Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-12-02
CASTOR CHEVROLET
KILL D IN RACE
Eddie O'Donnell Fatally Injured
and His Mechanician also
killed-Machines Crash on
Los Angeles Speedway

Los Angeles. Cal. Nov 25.-Gaston
Chevrolet. famous racing driver, and
Lyall Jolls, mechanician for Eddie
O'Donnell were killed to-day when
Chevrolet's and O'Donnell's machines
crashed together on the Los Angeles
speedway at the east end the grand
stand near the close of the 250-milc
race.
O'Donnell was so seriously injured
that it was at first reported he was
killed. His skull was fractured and
both arms broken and little hope was
held that he could recover.
John Bresnahan. Chevrolet's mechan-
clan. was seriously injured.
Chevrolet. it developed. had won tho
national championship for 1920 on a
point basis Roscoe Sarles, winner of
the race to-day. being far behind.
Sarcs. driving the distance without
stop. won the $50 mile race. Eddie Miller
finished second and Eddie Hearne third.
Sares led on every lap and in addition to
the first prize of $4,000 took the same
amount in lap prizes. Miller and Hearne
won 5000 and 5000 respectively. Jimmy
Murphy finished fourth taking $1,000 in
prizes and Joe Thomas was fifth,
Sarles' time was 225:20. an average Of
1922 miles an hour. Miler's time was
2:26:l4. and Hearne 2:27.21.
CASTOR Chevrolet. killed Just before tho
end of the race, was the youngest of three
racing brothers.
He was a mechanic for two years before
he demonstrated that he was a driver of
merit at the 5OO-mile Memorial Day race
at indianapolis. where he finished third
After that Chevrolet drove as an out
law" with several other prominent drivers.
III
American Automobile association pilots.
In 1919 he raced on many dirt tracks, win
ming many of the events and placing in
others.
On May 81 last. he won tho 500-mile
Indianapolis speedway race in the second
best time in the history Of that event.
He averaged speed OF 1915 miles an
hour.
Eddie O'Donnel hogan his racing career
as a ncchanician in 1912. In 1914 he drove
his first race at Kalamazoo. Mich. win
ming second place in the 1O0-mre con-
tent.
In 1915 he started in ten races and
finished in nine of them. each time In
the money.
At tie Kansas City race July o. 1917.
O'Donnoll had smash-up which shat
| tered one Of his arms. He did not race
two races. both At Sheepshead Bay. New
| York
The accident occurred while Chevrolet.
O'Donnell and Joe Thomas were fighting
to make up the half dozen laps they
were behind the leaders at the 150-lap
point The three cars were punched on
| the east turn.
According to persons grouped about the
turn. Chevrolet turned to pass Thomas
who was on the inside OF the bowl, and
| his car struck that Of O'Donnell. who
was on the outside. O'Donnell's car
turned and plunged down the incline and
Chevrolets apparently out 81 control
shot to the top of the track, tore on,
20 feet of the fence then rolled down the
| incline on top of the wreckage beneath
which O'Donnell and Jolls were pinned
| All four men were removed to a hos
pital. O'Donnell was unconscious, his
skull fractured and both arms broken
and attendants brought information to
the judges stand that he was dead. The
officials announced that both Chevrolet
and ODonnell had been killed and |,
was nearly two hours before the news
spread that O'Donnell was still living
Sarles led every lap but one, rolling
over the 200 laps on the mile and quar-,
ter track without a stop in two hours
q minutes and 20 seconds, an averag,
speed of 1892 miles an hour.
Jim Crosby finished sixth. Al Melcher
Tommy Milton and John Thiele wer,
forced out by engine trouble.
Chevrolet's point total for the season
in the championship competition was 03O
all acquired previous to to-day's races
Milton, who did not finish to-day. ha,
$50. with other competitors as follows;
Murphy 1856; Ralph De Palma COS, Sare
$40; Thomas 35l; milford $50; Hearne 345
Ira Vail 14O; O'Donnell 40, Milford an,
Vail were not entered in the race to-day
De Palma was entered. but did not start