The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-31
Young Californian Betters DeP alma s Record By Almost 5 Miles Per Hour
Murphy Secures Early Lead and Is Neuer
 Headed
By Associated Press

AnoianapoIS, 1nd, May SV.-Leau- ing from start to finish, Jimmy Mur- phy, of Los Angeles, Cal. winner of the 1921 French grand pri1, carved his name deeper in the hall of motor fame today when he flashed across the wire a winner of the 500 mile au- tomobile race at the Indianapolis speedway before a record breaking tcrowd of 1s5.000 spectators. Murphy smashed all records for the distance to smithereens, clipping more than 16 minutes off the best previous record His time was 5 hours, II minutes, 3o.7s seconds. an average of 94.4S miles an hour, against the old record of 5.33,55.5i, or S9.s4 miles an hour made by Ralph DePalma in 1915.
 Never ReIinquishes Lead
 Murphy did something which had never been accomplished before at the Indianapolis Speedway. and to the knowledge of racing experts never before in a race of major inn portance. He shot into the lead at the start and never relinquished it 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 Captain Eddie Rickenbacher waved the fllg for his victory.
 The Los Angeles driver made only three stops during the entire 5U0 miles.
 He made his first stop at 1855 miles, pulling up at the pits for two minutes to change all tires and replenish the fuel tanks With a lead of ab pat 10 miles. Murphy pulled into the pits for another tire change and for more | gasoline and oil after he had travel ed about 36S miles. The assistance of his pitmen was nothing short of marvellous. It took them just ss seconds to change right front tire and provide him with fuel enough to assure his finishing
 Hartx Drives Good Race
 While major honors went to Mur- phy, Harry Hartz, also of Los Ange- les, who finished second, drove a re- markable race. He jumped into second place 50 miles after the start and held it throughout.l always mak- ing a desperate fight to catch Mur- phy. Hartzs time was 5,20,34.59 an average of 93.54 miles per hour, which was also in advance of the record Eddie Hearne. a veteran racer, piloted a French car to third place in 5,22,2606. for an average If
 
 Palma, one of the favorites, was fourth in 5,s1,o4.65, an average of 90.61 miles an hour.
 Ora Haibe was fifth in 5,31,13.55, an average of 90.56 miles an hour. Jerry Wcoderlich was sixth in 5,37,52St, an average of SS.79 miles an hour I r. Fetterman finished seventh r 5,40,55.44. an average of S7.99 miles per hour.
 Ira Vail Eighth
 Eighth place went to Ira Vail in 5,5o,07.42, an average of S5.ss miles, an hour. Tom Alley was ninth in t.57,s4ss, aa average of S3ss. Joe Thorsaa finished tenth in 6,05,01,47 1e an average # s2.19.
 Confusion among the judges and timers resulted iH t1se erroneous an xIoInctmenG shortly before the two Inite hat Murphy had lost tns seaa and dartz had gone into xtrst Nsace. Signals were passed to sne dle < that Hartz was leading, end tFsh Murphy thought the check Ing as correct, as he began to force nuch faster pace in his fight to re- Gein the lead. He jumped the av- craze of 93.52 for 200 miles to 9441 for 275 miles, and then again to 94 54 for 800 miles. As winner of the event Murphy will receive approxi- mately $35000. Twenty thousand dollars was awarded first place and sS,000 as lap prize money. In addi- tions automobile accessory companies provided cash prizes which will bring Murphys total up to the S35,000 mark. Hartz got $10,000 for finishing sec ond;. Hearne. in third place, s5,000; DePalma, in fourth place, S3,50o; Haibe, s3.00; Wonderlich. s2.200; Fet- ternlan, s1,S00; Vail. s1,600; Alley, Sl,500, and Thomas, s1,400.
 OldfieId Faces the Field Barney Oldfield, a retired star of the racing world with the customary cigar in the corner of his mouth. paced the field for the first lap, bringing them to 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 DePalma following.
 0 Howard Wilson of Indianapolis was the first driver forced out, his car breaking a valve spring after travelling only 17i5 miles. Jules El- lingbee furnished the first big thrill when he threw a right rear wheel on