America’s First Auto Race
America’s first auto race between gasoline-powered automobiles was staged on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1895. The race, sponsored by the Chicago Times Herald, was to be run along a 52-mile course of muddy, frozen streets from Jackson Park to Waukegan, Illinois. The race attracted 80 entries but only six starters. J. Frank Duryea, driving the Duryea shown above at an average speed of 5 mph, crossed the finish line 10 hours and 23 minutes after the start. One other participant was forced to drop out of the race, suffering from hypothermia.
Photo: Library of Congress