The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 29

PAGE 30 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR -WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1958 USAC Okays Sports Car Races Sports Editor Act JOHNNIE PARSONS doesn't hesitate at all before answering when you ask him who he's picking to Is Boon Drivers win the 500-mile race. rather drive the wee cars than any other type of racing machine. He loves to drive them so much, in fact, that he flies home every two weeks during the West Coast season from his regular off-season job as a safety-lecturer for the Champion Spark Plug highway safety program so By BILL EGGERT The United States Auto Club, which bosses the 500-Mile Race, yesterday embraced professional One of only two former winners who will be vying for positions in the 33-car starting field, Parsons confides immediately that he is picking Johnnie Parsons. "If I didn't think so, I wouldn't be here," Parsons said, "I've got a little edge. I know how it's done." PARSONS IS raring to go this year.

He has shifted to a closed-circuit road racing The announcement bright ened an otherwise second straight dull day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he can drive in midget programs. which was motionless because Parsons works for Cham of chilling rain. pion eight months of the year, covering metropolitan areas from coast to coast Outside of his midget racing most of John's activity now USAC has been ogling road or sports car racing for several months and the announcement almost coincides with the Sports Car Club of America's determination to enforce its professionalism rule. SCCA has recoded its rules to bar is in stock cars. "I LOVE to drive Parsons says, "They're a lot of fun.

It takes a lot of fi ii mil ummm FT if rL- American drivers, who accept nesse to drive a midget and cash prizes or gratuities. also split-second timing. The new sanctioning move Parsons regards as his prin was viewed as a boon for cipal competition in this sports car drivers, who have year's race as Jimmy Bryan, been driving for money, and Jim Rathmann and Pat O' conducted. We recognize the distinctive features of both track and road racing. That is why we are establishing a separate division under the direct supervision of a road-racing competition committee, composed of representatives of the various sports car interests," USAC, in addition to the 500-Mile Race, also sanctions a national championship circuit for big cars.

Pike's Peak Hill Climb, Mobilgas Economy Run, Bonneville speed trials and endurance runs and sprint, midget and stock car races. This new invasion makes its possible for sports car drivers like Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill. Paul O'Shea, John Fitch and others to compete in the U.S. as well as Europe. SPEEDWAY drivers such as Jimmy Bryan, Pat O'Connor, Troy Ruttman and Johnnie Parsons probably will be the first to leap into the venture.

Parsons, the 1950 Speedway winner, is most anxious. He said yesterday, "I've been waiting for this ever since 1950. This is a step toward a true world's champion. And don't think these (Speedway) boys can't drive those fender-jobs." As rain fell yesterday, everybody at the Speedway spent most of the day looking at each other and half- for Speedway-type drivers, who now will have the oppor Connor. "They're the 1 tunity to remain busy during threats," he says, "They're young and strong and they know their way around here, the car's front end.

On the right. Driver Paul Goldsmith of the City of Daytona Special car, listens to the radio hoping for a break from the weatherman. (Star Photos by James A. Ramsey) Parsons has been racing since 1940 when he started SPEEDWAY "ACTION" Yesterday's rainy, windy weather prevented action for the second straight day at the 500-Mile track. However, Roy Sherman (left), mechanic of the D-A Lubricant Special No.

7, took advantage of the inclement weather to make a jack for the big-car off season. It also is possible through a long-range view, that USAC eventually could come up with an American-type of Grand Prix racing. Duane Carter, USAC direc in midgets at the Old Atlan tic Boulevard track in Los Angeles. He moved up to the AAA bigtime in 1947 and tor of competition, indicated was Midwest midget champion in 1948. this new division will be in Tribesmen Tally Four In 13th operation by late summer and that sanctions for specific He is one of the leaders in championship race victories since World War II, having dates will be announced later, Managers of courses, who al To Defeat Minneapolis, 7-3 won 11 of them.

ready have agreed to schedule PARSONS BELIEVES that professional races include: the other two runs came over. hit off Hughes In his three innings and Trosky followed By MAX GREENWALD Star Sports Writer John Fitch, Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Ed Kemm, with his brilliant pitching. Pat Flaherty's one-lap and four-lap qualifying marks both will stand up through this year. He thinks the Minneapolis, Minn. The In JOE ALTOBELLI put the Indians in front in the second inning.

He tripled to the fence in left center and scored after Virginia International Race Southpaw Tom Borland dianapolis Indians played their and Harry Donsh pitched way, Danville, Bob Mc Kenzie, Marlboro Motor Race believing worn out rumors. Romano's sacrifice fly to cen Three cars were towed in way, Marlboro, and Steve longest game of the season last night but broke loose with a four run outburst in the 13th inning to gain the to the garage area No. 19 from the sixth to the 11th when Spring took over. TWO MORE pitchers were cut off the Tribe roster yesterday. They were Jim Der- Novis are the only cars with even a possibility to beat the marks.

In fact. Parsons believes the best qualifying speed this year may be slightly slower than the ter. Altobelli was in left field for the first time for Indianapolis although he had been used in that spot by Cleve Greenman-Casale Special for Johnny Tolan, No. 57 brand victory, 7-3. Cloyd Boyer, Jim Hughes new Helse Special for Jimmy land.

rington, bonus southpaw who had an 0-1 record, and 817 which Russo chalked up Art Schult led off in the seventh with a double to right center and McCarty walked. Hughes went to the mound and Robbins bunted, getting a hit when the Indians were caught out of position. THE BALL trickled through short, Schult scoring from second. Ed Sadowski sacrificed the runners to third and second. Gene Mauck, Minneapolis player-manager, came in as a pinchhitter and was given an intentional pass to fill the bases.

4 McCarthy then scored after Malmberg's sacrifice fly to center for the 3-3 deadlock. Two were stranded when Pumpsie Green flied to left. Robbins' bunt was the only and Hal Trosky combined to hold Minneapolis to only six In the fifth Romano sent his in a Novi last year. Daywalt and the No. 99 Demler Special for George Amick.

drive over the fence in left Mason, Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CaL Others have indicated willingness to secure 10 or more races by 1959. USAC will apply for FIA approval of its dates in the hope that there will be an interchange of European and American driver competition. Thomas W. Binford, USAC hits over the 13-inmng route. Johnnie is 39 years old at the 340-mark.

Hicks fol THE 21-YEAR-OLD Trosky The Demler car is one of JOHNNIE PARSONS different car, the Gerhardt Special, this time after several years of driving for J. C. Agajanian. But, Parsons isn't in with a new crew of teammates-far from it. The car owner is Fred Gerhardt of Fresno, Cal.

and the chief mechanic is Fred De Orian of the same city. Parsons drove for Gerhardt far back as 1945 when he and the late Bill Vukovich chauffeured 2-cycle midgets on. the Pacific Coast. "We usually ran 1-2 in the features," Parsons said, "Those were really the days. We were running seven nights a week and grossing usually between $1,200 and $1,500 a week." PARSONS WON the Pacific Coast midget championship in 1956 driving De Orian's midget and also campaigned it last season.

Parsons is high on the Gerhardt car and is raring to go. He plans to run it for the first time today if the miserable weather which has plagued the Speedway so far finally abates. The car is the same one which Bill Cheesbourg qualified at 138.878 miles per hour last year and then was "bumped" from the starting field. But, it has been almost completely rebuilt. The hood is lowered six inches and the engine now is held over on its side just 18 degrees from horizontal, the same tilt as the winning Belond Special of last year.

Parsons is the living sym-bol of a complete change in the whole psychology of the "500" which took place in 1949-50. He was the foremost of a new crop of gradu now. "And, it's not the Jack Benny kind of count, it's for lowed with a single to right and when second baseman achieved his first American three almost identical low sil Association triumph by pitch real," he says with a twinkle houette creations built by Harry Malmberg moved to protect the sack, Williams rapped ing hitless ball in the last four in his piercing eyes. Glen Rosenbaum, whose standing was 1-1. Derrington was transferred to Colorado Springs after making three starts.

His best outing in those three tries lasted five innings. Rosenbaum, a resident of Union Mills, had three relief efforts. He remained in Indianapolis to await assignment. Quinn Epperly. The first was the 1957 winner for Sam frames.

The sidearming right Parsons nearly saw his hander had five strikeouts. string of consecutive Indian president, said, "It is not our Hanks. Bryant has it this time. The other is owned by. The tribe made Jack Spring, a single through the vacated area.

Hicks reached third on the hit, in position to score easily thought to change in any way, the character of closed-circuit apolis races ended last year when his Agajanian Special the fourth Minneapolis pitch Cars, and to be driven by Tony Bettenhausen. er, the loser in the 13th. The sports car racing as presently was bumped from the field. But he gtt a reprieve when southpaw started his trouble after Bobby Winkles' sacrifice fly to center. StMwealaaaMa with one out by hitting John These markers were ob ny Callison on the back with Dick Rathmann suffered an injury which forced him to relinquish a Sumar Special to tained off Bob Chakales, former Indian who failed to go pitch on a 1-2 count.

Bob Hale slammed a dou Parsons. ble just inside the first base the distance in his second start against the Tribe. Parsons likes his car and the track. He's one of the line and Callison broke the BOYER WAS the Indianap 3-3 tie. Hale went to third on the throw home and scored olis starter in quest of his on Sam Hairston's single to fourth straight game, having best traffic drivers ever to hit this track so he will be a definite factor to reckon with.

Driver Johnny Boyd and center. Joe Hicks walked and gone the route in three previous outings. Glen Stablefeld relieved i Knowledgeable people buv Tmnfirial Spring with two out. Charley owner Robert M. Bowes Jr.

of But the fifth Minneapolis got to the righthander for a Williams then came through with his third hit of the tilt among the Tribe's total of 13, run after MCL-artny triple hopped past Callison into the rightfield corner. Red Robbins double to far center, and the Bowes Seal Fast racing team were in Dallas yesterday at the convention of the Texas Service Station Association where Boyd was guest of honor. They'll be back at the track today. singled to left to bring in Mc- Carthy a a jr removed 1T11V.U1 UlllIV IT 1113 1 Boyer was I INDIANAPOLIS ates from the midget ana roadster racing ranks who AS PO A or Giants, 7-0 Winhlat.M rewrote the Speedway script Garcia.3 Scoreboard Celliten.rf Hale. lb San Francisco (AP) Mike THIS USED to be a race Alteaeili.lf 4 McCormick, the San Fran 0 0 3 2 0 i oS because they have an educated taste iiioo i if 114 10 0 1 1 I I II 0 4 0 IJ ii Remane.c 3 McAnanr which was almost always won by a driver who stayed cisco Giants' 19-year-old bonus boy, gave up only three in back in a good striking posi field hits last night in shutting Nkkt.cf Sever.

3 Huehet.a tion most of the way and out Pittsburgh, 7-0, and knock them made his move in the Mela 1 ing the Pirates out of a tie for Treiky.a 1 the National League lead. letale 50 7 IS 3 IS last 100 or 200 miles. It was something like a chess game on wheels and the foremost chess player was a little man The Giants socked four MINNEAPOLIS AMERICAN ASSOCIATION I Ret. OS Denver II 4 .713 Chorletle 1 .700 Mtnneaeelit 13 .414 1'J ItiOIANAEOUS .5) STfe SI. Paul II Omaha II .400 A levlsvillt 13 .31 TVi Wichita 14 .300 AMERICAN IIACUI I Pel.

CS New Yerk 10 4 .714 Washlngte .443 1 Kansas City 7 .333 1 laltlmere .500 1 Cleveland 10 10 .500 3 eslea I1 .450 4 Del. alt 10 .444 4 Pittsburgh pitchers for eight hits, highlighted by Orlando Melmeerg.lh Greea.M Threneberry.rf named Maun Rose. Cepeda's 400-foot homer in 0 i 0 0 0 I 4 1 5 0 the third. Kellert.lk, Schull.lf McCarmv.cf Parson and his group changed all that. It's now a 500-mile "trophy dash," i "ilk 1 i Pittieuf.h San Francitca AS RBI AB RBI Sadewcki.c Chekelee.a There's little place left for Chicege 4 II .17 Vi Meiiot CF Breuoud I 0 Tanner 10 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 strategy and' none at all for Groot SS SkinnerLP Ben-end, a 2 I I I 0 1 Mauch Stevens I the conservative approach, 0 0 tl -wree.

NATIONAL IIACUI Dm Nat Include Angeles Gama I Ret. GS Chicaaa 11 .431 0 0 You just "stand on it and go Derith.p Klmphlett Spring. Won CP SoencerS5 Jablontiii 3B Davenprr 3S Ceoedo I Souer IF Toustia IP Kirtlond RF Schinidt I 1 0 0 0 0 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 and hope she hangs together" F.Themoe 3S Clemente RF Mozrtki Krovifr OonielsP Pe-M StaaeKeld.B Milwaukee II 7 .411 Vfc Tetalt 40 3 It 10 for tha 500 miles, ntttaurgit it .3" i San francitca 11 .571 1 lined avt far Chakalef In fifth. 'Walked Intentienellv far Sarland In Parsons has been In every Cincinnati 7 .533 1 McCormick eventh. Philadelphia 10 .444 3V, race since he came to Indi la Angeles Ill .400 4V, Brian Smith Total 'Ian far Remane in ninth, feuled eat fer Hughe, in tenth.

tWelked far Oemh in tenth. St. laoii 13 .111 T't anapolis as a rookie in 1949 and surprised the big-car Toiofk ladienepellt 010 010 000 000 4-7 1 Struck nut fnr P.ra. ih -U. Minneepelie 000 010 300 000 0-3 Grounded out for Witt in aighth.

IBMrYilliamt 1. Remane 1. Nalriten. Yesterday's Results AMERICAN ASSOCIATION INDIANAPOLIS 7, Minneeeelie (13 Htninatl. Wichita 10.

St. Paul 4. r.niouror. poo poo OPO 8 Son Froncnco 501 001 00 7 E-Branoud PO-A-Pitttburoh 24-12. San Froncnco 27.

12. Groot ond Nale, Winhlet. Rebbina Marmberg. lOB-lndianaeelie g. Minneepelie 4.

DP-Sadeweki and Melmbeig. leWGarcia, Schelt, Nale, Williams. 3a-Altebelli McCarthy. MR-Remaao. SB-eticks.

Cha. Denver at leaieville, pesraenea'. rain. Omaha at Chari.it.fi. aactaarwei, rain.

kales. Sadawskl. SF Remane. Winkles. Malmbera.

jevene; uroot and Sreventr McCormick, Soencer and Cepeda. lOo-Pitltburgri 4. Son Froncnco H-Ceoadct. SF-Joblontki. Movt.

AMERICAN HAGUE eitea 7, Chicaaa S. Detreit at Weshiftgten, a IP Chekalet. Borland 1 n. EPBBSO Domeli (I, 0 1 2 4 4 2 0 IR II SO 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 5 3 1 1 Deriih 3 Spring (I. 1-11 4 3 2 2 drivers by setting the second fastest qualifying time and then running second in the race.

He proved his showing was no fluke by going on to capture the 1949 AAA driving championship and then coming back to win here in a race that was shortened to 345 miles by rain. There's a popular myth around the Speedway to the effect that Parsons is burning to win another "500" to show that his 1950 victory was no fluke. 1 I 2 I Stobelfeld Beyer A W.tt 2 9 G. Smith 13 2 0 0 0 0 14 1 0 3 0 Hughes 3 McCormick IW, 2 0 0 10 0 13 0 0 0 1 5 Tretky (W, 1-0) ..4 WP-Perer. Win U-Smih Doscr-li U-lefcer, lWg.lt on, CrawferoV 840: I K.nnVn, "P-av Spring (Colli, I.

Kantot City ctt Raltimera, aeiteenea1, rain. Oevelana at New Yerk, aottaenea1, rain. NATIONAL IEAGUI Chtcaae 4, Cincinnati 0. Milwaukee 11. St.

Wait t. Philadelphia at Let Anaelet. aiaht. San Erancieca 7, Pirttbwrah 0. Today's Schedule AMERICAN ASSOCIATION IN01ANAPOIIS at Minneaaeln.

night. Denver at levicvilte. night. O-noha at Charletten. night.

Wichita at St. Paul, night. AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland at New Yerh-Grenf 13-01 vt. Last Night's Baseball NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia .000 006 000 000 0 f' A 1 Los Angeles ..000 302 001 000 0 aid 1-2). Chicage at 11-11 vt.

I3-I. Detrait at Waehinaten II. twi niehtl- Sanford, Cray (S), Farrell (6) and Lopata; Koufax. Labine (6), Roebuck (7), Drysdale (II) and Walker. Home run Runnina (1-31 and lent 11-21 vs.

Patcucrl -I I and Grigge 10-01. Kazanskl (6th, 2 on). Kaneae Citv at Baltmrera fniahtr-Ganrer (J-OI vm. rertecarrara 10-0). NATIONAL IEAGUI Cincinnati at Chicaae-iawranca 11.11 n.

rttiiiiac toot. Philadelphia at lea Anaelee Sirnmam IJ-71 v. Kie ll-II. Pirttaarah at Scm franc lecerViend 14-01 "THAT'S NOT true," Parsons says, "I took over the lead on the fifth lap of that race and led all but nine laps of it. What do they want?" He also gives the lie to the contention that a cracked block in his Wynn's Friction Proofing Special would have forced him out if the race had gone the full 500 miles.

"Just to show yo how silly that is," Parsons points out, "Mike Nazaruk finished second in the same car the next year with that same cracked block." The only winner in Indianapolis history to go on to capture a later midget championship, Parsons would i III (IMPERIAL I A Hiram Walker Whiskey 1 I WAlKtl B1ENDE0 WHISKEY 84 PPOOF 30 STfAIGHT WHISKEY, 6 YtARS OS MOK OlD 70 GtAINI NEUTIAl SPIRITS HIRAM WAIKER 4 SONS PEORIA. IILINOIS vt. Rarclav 11-01. Milwaukee at St. leuii Inlahtl-Ruraetta (Z-21 vt.

wenmeier ru-cu. Making Tracks to the Track? SAM'S SUBWAY TRACK S.VACKS Take along your choice of chicken, deliriously fried, or meat or cheese sandwiches, complete with utensils, tomato, salad, buttered bread, apple and cake Order SOW from SAM'S SUBWAY Meridian Crosses Call WAInut 6-3395 Lund May Get Job Detroit (UP) Detroit Tiger Coach Don Lund will succeed Ray Fisher as baseball coach at the University of Michigan, the Detroit News -f-" bhiii.uhiiwi 1 1 ii iii 1 1 limn iii I iai iiiiiiiiiMnnriiiinniii.Mji njsi'ft jj. j.i.i.ii mtu line mi in -it reported yesterday..