The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-30


 sequently, preparation has been the greatest single factor in the winning ot the Indianapolis races. America there lore, because of her unusual preparation this year, has the best chance of her his 1 tory
 BABY" CARS TO RACE Despite the fact that this years racs | is for Baby" cars and that the motors are practically the size of the Ford en- zine, it is freely predicted that the rec ord which Ralph DePalma set with his big Mercedes will be lowered. That is the one big betting feature which 1 dis covered after reaching Indianapolis. The record is 8994 miles per hour for the 5vJ
 miles, made in 1915. The car which made this record was twice as large as those this year, so far as the motor is con- cerned. Many of the cars have shown much faster time than the big cars Of a year or two ago showed.
 For, instance, in 1915 the best DePalma could do with his big Mercedes was a lap in 1:31. Yet, this week he has turned many laps in less than 1:30. Car after car has shown better than 1:30, as a matter
 of fact. In his qualifying round DePalma showed an average of 99.66 miles per hour for ten miles. He has shown over 100 miles an hour in practice on many occasions. AS an extra inducement for record driving, special prizes have been put up by citizens of Indianapolis. so that the winner of each lap will receive S100. This is sure to make the most sen sational competition possible.
 It is extremely difficult to find real basis for the prediction of a winner. have never been dopster leaning toward favorites, when it is possible to fn1 grounds which give the outsider a win ming chance. This year Is like previous years, in that there is strong favorte in the fled. Yet, there are so many near choices that it is impossible to, say that any bunch stands out over the other. CHEVROLET LOOKS GOOD Louis Chevrolet, with his aggregation of seven cars, is looked upon to "come
 home with the bacon" Yet, am con-
 strained to believe that Louis will miss first place again. Despite his engineering ability and his daring, skillful driving, Chevrolet seems to lack little something which holds his cars together and keeps them in front at the end. He has crew of wonderful drivers this season and certainly has the greatest chance of his life. His cars have been campaigned sev- eral years and it is just possible he has been able to take advantage of all the mistakes which experience has developed
 and turned out a winning combination. His cars are absolutely beautiful Tn workmanship and engineering.
 I am going to continue my inquiries another day before try to name the win ner. I will make selection in Monday 5
 paper which will be developed through
 careful study and diligent questioning. am not looking for a dark horse" to
 win this year. There are only four com
 binations from which the winner can be developed, in my opinion. These combira-
 tions include two American crowds and
 two representing France. Luck will pay a tremendous part in victory. The man
 whose tires outlast the other fellows is
 the one who will get home in the lead. It seems most likely that the winner will not have to make more than one stop.
 Certainly the driver who has to make many stops cannot hope for victory. But
 with the cars as light as they are, and they are light with a weight limit of 600 pounds, it looks as if the man who
 gets home first will not make more than one hesitation.
 Ralph DePalma is free in the prediction that he will not have to come to the pits but one time. He figures that he will change all his tires and take on a com plete line of supplies when he does make this one stop Ralph is very hopeful of victory. He is driving one of the French cars and t part of a crew which will he the hardest combination America will hava