First American Stock Car Race Came Through Armonk

ARMONK, N.Y. – The first-ever international stock car race in America passed through Armonk, along with 10 other neighboring towns and villages.

The Briarcliff International Automobile race was held April 24, 1908. Twenty-two race cars owned by various companies and well-to-do people were entered and five countries were represented, according to a publication of the North Castle Historical Society.

The race, which was about 32 miles long, began in Briarcliff and continued through Millwood, Kitchawan, Pines Bridge, Mount Kisco, Wampus Lake, Armonk, Kensico, Valhalla, East View, Hawthorne and back to Briarcliff.

The high average speed was 40 to 45 miles per hour.

Louis Strang won the race and John H. Tyson, who owned the car, gave Strang a $5,000 bonus on top of the $1,000 he won from the race.

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