Race history
In 1909, the Chicago Motor Club organized the first automobile race in the American Midwest at the Crown Point Road Race Circuit in Crown Point, Indiana.[4] However, financial problems and road conditions forced the club to find a new location for the race.[4] Frank Berry Wood, an Elgin resident and a member of the Chicago Motor Club, was determined to move the races to Elgin, and scouted an 8.5 miles (13.7 km) circuit consisting of oil-soaked dirt and gravel roads with no crossroads, railroad tracks, high hills or towns to pass through.[1][4] The Chicago Motor Club officials were impressed by Wood's street circuit and the Elgin Automobile Road Race Association was formed to raise the necessary funds.[4]
On August 23, 1910, the first Elgin National Road Races were held and were an immediate success, drawing thousands of spectators due to its proximity to the Chicago metropolitan area.[1][4] The races were sponsored by the Elgin National Watch Company who offered a $1,000 prize and a silver trophy to the winner.[2] The races attracted the top national racing champions as well as many of the major automobile manufacturers with Ralph Mulford winning the inaugural race with an average speed of 62.5 miles an hour.[2]
Automobile Manufacturers were attracted to the Elgin races because the course provided few obstacles to reduce the car's speed.[1] Some of the manufacturers that participated in the Elgin Road Races were Ford, Chevrolet, Stutz, Duesenberg, Mercer, Marmon, and Hudson. The races contributed significantly to the development of the modern automobile.[1] The first competitions featured factory stock vehicles, however in 1911 Indianapolis 500 automobiles were allowed to compete.[1]
As automobile speeds continued to increase, the races became more dangerous and controversial.[1] Five competitors lost their lives during the races, three in 1911 and two in 1914.[3] Local farmers also began to object to road closures and the races were discontinued after the 1920 race.[1] The races were revived in 1933 to coincide with the Chicago World's Fair. The 1933 race was the first officially organized stock car race in the United States.[5][6]