The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 44

THURSDAY, JUNE 1887 page; 48 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR FLAT TIRE CHECKED CHASE OF FOYT etal Foils Unser IM Stray I a proving ground for better automobiles, their engines and their tires. That car doesn't do anything but help the aircraft industry." Unser's closest brush with disaster came when somebody spun in front of him in th No. turn. "I only missed whoever it was by a couple of inches," he said. While asserting "it is everybody's dream to win the 500," Unser was "very proud" to have finished second.

This was his third race and he hasn't grown too callous to recall that just driving here is "something I can remember wanting to do when I first started racing." wouldn't be in the 100 Mile An Hour Club because he didn't complete 200 laps at that speed or faster. STARTER Pat Vidan's red flag halting the race as soon as Foyt crossed the finish line in the wake of a five-car accident on the main stretch, nipped Unser's membership in the bud. "They can't do that to me," he bellowed. And said a couple of other things, too. As far as the STP turbo entry is concerned, Unser didn't take kindly to having to compete against it.

"It's an aircraft engine not the automobile piston type," he asserted. "The Speedway has been Having already made his second mandatory pit stop and trailing Foyt by just five seconds, Unser's luck took a turn for the worse in the third turn. Nearly 50 laps remained when the piece of metal cost Unser a flat tire and an extra pit stop. "The pit stop cost me more than a lap," Unser declared. When Foyt got the checkered flag, Unser was on his 199th trip.

"Of course, I don't know whether Foyt could nave run harder," Unser said. "But I think I could have raced him for it." Unser's eyes flashed angrily when told he UNSER'S STRATEGY was simple. "I wanted to run as fast as I could all day if I could he declared. "It proved out. My car handled right and I was able to do it." First, Unser and Art Pollard in the No.

16 Thermo King, a turbocharged Offy, had a terrific battle for nearly 200 miles. "I did everything and couldn't shake him," Al said. That battle finally ended when Pollard spun just a tick of the clock behind Unser. Then Al, running third, took up the chase of Foyt, who was running second but losing ground to the leading on every circuit. resident of Albuquerque (N.M.) was philosophical enough about collecting the runner-up loot.

He wasn't so happy upon learning the name of Al Unser won't be inscribed on the roster of the elite Champion 100-Mile-An-Hour Club. Unser also wasn't blissful about Parnelli's "airplane engine" being in the field. In between signing autographs, accepting long distance telephone calls and getting kissed on the forehead by women toting glasses of champagne, Unser analyzed, his race in the No. 5 Retzloff Chemical Special, a rear-engine Ford. He'd been in a tough one.

By MAX STULTZ Al Unser is a young man of emotions many and mixed. Youngest brother in the famous racing family, Al drove brilliantly to finish second in yesterday's delayed windup of the 51st Memorial Day extravaganza. Of that performance, he was inordinately proud. But Except for a piece of stray metal on the track, Unser thought he might have been the man in Victory Lane instead of A. J.

Foyt who steamed past Parnelli Jones and his stricken four-wheel drive turbine speedster. The handsome 28-year-old (Star Photo) AL UNSER AUTOGRAPHS BANQUET PROGRAM Finishes Second Behind A. J. Foyt CREW CAUTIOUS SPOESS OVER LICHTLY by Foyt Proves He's Patient, Consistent i 4 1 -W By TOM KEATING For 196 laps, A. J.

Foyt wasn't quite in it but he never really was out of it. And consistency is the mark of a champion. the end of Foyt's earnings for yesterday's 500-Mile Race victory. He won $9,950 in lap money and $56,225 in accessory prizes for a total of 227.00. (Star Photo by John Starkey) GOOD DAY'S PAY-lt's little wonder A.

J. Foyt is in a good mood. He should be as Speedway President Tony Hulman (right) presents him with a check for $105,052 at last night's victory dinner at the Murat Temple. But that wasn't Bang-Up Finish THE TURBINE WAS SUPPOSED to win it from here to Texas. But, as often happens, somebody didn't get the message.

Like they forgot to tell Texas. It's like the story of life. One man's heartbreak is another's joy. You marry the prettiest girl in the town and she turns out to be a 200-pound dud in 10 years. And the guy who finished second catches a Rockefeller heiress on the rebound.

The second round of the world's greatest two-day 500-Mile Race looked like a lock for Parnelli Jones and his machine of the future. The turbine undoubtedly is the nearest thing to an invincible race car ever to hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And, unless somebody gerrymanders the rules and retires the quiet monster, it likely will drive the piston cars off the track. However, we ignore the past, hope for the future and live in the present. The present reached out and strangled the great Parnelli yesterday.

After 18 laps on the rain-shortened opening day, he was looking at nothing but white flags. The entire field had just about conceded. But yesterday the hound caught the rabbit. Parnelli tried to run off and hide. But that most competitive of all race drivers, one A.J.

Foyt, out of Houston, stayed in there, "sawing wood," as we rustic Hoosiers say. The role of the tortoise is a new one for Foyt, four times the National driving champion and now a three-time "500" winner. But he calmly accepted it and stalked the Swoosh-mobile like a mongoose testing a cobra. As they got down near the end, it was obvious that it was Parnelli's race to, win or lose. But the crafty Texan, whom many of us thought was on the other side of the mountain as a championship race driver just one year ago, kept lurking just off the pace.

Parnelli completed Lap No. 196 and the advance guard of the STP celebrants headed toward Victory Lane. There is no way they or anyone else at the Speedway could know that they happily were waltzing into a whole hatful of misery. The pretty and gracious Dolly Granatelli, wife of the turbine owner, could not have known as she accepted congratulations from friends that she was walking right off the end of her earth. For, less than one lap later, the monster just went "clunk" and expired.

And Parnelli, after leading for 171 laps and running his total of circuits in front of the "500" field to 492, was fresh out of race car. Foyt charged past him into the history books. The handsome Texan has won more races than anybody. But this had to be his most satisfying triumph. They say that once you reach the top there is no place to go but down.

However. A. J. grabbed a branch on the way off the peak and muscled his way right back. He built the car himself.

He also had to be almost as happy to see his other "Coyote," driven by Joe Leonard, was third. Even if he had finished second, Foyt would have proven his point; namely that A. J. Foyt is a tremendous charger on a race track. He was the guy who was keeping everybody from going to sleep.

He was the guy who was making it a contest all the way. MARIO ANDRETTI, THE LITTLE TIGER from Nazareth, gave them a show in the brief time he was on the track. When Tony Hulman said, "Gentlemen, restart your engines," Mario, who went out with a broken clutch Tuesday, was six laps behind the field. Andretti only goes one way fast. The lads started on Lap No.

19. By the time leader Parnelli had completed the 45th lap, Mario had passed all but the first four cars and had lapped several slowpokes. He was turning laps at over 165-mph faster than anybody else on the track. Finally, a wheel came off and sent him to the barn. Granted, it was a brief show.

But it was a dandy while it lasted. JOHN YOUNG STEWART, THE EBULLIENT young man from Dumbarton, Scotland, moved from 29th to third before the engine went, boom, and took him out of the race. Jackie, who was leading after 190 laps when the same thing happened last year, said, "Would you believe it? Would you believe it? It's unbelievable. To come from 29th to 16th is one thing, but to come from 29th to third aii." Then, a twinkle in his eyes, he continued, "next year we just are going to have to have a 450-mile race." He added, "The only consolation I have is that everybody is so nice about it." His pit crew was efficient as he made the mandatory two stops and extremely cautious as well-wishers appeared to offer their congratulations before the race had ended. They wouldn't accept any applause until A.J.

had taken the checkered flag. And they told each other -to be careful and not step over the wall. "We don't want to be disqualified." But when the public address announcer was wondering whether Foyt had made It through the five-car accident, every crew member rushed to the wall to watch their man come daintily through the mixup'. Foyt's canny patience was evident throughout the race. He took over second place when Dan Gurney pitted on the 57th lap.

By lap 70, he had trimmed Parnelli Jones' lead to nine seconds and took the lead on the 76th lap when Jones pitted. 9 Hulse was behind the cars involved in the accident and "all I did was apply my brakes to avoid hitting anyone." Tinglestad and Grim said they probably will be back next year. Grim, when questioned about the turbine car, said "You can't print what I think of it, but I will say that this track is no proving ground for airplanes." a dollar and pick up some championship points, This car was running beautifully and I am pretty sure I was running faster than anybody in the race. BUT, ALL OF a sudden, I felt this vibration and thought, oh boy, I'd better slow down. It turned out to be a right proper decision.

Just a few seconds later the right front wheel came off. And this is no place to be On the next lap, A.J made his first pit stop, taking on fuel and gulping down a drink of water. The 23-second respite left him 18 seconds behind Jones. On the next lap, his crew gave him an OK on his tires which had been carefully checked during he pit stop. Parnelli built up a 16-second lead through lap 125 and then pitted on lap 130, enabling Foyt to grab a 31 -second lead on lap 132.

The crew had planned the second and last pit stop for lap 146 but changed plans and help up a sign, "Want tires?" Foyt shook his head no and Goodyear was about to break a 44-year Firestone victory string. Two laps later, A.J. pulled in, taking on fuel only in a 25-second stop and losing the lead to Parnelli again. He was 19 seconds back after the 152d lap and 47 seconds behind after lap 187. Despite a yellow caution flag, Foyt lost 11 seconds on the next lap.

His crew had chalked, "Jones Cheating," on the pit board, but erased it before Foyt rolled past By lap 196, the crew had given up hope that Parnelli might have to make another trip to the pits. And then their miracle happened and Foyt saw the most beautiful sign of his career: "Jones Out." going fast without a. right front wheel. We still don't know what happened. No matter now.

I finished this one just where I finished the 1966 race back in the barn listening on the radio. But tomorrow is another day. And boy am I glad. I've had about all of the last two a man can stand. I think I'll go find" Jackie Stewart and see if we can't start a new business push ing race cars.

Chuck Hulse, one of the most congenial drivers in the business, was still smiling after being involved in the spectacular crash that ended the race. "Wasn't it tremendous," he said as a group of inquiring fans crowded around him in front of the pits to make sure he was okay. "Anyway, I should get my name in the paper now." tup standings! PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE UNijht Garnet Not Included)' EASTERN DIVISION Pet. G.B. iPhoenlx 23 20 .535 xOklahoma City 21 22 .488 2 xSan Diego 1 21 .475 2Vi xTulsa 18 20 .474 Vi 'XINDIANAPOLIS 17 19 472 2Vi xDenver 18 21 .462 3 WESTERN DIVISION Pet.

G.B. xTacoma 25 20 .556 xSeattle 23 20 .535 1 xHawail 22 20 .524 Vh xVancouver 20 20 .500 2Vi xPortland 19 20 .487 3 xSpokane 19 21 .475 3Vi AMERICAN LEAGUE Won Lost Pet. GB Detroit ..:7. 26 15 .634 Chicago 25 15 .625 V4 Boston 22 20 .524 4V4 Cleveland 21 20 .512 5, Baltlmore 20 20 .500 SVi Minnesota 20 22 .476 6Vj Washington 19 23 .452 Th New York 18 22 .450 7V4 Kansas City 19 24 .442 8 California 18 27 .400 10 NATIONAL LEAGUE Pctt. G.B.

Cincinnati 30 18 .625 St. Louis 24 16 .600 2 Pittsburgh 23 18 .561 3Vi San Francisco 24 19 .558 3'a Chicago 22 19 .537 4V4 Atlanta 22 21 .512 5' Los Angeles 19 24 .442 8V4 Philadelphia 18 23 .439 8V4 Houstton 16 28 .364 12 New York 14 26 .350 12 Yesterday's Results PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE INDIANAPOLIS at Phoenix (night). Tulsa 4, Denver 3. Portland 6, Oklahoma City 5 (first game). Tacoma 3, Spokane 2.

Seattle 5, San Diego 3. Vancouver at Hawaii (night). AMERICAN LEAGUE New York 3, Kansas City 0. Boston 3, Minnesota 2. Cleveland 9, Detroit 0.

Washington 6, California 3. Chicago 3, Baltimore 2 (11 Innings), NATIONAL LEAGUE San Francises 15, Pittsburgh 4. Chicago 6, Cincinnati 5. Atlanta at St. Louis, postponed, rain.

Houston 6, New York I. Philadelphia 6, Los Angeles 0 (11 Innings). Today's Schedule PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE INDIANAPOLIS 3, Phoenix 2. Denver at Tulsa (night). Spokane at Tacoma (night).

Oklahoma City at Portland (night). San Diego at Seattle (night). Only games scheduled. NATIONAL LEAGUE Chicago (Culp 3-4) at Cincinnati (Nolan 4-1), night. Atlanta (LeMaster 5-1) at St.

Louis (Jaster 3-1), night. New York (Seaver 4-2) at Houston (Cuellar 4-2), night. Philadelphia (L. Jackson 2-5) at Los Angeles (Osteen 6-4), night. Pittsburgh (Plzarro 3-4) at San Francisco (Perry 3-4).

AMERICAN LEAGUE Minnesota (Chance 8-2) at Boston (Rohr 2-2). Cleveland (Slebert 4-3) at Detroit (Mc Lain 5-5), night. California (Clark 2-4) at Washington (Pascual 4-2), night. Only games scheduled. USAC To Study Turbine's Fate The United States Auto Club announced last night it will reconsider its decision to permit the turbine car of Parnelli Jones to race against piston engines at its June 5 meeting.

Jones was leading the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race yesterday when a mechanical failure in the gear box of the car forced him from the race which was won by A. J. Foyt. Henry Banks, director of competition for USAC, said the matter "definitely will be brought up," at the rules committee meeting. "It's our job to keep the competition even, arranging formulas for that purpose is a foremost consideration," Banks said.

"There were no ground rules for a turbine and we think we came up with a pretty good formula for one. All you can do for a new development is run it once and then reconsider." PCL Linescores Denver 002 001 0Pi 7 0 Tulsa 102 000001-4 8 0 Keller and Izqulerdo; Gllson and Cor-rates. W-Gllson (6-1). L-Keller (4-5). Home Run-Denver, Mooring (4).

FIRST GAME Oklahoma City 010 013 000- 5 12 0 Portland ..111 001 101- 6 12 1 Umbach, House (5), Dukes (6), Ellers (6), Parsons (9) anj Henry; Fouse, Spring (6), Tiefenauer (7) and Isaac. W-Tlef. enauer (40). L-Parsons (1-3). Home Runs-Portland: Plniella (1), Ward (3); Oklahoma City: Herrera (1).

San Diego 000 120 000-3 I 0 Seat la 005 000 00x-5 7 0 Tsltourls, Thoenen (3), Morris (5) and Schaffer) Burgmeir and Kikpatrlck. W-Burgmeier (3-2). L-Tsilouris (4-2). Home runs-Seattle, Vinson (7). 003.

Spokane M0 010 010-2 5 0 Tacoma 000 OS IOx-3 2 Foster, Cullen (7), Fosnow (8) and Look; Mandlle, Hartensteln (8), Earley (8) and Barton. W-Mandlle (3-5). L-Foster (1-2). Attendance -832, (mms Sports Editor 1 Rookie Hulme is a veteran of the Grand Prix circuit, and is the leader in the world road racing standings. He recently won the Monaco Grand Prix.

The term rookie is given to all drivers racing for the first time in the Indianapolis 500. The selection of Hulme as the rookie of tne year was made by a committee of racing officials and newsmen. Softball Notes Wunlcipal-AA All-Stars Cltlwn's Gas 14 Innings); Rosemont Tavern 7, Link Belt fwart Tonl9Ht, 7, Local 135 vs. Link Belt Bearings; 6:15, Local 7706 vs. Retf Carpet Lounge; 9:30, Moos vs.

Lin wood Square. Metrooollten-NYAA 20, Zuckies Cliff's Standard 12, Continentals Tab Kittens 18, Brownsburg 13. Tonight, 7. Seven-Up Klngslev Terrace; 8:15, Shindig vs. Shelbvvllle; :30 Muncle vs.

Indianapolis Merchants Em-Roe Twlllght-Eastslde All-Start 11, AFNB 8. ANDRETTI AT THE 500 'Amuses Williams said he started to "shut it off when someone spun in front of me, then I was hit from the back by Hulse and went into the wall." Bobby Grim said he didn't know what happened. "I may have broken a half-shaft, I don't know. I saw the cars stopped on the track before me and I hit my brakes." BUD TINGELSTAD said he still doesn't have one. It took two days to finish this show.

And they had to be two of the grimmest days of my life. I lost a clutch before the race hardly was started Monday. Only the rain saved me. But I had to start six laps behind, so I might as well have been on a Sunday picnic in Keokuk. But I decided to take a run at it and get up there close enough to make Parnelli Praised For Job In Turbine HULSE SAID that he thought someone's car in front of him lost an engine and that he went over Carl Williams' left rear wheel before crashing into the wall.

"There was oil all over my goggles from the blown engine," he explained, "and I was trying to get them off so I could see something and steer clear of the mess when I hit Williams." tough to catch on the championship trail this summer. At the start this looked strictly like a pigeon race, with one hawk in the field. But one of the pigeons caught the hawk. That's racing just one big roulette wheel. It's nice that Foyt got his third 500 Mile Race trophy.

But I think they could do a better job of passing those things around. And when they start, I hope they remember a little Italian driver who By MARIO ANDRETTI 195-M USAC DRIVING CHAMPION Racing luck changes every bit as fast as human emotions. I started the day mad about the turbine even being allowed on the earth and finished feeling genuinely sorry for Parelli Jones and his Swoosh-mobile. Man, what a tough way to go. Old Rufus had it in his back pocket when something went.

All month we have been saying there was no way to beat the turbine if it held together. It didn't. I still think the turbine should be outlawed. But this certainly is no time to talk about it. Par nelli and Andy Granatelli did a great job of preparing and racing a revolutionary car.

And to come that close well, just got to hurt for them a little. A. J. Fovt Andretti tagged along behind Parnelli, making him push all the way. And when the big break came the Texan was right there to move into Victory Lane for the third time.

The victory climaxed a great comeback for Foyt, who had a bad racing year in 1966. And the victory had to be doubly sweet since he built that Coyote himself. On top of that, Joe Leonard finished third In Foyt's other car. And those 1,000 championship points Foyt picked up here are going to make him xSi? cap UWljifc I J. I Hulme No.

Denis Hulme of Tauranga, New Zealand, won the Rookie-of-the-Year award last night at the annual victory dinner for the drivers of the 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hulme finished in an unofficial fourth position in the race, which was resumed after rain stopped the race after 18 laps, or 45 miles. The award is given annually by Stark and Vetzel meat" packers. It in- eludes $500 cash and a Hulme year's supply of meat, valued at $500. v-A' 4 vs.

TIME TO RFTIRE The right front tire hops down the track after becoming unloosed from Mario Andretti'i car during the 500-mile Race yesterday. That's Mario (at right) chasing the wayward wheel. (Star Photo).