The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-19
PIT CREWS ARE
 REAL ASSET TO
 RACING DRIVERS
Public Misses Most of Drama in Great 5OO-
 Mile Race

Indianapolis, Ind, June ,o- Unfortunately the average specta- tor at the annual Speedway classic here is unable to witness much of the tense drama of the race, which takes place in those little con- crete-walled boxes known as the "Rits' on the apron" of the track near the starting point. Here the teams" composed of dozen men "a necessary organization for every entrant--perform their dut- ice in an atmosphere tense with excitement, but with the precision of . well-drilled stage show. With out their help no driver would stand chance of winning.
 Theirs is the directing genius behind the strategy involved in this four-and-a-half-h contest. whirling around the two-andSa h. haif-mile rough brick oval at speeds approaching 150 miles an hour, their senses reeling from the thunder of their motors. the fumes from the engines, and the eye strain, the drivers lose track of their position and their speed.
 The Brains"
 It is the pitmen who keep them Informed on these important mat ters, and advise them regarding strategy through complicated system of signalling. In fact, one Contestant this year considered this 50 important that a two-way radio was put into operation to keep the mechanic in the racing car constantly in touch with the pitmen. When to come in for water, and gas, whether the plan of strategy decided upon before the race is working out satisfact- orily. and who the leaders are al the moment, are among the many pieces of information that the driver must depend upon his pit crew for.
 % The operations in the pit are as thrilling, at times, as the actual race itself. A car slides onto the apron and stops in front of its own pit. Half q dozen men leap the low concrete wall, each concen- trating on a definite job. The cap is off the radiator in a second and . ctream of cool water is flowing In: gasoline is already being poured Into the tank; tires are examined Two men lift the hood and their expert eyes and ears can tell in a Gplit second whether all parts of the engine are synchronizing.
 M Bad News.
 9A One or two A. A. A. officials dash ID. The pit crew gives them an anxious glance, for their inspection may mean loss of many pre- cious seconds - possibly elimina- ton from the race. These officials have the authority to order ad- justments, and if in their judgment the car has a defect, to ohder 1t from the race, as a precaution for all concerned. Rex Mays, who drove a sensational race up to 800 miles, leading most of the time, satopped at the pits for a minute and was just ready to reenter the track when an inspecting official found Q broken spring shackle bolt. His car was ordered out. His pit crew tore at their hair, and Mays tears could be easily for given by any driver who has put his heart and soul into this great contest.
 { Kelly Petillo won this years race. eetting new track record of 106.24
 miles per hour. Each of the two times Petillo stopped at the pits, he was seen to continue to sway in his seat, not yet recovered from 'ths effects of the bodily rhythm in- duced by u: , terrific car swing at high speed. Peter DePaolo, his pit manager. shouted advice into his deafened ears and within a minute or SO Petillo was back on the track with fresh supply of gas and wa tor. and with his engine in perfect tune.