Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 May 1952 — Page 26

PAGE 10x

. ++ that's Fo word controlling the natintos of those who hold the _spotlight in the 500-Mile race.’ The mechanics must be the ‘pest, for in their hands lay the “make or break” of the world's most expensive racing equipment in the world’s richest race. The drivers must prove their worth by achieving fastest speeds in the qualification trials to attain one of the 33 starting positions . . . for which more than 60 drivers try each year.

80 IT IS. with the, pace car, ‘too . . .» the passenger car of a prom{nent manufacturer that leads the “parade” at some 90 miles per "hour on the important “warm up” lap before the thundering takeoff. Months before the race crews report to the Speedway to begin long hours of preparations on their high-speed cars, the achievements of passenger car builders are judged by De dway officials, One—and only one—is selected for each year's race. “It usually is picked for outstanding mechanical features,” as Wilbur Shaw, Speedway president puts it. - » .

STUDEBAKER was selected to pace this year’s race, says Mr. Shaw, for three reasons: ONE: The Speedway's commemoration of Studebaker’s 100th anniversary. TWO: “Studebaker builds good automobiles.” THREE: Because Studebaker is the only automobile manufactured in Indiana (built at South Bend). Further praising the builders of the pace car, Mr. Shaw safd: “This being Studebaker’s 100th anniversary and being a Hoosier institution, the Speedway felt Studebaker was entitled to the credit and that goes along with ‘being selected as the aes oan » MR. SHAW will ride the pace lap in the Studebaker convertible, Sometimes he drives, but this year the pace car will be driven by Harold 8. Vance, président and

SETS THE PACE—Leading the 33 race cars over the starting line at the end of the warmup | pace car driven by Harold S. Vance, chairman of the board and president of Studebaker Corp. Mir. Vance is shown here at the wheel. Wilbur Shaw, Speedway pres-

lap will be this Studebaker

ident, will ride.

baker Corp. No one else will be in the car. “Slowly” rounding the two-and-one-half mile track, the Studebaker will gather speed. Down

about 90 miles per hour, ahead of the first row of race cars lined three abreast. Ten more rows follow, three to a row, all trying to keep an even line. As the pace car crosses the starting line, Starter Seth Klein will wave the green flag . . . the pace car will pull to the apron of the track. As the 33car field thunders by, the Studebaker will pull away from the area at the end of the pit wall near the southwest curve, The race will be on . . . for 200 grueling, spine-tingling laps that add up to a torturous 500 miles.

~ n o THIS IS the third year for Studebaker to pace the: race. The first time was in 1929, when Ray Keech won the classic. Driving the pace car that year was George

is with Studebaker as director of the proving grounds. The last time was 1940, when former race driver, Harry Hartz, now of the Studebaker staff, was the driver. Wilbur 8haw was the

chairman of the board of Stude-

race winner, hig"third victory.

the straightaway it will come,:

Hunt, factory engineer, who still.

DATE

1911 1912 1918 1914 1915 1916 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1981 1082 1933 1934 19385 1036 1987 1938 ‘1989 1940 1941 1946 1947 1948

1949

1950 1951

PACE CAR

” Stoddard-Dayton

Stoddard-Dayton Stoddard-Dayton Stoddard-Dayton Packard “6” Premier “6” Packard V-12 Marmon V-16 H. C. 8. “6” National “8” Duesenberg “8” Cole V-8 Rickenbacker “8” Chrysler “8” LaSalle V-8 Marmon Studebaker Cord V-8 Cadillac Lincoln Chrysler LaSalle Ford V-8 Packard LaSalle Hudson Buick Studebaker Chrysler Lincoln V-12 Nash Chevrolet Oldsmébile Mercury

Chrysler

HENRY BANKS—No. 2, Blue Crown Spark Plug Special; 4-cylinder Meyer Drk bore, 4.3125; stroke, 4.500; piston displacement, 270 cu. in. Quali ified 135. 962.

HUCK TEE Ne—No, 16, SE ringfield ding Smi bore, 4.3125; stroke, 4.500; piston disp acement, 263 cu. in. Qualified 138.14

Special;

eyer-Drake;

GROUCHO MARX

TODAY ON

WTTV Bloomington

7:00 P. M.

NEC-—-Live

9:00 P. M. MARTIN KANE

6:45 P. M.

CAMEL NEWS

CARAVAN NBC—Live

- 8:30 P.M. Raytheon Dealers

Present

“Hayloft Frolic”

9:30 P.M.

Photographer CBS—Live

TODAY ON

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Bloomington

‘Achievement Keynotes Pace Car Selection

DRIVER

Carl G. Fisher Carl G. Fisher Carl G. Fisher Carl G. Fisher Carl G. Fisher Frank E. Smith Col. J. G, Vincent ; Barney Oldfield . Harry C. Stutz Barney Oldfield Fred 8. Duesenberg Lew Pettijohn Capt. E. V. Rickenbacker Louis Chevrolet “Big Boy” Raeder Joe Dawson George Hunt E. L. Cord “Big Boy” Raeger Edsel Ford Byron Foy “Big Boy” Raeder Harry Mack Tommy Milton Ralph DePalma Stuart Baits Charles Chayne Harry Hartz A. B. Couture Henry Ford 11 George W, Mason Wilbur Shaw Wilbur Shaw Benson Ford Dave Wallace

GOMPARE THEM ALL.

and youll huy a Dodge!

. THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Pulls nopundies...doalsin facts

‘500° Is Mecca

“For Millions

0f Race Fans

By DICK MITTMAN

More people have filed ’

through Indianapolis Motor ‘Speedway gates than live in the wotld's fourth largest | city.

| A Speedway spokesman esti mated nearly 5 million racing

‘enthusiasts have held seats at «

[the Memorial Day Classic since [its tnaugural in 1911. This total is greater than the population of | Paris, France. Besides Speedway brass, only one man knows the exact number of paying customers. He is Uncle Sam. ” » ” TRACK OFFICIALS are reluctant to issue yearly attendance figures, {the Kentucky Derby, will have a [larger sum. And which gas buggy | (bug)’ would admit his sport was |outdrawn by a horse race?

ger crowds since its renewal after World War II. This partly is due to addition and renovation of

ers. Also, people have had fatter bill folds.

about this year's race attendance. No turn-away crowd is expected. In fact, this is an eventuality that may never happen. The 21;-mile oval will. seat and stand any racing fan who can finance a trip here— unless world conditions should reach a state where a Russian, Czech or Chinese could hop | a plane for Indianapolis without being cursed by their government. ¢ o a “8 RACE DRIVERS do notice, the waving fan in the stands. After]

PECs

gives you proof...not sell’/

When you compare cars the °

‘Ssow Down” way,

you get the plain truth about car value. Don't buy any car until you stop in for your free “Show Down” booklet, It's an eye-opener and a money-saver! Come in today.

fearing their arch-rival,

The race has been pulling big-|

stands, parquet seats and bleach-|

There is one thing certain |

stroke, 4.1625; piston Giaplacemen; 270 cu. in. Quali ed 135.962.

| 1

piston displacement, 270 cu. in. Qualified 134.953.

SPIDER WEBB—No. 48 Grancor-Enterprises ‘Special: taylinder MoyorDroks; bore, 43125;

| JOE JAMES—No.»i4, “Sarda Special 4.cylinder Meyer-Drake; bore, 3.125; stroke, 4.500;

| | settling down to the long grind,! |drivers have sald they can plek|

out wives, children and friends] COVERING THE “500” is no

| small operation and a large part easily, Hearing them is another sop is handled by the Bell

thing. Impossible. Telephone Co. which takes care

Fans with exhaust fumes in| of the Somtpmications. More an 37 miles of wire their blood have been trudging to, handles 5: swift transmission of the big brick oval nearly a gen-| information, warnings and calls of spectators. The phone company usually starts in April to set up and check the network of wires that

eration now, and the outlook for| the future is the same as for |speed. No slow down.

31 Miles of Phone Wire Covers 500°

use 201 poles and 60,000 feet of drop wire to separate installations.

» » ” IN ADDITION to the wires set

up for the newspapers, radio sta. tions and press associations, thers are phones located at 45 stations under the stands and in the infield. Communications for the race are handled through a special R80-line switchboard located

{in the first flo8r of the Pagoda.

‘

113] - DoE

\ 4

Wayfarer 6-Passenger Sedan JUST A FEW DOLLARS MORE THAN THE LOWEST-PRICED CARS

Avon CAN claim “more for the money.” But Dodge backs it up . . . all the way! Dodge gives you the plain, unvarnished facts . . . invites yaur comparison the “Show Down" way with cars costing hundreds of dollars more. You see for yourself exactly how much more roomy comfort Dodge gives you. You get proof of Dodge smoother ride . . . greater safety . . . day-in and

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Specifications and equipment subject to change without netics.

HABIT.

INC, FADELY-ANDERSON, INC.

3547 E. Washington St.

CHECK Your CAR... CHECK ACCIDENTS tome

JOHN RAMP, INC. 1703 E. 38th St,

SCALE inch model

By JOAN

CARBON easy. For Bill way, makin - Nalon's 19¢ possible, but Entered Turners’ ar in both 195! car took fir Since 194¢ 500 Mile Ra Nalon as h visiting the Bill collects of the’ car

angles and tures to suj tion. When s 1950, Bill collection his inform before beg He started balsam wo of the ra side. After a jig saw, were put o emery pap Auto duj Offi Laps _ M 1 2 4 1 10 ! 20 5 30 3 40 1( 50 17 60 1 70 17 80 2 90 22 100 25 110 21 120 3( 130 32 140 8s 150 © | 3 160 4( 170 4! 180 4 190 :

CPL. . Meyer-Dral 270 cu, in, |