The Speedway Helmet Race was an automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, during each of the three race weekends of 1910 (the last year prior to the first Indianapolis 500). The trophy was a metal helmet, featuring the Speedway's "Wings and Wheel" logo, which the winner wore while defending his title in the next Speedway Helmet Race. The photo to the right is of auto racing star Johnny Aitken. He modeled the unique trophy in May 1910 just days before the first race in which it was the primary prize. He never won the award.

AitkenSpeedwayHelmet

Race results

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Year Date Winning Driver Car Race Distance Time of Race Winning Speed
Miles Laps
1910 May 27   Bob Burman Buick 5 2 00:03:37.24 82.858 mph
July 1   Eddie Hearne Benz 10 4 00:07:13.00 83.141 mph
Sept 3   Eddie Hearne Benz 10 4 00:07:03.41 85.024 mph

Sources

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  • Scott, D. Bruce; INDY: Racing Before the 500; Indiana Reflections; 2005; ISBN 0-9766149-0-1.
  • Galpin, Darren; A Record of Motorsport Racing Before World War I.
  • Dill, Mark, www.firstsuperspeedway.com (Photo and associated caption)