Shaw Wins

In 1911, Ray Harroun, in a streamlined Marmon, startled the auto-racing world by winning the first 500-mile Indianapolis auto race at an average speed of 74 m.p.h. More startling still was the fact that he drove around the two-and-a-half-mile, brick-&-asphalt oval without a mechanic at his side--relying on a mirror to inform him of what his opponents were doing behind his back. Since that day, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the proving ground for many another automotive innovation: balloon tires, four-wheel brakes, Ethyl gasoline, straight-eight motors. But to auto-racing fans, the annual Indianapolis Memorial Day classic is just a gigantic picnic, the Kentucky Derby of the horseless carriage.

Last week, 142,000 fans--having amused themselves outside the grounds at tent shows, Ferris wheels, roller-skating rinks and shooting galleries--poured through the Speedway gates. They arrived on foot, in cars, trucks and trailers. Few knew or cared that the best qualifying time for this year's race was 127 m.p.h., that only one of the 33 competing cars was powered with more than eight cylinders, that this year's mechanical emphasis was on new methods of supercharging, that six foreign cars were entered, and, for the first time in a decade, two foreign drivers: South American Champion Raul Riganti and Parisian Rene LeBegue, on leave from the French Army.

Uppermost in everyone's mind was whether or not mustachioed little Wilbur Shaw, driving the same Italian-made Maserati with which he won the race last year, could win his third 500--a feat that had been accomplished only once (by Lou Meyer, now retired). If he could, he would become the first driver to win twice in succession one of the most punishing sport events in the U. S.

Driver Shaw had qualified with the second fastest time of any of the contestants. But, since luck is as important as skill, stamina and mechanical endurance at Indianapolis, even the most enthusiastic Shavian gave him little chance to repeat, especially in a field that included such highhearted and heavy-footed drivers as young Rex Mays, who earned the favored pole position with his top qualifying speed; Kelly Petillo, only other onetime winner (1935); 44-year-old Cliff Bergere, Hollywood stunt man who finished in the money seven times in twelve starts; Mauri Rose, 1936 national champion; Ted Horn, among the first five for the past four years; and Joel Thorne, daredevil New York millionaire who placed seventh a year ago.

As the 33 brightly painted cars crossed the starting line, fans and picnickers alike craned their necks to see what they could see, cocked their ears to hear (on their auto radios) what they failed to see. After 200 miles of monotonous droning--with only two minor crack-ups to break the monotony--the race began to get exciting. Shaw, who had been leading the field, stopped at his pit for new tires and a tank-load of fuel (alcohol). When he returned to the track two-and-a-half minutes later, he found Rex Mays, Mauri Rose, Ted Horn and Joel Thorne ahead of him. For 60 miles he chased them. As they momentarily dropped out, one by one, for refueling, Shaw whizzed ahead, gained a one-lap lead on Mays.

At 375 miles, the rains came. Track officials, fearful lest the slippery, oil-spattered bricks become a shambles, waved the yellow flag of caution, forcing drivers to dawdle along at 85 m.p.h., keep their positions. Like mechanical toys in a shop window, the 19 cars that were still on the track coasted round & round for 50 laps, crossed the finish line in the order in which they were when the rain began: Shaw, Mays, Rose, Horn, Thorne.

Grimy Wilbur Shaw had made only two pit stops (totaling 3 min., 50 sec.), had set new speed records for 300, 325, 350; 375 miles, might have set a new record for 500 miles if he had not been forced to slow down in the last 125 miles, lowering his average speed to 114.277 m.p.h. (3 m.p.h. less than the record).

Biggest money winner in the history of the Indianapolis race, 37-year-old Wilbur Shaw was born just a horn toot from the Speedway. In 1927 he qualified for his first 500, finished fourth. Since then, besides winning the 500 three times, he finished second thrice, fourth once, seventh once--earning $91,000 in prizes at Indianapolis alone in addition to more than $100,000 for endorsing auto accessories. For last week's victory, Driver Shaw received $20,000 (first prize),* $5,000 (lap prizes), $5,000 from accessory manufacturers. He also got an electric refrigerator, a town car, a statue, a year's meal ticket at an Indianapolis restaurant, the Borg-Warner trophy and the checkered flag that signaled his victory.

Gulping the traditional bottle of milk that revives a winner of the 500, Speedster Shaw--who also drives his own plane, rides horseback and recently bagged 20 rabbits with 23 shots--announced that he was not satisfied. "I want to become the first four-time winner," he pertly chirped.

*Half of this goes to the owner of his car, Michael J. ("Umbrella Mike") Boyle, notorious Chicago electrical union boss.

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