The Master Driver of The World

This is a true account of the 1914 Los Angeles-to-Phoenix off-road race, popularly known as, "The Cactus Derby." By some measures, the course is the most treacherous on Earth. The drivers face 728 miles of car-busting terrain fit for little more than cactus and rattlesnakes. In this race, a driver must carve his own road and endure steep mountain passages in the face of freezing rain, hail, and floods. The star driver of the competition is America's "Speed King," Barney Oldfield. He's demonstrated talent with a multitude of speed records and race victories, but he is also a showman and his critics say his antics are not becoming of the sport. The race winner will be presented the "Master Driver of the World" gold medal, and Oldfield is determined to earn it. Late in his auto racing career, an aging Oldfield knows his legacy is at stake. Will he be remembered as a champion or a huckster?

Late in his auto racing career, an aging Barney Oldfield knows his legacy is at stake. Will he be remembered as a champion or a huckster? His critics demean him for making a mockery of his sport with staged races and stunts like racing airplanes. At one point banished from the official sanction of the American Automobile Association for racing Jack Johnson, the black boxing champion, Oldfield feels the eastern establishment is determined to destroy his livelihood. His antics are wildly lucrative and surpass their championship races. He threatens their preeminence in American auto racing. Oldfield embarks on a campaign to prove his mettle, with great success. The top American racer in the 1914 Indianapolis 500, he sets his sights on earning "The Master Driver of the World" title for the Phoenix-to-Los Angeles road race. By some measures, this is the most treacherous course on the planet. Before him lies 728 miles of car-busting terrain fit for little more than cactus and rattlesnakes. In this race, a driver carved his own road and endured steep mountain passages in the face of freezing rain, hail, and floods. Oldfield wrestles with internal demons, cultural change, and how he can't change the world.

Born in Indianapolis, Mark Dill has a life-long involvement with auto racing. While studying journalism at Indiana University, Mark worked as news director of Indianapolis Raceway Park. He then took a turn racing cars in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competition. Later, Mark led Nortel's sponsorship of the car that won the 1997 Indianapolis 500. In 2010, Mark was Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) for three racing seasons. He has written articles about the sport's early history for IMS programs, historical society magazines, and auto racing journals. Mark assisted New York historian Howard Kroplick to complete his book, "The Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island." Mark has consulted the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) in public relations. His first book, The Legend of the First Super Speedway was published in 2020. In addition, he has written two children's books: The Legend of the First Super Speedway (a young reader's edition) and Spirit of Speedway. Mark lives in Cary, NC with his family and operates the website, First Super Speedway (www.firstsuperspeedway.com), the largest online archive of pre-1920 auto racing history in the world.