The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-05-18

AS the lead-footed boys
wound up final preparations
yesterday, a new favorite to
annex pole position honors
roared to the top of the list.
He is Rex Mays, 22-year-old Cali
fornia daredevil, who hurtled his
little four-cylinder Miller creation
over the rough pavement at 1905
mlle-an-hour clip for several laps.
The lanky youngster handled his
withdrawing car beautifully on the
curves and flashed down the long
straigtaways at a terrific clip.
A former West Coast champion,
Mays is competing for the second
time here and his performance yes
terday indicates the other contnedrS
for the No. spot face a tremen-
dous task i'll outstepping him to-
day.
Three Others in the Race
Mays challenge will not go I'M
needed, however. A trio of daring
young veterans have indicated their
preference for the inside spot IN
ROW one and refuse to concede MAYS
the honor without a struggle.
They are Wild Bill CUMMINGS
the indianapolis star and winner of
last years 500; Al Gordon, swash-
ouckllng California chauffeur and
Kelly Petillo. California Italian.
whose 119-mile-an-hour perform
ance last year won him the pole.
His car pronounced in perfect
condition by Cotton Henning. ace
mechanic, Cummings has indicated
ne VII strive for a 0-mile-an-hour
marx and let the rest of the field
try to beat it. He is driving the
Boyle Valve front wheeler which he
pushed over the line first last wear.
He Has the Car
Gordon, wheeling Bill Whites
swift four-cylinder job, has set 119
miles an hour as his probable aver
age, but if the others step out "a
they predict, the husky youth may
decide to do likewise. He has the
car and the courage if he is pressed.
Petillo, the half-pint ex-truck
driver, has been Offering wagers to
one and al THAT he would s1rpass
any marks the other contenders
post, and with a new car of his
own design which he claims IL
faster that his 1884 job he may
make god on his boast. Petillo
burned up the coast league during
the winter and comes here hotter
than blow torch.
Not all the heavy speeding will
be done by this quartet, however.
Shorty Canton, whose average last
year was second only to Petillos,
has the same car again this wear
and will strive for 1lS miles an hour.
Louis Meyer, only active tWo-time
winners, has set 116 miles an hour
as his mark, while Tony Gulotia in
Leon Duray's swift four cylinder
Bowes Seal Fast, and Ralph Hep
burn in a Miller eight are expected
to be in the same class.
Others Are Ready
Mauri Rose, in the pilot house Of
The powerful Four Wheel Drive.
Floyd Roberts, Coast veteran making
his first start here in a Miller four:
Al Miller, Cummings teammate on
Boyle Valve rear drive; Russell
Sno"Gerger, veteran finisher on a
Boyle Valve eight; Doc Mackenzie
n the second Pirrung car, a new
Miller four rear drive; Lou Moore
IN the car he has finished third
twice in as many years; Chester
Gardner in the Simpson Special,
with a new Miller -Four motor in
which he roared up TO lis miles
an hour yesterday, and Stubby
5tubblefeld in Phil Skaters Victory
Gasket Special are others who were
likely starters today.
A pole contender probably was
yesterday when Wilbur
5haw's new front-wheeI charger
owned by Gil Pirrung baked on its
1rst test and was hurried back 70
/ downtown garage
The trials today opened at 10 and
The bars will drop at 7. The fuel
allowance for the runs this year re-
mains three gallons. but the gaso-
inc question has given the drivers
and owners little concern this year
after last years furry Of worries
and complaints.
The qualifications will continue