The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 1

Jill RcUQuL Indianapolis Star WEATHER TODAY Sunny, Warm High, 85; Low, 65 Yesterday High, 85; Low, 59 THE TODAY'S CHUCKLE College student: "It was a lousy date. She disagreed with my bumper sticker and I disagreed with her T-shirt." Where the Spirit ol the Lord is, there is Liberty" 11 Cor. 3 17 VOLUME 77, No. 356 Copyright 1980 The Indianapolis Star MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980 ir "fr CARRIER DFUVCRED Sftc PIER WK Sino MOTOR DELIVERED 90c PER WK Copy 142.862-MPH AVERAGE LOWEST SINCE 1962 Rutherford Wins Third '500 who lined up fourth and fifth, were eliminated in separate crashes, and Johnny Parsons, who started seventh, was sidelined with engine trouble. Foyt, the only four-time winner here, was never a factor in his Gilmore PamelliCosworth and retired at 172 laps See '500' Page 12 the other re-race contenders.

Andretti, the '69 Indy victor who started beside Rutherford in the Essex Oil PenskeCosworth, managed to get out in front for 10 laps and was holding third before he was KO'd by engine failure. The third front-row member, Bobby Unser, appeared to be almost as quick as R. in the first 75 laps. But the two-time '500' champion dropped out of the picture on the 127th go-around when an ignition coil failed on his Norton Spirit. DEFENDING CHAMP Rick Mears, the other talent in Roger Penske's stable, wasn't going to catch Rutherford but he had a pretty good line on second before a late pit stop to replace a flat tire put him off the lead lap.

Spike Gehlhausen and Jerry Sneva, one of the finest Indianapolis '500s' in recent history. More than 350,000 paying customers turned out to see if the odds-makers and experts were right and they were. Rutherford, the hands-down favorite after winning the pole position here and the opening race of the season last month at Ontario, lived up to expectations by leading 124 of the 200 laps. He whistled his bright yellow Pennzoil Special under his third checkered flag some 29 seconds ahead of runner-up Tom Sneva. IT TOOK THE 42-year-old ragged-edge veteran almost three and a half By ROBIN MILLER The crowd, considering the economy, was surprisingly healthy.

The race, considering the gap in qualifying speeds, was pleasantly competitive. But the winner, considering the facts, was pretty predictable. Johnny Rutherford, a survivor of the roadster era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway who's blossomed into a superstar of the rear-engine car, joined the three-timers club Sunday by capturing CDne More For The tr. hours to put his name next to Mauri Rose, Louie Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Al Unser and fellow Texan A.J. Foyt in the IMS record book because of 13 yellow-light situations.

Even though there were six solid meetings with the track walls, only Bill Whittington was injured, suffering a broken right leg. With all of the caution time, Rutherford's average winning speed was only 142.862 miles an hour, and there hasn't been a slower pace since 1962. But that was hardly a concern to "Lone Star J.R." because when the green light was on, he was usually out in front. Rutherford, who won here in 1974 and again in 1976, had his experienced hands full in the early going with Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Pancho Carter and Sneva. Despite having a fairly stout advantage over everyone but Andretti in time trials, R.

found himself surrounded by contenders throughout the first half of the 64th running of this classic. This was due in large part to the United States Auto Club's manifold pressure rules restricting boost to 48 inches. There were nine different leaders during the afternoon, and with passing as prevalent on the track as was beer in the infield, the men behind the wheels really had to work at their fast profession. However, in the end it was all Rutherford. HE LED THE final 21 laps and was able consistently to turn laps between 187-189 when free of traffic in Jim Hall's ChaparralCosworth.

The only sophomore ground-effects machine on the In-dy-car scene, designed by John Bernard and fabricated by Bob Sparshot, was clearly the fastest set of wheels around as it was a year ago before breaking down with Al Unser at the controls. "I just can't say enough about this car and crew," beamed Rutherford, whose first ride here in 1964 was nearly his last after being involved in a massive second-lap crash. "We had a handling problem for a little while, but my guys got 'er straightened out and the thing ran like a clock the last half of the race. "I know a lot of people picked us to win, and all I can say is I'm sure glad they were right." His only problem came fairly early about 175 miles into the race when he picked up a pretty bad pushing condition in Hall's vellow peril. "We lhanged the left front wing on one pit stop, and we got rid of it completely by changing three tires on the next stop," explained Rutherford's crew chief, Steve Robey, who's added the important ingredient of reliability to Hall's operation.

THE ONLY OTHER concern might have been fuel. R. 's last stop for methanol came on the 171st lap, and there were quite a few teams that couldn't go that far on a tank Sunday. "Fuel wasn't a concern," said Rutherford. "I radioed into Jim (Hall) and asked him if we could make it and he said I even called him a second time and he said 'no problem'.

Betty (J.R.'s wife) said we could go 31 or 32 laps. "And you know, they were right." But things didn't go so smoothly for Victory Lane Old Territory By DAVE OVERPECK For Johnny Rutherford and Betty Rutherford and Florence Rutherford and Beverly Tuggle and Johnny Rutherford IV, Victory Lane was old stuff. For Johnny and wife Betty, it was their third trip to racing's most charmed circle in the last seven years. Same for Johnny's sister Bev, who journeys here from Etowah, each year to root for her sibling. Mom Florence was there for the 1976 victory but missed 1974 because her husband and Johnny's father was terminally ill with cancer at the time.

And as for John IV, he was here in 1976. too. But for daughter Angela, this was new. This was unique. This was her first trip to Victory Lane, and she was a very happy, very proud young lady as she stood atop the Pennzoil Chaparral after Daddy pulled it up onto the platform beneath the Control Tower at the Speedway.

"THIS WAS HER first time to the race." said mother Betty, "and she wanted to have her picture taken in Victory Lane." It was. How do you like it, Angie? "It's OK. It's better than OK." Angela wasn't the only lady to enjoy a new experience with Rutherford in Victory Lane. Man Hulman George, daughter of the revered Tony, collected a first for herself when she bussed her initial race winner. Two years ago she declined to kiss Al Unser.

For Rutherford, it was great fun, something he'd be happy to stay accustomed to. HE DRANK THE milk, he kissed his wife, his kids, the queen, his mother, a sister-in-law, etc He held up three fingers for the photographers to commemorate his three triumphs in the 500. Then he asked, "Where's my Budweiser." PEOPLE-WATCHER'S Richmond Runs To Hail Johnny Rutherford The Rookie Accepts 4f Antics Of Fans Offer Proof Of Racing's Great Spectacle k9m iSw PnoTQi VICTORIOUS RUTHERFORD Acknowledges Cheer "The Choicest Product of the Brewer's Art" was his sponsor with Team McLaren a year ago. And as he talked to the public address system, the worldwide radio network and to ABC television, a cool Bud most certainly was welcome. He quickly got it.

Later in the conference room as he talked to the press, Rutherford had reverted to Pepsi. HE WAS ASKED if he thought like he had this race locked up going in. "I guess I could look like a hero and say I knew we would win going in," he replied, "but I've learned that it's not a good thing to be boastful around this place. It can rise up and bite you. But I had a pretty good deep down feeling.

I knew if I didn't have any problems that things would be pretty good at the end." They couldn't have been better. He led 124 laps and pulled away just about at will in averaging 142.862 in the yellow flag-pocked race. His only problems came midway through the event when he was running behind Tom Sneva and had a pushing condition in the car. It was about the only problem he had with the prohibitively favored Chaparral all day. "I HAD A PROBLEM then," he said.

"When I pulled up behind Sneva the turbulance was just too much. I let them know in the pits and when I See VICTORY Page 12 DELIGHT fans sunbathed, rolled in the mud, doused themselves with water and beer, barbe-qued chicken, fought, made love and drank themselves into oblivion. It was a carnival as colorful as the balloons that rose over the stands in accompaniment to "Back Home In Indiana" at the start of a race that could give goosebumps to the most cynical among us. The weather, a touch humid but clear, favored the sunseekers who appeared throughout the stands and "infield in various stages of undress, to the particular delight of the males in the first turn's "Snake Pit" who persisted with their now trite but still crude pleas for women to bare their torsos. GOOD CHEER abounded, as did minor disputes, which prompted law enforcers to make 80 arrests in less than 24 hours on such charges as public intoxication, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Inside Today's Star News Summary On Page 2 Amusements Billy Graham. 41 Bridge 41 Comics 30 Crossword 42 Dr. Steincrohn 28 Earl Wilson 33 Editorials 18 Finance 41 Obituaries 42 Sports 34-41 TV-Radio 25 Want Ads Weather 49 Women's Pages 20-22 Statistics 49 Star Telephone Numbers Circulation 633-9211 Main Office 633-1240 Want Ads 633-1212 Scores After 4 30 633-1200 Today's Prayer As we look back and honor the many who have died in the service of our country, let us remember, Lord, to work to protect the freedom for which they have given their lives. Amen. Offers Richmond Ride; Stalled Rookie Tim Rutherford Stops, Richmond Rides i mil i miiisiirTrMrii By SUSAN HEADDEN Fans arrived at 5 a.m., tangled in traffic, then risked possible sunburn and probable hangovers to watch 33 drivers rar around an oval track.

But of course it is so much more than that, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race that drew an estimated 350,000 spectators from across the state and the nation Sunday. Most everyone agrees it is the spectators, as much as the- thrill of championship auto racing, that make this event memorable. In fact, people-watching was the sole reason for one fan who drove from as far away as New York just to sit inside his parlor-like, air-conditioned van listening to the whole event on the radio. WHAT EXCITEMENT some spectators missed on the track, they were afforded in plenty in the infield, where The Weather Joe Crow Says: Tim Richmond may be the first to hitchhike bis way into Victory Lane. Indianapolis Sunny and warm today; high, mid 80s.

Clear tonight; low, mid 60s. Mostly sunny Tuesday; high, mid 80s. Indiana Sunny and warm today; highs, 82-86. Fair tonight; lows, 62-65. Mostly sunny Tuesday; highs, 83-86.

CRIME ALERT If You See A Crime Committed Or Spot Suspicious Activity Call This Number .911 5 "It was a normal race," said Deputy Chief Garold Trout of the Marion County Sheriff's Department. The outlooks were the same. The envied in the crowd took to the viewing stands and precarious positions in the pits, the infielders sat on their trucks and the Snake Pit visitors perched on motorcycles and crowded behind the first turn fence like caged animals. A row of marijuana-smoking boys at the first turn even brought a set of living-room furniture. "It's a lot better than anything in the stands and a lot cheaper," remarked one young man between shouts of "Bonjour!" to young ladies passing by in tight blue jeans.

MANY PEOPLE in the crowd took advantage of the infield, despite its incessant commotion, to catch up on sleep, conking out wherever drowsiness happened to overtake them on the grass, in the mud, and in, on top of, and next to, their cars. Trees were a good place to rest too. Relentless sunshine caused many a red face and back to leave the track, and even prompted two youths from Chicago to search the Speedway hospital in vain for sun tan lotion. Their discomfort was not considered an emergency by hospital officials who were busy with more pressing problems, including drug overdoses, cuts, broken bones and injured drivers. Other Speedway officials also did not have time to listen to idle complaints.

The security guards, like Pauline Hunley and Melodie Baldwin, who screen people See FANS Page II Hani Id Counter To Be Closed Today In observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The Indianapolis Star's Want Ad Service Counter will be closed today. Want ads may be placed by phone only from 7 30 to 9 30 a.m. today by calling 633-1212 The Public Service Counter also will be closed today. -71 ss us- 4 i Star Photon by Bob Oat Into Victory Lane In Champ's Car, No.

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