A Pioneering Woman Race Driver on the Long Island Motor Parkway: Joan Newton Cuneo
One of the great achievements of a pioneering woman race driver was setting a world speed record on the Motor Parkway in 1911. Above photo courtesy of the Pettee Memorial Library/Wimington Historical Society, Wilmington, Vermont.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Comments
Joan Cuneo was also a member of the Ladies 4 in Hand Club Driving 4 horses to a large coach before the advent of auto racing. She along with Marion Hollins, Mrs. Hastings and other women formed thier own club because the men had their own Coaching Club open only to gentlemen.
From Janet Guthrie:
“Hi Howard—
Was delighted to find the piece about Joan Newton Cuneo. I knew she existed, but had never found any hard data about her.
Congratulations on taking the Black Beast back to Indianapolis! Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll make it this year—
Best regards,
Janet Guthrie”
Joan Newton Cuneo was the Janet Guthrie of her day! If you do make it to Indy, please let me know.
Joan Cuneo was also a winner driving her White Steamer at the beach races on the Longport, NJ Speedway in 1905. She would come to the races and challenge “any male” drivers to a match race.
Also like Shirley Muldowney in breaking barriers.
Actually she did a lot more than that. McFarland will publish a book on my research on Joan and other women racers of the era (there weren’t many)sometime in 2013. Always wondered why no one had written about her before, now I know. It has taken two years of digging and would certainly not been possible with the increasing digitization of newspapers and automotive journals.
EN
If anyone is interested I have copies of photos from the White Sewing Machine Co. (White Motors) of Joan Cuneo driving a Model “E” White steamer in the 1905 Glidden Tour when she had her famous accident. Photos of before, with the car on its side in Brothers Creek next to the Trolly Car bridge, and with her driving the car after it was pulled out. Also of her driving a new 1906 Model “F” White 7 passenger
Such inspiring history. Thanks for posting. After reading this I’m surprised there aren’t more female racecar drivers today.
Regards,
Tony
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