ADVENT CALENDAR DOOR 23 – The Class of 1923: A Century-Old Chapter in American Open-Wheel Racing

As we open the 23rd door of our Advent calendar, we travel exactly 100 years back in time to the 1923 season, one of the formative chapters in American open-wheel racing history.

Long before the modern IndyCar Series existed, the sport was governed by the AAA Contest Board, and its stars competed on dangerous board tracks and at the already iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The year 1923 stands out not only for technological progress and growing popularity, but also for the drivers who defined the era.

At the center of that season were two very different stories: Eddie Hearne, the man who conquered the championship through consistency, and Tommy Milton, who etched his name into history at Indianapolis with a record-breaking victory.

Eddie Hearne and the AAA National Championship of 1923

The AAA National Champion of 1923 was Eddie Hearne, a driver whose name may not be as widely known today, but whose importance to early American racing cannot be overstated.

Hearne’s championship was built not on one spectacular moment, but on steady performances across a demanding and unforgiving schedule.

Hearne was a regular contender on the AAA circuit, which included a mix of high-speed board tracks and long-distance events.

In an era where mechanical failures were common and safety margins were thin, finishing races consistently was often more valuable than outright speed.

Hearne mastered that balance in 1923, collecting enough strong results throughout the season to secure the national title.

What made Hearne’s championship especially impressive was the environment in which he raced. Drivers competed without seat belts, with minimal protection, and often alongside riding mechanics.

Strategy relied on instinct rather than data, and survival was sometimes as important as pace. Hearne’s ability to navigate these conditions and bring the car home time after time defined his championship run.

Although Hearne did not win the Indianapolis 500 that year, his overall body of work across the season earned him the highest honor in American open-wheel racing.

His 1923 title stands as a reminder that championships are often won through discipline and endurance rather than headline-grabbing victories.

Tommy Milton and a Record-Breaking Indianapolis 500

While Eddie Hearne claimed the championship, the most iconic single moment of the 1923 season belonged to Tommy Milton at the Indianapolis 500.

Milton delivered a masterclass performance at the Speedway, winning the race and setting a new average speed record in the process.

Driving a HCS Special, Milton led 128 of the 200 laps and crossed the finish line with an average speed of 90.955 miles per hour, a remarkable achievement for the time.

It was his second Indianapolis 500 victory, having also won the race in 1921, and it further cemented his reputation as one of the greatest drivers of the early era.

Milton’s 1923 win was especially significant because it showcased the rapid evolution of both driver skill and machinery at Indianapolis.

The Speedway was becoming faster and more refined, and Milton’s performance symbolized how quickly the sport was advancing. Although he did not capture the AAA championship that season, his Indy 500 triumph remains one of the defining moments of the decade.

A Season That Defined an Era

Together, Eddie Hearne and Tommy Milton represent two sides of the 1923 story. Hearne embodied consistency and championship craftsmanship, while Milton delivered spectacle and history on the sport’s biggest stage.

Around them, a cast of early racing pioneers continued to push the boundaries of what was possible, often at great personal risk.

The 1923 season also highlighted the growing importance of the Indianapolis 500 as the crown jewel of American racing.

While the AAA championship was decided across multiple events, it was Indianapolis that captured public imagination and set the tone for the sport’s future.

Looking Back from a Century Later

One hundred years later, the class of 1923 reminds us how deeply rooted IndyCar’s heritage truly is.

The sport has evolved dramatically, but the foundations were laid by drivers like Eddie Hearne and Tommy Milton, who competed in an era defined by courage, innovation, and resilience.

As we reflect on this season on Day 23 of our Advent calendar, it becomes clear that American open-wheel racing was already rich with storylines, heroes, and milestones long before the modern age.

The legacy of 1923 lives on every time the green flag waves at Indianapolis, carrying with it a century of history that continues to shape the sport today.

written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment