INFO WANTED: Charley Chase Races Hearne Duesenberg at Ascot 1926

It is common for a person's hobby to cross paths with another hobby.  I personally enjoy finding those paths!

For instance, in the 1990s I started to collect stamps.  Well, being a car-gal, I, of course, had to add some automobile-related stamps to my albums.  Then railroad-related ones, and so on.

Conversely, when I got into railroad history and models, "autoracks" became interesting!  These are railcars used to transport new cars to distribution points.  In the past, they were open to the elements... and graffiti.  Today, they are totally enclosed by perforated metal panels.  But photos of cool old cars, fresh from the factory, riding the rails is yet another "hobby path cross".

As far as the celebrities I like, only some were well known "car guys". I'm not a huge Steve McQueen fan, but the fact he owned a genuine Jaguar XKSS sits very well with me. I like James Garner in "Rockford Files", so of course had to watch his film "Grand Prix" (1966). I was surprised to read that it was this movie that got him into racing. I just assumed he was a gear-head when he made it! Other than the racing, it is as boring as McQueen's "Le Mans" (1971). There is also a film he made about his racing team called "The Racing Scene" (1969).

This brings me to a newspaper blurb relating to comedian Charley Chase that has piqued my curiosity.

I knew he had made a short called "Young Oldfield" in 1924, which did indeed have the famous racer in it.  The website "The First Super Speedway" has a beautiful behind-the-scenes photo of Chase with Oldfield, though the page doesn't actually mention him! 

I also knew from searching online newspaper archives that Chase had been pulled over at least once for drunk driving.  In 1927 his "roadster collided with a taxicab".  He then fled the scene but was caught by police who witnessed the incident four blocks away.  He asserted he was not drunk, but plead guilty to prevent having to go to court.  He was given a 50-day suspended sentence.  

But then I ran into a mention of Chase participating in an auto race at Ascot.  The other men involved were Hoot Gibson, Earle Fox, and Dave Butler, all actors.  There were to be six other events that day as well.

Chase was to drive "Eddie Hearne's Duesenberg".  Now, in 1987 I first learned what a Duesenberg was.  And today they are still my favorite classic American make.  So that means I HAVE to find more info about this race!  

But I haven't been able to find a follow up article about the race.  I found out that Eddie Hearne (1887-1955) was an early race car driver.   I was hoping his connection to Duesenberg would make it easy to find info on this celebrity race, but so far I've come up with nothing.  

Below is all I know:

WHEN:  Sunday April 11, 1926

WHERE:  Legion Ascot Speedway (1924-1936) El Sereno, Los Angeles, California

WHO:  Charley Chase, Hoot Gibson, Earle Fox, Dave Butler

CARS:  Eddie Hearne Duesenberg, Miller Special, 2 others

If ANYONE can direct me to a website etc that has more info on this special race, please let me know!