This is a secure sequencing of the complete race over all the 200 laps or over all of the 500 miles. More like a speciality for Motor Age of those days. Indeed, covering the whole race with such a detailed description, really gives a long and extended read. But it’s one that gives you the feeling: You Were There!
Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.com
Motor Age, Vol. XLIX, 49, No. 22, June 3, 1926
WIDE OPEN – But for Only 400 Miles
Bulletins On the Full Distance
A Running Story of the Indianapolis Race from Notes Dashed Off by Press Stand Observer While Great Mill Progresses
By CLARENCE PHILLIPS
HERE is an action story of the race as it progressed. Its purpose is to let the reader visualize about what his impressions would have been had he sat in the press box and checked the changing picture.
It is as accurate as possible under such conditions of writing. In reading the article just imagine yourself at the race and making observations as the drivers zoom past the stand.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 31.
EVERYTHING is all set for the 1926 Speedway classic. The sky at this time, 8:50, does not look too encouraging. However, it has not succeeded in bluffing out the mobs. They are here from all points of the compass. On the way out to the track it seemed that every third or fourth car was from some other state.
As usual long lines of cars were parked at the entrances all night long. Judging by the congestion on the streets and at the track the attendance will be good.
People are pouring in through the gates in a steady stream. The stands are not filled but are well packed in spots. What the total attendance finally amounts to will depend likely on the elements, as thousands who do not care to chance a soaking still have an opportunity to stay home.
There was a good rain last night and it just began sprinkling again.
The track looks damp but if it gets no worse the race will not have to be postponed.
Referee Brisbane and other officials of the race just drove by the stand, looking us over.
28 Qualified Starters
There are 28 qualified starters for the big sweepstakes. Among those who qualified yesterday was De Paolo in a Duesenberg.
Much to the surprise of many fans as the result of newspaper reports Pete will drive for Fred Duesenberg himself. Reports had it originally that he would enter his own Duesenberg and also register as a Miller Special jockey.
There is the first bomb. It does not sound like there is thought of calling off the race. It is 9 o’clock, standard time. The big mill will start in an hour. All cars in the race have wire wheels.
Drivers are beginning to take their starting positions. Soon the grind will be under way. Rain has stopped and the sun is shining but it still looks threatening.
Cooper, in a front-drive Miller, takes pole place. In the front line also are Hartz, Miller Special, and Duray, in a Locomobile Junior.
Second row – Ellingboe, Miller Special; Shafer, Miller Special; Lewis, front drive Miller. Third row – McDougall, Miller Special; Elliott, Miller Special; Hill, Miller Special.
Fourth row – Shattuc, Miller Special; Durant, Locomobile Junior; Gulotta, Miller Special.
Fifth row – Comer, Miller Special; Woodbury, Boyle Special; Hepburn, Miller Special. Sixth row – Batten, Miller Special; Hawkes, Eldridge Special; B. Jones, Duesenberg two-cycle.
Seventh row – Guyot, Guyot Special; Lockhart, Miller Special; Houser, Abell Special.
Eighth row – Nemish, Schmidt Special; Eldridge, Eldridge Special; Corum, Schmidt Special.
Ninth row – McCarver, Hamlin, Fronty-Ford front drive; Lecklider, Nickel Plate Special; De Paolo, Duesenberg.
Tenth row – Duff, Elcar Special.
Airplanes are zooming overhead and mechanics are gathered about the mounts on the track.
Bennie Jones in his Duesy is being pushed from formation lines to Duesenberg pits. Looks like some last minute mechanical attention is needed.
Another bomb. Within seven minutes they will be on their way.
There goes a whole flock of bombs. Five more minutes.
Bennie Jones is being wheeled back to his position. Trouble was quickly adjusted. Crowd cheers the Duesenberg driver as he resumes his place in the starting bank.
A photographer in an airplane flies over us. You can see him grind the crank.
Three minutes before starting it is sprinkling again, but very lightly.
The Pack Is On Its Way
Seth Klein, the starter, is on the bridge with the red flag. Engines are being started. There is a fearful roar and popping.
Hard to get Duray’s Locomobile Junior started. Smoke pours from the rear cars.
They are off on the pace making round. The crowds stand and roar. Duray still stuck. Rolls to pits. – All others are gone.
No. 10, Duray, is on the way. All are going now. The next round will be the real start. Let’s see who takes the lead.
Here they come. The crowds are on their feet yelling like mad. I don’t believe the stands are as full as last year.
First lap of 500-mile derby is on in earnest.
Hartz takes the lead. He is closely followed by Cooper, Duray and Shafer.
Lecklider, in his Nickle Plate Special, is far behind the flock.
Here they come again.
Shafer, in a Miller; Duray, in a Locomobile Junior; Hartz, in a Miller, and Lewis, in his front drive Miller, are the leaders on the second lap.
Earl Cooper in a front drive Miller, is limping.
De Paolo is well behind the leaders. Houser in an Abell Special just passed, making an awful noise and looking over toward pits.
——
Bits of Speedway News
Frank Lockhart’s time for 400 miles was 4 hours, 13 minutes and 37.58 seconds, an average of 94.63 m.p.h.
This was the first time that rain interfered with the race after it was under way. Once before, 1915, the race was postponed two days on account of rain.
Two of the Miller cars had front wheel drive. They were No. 1 driven by Lewis and No. 5 driven by Cooper. Neither one finished. No. 1 went out in its 91st lap with transmission trouble and No. 5 dropped out in its 73rd lap with a broken high speed gear.
The referee was Arthur Brisbane, noted editorial writer.
The pace maker was a Chrysler Imperial 80 roadster driven by Louis Chevrolet.
All cars were equipped with wire wheels and balloon tires. Most of the tires were size 30 by 5.25. Hartford shock absorbers were generally used.
The Hamlin Special Ford with front wheel drive lasted only 22 laps.
Duesenberg’s two cycle job, No. 29, ran creditably for 53 laps showing possibilities for further development along that line.
Forgetting to turn on his ignition after he had stopped for tire changes and refueling cost Harry Hartz a precious 45 seconds near the end of the race at a time when he was pressing Lockhart for the lead. When the switch was turned, the car started.
Frank Lockhart, the winner, is 23 years old and married. He came to the track as relief driver for Peter Kreis. The illness of Kreis gave him his big opportunity.
——–
Lockhart to Fifth Place
Lockhart moved up into fifth place from some distance behind on the third lap.
Pete DePaolo is stepping up. He is on his fourth lap but considerably behind the lead.
Lockhart has moved up into fourth place. He is traveling some.
DePaolo comes to pits.
Cooper out of pits after short stay.
Those on the sixth lap are Shafer, Lewis, Duray, Lockhart, Hartz.
Lockhart has passed Duray. Cooper and Duff are farthest behind. They are on fourth lap. Shafer, the leader, is on his sixth.
Nemish, in a Schmidt, a French entry, is a lap behind Shafer; Corum, in another Schmidt, is a lap behind. Guyot, in a Guyot Special, also French, is three laps behind Shafer. Guyot on his sixth; Shafer on his ninth lap.
Hawkes, in an Eldridge Special, an English entry, is a lap and a half behind.
Eldridge, driving an Eldridge Special, is about a lap, or something less behind.
Earl Cooper is going good again but has two laps to make up on Shafer who continues to lead. Earl is cheered by the crowds. He has friends.
The grind has gone for 25 miles. Time 14:43.27. Last year the speed for the first 25 miles was 14:24.09. They are not going quite so fast this time but the difference is not great. The rate is 103.06 m.p.h.
There has been a great deal of speculation as to whether last year’s time could be equaled with the reduction of piston displacement from 122 to 91½ cubic inches.
——
Expected Lower Speed
In fact the consensus in hotel lobbies and at the track has been that the track record will be slightly under the 101.13 made by DePaolo in a Duesenberg last year, which was the track record.
Dave Lewis has been camping hard on Shafer’s tail for the last two rounds. The crowds yell as they pass the stands, about 200 feet separating them.
Here they come again.
Lewis in his front drive Miller, springs into the lead just before reaching the press stand. It is his sixteenth lap.
Order at this period for the first five is: Lewis, Shafer, Lockhart, Hartz and Duray.
Those who have been pinning their faith on the front wheel drives are smiling.
Ellingboe, in a Miller Special, is right on the heels of the vanguard, probably a mile behind Lewis. The leaders are fairly well bunched, making the fuss interesting. The one farthest behind is Shattuc, in a Miller, about six laps to the bad.
On the twenty-second lap Shafer again grabs the lead. Lewis goes right after him.
Klein, the starter, flags Hartz for some purpose, but Harry keeps on going.
Woodbury, in Boyle Special, stops at the pits. Flat tire.
Shafer slows down at pits but keeps on going.
McDougall, in a Miller Special, stops at pit.
Houser, in his Abell, runs by slowly with a lot of thunder, like he is about to experience trouble.
——
Lewis In First Place
Time for the first 50 miles 29:23.01. Order: Lewis, Lockhart, Duray, Shafer, Hartz. The rate is 102.04 m.p.h. Last year 104.13.
In the last 25 miles Lewis has lost and regained first place. Lockhart has stepped up from third to second place. Duray has come up from fifth to third place. Shafer has dropped from second to fourth place. Hartz has dropped from fourth to tenth.
The race now is between Lewis and Lockhart with Duray not far in their wake. Any one of the first five above named is a strong contender though. Cooper is three full laps behind Lewis, but he is driving hard and closing the distance.
Lewis is on his 32nd lap.
Time for the first seventy-five miles, 44:40.50. Still a little slower than last year.
Order at 75 miles: Lewis, Lockhart, Shafer, Duray, Hartz.
Only one change in position of the first five in the last 25 miles. That is a shift of Shafer to third place from fourth and a drop-back by Duray from third to fourth.
The rain has held off aside from a little spattering and the track is in good condition.
McCarver, in his Hamlin Special, Fronty Ford, pushed pits.
The Schmidt’s continue to run far behind. Corum, in one is ten laps in the rear of Lewis who leads. Nemish in the other Schmidt, is doing somewhat better but he is five la to the bad.
Hawkes, in the English Eldridge, is almost 20 miles behind Lewis, while Eldridge, in an Eldridge, is 35 miles behind.
This next turn will complete Lewis‘ first hundred of the five century go.
Lewis has reeled off his first hundred.
Time for 100 miles, 59:45.91.
Order of leaders: Lewis in front drive Miller; Lockhart, a Miller Special; Hartz, in a Miller Special; Elliott, in a Miller Special; Comer, in a Miller Special.
Time for 100 miles last year 57:44.94. A little slower. They are making around 100.39 miles per hour. Last year 103.
Lewis has retained the lead without a break for 75 mil Lockhart has held second place consistently. Hartz, in last 25, has come up from fifth to third place. Elliott in Miller Special, has advanced from the front of the second to fourth place. Comer, in another Miller Special, has co up from the second five to fifth place.
Shafer, who was in third place at 75 miles, is back in second string of five.
Duray, in a Locomobile Junior, who was in fourth place at 75 miles had a mishap on his 34th round which checked out his car for the day. His feet were burned, not badly.
Lewis just lapped Lockhart on the former’s 51st lap and the latter’s 50th.
That gives Dave a good lead. It is interesting that just now all five leaders are Millers, with a front drive Miller heading the procession.
Elliott and Comer, in fourth and fifth places, respectively, are five miles or so behind Lewis.
They have reeled off 125 miles in 1:14:43.66. Last year DePaolo at this stage had been going 1:12:12.18. About two and a half minutes slower for the distance this time. Rate of speed 100.03 m.p.h. Last year 104 m.p.h.
Order of leaders at 125 miles is same as at 100. They seem to be settling down to business.
Pit stops have been numerous. Mostly for tires and gasoline. Also considerable valve trouble.
Ben Jones, in the Duesenberg, two-cycle mount who went into the pits smoking like a bonfire is back in the fight. He is 14 laps behind Lewis.
Pete DePaolo, is only four laps behind Lewis now and putting up a good fight. He passed two or three cars in front of the stands amid cheers.
It looks a little better for the Duesenberg stable but not so good yet. All depends on Pete, from the present outlook.
Lewis just stopped at pits. His first stop. It is his 59th lap. He has a lap to the good on Lockhart and will have to work fast not to lose this advantage.
Lockhart takes lead.
Lewis still at pits. Eldridge back in his car after short relief. Ellingboe relieves Bennie Hill.
Houser, in Abell Special, passes us very slowly. He’s had hard luck today.
The first 150 miles was made in 1:31:39.13. Last year, 1:26:22. Rate of speed 98.20 m.p.h. Last year, 103.89.
Order of first five: Lockhart, Hartz, Lewis, Cooper, Elliott.
In the last 25 miles Hartz has come up from third to second place. Elliott has slipped back from fourth to fifth. Comer, who joined the vanguard back about fifty miles has disappeared from the leading quintette.
The Marmon Motor Car Company has sent fine box lunches to the press stand. On behalf of the Fourth Estate – thanks. We eat while we work.
Sprinkling again. Now somewhat harder. Starter Klein signals the drivers to look out for wet track.
Pete DePaolo stops at pit on his 66th lap – two laps behind Lockhart, the present leader.
The assistant starter is waving white flag for drivers to stop until the rain is over.
A little disappointing but – safety first.
No mechanical adjustments are permitted during such an intermission as this.
The sun is out and a stiff breeze is blowing. Looks like we will soon see more racing. On the whole the crowds are patient although there has been a little mumbling and stamping of complaint.
Ready For a New Start
They are getting all set to go. The officials have had a nice problem adjusting positions. The drivers are strung out along the track. Cooper is being pushed to the pits, however.
Lockhart has completed his 72nd lap.
The new start is slow, although the track seems dry again, at least in front of the stands. DePaolo did not get away.
Woodbury in his Boyle Special, speeds by us. He is now in fifth place. Engines apparently are not all warmed up yet.
Cooper is out of pits and is backed up to starting line. Having trouble shifting gears. He is moseying along by pits like he might be getting ready to stop there again.
Hartz is less than a lap behind Lockhart, Lewis a lap behind, Elliott two laps and Woodbury two laps.
Out of 28 starters 13 are left in the race. Those still in are: Cooper, Hawkes, Shafer, Gulotta, Batten, Lewis, Woodbury, Hill, Hepburn, Elliott, Lockhart, Hartz, DePaolo, Duff, Houser.
DePaolo is burning up the bricks but has a long way to go to overtake Lockhart, the leader. Pete is on his 73rd lap and Lockhart on his 82nd.
Lockhart and Hartz with about a mile between them are widening the gap to their rear. Lewis is still less than a lap behind but Woodbury and Comer in fourth and fifth places, are three behind. Woodbury has been improving his position steadily.
Up to 175 miles he did not appear in the first five but now he is fourth and running fast and smoothly. There has been considerable call on relief drivers by the rear guard.
Time at 200 miles 2:02:44.26. The rate is 97.76 m.p.h.
Cooper is back in race once more, but looked like he was getting ready to stop again.
Order at this point: Lockhart, Hartz, Lewis, Woodbury, Comer.
In the last 25 miles Lewis has crept up one notch, Comer has made an appearance at the rear end of the first five and the Boyle Special, with Woodbury up, has joined the leading quintette.
At 225 miles the order stands where it was at 200. The big fight is between Lockhart and Hartz.
Woodbury has slipped up into third place with his Boyle Special. Elliott is in fourth place, and Comer in fifth. Cooper is out of the race with a broken gear.
Hawkes, in Eldrige; to the pits.
Hartz takes the lead, displacing Lockhart. Woodbury is stepping on it, himself. He is only one lap behind Hartz.
There is a pretty race now on between Hartz and Lockhart.
They just went by, less than 100 feet between them and Lockhart trying his best to pass Hartz at the south turn.
Here they come – neck and neck. The fans go loco, yelling and stamping their feet. As they approached the south turn this time, on the 104th lap Hartz jumped a little farther in the lead.
We are waiting for them to come by us again on the next lap.
And here the two bullets come! They are surely hitting it up. More yelling. Hartz has the better of the argument by about 25 yards. But the race is still on. Lockhart does not like to give up and apparently Hartz feels like he doesn’t want to do anything charitable.
On the 106th lap Hartz still leads by about 35 or 50 yards.
Lockhart takes lead now.
Hartz coasts by and stops at pits. It is a shame to spoil a frolic of that kind. But it was fine while it lasted.
Hartz out of pits and away again.
Order at this time, on Lockhart’s 109th lap is: Lockhart, Hartz, Woodbury, Elliott, Comer.
De Paolo has been doing some fast driving, coming up a lap in the last 35 miles. But he still finds himself seven laps or 17½ miles behind Lockhart.
Comer is improving his position. Now in fourth place.
Batten, in a Miller, is a new one in the front column. He now is in fifth place.
Hawkes, in the Eldridge, on his 83rd round, while Lockhart is on his 122nd. Both Schmidt’s were lost. No foreign car is in the real picture.
Peter De Paolo is furnishing excitement at present. He just heeled in after Lockhart, the leader. The crowds like Pete’s stuff and they show it with cheering.
Here they come – the mobs go wild and Pete jumps ahead of Lockhart. He still is about 72 laps behind Lockhart on the day’s score, but it is evident De Paolo right now is showing better time.
As they speed by us on the present circuit Pete is running away from Lockhart like a scared rabbit. How that Duesy jockey is driving. Had he put up this sort of a fight from the first and missed so much grief he would not be a mere comet from the back ranks.
Now Pete is half a lap in front of Lockhart-with about seven laps to make up on the latter, though before they are on an equal footing.
Either Lockhart has reduced the fearful pace he was setting a while back or else De Paolo’s speed just makes it look like that.
The lead horse wheeled off the first 300 miles in 3:10:20.50. Order at the point was as follows: Lockhart, Hartz, Woodbury, Comer, Batten. The rate of speed was 94.57 m.p.h.
Batten has dropped out of the lead pack and Elliott has come up into that select company again. Elliott, driving a Miller, has been up in the first five on two or three occasions, but seems to have had a hard time staying. Lecklider relieves Shafer.
Time for 325 miles, 3:26:10.96. Last year, 3:12:51.97. Average, 94.68. Last year, 101.11.
The score board shows De Paolo to have climbed into the front column, in fifth place. It is the first time since this show opened that the little Duesy flyer has been in that group.
Time for 350 miles, 3:42:04.56. Last year, 3:27:23.24. Average, 94.56 m.p.h. Last year, 101.26.
Order at this time: Lockhart, Hartz, Woodbury, Comer, De Paolo.
Lockhart is two laps to the good on each, Hartz and Woodbury, four laps on Comer, and seven on De Paolo.
Lockhart’s speed at 350 miles had been at the rate of 94.36 m.p.h.
Last year at 350 miles De Paolo had been traveling at the rate of 101.26 m.p.h.
One thing is certain. The race today will not be a fair test of the smaller engine. There have been too many complications. But the race will produce a lot of good stuff to shoot at practically and speculatively regarding the lowered piston displacement.
Later on in the year we likely will get a chance to see how the smaller power plant performs on other tracks. But no doubt there are many here who will not accept today’s showing as the best that could be done with the smaller engined jobs.
However, with respect to speed – it was not generally believed the time this year would equal last year’s even under the most favorable conditions.
The lower averages during the qualification trials indicated that. The most ambitious prediction I heard in the press stand before the race was 100 miles an hour.
Time for 375 miles, 3:57:55.85. Average 94.56 m.p.h. Last year’s time, 3:42:01.15. Average, 101.34 m.p.h.
Order: Lockhart, Hartz, Woodbury, Comer, De Paolo.
Positions are the same as they were at 350 miles.
Lockhart has two laps on Hartz and Woodbury, five on Comer and seven on De Paolo.
DePaolo continues to drive steadily but Lockhart, himself, has been stepping out some more and holds his advantage well. He can drive, that fellow.
It is raining. Lockhart on his 160th lap. Starter Klein is preparing to flag the drivers and end the race. Too dangerous to continue.
Lockhart was just given the checkered flag.
Winner New to Bricks
Time by Lockhart for 400 miles which ended the race: 4:13:37.58. His rate of speed was 94.63 m.p.h.
Hartz, in a Miller, won second.
Woodbury, in the Boyle Special, was third.
Comer, in a Miller Special, took fourth.
De Paolo, in a Duesenberg, was fifth.
Elliott, in a Miller Special, was sixth; Batten, in a Miller Special. was seventh; Hepburn, in a Miller Special, was eighth; Lecklider, who finished in Shafer’s Miller, was ninth; Duff, in an Elcar Special, was tenth.
Lockhart finished almost three laps ahead of Hartz. The winner of this year’s derby came here practically unknown, except on, dirt tracks, to become famous overnight. He was booked for a relief driver only two weeks ago, so it is reported, but showed up so well in testing cars he was entered as a regular driver.
All of which goes to show that pre-race predictions do not always mean so much. The prophets failed to include Lockhart in their ticket. They also overlooked Woodbury, who finished third, and ran one of the most consistent and headiest races of the day.
Photos.
Page 16. Lockhart in car he drove to victory
Page 17. Winning car flashing across the tape as starter and assistant starter signal victory
Page 18-19. Panorama view of drivers, officials and cars before the start
Page 19. Graphic record of all Indianapolis races
Page 20-21. ELLIOTT ELLINGBOE B. JONES SHAFER SHATTUC COMER COOPER DE PAOLO GULOTTA HILL LEWIS HARTZ