The Indianapolis News from Indianapolis, Indiana • 15

MoftJoy, June 1 1959 THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS official '500' finish and payoff Rodaar Picked (Total Purse. S338.159, IWMJJ Wl I IVIIVU His Own Pit SlopsPace "Three pit stops in onds! That's the story of the i7N TAEWt7iTf i rTjtJ7-i Rodger Ward in LV- race, discussing the prerace strategy ynttXfcl fbtLZKC fH and how it worked out ZlSA.ra! A generous and well-de- M(aitt IZT served tribute to his pit crew. J2iT.Zi 71 but it's not quite the full story. Kll Ward called the shots during fTiUi 'h i the race. Pos.

Driver Car Laps Tune Speed Prize 1. Rodger Ward, Uader Card 200 3:40:49.20 M35.857 2. Jim Rathmann, Simoniz 200 3:41:12.47 135.619 39.800 3. Johnny Thomson, Racing Associates 200 3:41:39.85 133.340 32,425 4. Tony Bettenhausen, Hoover 200 3:42:36.25 134.76S 13,475 5.

Paul Goldsmith, Dernier 200 3:42:55.60 134.573 11,975 6. Johnny Boyd, Bowes Seal Fast 200 3:44:06.23 133.867 8,475 7. Duane Carter, Smokey's 200 3:44:59.15 1 33.342 7,275 8. Eddie Johnson, Bryant 200 3:54:59.69 133.336 6,625 9. Paul Russo, Bardahl 200 3:45:00.24 133.331 6,325 10.

A. J. Foyt, Dean Van Lines 200 3:45:03.65 133.297 6,575 11. Gene Hartley, Drewry's 200 3:46:31.64 132.434 4,795 12. Bob Veith, John ZinR 200 3:46:58.91 132.169 4,475 13.

Al Herman, Dunn Engineering 200 3:47:29.57 131.872 4,455 14. Jimmy Daywalt, Federal Engineering 200 3:47:30.72 131.861 5,335 15. Chuck Arnold, Hall-Mar 200 3:49:09.05 130.918 4,115 16. Jim McWithey, Ray Brady 200 3:52:30.93 129.024 4,045 17. Eddie Sachs, Schmidt 182 3:32:36.15 128.409 4,675 18.

Al Keller, Helse 163 3:17:38.59 123.708 3,980 19. Pat Flaherty, John Zink 162 3:03:18.42 132.564 5,725 20. Dick Rathmann, McNamara 150 2:56:31.48 127.461 4,045 21. Bill Cheesbourg, Greenman-Casale 147 2:59:01.05 123.172 3,765 22. Don Freeland, Jim Robbing 136 2:38:08.61 128.997 4,485 23.

Ray Crawford, Meguiar Mirror Glaze 115 2:10:11.32 132.500 3,655 24. Don Branson, Bob Estes 112 2:06:23.21 .132.925 3,625 25. Bob Christie, Federal Engineering 109 2:02:20.95 133.634 4,595 26. Bobby Grim, Sumar 85 1:35:48.07 133.088 3,690 27. Jack Turner, Travelon Trailer 47 :57:27.00 137.02S 4,335 28.

Chuck Weyant, McKay 45 :50: 14.63 134.345 3,505 29. Jud Larson, Bowes Seal Fast 45 :50:15.08 1341325 3,650 30. Mike Magill, Dayton Foundry 45 :50:15.94 134.286 3,445 31. Red Amick, Wheeler-Foutch 45 :50:18.27 137.165 3,915 32. Len Sutton, Wolcott 34 :37:23.24 136.410 3,383 33.

Jimmy Bryan, Belond 1 31.057 3,405 New record. aWard also receives Buick pace car and various merchandise prizes. MK Gasoline Alley Scene Was Bedlam for Ward nears the starting line. Two pace laps were run at slow speed. All of the drivers kept their cars in perfect position until starter Bill Vandewater waved the green flag.

The News Photo, Bob Doeppers. Best Start in History Veteran officials of the 500-Mile Race call Saturday's start the best in history. Here the starting field, with pole-winner Johnny Thomson leading, BACKWARD DERBY Bryan First Again; An Unwanted First NEW UNOFFICIAL RECORDS By DON O'REILLY There is nothing that can quite beat the tension which builds up in the leader's pit as the end of the 500-Mile Race nears, nor can quite equal the unbounded joy which is displayed in the winner's garage after the race' 15 laps to go, owner Bob Wilke stood on the pit "It's okay," Bryan said, "just as long as you kept it on this side (referring to the south side of the garage area from where many winners have come). Those guys on the other side don't have a chance." Then the phone rang. It was for Rodger, some friends calling from Los Angeles.

Ward had already greeted his two sons on the West Coast by means of the radio CAR Racine AftKiatH No. Racini Associate! No. Leader Card NO. Leader Card Ne. Leader Card Ne.

I Leader Card Ne. Leader Card Ne. Leoder Card N. I Leader Card Ne. Leader Card No.

Leader Card Ne. Leader Card No. LAPS 76 SO 0 TOO no 1 130 160 170 ISO KM MILES 175 WO 325 ISO J75 MO 325 400 425 450 475 500 MPH 134 487 137.286 137 480 mow 137.W3 137.543 134 40 135 71 135.184 135.440 135.W1 135.157 DRIVER Johnny Thomson Johnny Thomson Rodoer Ward Rodger word Rodaer ward Rodger Ward Rodgtr Ward Rodger Ward Rodger Ward Rodger Ward Rodaer Ward Rodger Ward Mrs. Ward's brother, Jo Walton, and hit family of Whit' tier, were swallowed up in the mob scene which had spread into the adjoining garage by this time. Still, the Speedway safety patrolmen kept up the barricade outside, otherwise the garage walls would have been bulging as the crowd numbered in the hundreds.

Yes, there's nothing quite like the "bedlam in the winner's garage." By FRANK WILSON Jimmy Bryan was first and and the wall was smacked. anxiously watching. "Not Irish Lose Out twice. He walked away, the second man to take a rest Len Sutton second in Saturday's 43d 500-Mile Race. Think perhaps we're a little mixed up? After all, we all know, that Rodger Ward won in NCAA Bid 1 much you can do now, but wait," he said.

Rodger Ward held a 22-second It was a brilliant combination of planning, good mechanic work, excellent pit work and a terrific job of driving that paid off in victory in the 500-Mile Race. "Ward said he was ready to go," said chief mechanic A. J. Watson. "He was more confident than I was.

I figured it would be a rough go." Watson and Ward had planned to make the first pit stop at about the 50-lap, 125-mile point in the race. After that, the timing of the stops was up to the driver. Ward made his first stop at 4B laps, when the yellow light was on, slowing the field because of an accident. Ward had originally planned to run a conservative race at the start rather than battle the anticipated fast pace of the "hot dogs." However, he was leading at the fifth lap. Later he dropped back rather than risk too fast a pace so early in the contest.

He was leading again when the yellow light came on just before his pit stop. It was on the 85th lap that Ward became the leader for the rest of the race. Watson said he "knew we could outrun (Jim) Rathmann any time because we had been testing him all month in prac tice. We didn't know enough about Thomson, though, because we didn't have a chance to run (practice) at the same time he was out" Ward's opinion of Rathmann was slightly different. "Worried about Jim? Certainly, I'm always worried when I race with him." "Everything was right for us today," Watson said, after the race.

"Take that last pit stop. Rodger had signaled for the stop when the light was green. By. the time ha got around again, Flaherty was into the wall and blocking the pit entrance gate. "I looked up there and saw a pick-up truck to remove Flaherty's car) and thought 'this is it.

Somehow or other, he got through. "It might have cost the race," Watson said, if Ward had come around slow and had been unable to get into the pit because of the Flaherty tangle. He would have had to make another lap or two, then slow down again to come into the pit. The Watson crew's 72-second time for three pit stops eclipsed the 90 seconds used by Jimmy Bryan's George Salih crew last year. Air jacks made a major contribution to the speed, most experts agreed.

With the new-style air jacks, crewman slaps nitrogen-pressurised hoi on to a fitting on the car, opens a vaho and the car is lifted fast. Under the old method, two crewmen pre needed, one to raise tho front wheels and the other tho rear wheels. Of the air jacks, Watson aid simply, "I'll buy them." NOTRE DAME, Ind. (AP) Western Michigan scored four times in the last inning to lead, 18 cars were still in the defeat Notre Dame, 9-6, yesterday and win the District 4 race. Chief mechan- LaIM NCAA baseball playoff.

Western Michigan (24-6) Jack Turner, who had finished one race in three attempts, tailed in his fourth attempt. A pit stop. Tires changed. Fuel loaded. But wait a minute! The concrete surface of the pit was covered with liquid.

The car's tank was leaking fuel. The liquid spread, and Turner kilkd the engine, for a split tank ends the day. Third through sixth positions jn the day's unwanted finishing lineup went to Chuck Weyant, Mike Magill, Jud Larson and rookie Red Amick. In the northeast. will meet Oklahoma State, the Memorial Day grind.

And we know, too, that Jim Rathmann won his third second-place laurels, and Johnny Thomson gained third place. Look at it this way: Jimmy Bryan did finish CARS OUT No Belond AP Muffler Special (Jimmy Bryan) Faulty clutch and broken cam housing. Ran only ont lap. No. I.

Wolcott Special (Len Sutton) Spun In southwest turn, hit wall nose first, then spun again Into wall tall first. Chassis disability caused rear tire to wear throuoh, throwing cor Into spin. Out after 34 lops. No. 24, Travelon Trailer Special (Jack Turner) Split in fuel tank discovered during pit stop.

47 laps. No. 47, McKay Special (Chuck Weyant) Spun In northeost turn, was hit by No. 77 (Magill) which hurdled over No. 47.

Wrecked in 45th lap. Driver unlnlured. No. 77, Dayton Steel Foundry Special (Mike Magill) Hurdled No. 47 (Weyant) In northeast turn.

Landed upside down, then skidded still upside down. Into Infield. Caught flro. Driver suffered gouged neck and two chipped vertabra, plui minor burns. Wrecked In 45th lap.

No. 7, Bowes Seal Fast Special (Jud Larson) Spun and locked with No. 87 (Amick) when Weyont-Magill accident occurred In northeast turn. Come to rest in Infield. Driver unlnured.

Out on 45th lap with dented manifold. No. 17, Wheeler-Foutch Special (Red Amick)-Spun and locked with No. 7 (Larson) when Weyant-Moglll Occident occurred In northeast turn. Came to rest in infield.

Driver unlnlured. Out on 45th lap. No. 41, Sumar Special (Bobby Grim) Driver suffered dislocated shoulder when wind caught his arm as It was raised from cockpit. Jack Turner tried District 5 champion, in the first round of the NCAA finals in Omaha June 12.

The Irish were blanked bj W.M., 2-0, in yesterday's first Wilson game, handing them their first tourney loss and necessitating the second game. COLLEGE BASEBALL' to relieve, but car was unable to be restarted from pits. Burned pistons NCAA PLAYOFFS (District 4) At Notr. Dam. Western Michigan Mo 1M I14- it Notr Dome tN IM 111 Lamed, Sored (S), Hepgeoe) (71, Socha (I) and Belanger) Sciivonldle Honnan (I), Kuniler (t) end Welclk.

(Western Michigan win layoff.) caused cor to be withdrawn after 15 lops. IJS jjjj if vv I 4 V. I Ne. Federal Engineering Special (Bob Christie) Withdrawn from raco after 109 laps because of thrown con- neciing roa. No.

Bob Estet Special (Don after 112 laos when left rear torsion bar fractured at tho Westom Michigan Mt Mt IM 1 IS I Notre Dome fJM Mt Mt Hornet, Ortlleb (I) and SelanMri Mitchell, Palihnlch () on Woicik. weia. No. 4, Meauiar Mirror Glaze Soeclal first and Len Sutton was the second "500" driver through the day. It's a little confusing, perhaps, because this is the story of bad luck, not good.

This is the story of tragedy, sometimes; of ill-fortune, of injury, or even death. It's the story of those who didn't finish the full 500 miles. A year ago it was the story of 16 cars twirling like tops. It told of Pat O'Connor's last ride on a race track. It recounted, though a bit hurriedly and slightly inaccurately, how the late Jerry Unser flew over the wall in the northeast turn.

It was a sad story. But this year's tale is not a sad one. It is the story of those who race and fall away, and live to race another day. Death did not mar the running of the 43d For, on the Speedway, death took its holiday. When the field left the grid of 11 rows, 32 were on their (Ray Crawford) Car spun tall first Into outer wall in northeost turn.

Switched ends and hit the wall nose first. Came Weyant skidded, Magill leapfrogged over him, and Larson and Amick tangled to avoid the melee. Magill, whose luck has been consistently bad in two previous races, had a little more with him this time. An upside-down ending is not good. When a car turns turtle in racing, it looks bad.

Serious injury usually is the result. Mike, a roll bar his protector, came out of it with injuries, but alive. The others, more fortunate but still out of the running, helped bring Mike out. They walked away. And so it went through tho day.

Bobby Grim, alarmed tor his fellows because ho thought his engine had blown, reached to signal trouble. The air caught his arm and dislocated his shoulm der, Bobby, in the No. 48 Sumar, reached for glory and brought back a hobbled arm. to rest in middle of track. Driver suf fered four smashed ribs In back, dos slble ruptured spleen.

Wrecked In 115th lap. No. 15, Jim Robblnt Special (Den preeiandi-withdrawn after 130 laps with DroKen spring vaive. Ne. 71, McNamara Special (Dick Rath Western Minnesota 1 7 (District S) I Oklahoma Stato Bradley I (District 7) Utah 11-1, Colorado State Cellego S-l (Colorado Stale wins btit-of-1 fortes, 1-1) Boston University 1, Vermont I Cornell 5, Dartmouth 1 Eastern Michigan 7-1 Central MldlfM e-ll Holy Cross Boston Cellee Navy 4, Army I Princeton 4, Fordham 1 Syracuse Celgata 1 Utoh )H, Colorado StoC Cellega -T mann) Overflowing fuel caught fire on flit stop.

Rear end of car was engulfed flame. Driver uniform sinaed and mechanic Joe Alexander suffered first and second-degree burns on ormi and nonas. withdrawn otter 150 lops. No. 44, John Zink Heater Special (Pat Flaherty) Fatigued driver lost control of car in north end of main straightaway.

Car bounced off outer wall and Into Inner wall at pit entrance. Driver unlnlured. Wrecked after 102 laps. Ne. SI, Lyslo Greenmon Special (Bill Cheesbourg) Car withdrawn when magneto failed after 147 laos.

Grim Happy Rookie No. 57, Helso Special (Al Keller) Watson did not use the jet- way. On was missina. That was car witnarawn with burned piston offer 103 lops. No.

44, Peter Schmidt Special (Eddie Sachs) Broken bolt on gear tower fueling method employed on niina hit ic A. J. watson looked outwardly calm, but was inwardly jumping, one foot on the pit wall, talking with J. C. Aga Janian, whose car had failed to make the race.

Newsmen gathered around. Weuld-be relief driver Jack Turner sat on a red camp stool, green helmet in hand. There were four other camp stools in the pit, one green, showing no superstition there. Jim Bryan's car sponsor, Sandy Belond, stopped for a mdment, "Are you happy, Wilke grinned, but indicated he'd rather wait until the finish. Two laps to go and Turner moved over to congratulate Wilke, offering his hand, green helmet tucked under his arm.

Wilke grasped Turner's hand. "Don't let go," he said, holding Turner's hand until, suddenly, the checkered flag was waved. Wilke Itaptd over the wall, onto ih track danzing and waring to Ward. Tht crew, shouting end jubilant, headed for Victory Lane. After Victory Lane, the scene shifted to the' garage area as newsmen, officials, well-wishers and curious fans started to gather.

Portable radios kept the assembly informed of the activity, in Victory Lane, out of sight, but just a stone's throw away. Ward arrived in the pace car, something new that had been added this year (they usually walk back to the garage), dirty, smiling and, in contrast with some previous winners, looking fairly fresh. Sam Hanks and Jimmy Bryan, the two immediate past winners, were also in good condition at the end of the race, but some previous winners have been exhausted. As Charlie Bardach shook hands, Ward shouted over the noise, "Have you got the ring size?" referring to the winner's ring he will receive. Chuck Baihy shoved the public address system microphone in front of Ward tot a fast interview.

Announcor Lufe Walton ltd Ward outside for the radio bit. Flash bulbs popped. Ward posed with his wife, Jo, who was "still vibrating." He posed with Wilke, mechanic A. J. Watson and the crew, where ever the cameramen wanted him.

As usual, some of the perennial hams who have to have their photos with the winner got in the act and the cooperating Ward obliged without a protest In answer to a voiced con caused withdrawal after 182 laps. some cars, where the tuel is car the victor in 1957 and '58. Bobby Crim of Indianapolis, who made his debut in the 500-Mile Race Saturday, was named rookie of the year at last night's victory banquet in the Murat Theater ballroom. Crim, who was the fastest rookie qualifier ever and finished 26th in the race, receives the Stark and Wetzel award from Marsha Stark. The News Photo, Larry George drew burned hands from the injected through a special valve receptacle near the bottom of the tank, but he is considering it for next year.

Crew members were A. J. business. Others went out, though routinely. The cars gave out for 17.

Fortunately, the men Wabash Trio Will Run in NCAA Meet Special to The Newt CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. Three Wabash College runners Warren Hall of North Ver. non, Ron Reinhart of Toledo and Grant VanHorne of Auburn will compete June 1 and 13 in the NCAA track and field meet at Lincoln, Neb. Nucleus of the finest distance contingent Wabash ever had, all three will be back next year. Hall is a junior, VanHorne and Reinhart sophomores.

Hall and Reinhart will enter the 880 and mile and VanHorne the 2-mile and steeplechase at the NCAA meet. Watson, Don (Red) Burden, did not. Ellis Roark, Leroy Paine, Larry Shinoda, Don Koda, Al (Swede) Johnson and George Bell. Butler Will Receive 5th All-Sports Award Swimmer Honored WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. The three pit stops wen 25 Swimmer Walt Eversman has been namd recipient of Pur seconds, 21 seconds and 22 seconds.

Butler University will be due University's 1959 Big 10 Jim Rathmann said, after Only Ray Crawford and Pat Flaherty kissed concrete after the first two mishaps. Ray wired Tony Hulman from his Methodist Hospital bed that the owner had built a wall where the No. 49 Meguiar Mirror Glaze Special "wanted to drive," but a flashing of flame after a smashing of frame brought only, temporary pain. Flaherty, still not again the strong man who had flashed to victory in 1956, simply "lost it" in the main straightaway. Just a short distance from the point at which he had tangled with another car in 1954, Pat hit the outer wall and bounded to the inner one just north of the pit entrance.

He walked away. Dick Rathmann, charging as usual, needed a pit stop after 150 laps, but got more than he bargained for. Fuel became a pyre on the tail of his race car, the No. 73 McNamara Special. Fire extinguishers, though not too quickly, stilled the visible heat of flame, but Dick was done for the day.

Singed he was, but more fortunate than mechanic Joe Alexander who medal for combined profi' the race, "I was charging as fast as that baby would go, ciency in scholarship and ath awarded the Indiana Collegiate Conference all sports trophy at the B-Men's Associ letics. The engine started, but the gears wouldn't engage. A push to tho end of tho pit area brought soma results, and, after the other 32 had whirled through two laps, the yellow beauty moved onto the track. Smoke poured from the No. 6 Belond AP Muffler Special, Once it toured the oval, trying to catch up to the pack.

But Bryan finally drove through the pit gate, parked his mount and got out. A few minutes of feverish work and the issue was decided. The first was last, and Bryan watched his first 500-Mile Race since 1951. The 1,258 laps Jimmy had driven in "500" competition increased to just 1,259. Len Sutton, who had driven just three-quarters of a lap last year before the tangle engulfed him, finally made it through the first one.

In fact, he made it through 33 more before a sway bar broke and dug into a rear tire. Blowout right down to the finish." Principal speaker will be coach Tony Hinkle, who will present highlights of the last year. Herb Schwomeyer, dean of men at Butler, will be toastmaster. The banquet will be at 6 p.m., following the annual alumni-varsity baseball game Ward said he still had a little reserve. "Everytime I needed something, I had some at 3 o'clock on the Fairview diamond.

Valpo to NCAA VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) Valparaiso's Indiana Collegi ate Conference baseball champions have been named to compete in the NCAA Col thing." Watson acknowledged he was some concerned about Ward's continued fast pace near the finish, when he had a reasonable (by present-day standards) lead, 23 to 30 seconds. The crew gave Ward the "E-Z" sign near the end. ocous the public address system was reporting Ward's laps one less than tho crew score sheet lifted, Watson decided to play safe and giro Rodger signals according to tht f.A. announcements.

They flashed the 197-lap sign and the next time around, starter Bill Vanderwater waved the white flag, signifying only one lap to go, giving Ward a little surprise. "We might have been wrong," Watson said, "so it was safer that way." lege Division regional tournament June 9 and 10 at Springfield, O. Other teams par RJtRRtefcV ation annual spring sports banquet Wednesday in Ather-ton Center. This marks the fifth time that Butler will receive the coveted award since the formation of the conference in 1951. The Bulldogs also won in 1953, 54, 56 and '58.

Valparaiso and DePauw are the only league members to break through Butler's hold on the all-sports crown. Valpo won the trophy in 1952 and '55 and DePauw in '57. During the school year, Butler finished first in football, basketball and golf, second in baseball and track, fourth in fifth in cross-country and tied for third in tennis. Presentation of the trophy will be made by Dr. William Howard, league secretary and chairman of Butler's faculty athletic committee.

Another highlight will be the presentation of the Andy Williams award to a Butler senior "who has displayed an unselfish attitude toward teammates and wholesome conduct as an athlete and real cigar in a miniature size ticipating in the tournament will be Mississippi College, Union (Tenn.) and host Wittenberg. Steinbrecher Named VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) gratulation, Watson said, "That's what happens when you don't have to take It (the engine) apart You don't goof Bill Steinbrecher has been named assistant football and it up." Mds LITTLE CIGARS head wrestling and golf coach Latt year's victor, Bryan, ap-ptarod, offered congratulations at Valparaiso University, succeeding Ralph Starenko, who has taken the Concordia Hit Ward and received words of Spoken Kken members (Neb) grid job. INSURED SAYINGS 31 OL CURRENT DIVIDEND I.O PER YIAR SHELBY STREET FEDERAL SAVINGS ft LOAN ASS N. 1447 Shelby St.

Ml flJM Phe Four Roees Society understanding for Bryan's mis fortune. COLLEGE GOLF Navy 4, Army J. PACK OP 20 351 COLLEGE TENNIS Dartmouth Cornell Navy Army J. If It Comes from the House of Crane-, It's Good Cigar fCUl ICSES OISTIIUIS IX, N.T.1 lUND.t HolSUM! HUM 8 HWlV.C:d.