The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 57

THE INDIANAPOLIS. STAR SPORTS Sec, 3 Financial SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1975 Leaves 'Em Laughing ith A. J. FOYT 14 Gilmore COYOTE FOYT BOBBY UNSER 48 Jorgensen Steel EAGLE OFFY-T Fourth Pole-ish Joke By DAVE OVERPECK Everybody says A. J.

Foyt doesn't give a two-day-old tamale whether he sits on the pole for the 500-Mile Race or not. And after Super Tex nailed down the top qualifying spot for a record-tying fourth time yesterday, he allowed, 'i really wasn't that concerned about the pole until you guys (the press) started writin' all those things that George (Bignotti, Gordon Johncock's mechanic) was saying about me." And God didn't make little green apples, either. Foyt, sitting on the pole for the second consecutive year, had that in mind from the start. And he got it yesterday, just past 4 o'clock, with the track still warmer than ideal, on his second shot at the clock. The first attempt he aborted after one lap at 189.195 in the first hour of time trials.

That would have put him in the first two rows. When he went out finally for the do-or-else run put it this way, I wasn't going to wave off the second he was running with an untried setup. All day he had been dialing tilt (and thus holding power in the turns) out of his rear wing. On his last practice run, he had gotten 391.4 mph out of the Gilmore Broadcasting Coyote-Foyt. Then he took a couple more turns out of the wing.

"The guys wanted me to take a few practice laps with it that way, but I just said we, do it this way and see what happens," A.J. said afterward. "I was just hopin' we could get in with some 192's when I went out. "They didn't show me a 195 on the first lap (it was an eye-popping 195.313). All they gave me was 194.

"Boy, I had it all hung out, and I thinkin' if I can get three more good ones in." He did, ranging from 193.924 on the third lap to 193.050 on the fourth. All week, people have been saying A.J. was "sand-bagging," holding a little back for qualifying. In fact, yesterday morning, two-time 500-Mile Race winner Al Unser offered, "Yeah, I think he's holdin' back something. I think he's got a couple or three miles an hour held back if he needs them.

"I'd think he could qualify some place between 193 and 195." Foyt demurs. Asked if he had been keeping something in reserve for yesterday, he said "Hale no! I've been hangin' it all out the whole week. I wish I had somethin' to hold back. "Boy, I had everything hung out today. I had it hung out as much or more than I did a year ago." The whole day seemed, though, like it was just a matter of time until the five-time national champion, the three-time 500 winner, did his number.

Even after the unsatisfactory early attempt, it seemed that it was just a matter of time. There are two A.J. Foyts. The one when things are going very well and the one when things are only going good by everybody else's standards. Even after the unsatisfactory first try, it was a loosy, goosey Foyt that patroled the garages and pit area, wearing a smile much of the time.

1 ft IT I HIST KOW GORDON JOHNCOCK 20 Sinmast WILDCAT O.O.S. Time Speed 191.002 46.97 191.612 .46.90 191.898 :46.85 192.102 Totals 3:07.84 191.652 SECOND ROW MIKE MOSLEY 12 Sugaripe Prune EAGLE -OFFY-T 4 Time Speed :47.72 188.600 :47.78 188.363 :47.89 187.931 48.27 186.451 Totals 3:11.66 187.833 THIRD ROW BILL VUKOVICH 6 Cobre Tire EAGLE -OFFY-T Time Speed :48.44 185.797 :48.29 186.374 :48.49 185.605 :48.49 185.605 Totals 3:13.71 185.845 FOURTH ROW AL UNSER 4 Viceroy EAGLE -OFFY-T lime opeeu :48.31 186.297 :48.39 185.989 :48.61 185.147 :48.81 184.388 Totals 3:14.12 185.452 FIFTH ROW JERRY GRANT 73 Spirit of Orange EAGLE -OFFY-T Time Speed :48.68 184.881 :48.78 184.502 :48.98 183.748 :48.93 183.936 Totals 3:15.37 184.266 SIXTH ROW BENTLEY WARREN 24 Usona Purcell Kl NGFISH OFFY-T Time Speed :48.82 184.351 48.98 183.748 48.95 183.861 :49.34 182.408 Totals 3:16.09 183.509 SEVENTH ROW JERRY KARL 30 Oriente Express EAGLE CHEVY Time Speed :48.74 184.653 :49.39 182.223 :49.49 181.855 19.60 181.452 Totals 3:17.22 182.537 1 1 FASTEST AGAIN A.J. Foyt, helmet off and cap on, climbs out of his No. 14 Gilmore Racing Team special yesterday after capturing the pole position for the Indianapolis 500 with an average speed of 193.976 miles an hour. (Star Photo by Frank H.

Fisse) MAKKS A gl lOi lHOXK CAM J. 8 Gai elieva some ns i. Time Speed :46.0g 195.313 :46.48 193.632 :46.41 193.924 :46.62 193.050 Totals 3:05.59 193.976 TOM SNEVA 68 Norton Spirit McLaren -offy-t Time Speed :47.43 189.753 :47.28 190.355 :47.33 190.154 :47.34 190.114 Totals 3:09.38 190.094 JOHNNY RUTHERFORD 2 Gatorade McLaren -offy-t Time Speed :48.02 187.422 AS.22 186.645 :48.59 185.223 :48.72 184.729 Totals 3:13.55 185.998 JIMMY CARUTHERS 78 Alex Foods EAGLE -OFFY-T Time Speed :48.19 :48.28 :48..51 :48.97 186.761 186.413 185.529 183.786 Totals 3:13.95 185.615 "OBBY ALLISON CAM2 Motor Oil MCLAREN -OFFY-T Time Speed :48.93 183.936 :48.85 184.237 18.G9 184.843 18.76 184.578 Totals 3:15.23 184.398 JOHN MARTIN 8a Unsponsored MCLAREN -OFFY-T Time Speed :48.86 184.200 :49.01 183.636 :49.08 183.374 :49.07 183.411 Totals 3:16.02 183.655 GARY BETTENHAUSEN 45 Thermo King EAGLE -OFFY-T Timn Knppil :49.07 183.411 :49.25 182.741 :49.32 182.482 :49.50 181.818 Totals 3:17.14 182.611 EIGHTH KOW LEE KUNZMAN 55 Cobre Tire EAGLE -OFFY-T Time Speed :49.77 19.89 :49.98 :49.88 180.832 180.542 180.072 180.433 Totals n.in io i on Ann y. sat Time Speed ALU AIM :47.05 :47.18 190.921 191.327 191.286 190.759 Totals 3:08.41 191.073 LLOYD RUBY 7 Allied Polymer McLaren -offy-t Time Speed :48.09 187.149 48.05 187.305 :48.18 186.800 48.21 186.683 Totals 3:12.53 186.984 SALT WALTHER 77 Dayton Walther McLAREN-OFFY-T Time Speed :48.17 186.838 48.28 186.413 48.72 184.729 :48.69 184.843 Totals 3:13.86 185.701 JOHNNY PARSONS 93 Ayr-Way WNAP FINLEY-OFFY-T Time Speed :48.55 185.376 :48.60 185.185 :48.92 183.974 :49.03 183.561 Totals 3:15.10 184.521 BILL PUTERBAUGH 83 McNamera EAGLE -OFFY-T Time Speed :48.88 184.124 :48.93 183.936 :48.93 183.936 :49.09 183.333 Totals 3:15.83 183.833 PANCHO CARTER 11 Cobre Tire EAGLE -OFFY-T Time Speed 49.05 183.486 :49.10 183.299 :49.U 183.262 :48.98 183.748 Totals 3:16.24 183.449 AL LOQUASTO 86 Frostie Root Beer MCLAREN -OFFY-T Time Speed :49.72 181.014 :49.70 181.087 :49.94 180.216 :49.84 180.578 Totals 3:19.20 180.723 least on the outside) he would have fallen asleep in the middle of answering questions from the assembled members of the media who thought they just might be getting the word from the boost drops and the V-8 begins to revert toward a normal aspirated condition. "When we were running unlimited boost," Howard said, "I think the Offy probably put out more power than an eight.

But at 80 inches (manifold pressure) we begin to pick up on the difference." Foyt concurs with this, saying yesterday after his 193.976 mile-an-hour run, "I figured I had more top and power than George Bignotti but was down on torque. So I had to get the chassis handling to get through the turns fast' The V-8 always has had less torque than the four-cyl- Turn To Page 2, Column 3 fit i mm W7" ANSI I'E'XSEii: By ROBIN MILLER It's hard to fool the $2 experts at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For the most part, the fans in the stands know which drivers have gone fast during the month and which ones are expected to. You can always tell when one of the hot shoes goes out to qualify by the applause that follows his name. But yesterday the vast majority of the people got hoodwinked, surprised and most definitely taken back by Tom (Snively) Sneva.

When they 'd recovered their poise, Sneva had the fourth fastest run of the day and they gave him a rousing welcome for his effort as he came down the pit lane. Sneva's 4-lap average of 190.094 put him on the pole of the second row for his second Indianapolis 500. It also put him on the spectators' list. They'll remember him now; point as he passes and be able to tell their friends, "I saw that Sneva's first big day at Indy." But the racing fraternity terday as his lovely wife Sharon, brother Jerry, father and some 200.000 people watched while owner Penske listened. Thats right.

Penske who Oaks' Stanton Stymies Tribe By MAX STULTZ A little of Iowa pitcher Mike Stanton would have been aplenty for the Indianapolis Indians iast night. But they had to put up with all of him for nine innings and the result was a 6-1 Oaks' victory in the series and home stand finale at Bush Stadium. Issuing nary a walk and registering eight strikeouts, the big righthander was in complete charge with a four-hitter that leveled his record at 3-3. MEANWHILE, THE Oaks, who had dropped three straight here, jumped on Larry Payne early and often for a commanding 5-0 lead before a two-man relief corps slowed the assault. Tagging Payne for eight of their 12 hits, the Oaks scored a singleton in the opening inning and a brace both in the third and fifth to saddle Payne i his second reverse against two victories.

They Turn To Page 9, Column 1 All-Star Ducat Sale Tuesday Tickets for the Indiana-Kentucky high school all-star basketball game, to be played June 21 at Market Square Arena, go on sale over-the-counter starting Tuesday at the following locations: Market Square Arena box office; The Star's public service counter, 307 North Pennsylvania Street; Ross Young ticket agency at Glen-dale Shopping Center; all Morris Plan branch offices in Marion County, and Haag Drug stores outside Marion County. Tickets are priced at $4 and $3. was in Monaco with his Formula A car and Mark Dono-hue called the Goodyear office (by the pits) just as Tom took the green flag. Penske, known for his respect of the dollar, listened for 3:09.38 and hung up. V' i 2 i4 VMS TOM SNEVA TV Sports This Weehend TODAY BASEBALL Cincinnati at New Yor, 1 p.m., Channel 13.

WRESTLING Pro wrestling, 2 p.m., Channel i. NBA BASKETBALL National Basketball Association playoffs, 2 p.m., CtianiKl NHL HOCKEY-National Hockl League playoffs, 3 p.m., Channel t. GOLF-Bwon Nelson golf classic, 3:30 p.m., Channel 13. QUALIFICATIONS The 500 Timi Trials, 4:30 p.m., Channel I. RACING The 1973 500 Mile Race, p.m., Channel I.

QUALIFICATIONS The 500 Timf Trials, p.m., Channel 4. FISHING Fishing clinic, 7: oil p.m., Channel 4. SPECIAL The Peter DePaolo Story, 10:30 p.m., Channel e. FISHING The Fithin Hole, 11 p.m., Channel 4. Gordie Just Shrugs At A.J.'s They didn't unload, go out and hit 190 off the bat.

"You know it," grinned the former junior high school principal. "We struggled all week and finally started gaining yesterday (Friday). "We jumped from 184 to 188 because we got the chassis dialed in." But don't let him fool you (again) he was the main reason his speed went from 1S8 to 130 yesterday. He was really driving hard through the corners. Almost too hard a couple of times.

"I thought we were going to have a quick time and a wrecked racer," chided crewman Darrell Soppe to Sneva. "Yeah, it got pretty exciting out there," admitted the 26-year-old Spokane (Wash.) resident. "I was nangin' er out but that's what you've got to do sometimes." Snively hung 'er out here in 1974 when he finished his fourth qualifying lap during a downpour. He was still the quickest rookie although his rain dance went pretty much unnoticed. He didn't go unnoticed yes Run and picked up speed on every lap.

"I still don't think it's right the way they set up the qualifying. They should take the eight fastest cars and let them go first when it's cooler out there." He went on, talking about Turn To Page 2, Column 6 GORDON JOHNCOCK saw Snivel' coming a long time ago. They could tell he was going to be a good one when he won six USAC sprint features in 1973. They could tell by the way he ran last season leading races and always qualifying near the front in a solid but not super machine. Now he's driving first class, a Roger Penske McLaren with Jimmy McGee as his chief and Norton as his sponsor.

"There's a lot of guys that could get the job done with a good car but some never get the chance. I'm lucky, I did," Sneva modestly explained following his command performance. However, just getting good equipment doesn't insure one of a starting spot in the world's most important motor race. Sneva Co. hadn't lived up to early expectations at Ontario, Phoenix and Trenton.

Some long pit stops, a little bit of engine trouble and just getting to know one another kept them from showing what they can do. And this month hasn't been easy by any means. glitter isn't so bright after all. "It really doesn't matter if I start from the pole or not," said Gordie with a complete deadpan. "If I conld start 33d and win, it would be all right with me." And did he think A.J.

would be back knocking at the door and claim the pole for a record-tying fourth time? "Yeah," Gordie admitted. "For one thing, he'll wait until it's a lot cooler out there. And that would be worth at least a mile an hour. I know if I could have qualified in the morning, I could have gone at least a mile faster. "I thought I would average 193, based on what we had been doing this week in practice.

"Then this morning, I had a water leak in the radiator and didn't get a chance to run a lap of practice. We set up the car guessing what the track would be like and that hurt us. "That's why my first lap was slower (191.002 mph). The car was pushing so bad I could hardly get through the corners. From then on, I jacked the weight back and forth on each straightaway Front Row Cars Offer 3 Different Approaches pole-sitter for the 1975 Indianapolis 500.

But Gordie, the winner of the '73 show who deep inside has to feel like a "forgotten" man after that rain-aborted and tragedy-marred race, didn't feel a bit confident that his speed would hold up for the No. 1 starting spot. Along with the 200,000 people in Tony Hulman's playpen of speed yesterday Gordie knew that A.J. Foyt was waiting in the wings with his red-orange Gilmore Coyote casting a shadow so big it couldn't be ignored. ASKED ABOUT HIS reaction to Foyt's call-off of his first qualification attempt, Gordie just grinned and said "the more angry he gets the faster he goes." Since Johncock had been out working hard, jacking the weight back and forth in his Sinmast Wildcat while driving with one hand on both straightaways during the last 7V2-miles of his qualifications run, he had to be satisfied with his speed.

After all, there's nothing wrong with a 191.652 mile-an-hour average for 10 miles. But when it's only good for second place, the He sat on the interview "throne" twitching his throttle foot and sipping a cup of ice water. If Gordie Johncock had been any more relaxed (at has all the answers, but don't count out the man in the middle, Gordon John-cock, or that fellow on the outside, Bobby Unser. Foyt isn't, because they both are tough. The front line has names that read like Foyt, Drake-Goossen-Sparks and Offy in the engine department.

In the chassis, it's Coyote, Wildcat and Eagle. In application, it's an eight against the fours on the West 16th Street oval. And in the minds of many, that fact alone is giving A. J. the edge.

Foyt's engine man, Howard Gilbert, says that an eight begins to come into its own when the turbocharger By GEORGE MOORE One thing the pole position contenders at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway could lay claim to yesterday was that hoary old cliche, "You pays your money and you takes your choice." The front row for this year's 500-Mile Race represents three i approaches on what to do to make a race car go fast. If you want to go by the numbers, polesitter A. J. Foyt Clasnlllvd Ads Start On Vaav J3, Sec. 2 To Sports Becoming Drudgery," says Pacers' coach Bobby Leonard Page 2 RUTHERFORD NOT PLEASED Johnny Rutherford is unhappy with his 185.998 mile-an-hour qualifications ru" Page 2 Big Fish Contest 16 Bob Collins 2 Hoosier Golf Scene 1 2 Lines And Shots 16 Pit Pass 5 Race Results 5.