The 1918 American auto racing season was heavily impacted by World War I, which limited the number of events and shifted focus toward domestic competition. The AAA (American Automobile Association) sanctioned races, including major board-track events at venues like Sheepshead Bay, Indianapolis, and Evergreen Speedway, remained the centerpiece of the sport in the United States. Many races, including the Harkness Trophy Classic at Sheepshead Bay, were postponed or rescheduled due to weather and wartime constraints, drawing large crowds — sometimes 45,000 spectators or more — despite the global turmoil.
Handicap races were common, where faster drivers started behind slower ones, adding both excitement and occasional confusion for officials and fans. Prominent drivers of the era included Ralph DePalma, Barney Oldfield, Tommy Milton, Louis Chevrolet, Dario Resta, and Ralph Mulford, who competed on high-banked wooden board tracks, dirt ovals, and early paved circuits. The war largely halted European racing in 1918, making the U.S. AAA events some of the few top-level auto races worldwide that year. Despite logistical challenges and shortened seasons, these events showcased the speed, skill, and daring of early American drivers and helped maintain the momentum of professional auto racing in the U.S. during a turbulent period.
