile race. Tommy Milton had just won the Indy 500 on Memorial Day and would go on repeat as Tacoma's champion by nosing out Roscoe Sarles with an average mph of 96.84. Mr. Sarles' Duesenberg teammates finished third and sixth in the nine-car field. (print from badly damaged negative) (TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-results) TPL-080

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

ca. 1920. Informal portrait of an unidentified race car driver or riding mechanic, probably taken in the very early 1920s. He may have been John Bresnahan, Gaston Chevrolet's "mechanician," who is looking directly into the camera's lens. His goggles are pushed up over his forehead and over his protective headgear. This photograph may have been taken at the Tacoma Speedway, once a prime racetrack in Lakewood that operated from 1912-22.

Automobile racing drivers; Automobile racing;

ca. 1922. At 19 years old, Harlan Fengler was already an experienced "mechanician" on the Harry Hartz team. He rode with Mr. Hartz to a second place finish at the 1922 Indianapolis 500. He journeyed to Tacoma to compete with Mr. Hartz in the 1922 250-mile Tacoma Speedway race which would be the last major event in the Speedway's short history. The race was won by speed king Jimmy Murphy with Mr. Hartz's team finishing sixth. Harlan Fengler became a race car driver himself shortly after. Although his career as a driver was not long, he eventually became the Chief Steward at the Indianapolis Speedway, a post he held for sixteen years. TPL-3172

Fengler, Harlan; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

ca. 1920. Informal portrait of auto racer Roscoe Sarles, taken circa 1920. Mr. Sarles paid three visits to the Tacoma Speedway from 1920-22 to compete with other racing stars such as Tommy Milton, Jimmy Murphy, Gaston Chevrolet and Cliff Durant. Although the veteran driver never won at the Tacoma Speedway, his toughness and driving ability ensured that he earned the respect of fellow drivers and cheering crowds. He competed in a Monroe in 1920 and Duesenbergs the following two years, finishing second in 1921 after winning the pole. Mr. Sarles was burned to death on September 17, 1922, some two months after the last Tacoma Speedway car race, during the 300-mile dedication race of the Kansas City Speedway. TPL-3171 (TNT 7-3-20, p. 15)

Sarles, Roscoe; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1922. This freckled-face young man is Harlan Fengler. He was Harry Hartz's "mechanician" or riding mechanic at the 1922 Tacoma Speedway 250-mile race. Mr. Fengler had been Mr. Hartz's riding mechanic at the 1922 Indy 500 where the pair finished second. 1922 was the last year that the Tacoma Speedway was open for business and Mr. Hartz finished sixth in his #12 Duesenberg Special with a time of 2:47:11, averaging 89.9 mph. It was a disappointing finish for the team as Mr. Hartz had qualified second, behind eventual winner Jimmy Murphy, with a 107 mph average. Later Mr. Fengler became a race driver himself. At 20 years of age, he raced at Indy in 1923, finishing 16th. Future attempts at Indy were not successful. Although active on board tracks, Mr. Fengler retired from racing in 1927. After pursuing a variety of careers, he ended up as the Chief Steward at the Indianapolis Speedway in 1958, a position he held for 16 years. (Dorson: The Indy Five Hundred: An American Institution Under Fire, p. 63-article)

Fengler, Harlan; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

ca. 1920. Wearing a jaunty checkered newsboy's cap is Chicago millionaire sportsman Joe Boyer, Jr., in this circa 1920 photograph. Mr. Boyer, accompanied by his "mechanician" Norman Etger, brought his Frontenac to the Tacoma Speedway for the July 5, 1920, 225-mile race. The field was crowded with top racing stars including Ralph Mulford, Cliff Durant, Eddie Hearne, Indy 500 winner Gaston Chevrolet, Roscoe Sarles and Tommy Milton, among others competing for a total purse of $22,500. Mr. Milton and his Duesenberg took first in a record time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 28 seconds, averaging 95 mph. Joe Boyer was out in the 97th lap with a broken wrist pin. The estimated crowd of 40,000, many in the new 16,000-seat grandstand, were thrilled at the battle between eventual winner Milton and Ralph Mulford, who finished second. (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results; TNT 7-3-20, p. 15)

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

ca. 1920. Race car driver Eddie Hearne, circa 1920. Hearne, 1887-1955, was born in Chicago, the son of a gold-mining millionaire father. He raced from 1908 to the early 1930's in a total of over 120 races. In 1919, he won the Motor Age Championship, with Roscoe Sarles coming in second. In 1923, he was the AAA National Champion. He was a familiar face in Tacoma, winning the 75 mile in 1918, coming in second in 1919 and placing 3rd in the July 5th, 1920, Independence Day Classic, in his Revere, numbered "15." Speedway 056, Boland B2008 (TNT 6/29/1920; historicracing.com)

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

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. 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;

On July 4th 1922, thirty thousand fans crowded into the stands at the Tacoma Speedway to watch what turned out to be the last car race held at the Tacoma track. Ten drivers competed in the 250-mile race. The cars are lining up behind the pace car, driven by Barney Oldfield, prior to the checkered flag. Lined up are (l to r): front row- Tommy Milton #8 Leach Special, Harry Hartz #12 Duesenberg, Jimmy Murphy #35 Murphy Special; 2nd row- Joe Thomas #10 Duesenberg, Roscoe Sarles in the #31 Duesenberg, Cliff Durant in the #34 Durant Special; 3rd row- "Howdy" Wilcox in the #16 Puegeot, Art Klein in the #2 Frontenac, Ralph Mulford in the #9 Leach Special; 4th row- Jerry Wonderlich #24 Duesenberg. The man standing between cars 8 and 12, wearing the straw hat and knickers is Fred "Pops" Wagner, the starter. Jimmy Murphy and Tommy Milton battled for the lead, but Murphy finally pulled ahead in the last few laps and won in the record setting time of 2:33:55 with an average speed of 97.6 mph. Just seconds later Milton crossed the line at 2:34:01. The track was closed at the end of 1922, a victim of falling revenue. TPL-620 (TDL 7/5/22, pg. 1) Speedway-141

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

On July 4, 1919, race car driver Eddie Hearne and his mechanic Harry Hartz whizz by in the "Durant Special." The Durant Special was originally built by millionaire sportsman and race car enthusiast Cliff Durant. Durant was also the son of William "Billy" Durant, founder of General Motors, Chevrolet and Durant Motors. The Special was now owned by driver Hearne. Hearne was a familiar face in Tacoma. He came in second in the 80 mile race and third in the 60 mile race, winning a purse of $2,100. Mechanic Hartz was one of the few who went on to become a driver and later a car owner. He ranks fifth on the all time winner's list for board tracks, above former boss Hearne. G51.1-090 (TDL 7/5/1919, pg. 1; Dick Ralstin's Racing Home Page)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Hearne, Eddie; Hartz, Harry;

Informal portrait of an intense Louis Chevrolet. He was in Tacoma to race in the July 4, 1919, races held at the Tacoma Speedway. He was the overall winner that day, winning two of the three events. Chevrolet, one of the best known names in automobile history, first belonged to this mechanical genius Louis Chevrolet. Born in Switzerland on Christmas Day, 1878, the son of a watchmaker, Chevrolet enjoyed taking things apart to see how they worked, but not sitting in a classroom. He left school early to become a bicycle mechanic and later a racer of bicycles. Once he discovered automobiles, there was no turning back. He left his home in 1900, at the age of 21, for North America. He began racing in 1905 and by 1907 had caught the attention of W.C. Durant, the father of General Motors, who hired him to design and race for his Buick racing team. Chevrolet was the head of a racing family of three brothers, the other two being Gaston and Arthur. Louis is credited with 27 major event racing wins in his career. In 1911, Durant traded on the fame of the Chevrolet name to form Chevrolet Motors, competing with Ford in the moderate price market, with Louis Chevrolet as head designer. Chevrolet soon left due to artistic differences and formed his own company, Frontenac Motors. After the financial failure of Frontenac, he designed race cars for Monroe Motor Co., designing the Indy 500 winner in both 1920 and 21. After cars, he branched out into airplane design without great business success. He died in 1941, at the age of 63, having never achieved the financial success that he deserved. His fame lives on in the Chevrolet automobile name. G52.1-031; TPL-3173

Chevrolet, Louis; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobile drivers;

ca. 1919. Driver Louis Chevrolet and his "mechanician" aboard his Frontenac race car circa 1919. The car is parked on a brick roadway. Louis Chevrolet, affectionately known as "Grandpa" due to his senior status in the racing world, would come to Tacoma to compete in the special five-car, one-day-only set of three races at the Tacoma Speedway on July 4th of 1919. Well known racers Dario Resta, Eddie Hearne, Cliff Durant, Ralph Mulford and Louis Chevrolet were in the mix for the $15,000 purse and championship points. The Frontenacs driven by Ralph Mulford and Mr. Chevrolet took first place in all three races, the 40, 60 and 80 mile events. Louis Chevrolet won the 60 and 80 mile races with average mph of 98.5 and 97.2 respectively. TPL-102; G51.1-124

Chevrolet, Louis; Frontenac automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

Tacoma to Seattle in 30 minutes and 55 seconds! Harry Barsamian, shop foreman of the Pacific Car Company, with mechanic Victor Williams, completed the feat in a stock Overland 90 Touring Car, driving from Tacoma city limits to the Seattle city limits. On June 19, 1919, Barsamian started from Sitcum Avenue on the Tacoma tideflats. The two men clipped down the rugged dirt Highline Road through Northeast Tacoma and onto Des Moines where they hit pavement and finished with a smooth ride to Seattle in record-breaking time. (TDL 6/22/1919, p. 8C). G11.1-073

Barsamian, Harry; Automobiles--Tacoma--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Although there was no freeway between Tacoma and Seattle in June of 1919 and little actual paved road, Harry Barsamian, shop foreman for Pacific Car Co., managed to drive from the city limits of Tacoma to the city limits of Seattle in 30 minutes, 55 seconds. He was accompanied, not by the unidentified lovely miss in the front seat, but by his mechanic Victor Williams, proprietor of the Metropolitan Garage. Mr. Barsamian's time broke the previously acknowledged record of 34 minutes, 30 seconds. Victor Williams confessed to the Daily Ledger that there was one man too many in the vehicle and he was the one man; he swore never to do it again. Mr. Barsamian reported that there were no problems with the engine during the non-stop run. He declared the new stock Overland 90 Touring Car the "gamest little car in the world." Photograph ordered by the Pacific Car Co. (TDL 6-22-19, 8C) TPL-1522; G11.1-001

Barsamian, Harry; Automobiles--Tacoma--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1910-1920;

On July 4th, 1919, the Tacoma Speedway was packed with 35,000 racing fanatics for the annual races. The Speedway was one of two "Class A" racing locations in the United States, the other being Indianapolis. It was also a favorite of the drivers because of the abundant recreation opportunities of the area. Three races would be held on this day, 40 miles, 60 miles and 80 miles. By 1919, the track was 2 miles round and 50 feet wide, an adjustment done in 1914, and covered with 2 x 4 Washington fir planks laid end to end with gravel and sand filling the gaps and barrels of Richmond road oil applied hot to the surface. Indianapolis had shut down due to World War I and all the greats came to Tacoma. The five drivers surviving after the trials were Louis Chevrolet, Dario Resta (both in Tacoma for the first time,) Cliff Durant, Eddie Hearne and Ralph Mulford (in his first Tacoma appearance since 1913.) Eddie Rickenbacker, WW I flying ace and former race car driver, would referee the race. (TDL 7/2/1919, pg. 8-9) (Information on track construction: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, circa 1915) Boland B2066, Speedway-025

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

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;

ca. 1914. Jim Parsons' #7 Frantz race car is parked in the pit area of the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914 while a vehicle carrying a load of tires slowly backs in front of it. Other tires have already been unloaded and are piled upright nearby. The grandstands are nearly empty indicating this may have been practice time at the Speedway instead of the actual July races. Jim Parsons, from Seattle, would go on to win the InterCity 100 race three consecutive years, 1913-1915, allowing him to keep the perpetual challenge trophy. TPL-4424

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

Encouraged by 16,000 screaming racecar fans, three cars rush to the finish line in the "Golden Potlatch," one of two races run on July 5th, 1913 at the Tacoma Speedway. The race was 200 miles, 58 laps of 3.516 miles each, run on a dirt track and open to Class "E" non-stock cars with a winner's purse of $3,500. Earl Cooper and his white Stutz won the race in 1913 after "Terrible Teddie" Tetzlaff dropped from the lead with a broken cam shaft. Cooper's time was 2:49:32. 1913 was a victorious year for Cooper; he won 7 of 8 major road races and claimed his first national championship. The Tacoma Speedway racetrack had opened in July of 1912, financed by a group of Tacoma businessmen led by Arthur Pritchard, President of the Tacoma Automobile Association. During its years of operation, 1912-1922, most of racing's greats sped around the track, which was rated one of the three best in the United States. TPL-5481, Speedway Glass- 020 (TDL 7/6/1913, pg. 1, www.historylink.org, www.hickoksports.com)

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

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;