The 1918 Harkness Trophy Classic at Sheepshead Bay Speedway in Brooklyn, New York, was a highlight of early American racing, held on the 2-mile high-banked wooden board oval that had quickly become one of the fastest tracks in the country. Originally scheduled on May 30th, the race was postponed due to fog and ultimately held on June 1st drawing an estimated 45,000 spectators.
The feature event was a 100-mile handicap race, a format in which Louis Chevrolet started first while the rest of the field was handicapped behind him according to speed. The handicapping system, while intended to level competition, caused confusion among both the scorers and the spectators, as the finishing order on the track did not match the official times. After 50 laps, Tommy Milton crossed the finish line first on track, but Ralph DePalma was declared the winner on corrected time, driving a Packard to an average speed of 102.8 mph. Supporting 10-mile heat races were contested earlier in the day, with victories going to Ralph Mulford, Dario Resta, and Louis Chevrolet, showcasing the depth of talent present.
Named for investor Harry S. Harkness, the race was the final running of the Harkness Trophy Classic, marking the end of one of Sheepshead Bay’s most prominent racing traditions. Despite the confusion caused by the handicap format, the event remains a notable example of the daring and fast-paced board-track racing that defined AAA competition in the 1910s.
