Vanderbilt Cup Races

The Detroit Public Library has scanned additional images for their National Automotive History Collection. Below are photos from the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes held on October 10, 1908- the opening day of the Motor Parkway.

1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

On September 10, 1908, the AAA Race Commission announced plans to christen the Motor Parkway with an event called, “The Long Island Motor Parkway Sweepstakes.” Five concurrent stock car races were scheduled for October 10, 1908. The idea was to create an opportunity to test the new course, timing systems, and crowd control for the Vanderbilt Cup Race scheduled two weeks later.

The cars in the Sweepstakes Races were classified by their sales price. These seven cars participated in the "Motor Parkway Sweepstakes", the race for the stock cars selling for over $4,000. Each "Motor Parkway Sweepstakes" car was identified with a "P" for Parkway next to its number:Below are photos from the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes held on October 10, 1908- the opening day of the Motor Parkway.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

#P41 Chadwick (USA)

Driven by William Haupt. Finished 5th

#P42 Isotta (Italy)

Driven by Herb Lytle. Finished 1st with an average speed of 64.25 mph.

#P43 Simplex (USA)

Driven by Frank Lescault. Finished 4th.

#P44 Hotchkiss (France)

Driven by J. Kilpatrick. Finished 7th.

#P45 Knox (USA)

Driven by Charles Basle. Finished 6th.

#P46 Renault (France)

Driven by Lewis Strang. Finished 2nd.

#47 Itala (Italy)

Driven by Gus Lechleitner. Finished 3rd.