Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 May 1941 — Page 26

PAGE 12

F Thumbnail Portraits Of

NO. 1—REX MAYS

Car, Bowes Seal Fast Special; motor, Lou Meyer. Age, 28; married; one san, months. Home, Glendale, Cal. Pacific Coast racing champion in 1934 and 1935. Champion driver of 1940. Raced here first in 1934, forced out at 132 miles, in 1935, out at 307 miles; in 1936, out at . 380 miles; in 1937, out at 60 miles; in 1938, out at 120 miles; 1939, out at 362 miles with engine trouble. Finished second last year. Qualified this year at 128.301. Usual occupation: Owns and races midget racers.

NO. 2—WILBUR SHAW

Car, Boyle Special; motor, Italian Maserati. : Age, 38; married. Native of In- _ dianapolis, now making home in _ Akrop, O. First.raced here in 1927, finished fourth. In 1928, forced out at 107 miles; in 1930, at 143 miles; in 1932, at 392 miles. —In 1933, finished second; in 1934, went out at 37 miles; in 1935, second again; in 1936, finished seventh; in 1937 and 1939 he won, was second in 1938. Won again last year. Qualified this year at 127.836. Usual occupation: Firestone aviation division director. Hobbies: Golf, flying, hunting, fishing.

NO. 3—MAURI ROSE Car, Elgin Piston Pin Special;

risk their lives for Day? Are they just

every inch of

a select group -of

What do they think and feel?

who loves motors and likes to go They just don’t think about that

last long. Some were killed and hear of these men for the drivers,

‘

The Daring Driv

8 & =

“You've got an oil leak, Wilbur!” shouts Kelly I'etillo Doubts are forgotten and ahead lies only the checkered. flag which

WHAT KIND OF MEN are these race drivers who deliberately

the 500 long miles each Decoration

men who care little for their lives?

Or do they think that it can’t happen to them? Are they ever afraid?

Of course, the drivers are afraid and of course they know the risk they take and, sure, they know it can happen to them.

Your average driver is just an ordinary-everyday-run of nice guy

fast.

They don’t think of themselves as brave—or as.cowards either.

part of it. :

There have been cowards among the racing men but they didn’t

some just disappeared. You never as a rule, are kindly men and they

must be gained before victory is theirs. There will be no cowardice on the

ers Who

i SE 1

will Ri

track tomorrow. The tested

driver automatically will risk his own life before that of a competitor.

That statement is not just & romantic glorification

It has been proved too many times.

of the race driver.

One example came when Chet Miller deliberately drove his car through a heavy guard rail to avoid striking a fellow driver who had been thrown. to the track directly in the path of his car. Another was

when the late Bill Cummings took both hands off the wheel of his

racing mount to signal officials that there had been a six-car crash

on the backstretch.

- Such tales are endless in the annals of racing.

THE LOVE OF RACING is the one big factor which keeps the

» " 2

. |didn’t qualify; in 1939, didn’t start.

sk Their Lives In Tomo

third in 1939 and last year ran out) of oil at 127 miles. Qualified this

NO. 35— > 3 3 GEORGE BARRINGER Car: Miller Special; motor, Miller. | Age 35; married; one son, 4. Home: Houston, Tex. Raced here as relief in 1932. In 1934 forced out at 375 miles; in 1935 did net qualify; in 1936 finished eighth; relief for Cliff Bergere in 1937. Did not compete in 1938. Finished sixth in 1039 and last year was flagged down after Shaw had won. Qualified this year at 122299. Hobby: Fishing. Usual occupation: Mechanic. yoo NO. 36—MERRIL - “DOC” WILLIAMS Car: Indiana Fur Special; motor, Miller. Age, 30, married. Home, Franklin, Ind. First came here in 1933, driving a converted: Ford. Failed to qualify. Finished 13th in 1934. Crashed during practice inf 1935. In 1936, ran out of gas after 492% miles. In 1937, didn’t start; in 1938,

«¥

Last year he was forced out with a broken oil line at 153 miles. Qualified this year at 124.014. Usual occupation, mechanic.

NO. 41—CHET MILLER

Car: Boyle Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 38; married. Home, Detroit.

NO. 45—PAUL RUSSO Car: Leader Car Special; moter, Miller-Marchese. > Age, 27. Home: Kenosha, Wis. Raced here for the first time last year and was forced out after 120 miles with a broken oil line. He is the brother of Joe Russo who raced here several years ago. Paul qualified this year at 125217. Usual occupation; dirt and midget racing.

No. 47—EVERETT SAYLOR

Car: Mark Bowles Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 30; married, one daughter. He is a newcomer to the Speedway although he has been racing seven years. A former school teacher in Ohio, he has been following the dirt track circuit. Placed seventh in Eastern A. A. A. ratings and was in the money in several large races. Qualified this year at 119.890. Usual occupation: Racing.

No. 53—LOUIS TOMEI

Car: H-3 Special; motor, Offenhauser. i Age, 30. Home: VanNuys, Cal. Made his first start here in 1935, forced out after 120 miles; in 1936, went out at 110 miles; in 1937, finished 10th; in 1938, out after 250 miles; finished 12th in 1939 and last year ended the race at 420 miles with a broken exhaust pipe. Qualified this year at 121.074. Hobby, riding. Usual occupation: Hollywood stunt driver.

rrow’

=. 8 0 Rh Leas ? 3

NO. 54—RALPH HEPBURN _ Car: Bowes Seal Fast Special; Motor, Offenhauser. Age, 35. married; one daughter, 8. Home; VanNuys, Call Came here first in. 1925, forced out at 365 miles. In 1926 was eighth; in 1927, out after spin at 200 miles; in 1928 out at 120 miles; in 1929, at 35 miles; in" 1930, did not compete; in 1931, third; in 1932, did not compete; in 1933, out at 82 miles; in 1934, out at 402 miles; in 1935, fifth; in 1936, out at 490 miles; in 1937, second. 216 seconds hehind wilbur Shaw, in 1938, did not qualify; in 1939, his car being driven by Bob Swansen, was wrecked in the crash which killed Floyd Roberts. Last year was forced out at 116 miles with brake trouble. . Qualified this year at 120.653. Hobbies: Golf and taking movies.

Usual occupation: Oil company executive. 3

No. 62—TONY WILLMAN

Car: Lyons Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 36; married; one son, 2; one daughter, 14. Home: Milwaukee. In 1937, his first start, a broken crankshaft forced him out after 247 miles. In 1938, forced out at 100 miles; in 1939, out at 470 miles with carburetion trouble and last year was forced out at 160 miles while subbing for Babe Stapp who replaced Shorty Cantlon. Qualified

this year at 123.920. Usual occupa- Mi tion: racing.

boys in there year after year. Lots of them have retired once or twice but usually they can’t resist getting in the middle of it when the time comes. Colorful Kelly Petillo is one of these retired drivers. He quit racing in 1935. But he'll be racing tomorrow. He hasn't missed a race yet. =

Concerning the Quality of Gins: -

The Advantage is with Gordon's!

motor, Maserati. Age, 35; home, Columbus, O. Started here first in 1933, forced out at 125 miles, .In 1934, finished second; in 1935, out at 257 miles; in 1936, finished fourth; in 1937, out at 375 miles; 1938, out at 412 miles; in 1939, finished eighth. Last year came in third. Qualified at 128.691 this year for the pole position. Usual occupation: Inspector at Allison Engineering Co.

NO. 4—TED HORN

Car: Thorne Special; motor, Sparks. - :

His Speedway record: In 1930, forced out after 402 miles; in 1931, 10th; in 1932, forced out at 312 miles; in 1933, out at 407 miles; in 1934, out at 27 miles; In 1935, 10th; in 1936, finished fifth; in 1937, forced out at 90 miles; in 1938, third; in'1939, involved in the three-car wreck in which Floyd Roberts was killed at 267.5 miles. Last year was stopped after Shaw won on wet track. Qualified this year at 121.540. Hobby, golf. - Usual occupation: Owns used car firm.

understand cowardice and forgive a man who cringes at the thought of crashing. They forgive him, but they won't race with him. It's too dangerous.

a 8°88 2 a 8

FEAR IS IN EVERY race driver. Tomorrow as the 10 o’clock starting time approaches drivers will pace in the pits. They will clean and reclean goggles which are already spotless. Their pit crews will slap them on the back and talk fast to keep their minds from the track and what might happen. But once the race is on and the first lap is over, all fear vanishes.

at 285 miles; in 1937, oh at as NO. 17—DUKE NALON" miles; in 1938, out at 250 miles, an os J : in 1939, out at 102 miles. Out at 92 Car: ia Pin Special; motor; Maserati.

Tomorrow, remember that those when wno are tearing around the track are just ordinary fellows—with perhaps more than their share of kindness and courage. They mow the lawn and play with their kids and pay their light, water and gas bills every month just as you and I. The difference is’ they love racing. Love it ensugh to risk their lives-to do it.

| NO. 29— TOMMY HINNERSHITZ

miles; 1932, out at 152 miles; 1933, cut at 117 miles; 1934, ninth; 1935,

out at 195 miles; 1936, out at 450 NO. 42—

Age, 31; married; two daughters 1 and 7 years. Home: Hawthorne, N. J. Started as a dirt track racer in 1927. Appeared here first in 1935,

miles; 1937, out at 262 miles; 1938,| miles last year. Qualified this

out at 100 miles; 1939, out at 95 miles with broken valve spring. Last year came in ninth. Qualified this

year at 123.478. Usual occupation: Test driver. Hobby: Hunting.

Age, 29; married. Home: Chicago. Appeared at the local track for the

Car: Marks Special; motor, Of-

fenhauser.

Age, 28; married, one daughter, 2.

RUSSELL SNOWBERGER Car: Sportsman's Club Special,

BRIEFLY:

first time in 1939 but failed to qualify. Last year he was forced out on his 117th lap with & broken crankshaft. Qualified this year at 122.2317. Usual occupation: Racing.

NO. 19—EMIL ANDRES

Car: Kennedy Tank Special, motor, Lencki.

NO. 14—GEORGE CONNORS

Car: Boyle Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 34; married; one daughter, 2. Home: Los Angeles. First drove here in 1935, going out at 300 miles. In 1936 he finished 10th and in 1937

Gordon's has the Advantage of Liqueur Quality & High Proof, 94.4.

Home: Reading, Pa. A midget and dirt track racer who appeared at the track here last year for the first time and left the race at 70 miles when he struck the pit wall. He has been rated second in the Eastern Championship ratings. Qualification time this year, 121.021. Hobby, machine shop. Usual occu-

motor, Miller. Age, 39; married. Home, Detroit. Made first start here in 1928, forced out: after 10 miles; in 1929, went out after 112 miles; finished eighth in 1930; fifth in 1931, and again in 1932; eighth in both 1933 and 1934; forced out at 135 miles in 1935; forced out in 1936; out in 1937 and

year af 123.381. Usual occupation: Operates a machine shop. Hobby: Fishing.

No. 9—MEL HANSEN

Car. Fageol Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 29; married; one son, 10.

being forced out of competition at 360 miles. Finished second in 1936, third in 1937, and fourth in 1938 and 1939. Last year he finished fourth. - Qualified this year at 124.297. Hobbies: Hunting, fishing and bowling. Usual occupation: Racing.

No. 5—JOE THORNE

Car: Thorne Special; - .motor,

: ‘26; married. Home: New Rochelle, N. ¥., Tucson, Ariz., and Encino, Cal. Came here in 1933 as spectator after graduation from Rutgers. In 1934 obtained job as mechanic for Lou Moore. Attempted to qualify in 1936 and 1937 but failed. Ninth in 1938; seventh in 1939, and fifth last year. Qualification time this year, 121.163. Usual Qecupation: Thorne Engineering Corp.

NO. 7—FRANK WEARNE

Car: Bill Holabird Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age: 28; married. Home: Pasadena, Cal. His first start here was in 1937 when he was forced out after 247 miles. He finished 10th in 1938 . and ninth in 1939. Last year he finished seventh. Qualification time this year was 123.890. Hobby, bowling. Usual occupation: Bottling plant official.

| NO. 8—FRANK BRISKO

Car: Zollner Piston Special; Motor designed by Brisko. : Age 41; married; one son, 18. Home: Chicago. His Speedway record: 1929, 11th; 1930, did not

Home: Los Angeles. Began racing midgets on the West Coast. First appeared here in 1939 and was forced out at 282 miles. when brakes locked and he hit the pit wall. Last year he was flagged down after Shaw victory in rain. Qualified this year at 124.659. Usual occupation: Airplane mechanic.

NO. 10—GEORGE ROBSON

Car: Leon Duray Special; motor; vuray. ‘ . Age 32; married, two children. Native of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, now makes his home in Huntington Park, Cal. He qualified at 116.305 miles an hour in 1939 to become an alternate,” but did not start, since all 33 cars were able to get to the starting line. Last year forced out at 168 miles with a broken shock absorber. Qualified this year at 121.576. Usual occupation: Racing. : .

NO. 12—AL MILLER

Car: Miller Special; motor, Miller. Age 34. Home: Detroit. Started driving here in 1932 when he went out at 165 miles, and then drove relief until 350 miles. In 1933, forced out at 402 miles; in 1934, finished sixth; in 1935, out at 447 miles; in 1936, out at 285 miles; in

compete; 1931, forced out at 345

1937, out at 425 miles; in 1936, out

he was ninth. In 1938 he was forced out after 250 miles with a burned bearing and in 1939 a broken magneto drive shaft forced him out at 487 miles. Last year a broken connecting rod finished him at 130 miles.” Qualified this year at 123.984.

NO. 15—HARRY MacQUINN

Car: Alfa-Romeo; motor, same. Age 35; married; one son, 16. Home: Indianapolis. In 1934 went out at 33 miles; in 1935 out at 10 miles; in 1936 out at 499 miles; in 1937 out at 122; in 1938, seventh; in 1939, out at 275 miles, and in 1940 finished 11th. Qualified this year at 125.449. Usual occupation, sales manager for Sullivan & O’Brien Motors, Indianapolis.

NO. 16—FLOYD DAVIS

Car: Noc-Out Hose Clamp Spécial; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 30; married. Home: Springfield, Ill. He competed in 1937, but did not finish, his car cracking into the wall on the backstretch when he was within 20 miles of the finish. Did not qualify in 1938. In 1939, out at 107. miles with clutch trouble and last year was flagged down when Shaw won. Qualified this year at 121.106. Hobbies: All sports. Usual occupation: General contractor.

HERE's THE NumBER J] DRIVER... HE NuMBER J cAR ....

c Rex Mays won the 1940 : i y a ‘Championship

Bowes “’Seal Fast” Special

equipped with

Bowes Spark

Plugs

BOWES “SEAL FAST” CORPORATION INDIANAPOLIS °*

3 moving pictures.

Age, 30; married. Home: Chicago. Drove relief in 1935, in 1936 went out at 467 miles; in 1938 forced out by accident at 120 miles; in 1939. out at 55 miles with a broken water manifold and last year was flagged down after Shaw had won in the rain. Qualified this year at 122.266. Hobby: baseball. Usual occupation: Midget and dirt-track racing.

NO. 22—KELLY PETILLO

Car: The Airliners Sandwich Shops Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 37, married; one son, 14. Home: Los Angeles. Made first appearance here in 1932, finishing 11th. In 1933, forced out at 420 miles; in 1934. finished 11th and in 1935 was winner. Forced out in 1938 and flagged off in 1939 with clutch trouble at 352 miles. year an oil leak ended his race at 322 miles. Qualified this year at 124417 miles an hour. - Hobbies: Hunting, watching boxing. Usual occupation: Real estate.

NO. 23—BILLY DeVORE Car: Pay Day Special, motor Offenhauser. ; Age, 29. Home: Indianapolis. He is the son of the late, great racer, Earl DeVore. 1935 ‘when he was badly hurt in a race at Atlanta and was forced to wear a special brace for many months. Made his first start here in 1937, finished seventh. In 1938, finished eighth; in 1939 finished 10th. Last year was flagged down after Shaw had won. Qualified this

year at 121.770. sual occupation: racing. :

No. 25—JOIE CHITWOOD

Car: Blue Crown Spark Flug Special; motor, Offenhauser. Age, 27, married. Home, Topeka, Kas. driver in the world. He is a Cherokeé. He played halfback for Easkell University and also competed in “track. Has been racing five years. He held three championships in 1939, the Eastern A, A, A.; the Ralph A. Hankinson rating, and the Southeastern A. A. A. He started here last year flagged down after Shaw had won. He was not in the first ten. Qualification time this year, 120.329. Elobbies: Hunting, fishing and taking Usual occupation: Racing and welding.

No. 26—O0VERTON PHILLIPS

Phillips Special; motor, |

‘Age, 33. Home: Beverly Hills, Cal. Raced here in 1937 but an accident in front of the pits kept him from finishing the race. Has raced on dirt tracks for a number of years and his mount, while one of the smallest cars in the race, has one of the largest motors. Qualified at 116.298. Usual occupation: Mechanic for North American Aircraft.

No. 28—SAM HANKS

Car: Walsh Special; motor, Offenhauser. , Age: 26; married. Home: Alhambra, Cal. He was Pacific Coast midget champion in 1937. In 1939

‘the won the National Championship

board meet at Chicago. Last year, his first start here, he was flagged down after Shaw had won in the rain. - Qualified this year at 113.211.

Last |

He began racing in|

Joie is the only Indian race].

and was|:

pation: Racing.

cial; motor, Offenhauser.

wood, Cal.

NO. 34-—CLIFF BERGERE Car: Noc-Out Hose Clamp Spe-

Age, 44; married. Home: Holly- ~ Raced at Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles in 1923, 1924 and 1925. Came here in 1927, finishing ninth. In 1928, forced out after 15 miles with broken timing gear; in 1929 finished ninth; in 1930 did not compete; in 1931 finished ninth; in 1932, third; 1933, 11th; 1934, seventh; 1935, ran out of gas at 494 miles; 1936, out at 250 miles, then drove "relief; 1937, fifth; 1938, out at 385 miles with broken connecting rod, then drove relief finishing sixth;

last year.

NO. 44—LOUIE DURANT

cury. p

waukee and Springfield, Ill year and qualified at 117.218.

Usual occupation: Racing.

Car: S and J Special; motor, Mer-

Age, 30; married. Home: Glendale, Cal. Raced at Syracuse, Appeared here for the first time last He was forced out of the starting lineup and was named an alternate. He qualified this year at 116.152, but has been forced out of the starting field.

1938 both at 150 miles; out at 125 miles in 1939 and out at 90 miles Qualified this year at 120.104. Hobbies, hunting and fishing. Usual occupation, car builder.

DRIVE WITHOUT A CLUTCH PEDAL 7

NEVER USF A GEAR SHIFTER}

OTHER DRIVERS

CO THROUGH A .L GEARS WITHOUT MANUAL SHIFTING”

THAT'S WHY: Drinks Never Taste Thin with Gordon's Gin.

Glordon's Glin

% 2

ENJOY ACCELERATION WITHOUT HESITATION!

KEEP BOTH WANDS ALWAYS ON THE WHEEL 7

ONLY WITH Ayes 7/laZec Zee”

CAN YOU HAVE AUTOMATIC DRIVING 3

\ JO half-way

; Hydra-Matic Drivel Hydra-

Matic does away

tional clutch mechanism and clutch pedal entirely — eliminates hand shifting completely —and it’s the only drive that does! Drive a HydraMatic Oldsmobile and you never .push a clitch pedal or shift gears.

measures with

with the conven-

You have at your command snappier, smoother performance than other cars can give you. You save real money on gasoline, And you drive in greater safety—with both hands always on the wheel, and with surer, “always-in-gear” traction. With Hydra-Matic, you drive as no other drivers can. Come in and try it!

% HYDRA-MATIC DRIVE OPTIONAL AT EXTRA COST (Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice.)

Hickman Oldsmebile, Ine, Meridian at 13th St, Indpls., Ind. E. W, Essig Motor Sales, 2444-48 W, (6th St,, Indpls,, Ind.

Tobey $00

“s