Vanderbilt Cup Races

Cyril, the location of the Motor Parkway in his excellent postcard had me stumped for months. However, the big curve in the background and the bridge just after the curve (seen just above the trees on the right) were major clues. Here's your answer:

The photo was taken on the Powell Avenue Bridge over the Motor Parkway in Bethpage (then called Central Park) looking north. After the curve, the Motor Parkway headed east and went under Plainview Road. Today, the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway follows the Motor Parkway right-of-way in this section.

This different postcard view (marked Central Park) shows this same curve and the Plainview Road Bridge during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Note the spectators watching the race on the bridge.

This photo also shows the Plainview Road Bridge looking to the west during the 1908 race. Old 16 Locomobile can be seen challenging the #12 Thomas during an early lap. Old 16, driven by George Robertson, would go on to become the first American car to win a Vanderbilt Cup Race.