Evening star., 1953-05-31
Favorite Misses
Speed Record
Due 10 SIowup
Paul Russo Second:
Heat Causes Deuth
Of Veteran Driver
By the AssocIoted Press

INDIANAPOLIS, May 30.-Bill
Vukovich, a grim and nerveless
Slovenian from Fresno, Calf,
set blistering pace today to win
the Indianapolis Motor Speed
way 500 mile championship,
snatched from his hands in the
final Is miles a year ago.
The 20O-lap grind over the
Speedway's brick and asphalt
oval was staged in such swelter-
ing conditions that one veteran
driver, Carl Scarborough of
Charleston, Mich. died of heat
exhaustion and a heart attack
after relinquishing his wheel at
ITS miles.
The track temperature was 1870
degrees. with the reading offlci-
ally 81 in the shade. Eight driv-l
ers were hospitalized because Of
the heat.
The heat, however, didn't dim
the enthusiasm of the crowd. un-
officially estimated at about u.s.
900 persons.
Another Driver Injured.
One other driver, Pat Flahetry
Of Glendale, Calf, received cuts
and bruises when he rammed the
concrete wall on the north
straightaway. but otherwise the
race was without serious incident.
The husky 34-year-old Vuko-
vich defied relief, the pole posi-
ton and every challenge as he
gunned his sleek. mouse-gray
racing machine in front on the
opening lap and led for 1913 Of
the 200 sweeps around the course.
Setting a record early pace
but slowed by minor track ac-
cidents which forced up the
"take it easy" yellow light, Vuko-
vich covered the 500 miles in
3 hours, SO minutes, 1.69 seconds
for an average of 128.740 miles
an hour.
This was the second fastest
winning time in the 37-year his
tory of the race, topped only by
the 1892 set by Troy Ruttman
in 1852 when Vukovich's Car de-
veloped steering trouble and fell
out within sight of the finish.
Ruttman Watches Race.
Ruttman, injured in an acci-
dent last summer. watched to.
days race from the side lines.
1t was the most smashing tri-
umph since 1880 when Billy
Arnold took command at the
third lap and led the rest of the
way.
Fulfilling a pre-race boast that
I'll take the lead-and stay
there" Vukovich made it strictly
a one-man show which paled the
battle for place positions into
insignificance.
Paul Russo of Hammond, Ind,
who relieved Fred Agabashian Of
Albany, Calf. at the 263-mile
point, won second place over Art
Cross of LaPorte, Ind, making
his second start.
Russo was timed in 3 hours. Sc
minutes, 1925 seconds-approxi-
mately 3 minutes behind the
winner. Cross was a hard-driving
third at 3 hours, Sc minutes, 1884
seconds.
Jane Greer Kisses Winner.
The tremendous crowd filled
every available seat in the scat
tered stands and swarmed over
the infield. It let out a roar as
Vukovich received a 15-second
kiss from Movie Actress Jane
Greec-a traditional ritual.
Vukovich was much more en-
Unused perhaps over his $29, 700
lap money-$150 for each lap he
led--and his overall prize money
which probably will amount to
around $4,000.
The winners exact winnings
are never determined until the
day after the race.
Vukovich's lap money, plus the
$4,000 he won last year in the
same fashion. makes him the big
gest all-time lap winner in his
tory.
Previously, Bill Holland, an
also-ran in today's grueling test,
held that mark with $35,060.
VukOvich Deiies Tradition.
Vukovich wrecked not only the
hopes of his 80 opponents. the
greatest drivers in the business,
but also defied the tradition that
the man on the pole rarely wins
the race.
He became the fifth man in
81 races to win from a pole start.
The others were Jimmy Murphy
in 1922, Tommy Milton in 1923,
Arncld in 1880 and Floyd Rob-
erLS in 1898.
Only IA cars were still on the
track and only six of the origi-
nal SO finished the race, marked
by minor crackups, mechanical
troubles and constant changing
of drivers to fight the heat.
In fourth position came the
car driven by Sam Hanks Of
Burbank, Calf, relieved by
Duane Carter of indianapolis:
followed by the traditional pace
setter, Jack McGrath of South
Pasadena, Calf.
Then followed in order. Jimmy
Oaywalt of Wabash. Ind; Eddie
johnson of Cuyahoga Falls.
Ohio, in Jim Rathmann's car;
Ernie Mccoy of Reading. Pa:
Gene Hartley of TT. Wayne. Ind.
n Tony Bettenhausen's car. and
Duke Nalon of Chicago. Rath-
(See SPEEDWAY, Page C-2J