Joan Newton Cuneo, a socialite who by 1905 was driving her third White Steamer; that fall she did fast exhibition driving, ran against Barney Oldfield, & set the women’s record for the flying mile at 1 minute and 24 seconds. After her stunning victories in New Orleans, the AAA (which sponsored most big races) banned women drivers, and even women passengers from racing events; many felt it was because too many men would stay away if they were beaten by a woman.
