Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-03
CHEVROLET WINS
GREAT AUTO RACE
His Time at Indianapolis Second
Best in History of Event
Accident Snatches Victory
from De Palma

indianapolis. Ind. May 31.-In the most
spectacular finish ever witnessed on the
Indianapolis speedway. CASTOR Chevro-
let driving a car of American design,
rode to victory in the eighth renewal of
the 500 mile automobile race to-day be-
fore record breaking crowd of 125,OO
persons. Chevrolets time was $40: 1914
an average OF ss.16 miles an hour the
second best time in the history of the
event.
In addition to winning the 10000 first
prize, Chevrolet also won approximately
$500 more in lap prize competition and
cash prizes offered by accessory firms.
Rene Thomas Numbered across the fin
ish in second place. having covered the
distance in SAB: 02:29.
His average was S745 miles an hour.
Tommy Milton pulled up in third place
and Jimmy Murphy, winner of the San
Ia Monica road race, finished fourth.
All of the thrills came in the last 30
miles of the race. when Ralph De Palma,
the favorite, with lead of ten miles
TO his credit seemed certain of winning.
But with victory within his grasp. De
Palma's car burst into flames on the north
turn of the two and a half mile course
and few minutes later the car driven
by Joe Boyer, who led during the first
$50 miles, ekidded, overturned and crash
ed into brick retaining wall within
few feet of the spot where De Palmas
car caught fire Neither Boyer nor his
mechanician was seriously injured
The accident which snatched victory
from De Palma was tragic. The noted
Italian was racing at break neck speed
when a sheet of fame licked it's way
TO his gasoline tank. While his
mechanician herocally fought the flames.
De Palma. broken hearted over his mis-
fortune, ran to the pits mile away for
a fresh supply of gasolene staggering
back under the weight of the heavy cans.
Undaunted. De Palma resumed the
grind, but after going another mile his
car was wrapped in flames for the second
time. With the aid of his mechancian
Del Palma pluckily extinguished the
flames and managed to finish the race in
fifth place. He was given a tremendous
ovation when he Numbered across the
finish line.
Misfortune trailed De Palma from the
start of the race He had the favored
position at the pole but the bomb of the
starter 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 fiat tire.
Joe Boyer jumped into the lead and held
It for $50 miles closely pursued by Jean
Chassanse, CASTOR Chevrolet and Rene
Thomas When half of the race was over,
Boyer made his first stop at the pits and
De Palma shot into the lead. which he
maintained until his car caught on fire.
There were half a dozen accidents, hut
The drivers and their aids miraculously
escaped death While speeding around the
treaCherouS north turn. Arthur Klein
crashed into the side wall. 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
smash UP. His car skdded off the course
when steering connection broke. theV-
roet's back was injured and he Withdrew
Roscoe Sarles had the misfortune to
smash up two cars. He wrecked his own
entry as result of sltidding off the track
and while driving as relief for Bennle
Hill, a steering knuckle broke ana ne
crashed for the second time.