The May 1, 1926, AAA National Championship race at Atlantic City Speedway (also known as Amatol Speedway) marked the grand opening of the new 1.5-mile high-banked wooden board oval near Hammonton, New Jersey. This 300-mile event (200 laps) was the third round of the 1926 AAA Championship Car season and drew a massive crowd estimated at over 80,000 spectators, reflecting the immense popularity of board-track racing in the era.
Harry Hartz won the race driving a Miller Special (Miller engine), starting from the third position. He completed the distance in 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 14.18 seconds, averaging 134.091 mph—a strong performance under the new 91.5-cubic-inch engine formula. Pole position went to Bob McDonogh (Miller), but Hartz took the lead and held on for the victory. Peter DePaolo finished second in a Duesenberg, followed closely by McDonogh in third. Other top finishers included Peter Kreis (fourth, Miller), Ralph Hepburn (fifth, Miller), and Eddie Hearne (sixth, Duesenberg).
The race featured intense competition among Miller and Duesenberg entries, with high attrition from mechanical issues. Notable retirements included Frank Elliott, Norman Batten, and Bennett Hill. Several drivers failed to qualify for the 16-car field, including Ralph DePalma and Zeke Meyer.
This inaugural event at Atlantic City Speedway set multiple speed records and highlighted the track’s extreme 45-degree banking, one of the steepest ever built for board ovals. It contributed key points to Harry Hartz’s eventual season championship title. The track hosted additional AAA races later in 1926 and beyond but was demolished in the early 1930s.
April 30, 1926
April 29, 1926
May 1, 1926
May 2, 1926
May 3, 1926