Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1920 — GASTON CHEVROLET WINS 8TH ANNUAL CLASSIC [ARTICLE]

GASTON CHEVROLET WINS 8TH ANNUAL CLASSIC

Indianapolia, May 31.—1 n the moat spectacular finish ever witnessed on the Indianapolia speedway, Gaston Chevrolet, driving an Indianapolis made car, rode to victory in the eighth renewal of the 500mile automobile race today before a record breaking crowd of 125,000 persons. Chevrolet’s time was 5:40: 16.14, an average of 58.16 miles an hour, the second best time in the history of the event. In additoin to winning the $20,000 prize, Chevrolet also won approximately $6,500 more in lap prize competition and cash prizes offered by accessory firms. Rene Thomas thundered across the finish in second place, having cohered the distance in. 5:43:03.29. His average was 87.45 miles an hour. Tommy Milton pulled up in third place and Jimmy Murphy finished fourth. All of the thrills came in the last thirty miles of the race, when Ralph De Palma, the favorite, with a lead of ten miles to his credit, seemed certain of winning, but with the victory within his grasp, DePalma’s car burst into flames on the north turn of the two and. one-half mile course and a few minutes later the car driven by Joe Boyer, who led during the first 250 miles, skidded, overturned and crashed into a retaining wall within a few feet of the spot where DePalma’s car caught fire. Neither Boyer nor his mechanician was seriously injured. The accident, which snatched victory from DePalma was tragic. The Italian was racing at break-neck speed, when a sheet of flame licked, its way to his gasoline tank. While his mechanician fought the flames, DePalma, brokenhearted over his misfortune, ran to the pits a mile away for a fresh supply of • fuel, staggering back under the weight of a heavy can. Undaunted, DePalma resumed the grind, but after going another mile his car was wrapped in flames for a second time. With the aid of his mechanician, DePalma extinguished them and managed to finish the race in fifth place. He was given a tremendous ovation when he thunder-

ed over the line. Misfortune trailed DePalma from the start. He had the favorite position at the pole, but the boom of the bomb caught him unawares and he was among the last to get away. Then on the very first lap he was driven into the pits with a flat tire. Joe Boyer jumped into the lead and held it for 250 miles, closely pursued by Jean Chassange, Gaston Chevrolet and Rene. Thomas. When half the race was over Boyer made his first stop at the pits and DePalma shot into the lead, which he maintained until his car caught on fire. , There were half a dozen accidents, but the drivers and their aides miraculously, escaped death. While speeding around the treacherous north turn, Arthur Klein crashed into the sidewall, damaging his car so badly that it was withdrawn. Louis Chevrolet, designer of the car which his brother piloted to victory, also was in a smashup. His car skidded off the course when a steering connection broke. Chevrolet s back was injured and he withdrew. Roscoe Sarles had the misfortune to smash up two cars. He wrecked his own entry as a result of skidding off the track, and while driving as relief ‘ for Benny Jill, a steering knuckle broke, and he crashed for the second tifhe. Chevrolet drove a consistent race from the start ana never was below fourth place. Most of the time he was either in second or third. He trailed DePalma from the 350 mile point and took the lead when DePalma had to stop. Four winners of former races on the speedway tried to repeat. Rene Thomas and DePalma, 1914 and 1915 winners, respectively, came in within the money. Jules Goux, who won in 1913, Was forced out after competing 345 miles. Howard Wilcox, last year’s winner, had engine trouble and quit after completing 165 miles. •. . Merchants of Indianapolis donated $20,000 to be distributed as added money, SIOO to each of the two hundred laps. Of this money Boyer won $9,500; DePalma, $8,300; G. Chevrolet, $1,300; R<me Thomas, S7OO and Art Klein and Jean Chassagne SIOO each. Of the twenty-three cars starting the grind only eleven finished.