Reference

The victory of Barney Oldfield over Alexander Winton was a national news topic for several reasons. Firstly, it marked a significant moment in the early history of American automobile racing, as described in the article from The Henry Ford Blog, which states that Barney Oldfield became the face of racing for the "general public" and helped to democratize not only racing entertainment, but also automobiles in general [1].

Secondly, the race was a contest between two significant figures in the automotive industry. Alexander Winton, a millionaire and founder of the Winton Motor Carriage Company, was seen as the nation's automotive champion, while Oldfield was a rising star. The result of their race became a national news topic, as detailed in the Wikipedia entry on Tom Cooper (cyclist) [2].

Thirdly, the victory was notable because Oldfield's win over Winton in the Ford 999 race car showcased the potential of the new racing machine, which was a pivotal moment in the development of American racing, as mentioned in the article from Headlights.com [5].

Lastly, the race's outcome had broader implications for the automotive industry and society. It contributed to the reputation of Henry Ford and his subsequent success with the Model T, which revolutionized transportation and American industry, as indicated in the Saylor Academy article on Henry Ford [8]. The race also highlighted the emerging prominence of automobiles in American culture and their role in shaping society, as suggested by the content from The Henry Ford [1] and the LinkedIn article on Henry Ford's failures [9].

In summary, the victory of Barney Oldfield over Alexander Winton was a national news topic due to its significance in the early days of American automobile racing, the contest between two key figures in the automotive industry, the showcasing of the potential of new racing machines, and the broader implications for the automotive industry and American society.