Flashes – from the Race as Caught in the Press Stand – Motor Age – 5 June 1924

Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.com

Motor Age, Vol. XLV, No. 23, June 5, 1924, page 15 – 19

Flashes ་་་་ From the Race as Caught in the Press Stand

This is the story of the race as seen from the press stand, giving an ap proximate idea of what the Speedway spectator witnessed. It is in no sense a technical discussion – just the jot tings of impressions as the big contest was in progress.
By CLARENCE PHILLIPS

THERE is racing in the air. Even prospective starters who are des- tined to finish in the tail group have friends and backers. Murphy, who qualified for the pole position, seems a high favorite but there is a lot of Duesenberg talk and I hear Earl Cooper spoken of as a dangerous contender.
   Right now, at the breakfast hour, the name of Joe Boyer is on many tongues. Driving his Duesenberg supercharger in the qualifying round almost immediately after arriving in Indianapolis, Boyer made the necessary distance at an average of 104.84. Not bad for a limbering up joyride. Now that Boyer has a better hang of the track, with relation to the machine he pilots today, what should he do? „Boyer has a lead foot when it comes to stepping on the gas,“ says one of my press pagoda neighbors, „and if he doesn’t step too hard and kill his mount, he’ll show these birds some speed with that boat of his.“
   It is announced in the press gallery that the Roof Special qualified too late. It was to have been driven by Harry L. Thickston. The Wells Hornet Special also failed to qualify. F. H. Wells, its pilot, completed two of the preliminary rounds, ran into a fence and broke a connecting rod.
   That leaves a field of 22. No man can be a relief driver, we are told, unless he has practiced on this track. It is too cold right now to worry about anything like that. The crowd is a mixture of spring and winter, straw hats and overcoats featuring the adornment. The stands seem about filled at 8:45 o’clock, and the great enclosures offering standing room look crowded. Back in the center of the track is the usual sea of automobiles.

Starter Mounts Stand
   At 9 a.m. officials estimate that the attendance is 20 per cent greater than last year. Made this estimate with photographs taken last year and this morning from airplanes.
   We’re getting anxious for the race to begin. The big band enters the straight-away at 9:15. It’s some band-really 45 of them consolidated with a roster of 1,200 players.
   As the band parades by us Capt. W. S. Gilbreath, official starter, climbs into the starter’s stand. He is a picturesque figure and adds color to the scenery.
   First racer on the track is a Barber-Warnock Special driven by Fred J. Harder. It is still 30 minutes before the race begins, but sight of this 75 per cent Ford product seems to relieve the suspense a little.
   There goes the first bomb. It is 9:46 by my watch. This bomb is due at 9:45, 15 minutes before the grind starts. Starting within a minute or so of 10 is an invariable custom here.
   You can see people rising restlessly in the stands as if they are anxious. Henry Ford, referee, causes a lot of neck craning. He just took a spin in the pacemaker.
   Pacemaker in his Cole is adjusting himself in his seat. Only drivers, mechanics and officials are on the track now. All who have no business there have been chased off.
   Jimmy Murphy in his Miller Special has just arrived and taken pole position. He was given a cheer as he passed the stands. Hartz in a Durant Special takes his place in the first row beside Miller, and Tommy Milton takes third position in the first row with his Miller Special. Both were given a greeting.
   „O, you Joe,“ someone yells as Boyer takes first position in the second row. The others are coming now. It won’t be long before they’re in position and under way.
   Gate officials estimate attendance now at 140,000, ten per cent higher than last year.
   Another bomb. And others. Mechanics are winding up their various machines on the track. There is a puttering, and a popping, the band is playing for all its worth, and while I can see a balloon vender opening his mouth repeatedly, you couldn’t prove by me that he is saying anything.

At Last They’re Off
   It is 10 o’clock – and they are off, trailing the pacemaker. This is not an official round, but they are on their way. Jimmy Murphy looks behind him as he lets go, Bennie Hill draws an elbow swiftly across his forehead, the crowds give a great yell, and we await completion of the lap for the real beginning of the race.
   The farther stands are yelling so the pack must be coming. Yes, here they are, well bunched.
   As they pass the starter Murphy, in his gilded chariot, spring into the lead. „Look at Murphy,“ I hear someone say excitedly.
   But Boyer shoots past Murphy like a streak and finishes the lap in first place. The order right now is: Boyer, Murphy, Hill, Hartz-with Tommy Milton, Earl Cooper and others bringing up more or less in the rear.
   Third lap: Murphy is now in the lead, Boyer in second place, Hill in third, Cooper in fourth and Milton fifth. Time for the first lap was 1:31.47, a track record for the first lap.
   Fourth lap: Murphy still in the lead, but Hill has pushed his Miller Special past the Duesenberg. Hartz and Cooper are next in order. On the fifth lap Hartz comes to third place and Cooper fourth, with Murphy and Hill still one and two. Boyer is having trouble and is far behind. Starting out as he did, he has gotten out of the immediate picture suddenly. But the day is young and he has plenty chance to recover if nothing serious has gone wrong.
   It is announced in the press gallery that time for the first 10 miles was at the rate of 98.75 m.p.h. for the lead. Murphy is about a lap ahead of the Barber-Warnocks and leading strong.

Ansterberg Out of Luck
   Boyer had to stop at the pit, but he’s back in the race. He lost the cap off his gas tank. Ansterberg went out of commission on the back stretch of the second lap when his goggles broke.
   Murphy whizzes past Haibe, in his Schmidt Special, lapping him. The Barber-Warnocks are bunched, having their Town race at this moment.
   Ninth lap finds Murphy leading the pack, with Corum in a Duesenberg super second and Wonderlich in a Durant Special next. Then comes Hill in a Miller. Joe Boyer having more trouble again. He heads for the pit. For the first 25 miles the going was at the rate of 99.15 m.p.h. Last year 97.15. Earl Cooper passes Bennie Hill for second place. Cooper is making a hard race. The Schmidt Special goes into the pit for spark plugs. Boyer is back in again.
   For the first 13 laps Murphy led all but one. He has won $600 already in lap prizes. Murphy zooms past Bill Hunt in his Barber-Warnock Special for a double Klap on him. Haibe and Hill, each with 613 laps to his credit, are having their own race. The stands like these things even if the contestants are not leaders.
   It is 10:30 o’clock and Murphy is on his 18th lap, still leading, with Hill and Hartz next. The cars are all holding up well so far, but with later strain we’ll likely see more heading for the pit.

Cooper Shows Strong
   Time for the first 50 miles, 30:20.12. Average 98.89 m.p.h. Last year 96.61. Order: Murphy, Cooper, Hill, Hartz, Milton.
   On the 22nd lap Murphy is closely trailed by Vail in his Ira Vail Special, a lap behind on the card. Jimmy now passes Hunt in his Barber-Warnock Special. Murphy’s 24th lap, Hunt’s 20th. Earl Cooper is driving a pretty race with his Studebaker, just a quarter of a lap behind Murphy. He’s a contender if he doesn’t have hard luck. Ansterberg is given O. K. as relief driver for Duesenbergs. It develops that a key was sheered on Boyer’s supercharger which accounts for his slow going. Harder heads for the pit. First time a Barber-Warnock has gone there anyhow. He changed plugs and got water.
   Time first 75 miles, 45:39.01. Average 98.58 m.p.h. Last year 96.62 m.p.h. Order: Murphy, Cooper, Hill, Hartz, Milton, Vail, Ellingboe, Hearne, Mourre, DePaolo.
   Wonderlich to pit on his 30th lap. Murphy now on 33rd. At thirty-third lap Murphy is 17 seconds ahead of Cooper. Jerry Wonderlich reported ill. Martin drives for him. At 75 miles Murphy has a 12-second lead over Cooper 35 over Hill, 55 over Hartz, 80 over Milton. Haibe to pit for broken air line. He’s back again.

   Milton has been lapped by Murphy. Cooper is still following Murphy, trying to close gap. Now Cooper is gaining on Murphy. A spurt of speed by the Studebaker Special brings a yell from the stands. They want a fight. Crowds yell again as Cooper closes in further. This is something like a real race. The next lap may mean a change of positions.
   Here they come. The stands go wild as Cooper passes Murphy on the 42nd lap.   Average for the first 100 miles, 98:35 m.p.h. Last year 96.07. Order: Cooper, Murphy, Hill, Hartz, Milton, Vail, Hearne, Ellingboe, Corum, DePaolo.
   Murphy is in the lead as they pass this time, but by a nose. Now Cooper is 50 yards ahead of Murphy. At the finish of the 41st lap Murphy had won $2,000 in lap prizes. Here they come again. Murphy has closed up some of the distance, Cooper and Murphy now are going better than 100 miles an hour.
   Cooper continues to increase lead. is estimated that between 135,000 and 140,000 people are at the speedway.
   Time for 125 miles 1:16:11.61. Average 98.43 m.p.h. Order: Last year 96.07. Cooper, Murphy, Hill, Hartz, Milton, Vail, Hearne, Ellingboe, Corum, DePaolo.

Lead Is Lengthened
   Cooper’s lead lengthens. Hill drops far behind. Murphy goes into pit. Changes a tire in 15 seconds and gets back into the battle. Cooper has 40-second lead over Hill and 70 over Murphy now. Hunt with his Barber-Warnock goes to pit on his 53rd lap, Cooper’s 61st.
   Time for 150 miles 1:31:29.83. Average 98.36 m.p.h. Last year average 95.63.
   Order: Cooper, Hill, Murphy, Hartz, Vail, Hearne, Milton, Corum, DePaolo.
   Milton goes to pit on his 62nd lap, Cooper’s 64th. At 62nd lap Cooper had won $1,000 in lap prizes. The Ford Motor Company sends some nice boxes of lunch to the press gallery. We eat and watch the race.
   Time at 175 miles 1:46:48.80. Average 98.30 m.p.h. Last year 85.59. Cooper still leading, with Hill second and Murphy third.
   Milton to pit to put on gas tank sup- port. DePaolo to pit for gas and tire. All out and gone.
   Time for 200 miles, 2:01:58.40. Average 98.38 m.p.h. Last year average 95.26 m.p.h. Order: Cooper, Hill, Murphy, Corum, Hartz, Vail, Hearne, Ellingboe, Mourre, Comer.

Only One Starter Out
   At 82nd lap Cooper has won $2,000 in lap prizes. Forty-one seconds now between Cooper and Hill. C. S. Ricker, official director of timing, issues a statement saying conditions are ideal for fast travel and that there is no doubt but that the rack record will be broken today.
   It looks that way. The air is just cool enough to suit the drivers if it is a little uncomfortable in shady places. Speaking of records, there was one established at 200 miles, at which point only one car was out of the race. That was Anster- berg and his trouble was not mechanical. The race thus far well demonstrates the reliability of the modern machine.
   Time for 225 miles 2:16:52.41. Average 98.63 m.p.h. Last year’s average 94.58 m.p.h. Leading positions: Cooper, Hill, Murphy, Corum, Hartz.
   Tommy Milton, who broke a tank band back in race, now on 81st lap. Cooper on 96th. Wonderlich, back in race after relief, changes tire in 11 seconds.
   Cooper is leading easily.
   Time 250 miles 2:31:51.43. Average 98.78 m.p.h. Last year 93.98. Best previous average 94.02 in 1922.
   Cooper goes into pit amid cheers. Murphy now is in the lead. Hill next and Cooper third. Cooper was in pit 1 minute and 35 seconds for gas, oil and two tires. Now Hill is in the pit. Cooper in a burst of speed goes into second place, as Hill vacates, and he closes up on Murphy.
   Boyer relieves Corum. The Duesenberg travels fast.
   Time 275 miles 2:48:13.79. Average m.p.h. 98.08. Last year 92.80. Order of leaders, Murphy, Cooper, Boyer, Hartz. Tires are beginning to. go a little. Several pit stops for tires by back group.
   Boyer is gaining on Cooper and Murphy, but he is some distance behind the leader. Perhaps a full lap behind Cooper. Murphy goes to pit at 119th lap, giving his pursuers another chance. „
   Cooper takes lead. Milton goes to pit again. Tommy is having hard luck today.

Track Record Threatened
   Time for 300 miles 3:03:21.53. Average 98.17 m.p.h. Last year 92.12. Best previous, 94.06 in 1922. It looks much like the track record will be broken. The lead has changed up enough to make it interesting. Everybody says it is the best race yet staged at Indianapolis. Tommy Milton drifts slowly past stand, looking at crowd.
   Murphy goes to pit for oil and tire. Out in 1:32. He is now pegging in after Cooper and Boyer. Murphy is going strong, but you should see Boyer and that Duesenberg super. Again Tommy Milton moseys past the stands. He looks sad.
   Cooper seems easing down. A pit visit would damage his lead right now. The race has proceeded to a critical stage. But Cooper steps out again and widens the breach slightly. Now see the supercharger move. What Cooper gained by that last spurt has been lost. Boyer continues to gain. Tommy Milton out of the race. The band holding his tank has gone for good. Cooper has won $3,400 in lap prizes so far, Murphy $2,800 and Boyer $50.
   Murphy is 52 seconds behind Cooper and Boyer is 1:25 behind.
   Time for 350 miles 3:34:16.49. Average 98.01 m.p.h. Last year 92.45. Track record 94.02 in 1922. Order of leaders, Cooper, Murphy, Boyer, Hill.
   Murphy goes into the pit. He blew a time on the 146th lap. Boyer goes into second place and in a fresh burst of speed takes out after Cooper. That Duesenberg is certainly breezing along. The crowd has sensed the fact that this is a race. As the drivers pass the stand there is cheering. Boyer is closing that gap steadily if not all at once. Now he fails to gain. The distance remains about the same. Again he creeps ahead. Now they are running about even. This is good.
   Time for 375 miles 3:49:17.88. Average 98.13 m.p.h. Last year 92.25 m.p.h. Track record 94.10. Order of leaders: Cooper, Boyer, Murphy, Hill, Harris.
   Boyer is 52 seconds behind Cooper, the advantage. Cooper changes right rear tire in a flash and is in behind Cliff Durant gets relief. Murphy is a lap behind in third place. On the 159th lap Boyer is slowly gaining again on Cooper. Cooper makes up the difference, to lose it again, to gain it, to lose it. The net is in Boyer’s favor. Ellingboe stops at pit to have gas tank wired in place. Gas tanks are in hard luck today. Murphy is picking up speed but he has a long way to go now comparatively, although he is by no means out of the running. Haibe to pit for plugs.
   Time 400 miles, 4:04:22.43. Average, 98.21 m.p.h. Last year, 91.75 m.p.h. Order of leaders: Cooper, Boyer, Murphy, Hill.

Boyer Battles Cooper
   Cooper is now 37 seconds ahead of Boyer, according to the official timers. Eddie Hearne’s Durant Special is out with a broken gas line. Hearne is driving for Cliff Durant.
   Boyer fights to close gap, but Cooper holds his own something like 35 seconds in the lead. Elliott in a Miller Special is out with a damaged gas tank. More tank trouble. Murphy still a lap behind Cooper.
   Time 425 miles, 4:19:14.32. Average, 98.36 m.p.h. Last year, 91.65 m.p.h. Cooper and Boyer are in the same lap about 30 seconds apart. Murphy is a lap be- hind, Hill three laps behind, Hartz four behind.
   The going now is between Cooper and Boyer. On the last three laps the two leaders averaged a fraction less than 104 miles an hour.
   Cooper goes into the pit on his 178th lap, Boyer springing into lead and crowding his supercharger for full benefit of Boyer. As Earl passes stands, he is given an ovation. Each time the leaders pass the stands now there is yelling. Cooper gains four seconds then slows down in front of pit, but he speeds up again without stopping.

Boyer Takes Lead
   Time 450 miles, 4:35:00.04. Average, 98.18 m.p.h. Last year, 91.55 m.p.h. Best previous, 94.70 in 1922. Order: Boyer, Cooper, Murphy, Hill.
   Cooper is 1:10 behind. The situation is easier for Boyer. Murphy more than a lap behind. The leaders at this time are about 21 minutes ahead of last year’s record. Track record will be smashed sure.
   Only ten more laps for Boyer. If he has good luck and drives the rest of the way as consistently as now he’ll win handily.
   Time 475 miles, 4:15.01.19. Average, 98.27 m.p.h. Last year, 91.25. Order of leaders: Boyer, Cooper, Murphy, Hill.
   On 195th lap Boyer has lead of 1:15. One of the Duesenberg’s driven by Houser, a relief, hit a retaining wall on the back stretch and is out of race. Nobody hurt. Boyer is increasing his lead. He wants to finish strong. The starter is getting the flags ready. In one hand he has the green flag and in the other the checker. Boyer is given a big ovation on the next to the last lap.
   They know he is the winner unless he falls dead or some other calamity occurs. The checkered flag is waved in front of Boyer as he comes down the stretch. He wins.
   Boyer’s time 5:05:23.51. Average, 98.24. Track record, 94.48 in 1922.
   Cooper finishes second. Time, 5:06: 47.18. Average, 97.99.
   Jimmy Murphy finishes third, Hartz fourth, Hill fifth, DePaolo sixth, Comer seventh, Vail eighth, Mourre ninth, Mc-Donough (Miller Special relief) tenth. Others finishing were Ellingboe and Wonderlich.

Facts About the Race
Twelfth International Sweepstakes.
Distance – 500 miles.
Distance around track – 2½ miles.
Number of Laps – 200.
Surface of Track – Brick.
Number of Entries – 31.
Number of Starters – 22.
Running When First Car Finished – 17.
Amount of Prize Money – $66,200.
First Prize – $20,000.
Estimated Attendance – 140,000.
Winner’s Running Time – 5:05:23.51.
Winner’s Average Speed – 98.24 m.p.h.
Previous Record – 94.48 in 1922
Speed Required to Qualify – 85 m.p.h. for 10 Laps.
Maximum Cylinder Capacity – 122 cu. in.