The New York herald., 1922-05-31
MEYER HEADED in
500 MILES GRIND
Covers Distance in 5 II. II M,
30 S., an Average of
94.48.
LOWERS DE PALMA MARK
1876, 900 See Great Race at In
dianapolis-Winner's Share
Will Be $35, 900.

INDIANAPoLIs, May 80 ASSOCIATED
Press) from start to finsh,
Jimmy Murphy of Los Angeles. CAL,
winner of the 1921 French Grand Prix,
carved his name deeper in the Hall of
Motor Fame to-day when he flashed
across the wire a winner of the 500
mile automobile race at the Speedway
before a record breaking crowd of
1856, 900.
Murphy smashed all records for the
distance to smithereens, clipping more
than 16 minutes off the best previous
record. His time was 5:17:30:79, an
average Of 94.4S miles an hour, against
the old record of 5:33:55:51, or 1884
miles an hour, made by Ralph De
Palma in 1915.
Murphy did something which had
never been accomplished before at the
Indianapolis Speedway and to the
knowledge of racing experts never be-
fore in a race of major importance.
lie shot into the lead at the start and
never relinquished 1t during one instant
OF five hours of thrilling driving. He
was the first away, was first over the
line at the completion of the first lap,
and was first over the wire when Capt.
Eddie Rickenbaeher waved the flag for
his victory.
First Stop at 1856 Miles.
The Los Angeles driver made only
three stops during the entire 500 miles.
He made his first stop at 1s5 miles.
pulling up at the pits for two minutes
to change all tires and replenish the
fuel tanks. With lead of about ten
miles. Murphy pulled into the pits for
another tire change and for more gaso-
line and oil after he had travelled 1858
miles. The assistance of his pit men
was nothing short of marvellous. 1t took
them just twenty-eight seconds to
change a right front tire and provide
him with fuel enough to assure his
finishing.
While major honors went to Murphy,
Harry Hartz, also of Los Angeles, who
finished second, drove remarkable
race. He jumped into second place sixty
miles after the start, and held 1t
throughout, always making a desperate
fight to catch Murphy. Hartz's time
was $50 :34 80, an average of 1884
miles per hour, which also was far in
advance of the record Eddie Hearne,
a veteran racer, piloted a French car to
third place in :22 :26 :06, for AN aver
age of 1904 miles an hour. while Ralph
De Palma, one of the favorites, was
fourth in S 81 :04 :65. an average of
90.61 an hour Ora Haibe was fifth in
5 81 :13 AS, an average of 90.56 miles
an hour. Jerry Wonderlich was sixth in
5:37 :52 :S4, an average of SS.79 miles
an hour. !. =. Fetterman finished sew
enth in 5 40 :55 a, an average of $3.50
miles per hour. Eight place went to
Ira Vail in 5 80 :07 AZ, an average of
$3.50 miles an hour. Tom Alley was
ninth i'm s :57 81 13. an average of $3.50
Joe Thomas finished tenth in 6 :05 :01 Al
Judges I'm Error.
Confusion among the judges and
timers resulted in the erroneous an
nouncement shortly before the 200th
mile that Murphy had lost the lead and
Hartz had gone into first place. Signals
were passed to the drivers that Hartz
was leading and even Murphy thought
the checking was correct. as he began
to force a much faster pace in his fight
to regain the lead. He jumped the
average of 9S.52 for 200 miles to 94.41
for 275 miles and then again to 94.54
for 500 miles.
As winner of the event Murphy will
receive approximately $4,000. Twenty
thousand dollars was awarded first
%
In addition. automobile accessory COM
panies provided cash prizes which will
bring Murphy's total up to the $S5,000
mark. Hartz got $4,000 for finishing
in second place.
OIdde1d as Paeemnker.
Barney Oldheld a retired star of the
racing world, with the customary cigar
in the corner of his mouth paced the
H,.sf lur brin N a
flying start at a speed Of about 70 miles
an hour. Then Murphy stepped out in
front leading for the first lap, with
Leon Duray and Ralph dc Palma fol-
lowing.
Howard Wilcox of Indianapolis was
the first driver forced out, his car break
ing a valve spring after travelling IL 70
miles. Jules Ellngboe furnished the
first big thrill when he threw O. right
rear wheel on the south turn. The
speoding machine turned completely
around on the track and crashed into
concrete retaining wall Ellingboe ana
his mechsniclan remained in the car and
neither was injured.
Wilbur D'Alene furnished second
thrill when his car caught firs on the
back stretch DAlene and his mecha-
nician Jumped and escaped with slight
singeing. The fire was extinguishcd' but
the ear was eliminated from the race
This was DAlenes secOnu HhFioW
escape from death from fire. His pro-
vious experience was at the Chicago
speedway in 1917, when his machine
caught fire and his mechanic was
burned TO death. D'Alene escaped with
slight burns.
Tommy Milton, 1921 speed champion
aud winner OF the 800 mile race here
last year, was among the drivers forced
out OF the race early. A leaking gas
line caused his withdrawal. Jules Goux
of France went out OF the contest on the
sixtisth mile with broken axle. lie
was among the leaders when the axle
gave way.
Leon Duray, claimant of the 1921 |
dirt track championship and driving his
first Speedway race, gave Murphy a
terrific battle early in the contest, but |
was forced out on his 235th mile with
a broken axle. Peter De Paolo, nephew |
of Ralph DE Palma, was In the third |
smashup of the day, his car hitting the
outside retaining wall, skddlng more
than a hundred feet and landing at the |
bottom OF the track. The driver was
unInjured, but the car was unable TO
proceed.
The pluck Of w. Douglas Hawkes. Of |
London. England. driving an English |
car won the admiration of the crowd |
Outclassed by many miles In speed, the |
machine nevertheless showed wonderful |
endurance, ft was still running when |
the tenth car ended it's Journey and the |