The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-05-30
DRIVERS SHOW
TERRIFIC PACE

fourth lap because he had lost his
gas tank cap.
At 10 d m. the starting bomb
hurtled high into the air above the
Speedway and as it exploded
twenty-five automobiles jumped for
ward, their exhausts barking angrily
their drivers hopeful Of victory. and
in rows of three followed the Cole
eight paeemaker driver by Louis
Pettijohn.
The thousands Of spectators pack
ing the grand stands and filing the
infield leaped to their feet with ex-
element as the long predicted battle
for the first lap started
Joe Boyer led on the first lap. with
Murphy second, Hartz third, Hill
fourth and Cooper nth.
The Barber-Ws mock Special of
Bill Hunt. indianapolis. had 20 be
pushed 100 yards before the engine
started at the opening of the race.
Carl Fisher announced at Gas a.
m. that the crowd was estimated
at 100000. which was 10 per cent
greater than at the same time in
the history of the race.
In the front row at the start rode
the only two former winners Of the
event in this years race, Jimmy
Murphy and Tommy Milton; between
then-few he y Hartz, twice winner
of second place. On their heels came
the hard driving Joe Boyer, Bonnie
Hill and Earl Cooper, all in TIE sec
ond row, with the rest of the field
crowded closely behind
Scenes before the race were to a
great extent repetit.ons of those Of
bygone years. With the opening Of
the gates at a. m. long lines Of
automobiles from all parts of the
United States, many of which had
been in line since Friday noon, filed
through the gates and began the
grand rush for choice infield posi-
tons. The heavy rains Of the past
month had softened the turf and
many cars had difficulty in blowing
their way through
Many Wait
Scenes along the Charlottesville
road Friday night were reminiscent
Of the old covered wagon days, mi
nus the horses. Long caravans Of
cars, side curtains closely drawn TO
keep out the cold, lined the roads,
their occupants attempting to snatch
few hours sleep. It was notice
able that there were fewer feminine
fans in the line than in former years
The picturesqueness of the 1923
pre-race night was missing A bright
moon and warm weather brought
the visitors out Of their cars that
night and informal campfire parties
lined the road. This year there was
little visiting, except to nearby hot
dog and barbecue sandwich empori-
ums. A desire to keep warm and
sleep seemed to be the prevailing
spirit of the crowd.
InfieId Fills Up
AS is usual, the infield filed up
long before the grand stands. Re
served seat holders came late and
when the great massed bands pa
raded the track at a. m. the stands
were not more than two-thirds full.
But, thirty minutes later, when the
first of the preliminary warning
bombs exploded, they were packed
to capacity.
Great interest was displayed in
every car as it appeared on the
track, the early birds among the
drivers who believe in getting out as
soon as possible arousing the curios-
ity among the spectators. In taking
their places at the starting lines the
cars circled the track one by one,
and old-time favorites received a
great hand from thousands that
lined the course.
Jar Sleepy Ones
Shortly after daylight sleepy oc-
cupants of the waiting automobiles
outside the gates were awakened by
the roar of rushing motors and
jumped from their cars, wondering
if they had oversight and the race
they had come so far to witness was
under way.
They found that it was the Roof
Special. piloted by Harry Thicksten,
and F. H. Wells in the Wells Hornet,