The October 25, 1924, race at Charlotte Speedway was the eighth round of the AAA National Championship. This inaugural event on the new 1.25-mile high-banked board oval in Pineville, North Carolina (near Charlotte), featured a full 250-mile (200-lap) contest. Starting positions were determined by lot, with Bennett Hill on pole. The race was tragically overshadowed by Ernie Ansterburg’s fatal accident during practice on October 16.
Tommy Milton won in his #11 Miller Special with a time of 2:06:56.09 at an average speed of 118.171 mph. Earl Cooper finished second in his #7 Studebaker-Miller (200 laps, time 2:08:26.68), followed by Bennett Hill in third in his #1 Miller (200 laps, time 2:08:30.09). The top five also included Peter DePaolo (fourth, Duesenberg) and Harry Hartz (fifth, Durant-Miller). Attrition was notable, with retirements like Frank Elliott (burnt piston after 148 laps) and Harlan Fengler (bearings after 111 laps).
Attendance exceeded 50,000 spectators (some reports cite over 50,000 packing the grandstands and infield), marking a strong debut for the Southern board track. This victory boosted Tommy Milton’s season points, though Jimmy Murphy’s earlier dominance secured his posthumous 1924 title. The race exemplified the high speeds and risks of late-1920s board-track racing.
October 17, 1924
October 24, 1924
October 24, 1924
October 27, 1924
October 27, 1924