The Indianapolis News from Indianapolis, Indiana • 14

Monday. Ji 1. Pft 14 THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS Ward Will Be Active Champ After Popular 500' Victory TEARING FIRMA By W. F. fox Jr.

Too Young to Quit, Says Rapid Rodger By WAYNE FUSON Rodger Ward, who broke 10 records in winning the 43d Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, will be an active champion. "I have no plans to retire," the 38-year-old victor said today. "I'm too young, for one thing. Racing has been good for me. Now maybe I can help it a little." Ward Follows Race Plan for $19,500 Prize By RAY MARQUETTE Rodger Ward is having his cake and eating it, too.

The heavy-footed 38-year-old who publicly claimed he was so sure he'd win the 1959 500-Mile Race that he wouldn't settle for second-place before the race, proved his point the hard way. Driving the No. 5 Leader Card 500 Roadster, Ward led NOW THAT THE RACE IS OVER Wo lofutt courogeoui winners, And1 offer praytrful thanks That today there it no oreokina; In "500" racing rankt. We applaud the luckiest losers, And reserve a special cheer With a vote of commendation for the rookies of the year. the big pack of qpHE 1959 500-MILE RACE will be known chiefly for the chargers for 131 fine spirit of the drivers, for its virtually perfect start, I 7 lw Tiff ri mmmmmmmmm Ward's victory was one of the most popular in recent years.

He's a favorite, not only among the fans, but among his colleagues and other racing personnel. The winner, who lives in California during the winter and in Speedway City during the summer and fall, drove a new Leader Card Special -vned by Robert Wilke of Milwaukee. His speed for the 500 miles was 135.857, which broke the old mark of 135.601 set in 1957 by Sam Hanks. Ward beat Jim Rathmann of Miami, driving the Hopkins Simoniz Special, to the wire of the 200 laps Saturday, reaping a whopping' $19,500 in lap prizes (150 green ones a lap). 100 and 50-mile races at Daytona Beach, in April.

Ward was second in the 100-miler, but crashed while leading the shorter event. Thomson was forced to make four pit stops, apparently because of he hot early going. The race was marred by five accidents. Ray Crawford, whose car crashed into the wall on the northeast curve, and Mike Magill, whose car catapulted over Chuck Weyant's spinning racer in the same curve, were the only drivers injured seriously. Crawford suffered serious internal injuries.

Apparently his front axle broke when he was on the 121st lap. Magill's escape from his crash was miraculous. His car hurtled up over Weyant's and landed upside down, skiddjng still upside down into the infield where it caught fire. Jud Larson and rookie Red Amick tangled in attempting to miss the Weyant-Magill mixup, but both spun to Even the lap money proved Ward's theory to be correct. Con Marquette tX'for its relative safety, for the perfect generalship of the for the good break of the weather, for the tough of the defending champion, for the commendable performance of the five rookies and for one of the greatest crowds in the long history of the event.

The smallest man in the race, rookie Chuck Arnold, finished 15th, going 200 laps at 130.918, good enough to win membership in the Champion 100-Mile-An-Hour Club. Chuck is only 5.4 and under better conditions he might have had shorter pit stops and a higher finishing position. Jim McWithey, driving the' Ray Brady car, is the only other rookie who completed 200 laps and he finished just back of Arnold in 16th position with an average speed of 129.024, another membership in the 100-Mile-An-Hour Club. Rookie Don Branson went out after averaging 132.925 miles an hour for 112 laps. This dropped him off in 24th position and his exit was due to difficulty with the torsion bar fracture.

Bobby Grim, an Indianapolis rookie, finished 26th, going 85 laps before burning a piston. The other Red Amick, an Anderson boy, was the only one of the first year men who wrecked and he did it trying to avoid creating a jam. He went out on the 45th lap and was averaging 137.165 mph. This race of 1959 will also be known for its record-breaking average by the winner, Rodger Ward, and the second-place Jim Rathmann. The weather was favorable for high speed in the race's latter stases and the average was held down below an anticipated 138 by yellow flas.

The old average was 135.601 and Ward registered 135.857 by 23 seconds. Johnny Thomson, who led during the early stages and established new records at the 175 and 200-mile marks, was third in the Indian a 1 i s-owned Racing Associates Spe i Fuson cial. Tony Bettenhausen was safety in the infield. They fourth in the Hoover Special leaped out of their cars and and Paul Goldsmith, driving rushed, with safety patrolmen, the Dernier Special, did a fine to Magill's aid. The car was job finishing fifth in his first righted and the unconscious dianapolis Motor Speedway before he received a copy of The News announcing his 500-Mile Race victory.

The News Photo, Larry George. Hot Off the Press Rodger Ward hadn't stepped out of his car in Victory Lane at the In Magill was taken out. Magill's and Rathmann 135.619. The first two finishers were wearing upright engines, Upright Okay With Ward, Who Finally Calls Tune tent to let the "hot dots" set the early pace, he led only briefly near the start of 4he race before settling down to take the lead on the 85th lap and holding it serenely to the end. Onfy four cart were involved in the 14 lead changes Saturday, with Johnny Thomson and hit pink Glover Lathrop Association entry taking home $6,000 for hit share ot the leading laps.

Jim Rathmann, in Lindsey Hopkins' mount, was next with a $2,850 payoff and Pat Flaherty and his John Zink car took the final $7,650. There were six lead changes in the first 30 laps of the "500." Pole-winner Thomson led for the first four before relinquishing the pace to Ward through the 12th lap. Jim Rathmann took it for one lap, lost it to Waid on the 14th through the 16th, then led from the 17th until the 28th when Flaherty nosed in front for one 212-mile turn. Rathmann regained his lead for two laps, lost it to the dueling Flaherty on the 3 1st and again on the 34th through the 40th. After Rathmann regained hit final leadership on the 41st and 416 turn, Flaherty took over for the last time, holding it until the 46th lap when Ward again turged in front.

A pit stop cost Rodger the lead to Thomson on the 48th but on the 85th lap, Ward again was the leader, building up a wide-enough margin that even a final pit stop didn't help challenging Jim Rathmann's bid for the final lead. race. Goldsmith started last year's race, but didn't complete a lap because of the 16-car pileup. Two days before the race Ward told The News, "I wouldn't settle for second money if someone would give it to me now. That's how confident I am I can win the race." Wora' drove almost exactly according to hit plan.

In a strategy ttory, he taid he would be content to lay back in tecond or third during the early running and let the "hot dogs" fight it out. He thought he could con- injuries included a gouge on his neck and two chipped vertebra The accident occurred on the 47th lap. flaherty, who had run in the top 10 during the first ISO lapt, crashed into the wall at the pit entrance. He got tidewayt and appeared to step on the throttle to get out of the way of oncoming cart and hit the wall head-on. He watn't injured.

Len Sutton hit the southwest wall early in the race when a sway bar broke and permitted the chassis to slide over onto the tire, a grease By CORKY LAMM What a tune that upright played! Just before the whirl that was the 43d 500-Mile Race, Jo Ward leaned against the link fence separating the pits serve his tiret by running third fitting wearing the tire through and would force the early leadert and causing it to blow out. It was a good race, one in from Tower terrace customers to say good-by to her knight of the roaring road, Rodger. She clutched Skippy, their terrier, just a little more firmly than ever before as she This it Victory Lane, Babel and Bedlam: How do you feel, Rodger? 'I never felt better in my life." He climbs out of the cockpit and sits on the back of it. Watson he embraces. "It was the car," he yells.

"It was the driver," quoth Watson. They giggle like schoolboys. Miss O'Brien is hoisted into position. They collide, amorously. "I got your face dirty," says Rodger, "I'm sorry." She said, "Oh, I don't mind a bit." Wilke said, "We never had it so good.

We planned it this way for over a.year." Jo is kissed, and smudged, and Skippy, too. Did you age any during the race? "Oh, no," says Jo, "I think I got younger." Were you excited? "In the last five or six laps, I could hardly stand it." What a lively, lovely tune that upright played! McGeorge: "I'm as thrilled as he is. Rodger did the very things out there on the track that he talks about in his safety program for Champion." And the money? "We'll invest it," says Mrs. Ward, "to The next time she had an opportunity to embrace Rodger, nearly 4 nerve-wracking hours later, his face was full dirt and his pockets full of money. He'd won.

What a tinkle tinkle tune that upright played! The scene is Victory Lane, a grassy plot just off the south end of the pits at the Speedway. It's easy to find afoot but just try it motoring. It took 9 years for Rodger Ward to drive in. Jo, with Skip, was there. So was Tony Hulman, the Speedway owner, and Joe Cloutier, his cashier, and Erin O'Brien, who sings and kisses, and Bob Wilke of Milwaukee, who owns the car and the crew headed by A.

J. Watson, mechanic extraordinary who built the car and kept the motor upright when so many had begun to lean. There are photographers more! One more! This way, jammed on a truck, just off the nose of the Leader Card Special that Ward drove up in, radio gabbers and nosey reporters and Dick McGeorge of Champion and guards a million guards. Lamm to make pit stops before he had to. Then, he said, he would moke his run for the lead.

That's just about what happened. Ward, his car functioning beautifully and his pit crew, led by A. J. Watson, the car builder and chief mechanic, working quickly and perfectly, seemed to have considerable left when the race was completed. He had a 50-second lead with 48 laps to go.

He still had a pit stop to make, but was in only 25 seconds, and maintained the lead. When it was obvious that Rathmann couldn't catch him, Ward slowed down. In fact in the which the only two drivers injured were not critically hurt. Ward's record speed was tremendous in that the yellow caution light was on 43 minutes and 17 seconds. Jim Rathmann was second for the third He also was runnerup to Hanks in '57, and to Troy Ruttman in 1952.

Jimmy Bryan, winner of the 1958 race, was the hard-luck victim. His car appeared to be functioning perfectly when it was rolled to the starting line. But Jim couldn't get the yellow No. 6 Belond Special, which carried Bryan to victory a year ago and also was the one in T-I an tre nirrvrt in her husband leaned to kiss And after this the next five positions had layover engines of various types, then came Eddie Johnson's upright engine followed by ninth and 10th position layover engines. So, the reclin-iS power plants won seven of the first 10 positions but missed out on the top two, built by A.

J. Watson. The up-rights outnumbered the layovers, 20 to 13, in the field. For the first time in history 16 automobiles completed 200 laps. These were the only 16 cars running and there was only a 12-minute difference between the first car and the 16th.

Eddie Sachs, the 17th finisher, got in only 182 There were 61 cars entered in this 43d "500," but only 47 drivers registered to drive facts which certainly indicate that there is a serious need for the development of more drivers of 500-Mile Race caliber. The Middle-Age Racers TO ACING, 500-MILE BRAND at least, belongs to those approaching middle age. The only man in his 20s in the top 10 was 10th place A. J. Foyt, who is 24.

Reading from top to 10th, the ages are: Rodger Ward 38, Jim Rathmann 30, Johnny Thomson 37, Tony Betten-hausen 42, Paul Goldsmith 30, Johnny Boyd 32, Duane Carter 46, tddie Johnson 40, Paul Rusto 45 and Foyt 24. The age of the automobiles is a different matter. The cars that finished in the first four positions were new. It was the second year for the fifth-place car, driven by Paul Goldsmith. Sixth-place Johnny Boyd had a new one.

Duane Carter's seventh-place car was going for the second time. It was the third year for Eddie Johnson's eighth- place car. Russo's ninth-place car was in its second year y' and the lOth-place car was a new one. The Rookie of the Year T)OBBY GRIM, the Rookie of the Year, is no spring chicken and he is an experienced driver. When he held his hand up to signal that something was wrong, he dislocated a shoulder.

"If I had let the wind take it back I probably would have been all right but I tried to push it forward and that's when it was injured," said the personable driver who started his career some years Grim won the 1MCA big car championship four years and he moved into the USAC family in the fall of '58. Paul Russo accepted the mechanical achievement award for Jean Marcenac from D-A Lubricant. He said, "I never saw any man, even a younger one, who can keep up with him. I've seen him go five days with only jn hour's rest a night" Tony Hulman. won the honors lor timely remarks; when he received an honorary rookie of the year award because he 4 toofc hit first ride in a race car May 1.

Said Tony: "Isn't it 5 wonderful to be a race driver?" Jud Larson, involved in a four-car accident on the jK northeast turn, said: "I don't have to tell people how happy I am just to be here." pleasant ex- change, Rodger he of the curly hair, the quick smile, the twinkling eyes gently boxed Skippy's nose, gave Jo a last loving look, turned and strolled off to his metal steed, the uprightish Leader Card Special at the starting line. Jo went back to her seat and sat down, blinking her eyes to fight back the tears and babbling incoherent little later stages, he was running Wf Saljh the only 138.5 mph Rathmann ownerand chief mechanic, and wne wr duuiy in uui worked feverisr.lv fuel on his final lap, knew he but no luck. Bryan finally did nothings to the pooch. AUTO RACING GRAND PRIX CARS at Brescia, Italy-Mario Carlo Abate and Gianni Balzarini, Italy, won Mille Miglio in Ferrarri. Jean Guichet and Gaston Hoppel, France, second in Ferrari; Jean Schild and Roberto Pecorrini, Switzerland, third in Ferrari as 74 of 104 starters finished race.

GRAND PRIX CARS at Zandvoort-Joachim Bonnier, Sweden, won Dutch) Grand Prix in BRM with 98 mph aver-oge tor 195.44-mile race. Jack Brabahm. Australia, second in Coooer Climax; Masten Gregory, Kansas City, third in Cooper. Phil Hill, Santa Monica, sixth in Ferrari. STOCK CARS ot Youngslown, White, Keokuk, won Canfield 100-mile new car race In 1959 Ford; Mike Klapak, Warren, 0., second In '57 Ford; Dick -Freeman, Detroit, third In '59 Chevrolet.

SPORTS CARS ot Bridaehomton, N.Y.George Arents, Southampton, N.Y., won) feature race at national sports cor schedule in Ferrari. Other race winners: Charles Kolb. Silver Springs, Harry Blanchard, Geenwich, Conn. JALOPIES ot Zipp's-Sonny Thompson, Bob Laughiin ond Jack Utterback won weekend features Saturday heat winners were Jock Lee, Hank Cliburn and Laughiin. Sunday's semis to Utterback and Don Pattirson.

Bud Schoener won trophy dath. Bill Clem, Cliburn and Frank Nelson won heats. provide for the education of the children." Her stepsons, his sons Charles Rodger, 17, and David, 13, listening, doubtless, from grandmother's house house in El Monte, Cal. "This is one of the most wonderful things we've ever had," said Tony, "but I wouldn't have given a dime for this race when I saw those clouds before the start." get the car into gear, but could make only one lap and had to come into the pits. "That's racing," said Bryan, "One year you're on top and the next time 33d." Bryan wouldn't say whether he would race in the regular national championship circuit this summer.

He was in semiretire-ment after winning the '58 race. Only four drivers led the race Thomson on laps 1 through 4, Ward on laps 5 through 12, Jim Rathmann lap 13, Ward again on laps 14 through 17, Ward 18, Rathmann 19 through 30, Flaherty laps 35 through 45, Thomson laps 50 to 85 and Ward the IB flu? was low on fuel and some engine trouble forced him to keep his speed down to 139.5 in the late going. Ward and his crew were well aware that Rathmann wasn't making a big effort to catch him, so they "coasted" to victory. The victory, Ward's first in nine years of trying, was the third in five years for Watson, who is recognized as the master car builder. He also built the cars and was chief mechanic for Bob Sweikert in '55 and Pat Flaherty in '56.

Word hod the best time on pit stops, but even if he and Rathmann would have been even there, Word ttill would have won by iO seconds. Ward wat in the pitt three timet, 25 seconds, 23 ond 22, a total of 70 seconds, foch time he got fuel and tires. Rathmann wat in 86.4 seconds during three stops. Word's actual margin at the finish was 23 seconds. Rathmann's car, incidentally, was also built by Wat BiJust say the word I rest of the way.

You're always welcom Bob Christie said he spent most of last year explaining to his fellow residents in Grant's Pass, that "that tire didn't blow, I really picked up a nail. Now I'm going to have to spend all this year explaining that my engine didn't fall apart, a piece just broke off." When Sam Hanks introduced Pat Flaherty, he said the former winner experienced a little difficulty in the main stretch. "A little difficulty!" ejaculated Pat. "That was a real crash." Eddie Sachs started up to get his money wearing a plastic helmet with countless colored balloons attached. "That helmet is a dunce cap," he said, taking it off before reaching Hanks.

"I'm an idiot, I had a car that could win and goofed." IM R(l I 1 r-Wj law son. Katnmann nad won tne BOXING "BENEFICIAL Th. ho-ne of BILL CLiAN-UP LOANS 4AESf or other amounts from yAJvU signature, furniture or auto, can pay off these piled up bills. Large loans and "royal" treat ment are our specialty. Remember, for a Bill Clean Up Loan, phone first get your cash in one tript You'll find it's just like 1-2-3 to call up, come in and pick up your cash! Up to 36 months to repay! beneficial1 finance incorporated .130 E.

Washington Street, Opposite Elevators, 7th 8-4361 lou $25 to $500 nod ay Iwiefldd finance C.A fo.oant up $500 trwdt bvr BENEFICIAL FINANCE 5930 E. 10th Arlington Shopping CenterrOrd. Flr.rf.fl Mm 1105 E. Prospect St, Rm. 303, Fountain Theatre 65441 2839 Lafayette Opposite Eagledale Plaza WA 4-4807 COMMONWEALTH LOAN COMPANY UN.

Pennsylvania Over First Federal Savings Loan. ME 4-8495 551 W. 11th West Side Shoppina Center, Gr. Fl ME 4-8364 (Opposite Attucks High School! Washington Illinois 2nd Roosevelt Building. 4-1431 136 Market 2nd Peoples Bank Bldg ME 4-2583 WEEKEND RESULTS 5CMNTON, Jockit Donnelly, 131, Buttolo, N.Y., stopped Johnny Toy- lor, 143, Younoslown, O.

(3). CAGLIAKI, Sordimo-Horocio Accnvollo, 112 Argentina, and Giocomo Spono, 114, Italy. drw (10). HAVAN A-Chlqul Rottle. HI' Mexico, ana Chucnu Guittrrti.

11. Cuba, drew (10). City Team Stays 2d as WIBC Ends BUFFALO (AP) The Sneth-kamps of Detroit won first place in the team event as the 42d annual Women's International Bowling Congress tournament ended a six-week run. The Snethkamps took $1,000 in prize money with an all-time WIBC high of 3,030 pins. The second-place Steak Shake team of Indianapolis was 150 pins behind with 2,880.

A second tournament record was set by Pat McBride of Grand Rapids, who took the all-events crown with 1,927. Mae Bolt of Chicago, last year's all-events winner, finished first in singles with 664. Ending as double champions were Sylvania Wene and Adile Isphording, both of Philadelphia, with 1,263. Over 4,000 teams competed in the six-week event. Prizt money totaled $139,557.

Russo, who started in 27th piece and finished ninth, tracked: "Starting where I did I felt sure there must have been more than 33 cars in that race." Duane Carter, the old pro who came out of retire- ment to gain seventh, received plaudits exceeded only by i those for the winners. He apologized to his owners and crew for twice killing the engine and losing 4 minutes and I 35 seconds in the pits. i Tony Bettenhausen, national champion, fourth for the second straight year, "I'll be back 15 more years if it takes me that long to win. The way this purse is going up It'll be a million dollars by the time I'm 75 and that's the one I want to win," he said in jest. 1 Tony also said he had talked to Bill Ansted, who told ihim not to make any arrangements for next year until he talked with him, indicating Bill may be back in the business next year.

4 Hulman read a telegram he received from Ray Crawford, i Injured when hit car hit the wall on the northeast turn: "Sorry I can't be there, It't partly your fault. You built the wall where wanted to drive." "-Charlie Brockman, who got so excited seeing Jimmy I Bryan In 33d place, actually paid Bryan off before an- nouhcins, as he had intended to do, the record purse. SOFTBALL AT ENOELHARDT STADIUM YESTERDAY'S RESULTS-Anhorttt 1 Valparaiso Quttns 1-5; Kramtr Core. Ellfttvillt Richmond 1J, Tabtrnaclt II. TONIGHT'S OAMES-lHdiana Gtor vt.

U.S. Envtlop Htrtt-Jonti VI. Stark end WttitU Brood Ripple vt. Jayctot. AT MUNICIPAL STADIUM TONIOHT OAMES-lmporlat Pockine, vt.

Link. Bolt; HEW 104 vt. Pliileat; UAW vt. Oartmd Park Unittd. Youngest Amateur Champ WASHINGTON -Dearie Beman, 21 -year-old University of Maryland student, poses at National Airport with his biggest golf prize the British Amateur championship cup.

He won it Saturday by beating Bill Hyndman of Abingron, 3 and 2. With him are friends and members of his family, including his wife, Miriam, at left. He is the youngest player ever to win the tourney. AP Wirephoto BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL financeisystem; PONY LEACUES Chryjlw League will ttarf Its senton ot a pm, todoy. The Brovot will ploy the Indian.

In the firll game. I i r. i i i.