Would anyone ever think of Mercedes Benz racing at Daytona Beach?

Anyone?

Well, I have been reading a book about the history of Mercedes Benz, and I am fascinated at every turn by the interesting factoids that are presented.
I guess I expected more response from this one.
In 1904 William K. Vanderbilt established seven new American records at the "Speed Carnival" at Daytona Beach, Florida. In his 90hp Mercedes Racer. All together, Mercedes vehicles were victorious in no fewer than twenty-three events at that meet alone. The next year (1905) at Daytona Beach, Mercedes broke three World records, and three more American records. At that same race Herbert L. Bowden, in a modified Mercedes with two 60hp 4 cylinder engines close-coupled in tandem establish a new world speed record of 109.6 miles per hour, which was unheard of at that time.
To me it is interesting to imagine racing at it’s infancy, and see Mercedes Benz so far out ahead. It once again gives an insight into the heritage that makes this marquee special.

This information was obtained from the book “The Complete Mercedes Story” by Robert Nitske, Third Edition 1965