The seaside resort of Venice, California held a one-off 301-mile road race on St. Patrick’s Day, 1915. The organisers built board track corners to boost speeds on the temporary street circuit but the 68 mph average was lower than expected. In a move that was ahead of its time, a canvas wall was erected around the course to make sure spectators had to pay to watch the action. Dave Lewis held a seven minute advantage with two laps to go only for his Stutz to succumb to engine trouble. Barney Oldfield, who was known as the “Master Driver of the World” at the time, therefore snatched victory and the $3,500 first prize in a 1-2 triumph for the Maxwell marque. The race attracted a crowd of 60,000 but was not repeated.
