The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 23

il SDAY, MAY 28, III): INDIANAPOLIS STAR PAf.i: 21 TWAS A BUSY UiHl MiW 501) IIAWiON mother Goo ime Aw Jks A johnny for the losers more bearable. More than one person said, "This was just what racing needed." The job done by new Chief Steward Tom also came in for high praise. Said driver Salt Walther: "He ought lo be put on a only alternations were adjustments to the number of laps completed. Johnny Rutherford's total still came to 200. A guy can't stay angry with numbers like that even when the phone drags him out of bed at 6:30.

Another observer, no fan of deposed Chief Steward Harlan Fencer, said, "It just proves we can put on a a a better without Cod under a red hat." There were no i i changes and no protests when the official finish was posted at 8 a.m. About the pedestal." ixihaxs i.n In contrast with his near-wordless anguish after his Gilmore Coyote retired after 142 laps, he was relaxed and amiable yesterday and happy for his fellow Texan Rutherford. "I'm glad John won it if I couldn't," he said. "Nobody here deserves it more than he does. He's a great guy and I know it had to mean a lot to his daddy (who is critically ill)." In terms of the sport if not his personal goals, Foyt offered that it might have been better for Rutherford to win than for him.

"He'll be a great winner," said A.J. "He'll work at it and get out and be seen. He wants to make a name for himself out of this. "And he's got the time to do it. a i 's the only thing he docs.

If I'd won it even as a four-time winnerthere's no way I could do as much. I'm just so involved in so many other things that I just don't have the time. But John does." Foyt, sounding almost like a senior statesman, also was pleased with Sunday's near-flawless production and expressed the hope that it wouldn't go unnoticed. "I just hope the press reports how good this race was the way they reported all the bad things last year," he said. The good show a great race, no injuries, one of the nice people on this earth winning was on the minds and lips of just about everybody.

It even made the pain By DAVE OVERPECK On the greatest morning after of his 36 years, Johnny Rutherford woke up angry yesterday. "The phone got me up," he said later. ''It was 6:110 and it was some guy calling from the Fort Worth Press. "I said 'Man, have you any idea what time it and he said yeah, hut he had an assignment and he had to doit." Others might well have hung up and Rutherford could have been forgiven had he, hut that is not the way of the gentleman winner of the 500-Mile Race, lie gave the caller his interview. There probably were others, with only a slightly better respect for the weary, who tried to reach Rutherford by phone yesterday morning, but once warned was enough.

"When I finished with the guy, (wife) Betty put the phone on the floor with the receiver off the hook," he related. There wouldn't have been that much time to catch him at his mobile home here anyway. Rutherford was back at the Speedway bright and early for the winner's picture taking and hand shaking. And there were many pictures to be taken and many hands to be shaken following what has to rank as one of the most popular victories in the 5110. A friend asked how many of the hands belong to "old buddies" who couldn't he found when he had to go to the bathroom with a pair of broken arms eight yean ago.

That brought out the ear.y Rutherford laugh and "it hasn't been that bad." In fact, yesterday morning Johnny Rutherford very probably would have happily shaken hands with the whole world, and after that extra early a call, there wasn't a more affable man to be found. Not even an Interloper who almost walked out of the McLaren garage with a large color team picture belonging to a crew member could bring forth wrath. Tribe Wins, 6-3, Grabs Tie For 1st Omaha got a run back in Youngblood's blow chased Omaha starter and loser Randy Hamrnon (3-4). Dick Baney the bottom of the second on singles by Gary Sanserino and Tom Harmon with a sacrifice went the route for the Tribe I I tvfmw rfpmi. if fly by Dennis Paepke bringing in Sanserino.

Each got a run in the fourth. Johnny was autographing a couple other copies for his teammates when the mail thrusted another in front of his face and he automatically signed it. The guy was almost out the door when it registered that the face didn't look familiar. "Wait a minute," asked Rutherford, "Where'd you get that picture?" The souvenir-snitch, who said he was from Mexico City and whose command of English seemed fractional at best, more or less admitted he'd picked it up off a work bench. Still polite, Rutherford said, "I'm sorry but those pictures are for members of my crew and we don't have any extras." He didn't even lose his cool when the cornered thief asked if he could still have the picture anyway.

But the incident pretty much ended the open house policy in the McLaren garage where a form of loose chaos had been reigning. The guard chain at the door, which had been down, quickly went up, limiting access. Until then people had been wandering in and out while the crew loaded up Johnny's car for tire tests later this week at Pocono and team chiefs Teddy Mayer and Tyler Alexander tried to find a quiet spot to talk business. Rutherford wandered i and out, talking with friends, posing for pictures and doing TV interviews. Meanwhile, wife Betty tried to keep a leash, however loose, on John IV and Angela, who pretty much went their own way, munching on corn chips from a large plastic bag in the garage.

Few others of Sunday's drivers were in the garage area at noon time. One was A.J. Foyt who was bearing his personal dis-appointment with good grace. The Tribe's tally came on a iirftfaJfr -Si: Hi r'Mto scattering nine hits and running his record to 3-2 for the season. Each team now stands 19-19 for the season.

They split the curernt series, 2-2, and share the Eastern Division lead. INDIANAPOLIS returns home tonight to oppose Tulsa and Tom Carroll, who twirled a no-hitter his last time out, will be on the hill for the Tribe. Carroll now owns a 3-2 record. A crowd of 1,479 watched Indianapolis spill the Royals in the final game of the present series. BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Omaha, Neb.

The Indianapolis Indians moved back into a tie for first place in the American Association East Division here last night and it may prove costly. The Tribe trimmed Omaha, 6-3. Arturo DeFrietes, Tribe first baseman, was hospitalized with a possible fractured ankle after he tried to break up a double play by sliding into second base in the sixth inning. BEFORE THAT happened the Indians had the game well in hand having erupted for four runs, three of them unearned, in a second inning outburst. Ed Armbrister started it with a single and then stole second.

Junior Kennedy was safe on a pop fly to right fielder Tom Poquet'e, who muffed the chance. Ray Knight singled home Ambrister and Doug Flynn singled in Press IIoXa single by DeFrietes, a walk to Kennedy, a single by Knight and a groundout by Flynn to register Arturo. Omaha scored on a single by Harmon and a double by Paepke. The Royals got their last run in the fifth on singles by Poquette, Jim Clark and Sanserino. The Tribe closed out the scoring in the eighth when Ken Griffey tripled to right-center and Joel Youngblood lashed a double down the left field line to plate him.

The Kids' Racer No Child's Toy My Assistant Sports IHloii Tribe Opens 8-Game Home Stand Tonight Kennedy. Tom Spencer then lashed a long single to right scoring Knight and Flynn. OMAHA INDIANAPOLIS ab bi ab It bi 5 0 2 Soner.cf Gritfy.rf Ambrstr.dh OeFrts.lb A WINNER-Betty Rutherford adjusts the tie of her husband, Johnny, in their mobile home at 2814 Holly Park Road prior to their leaving for last night's 500 Victory Dinner at the Convention-Exposition Center. Rutherford, from Fort Worth, won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race Sunday. (Star Photo by Charles A.

Berry) 3 1 2 4 0 1 5 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 Freed, 10 Craig, cf Rahe.lf Potte.rf Clarke, dh Harrniu Paepke.lb Arcia.ss HunteMI) Hmmn.p Brnrd.p Totals 0 3 2 Fans seeking autographs and pictures will be permitted on the field for a 30-minute period prior to the series finale with the Oilers, leaders in the Eastern Division. At Sunday's second game of the Oklahoma City series, each youngster accompanied by an adult will receive a Little League bat. The Bat Day is being sponsored by Speedway Coca-Cola Bottlers. 4 1 2 Kniqnt.Jb Flvnn.ss Rubrto.c Banev.p Totals 4 1 1 4 0 3 0 0 0 36 4 13 INDIANAPOLIS 040 100 0)04 Omaha 010 110 0003 Official 500 Finish Eight single games, including the final mid-week afternoon contest of the season, are on the Bush Stadium agenda as the Indianapolis Indians stage a home stand, starting tonight at 7:30 against Tulsa and Oklahoma City of the American Association's Western Division. Tulsa, managed by former St.

Louis Cardinal's star Ken Boyer, is the first, opponent tonight through Friday after which the 89ers come in for four contests. SENIOR CITIZENS age 62 and over will be admitted to tomorrow's 2 p.m. tilt for 75 cents. Another $2 Family Night Is set for Thursday, while Friday has been designated Autograph and Photograph Night. oeFreiiei, Poquette.

DP Indianapolis 1, Omaha 2. LOB Indianapolis 7. Omaha 7. 2B-Younoblood, Paepke. 3B Griffey.

SB-Armbrister. SF Paepke. IP ir bb so Baney (W.3-2) 3 1 1 2 Mammon (U-4) ..7 11 4 1 2 1 Bernard 2 2 0 0 2 3 WP Banin, Hamrnon. 2:15. A 1,47.

BOAT COVERS Quick delivery reasonable pricei. Softball Results METROPOLITAN Holiday tourney: Peru 1, Wilsey Construction Louisville 1, Mecca Peru 4, Louisville 3 (8 innings); Frankfort 3, Renner's Express Renner's Peru Renner's 5, Frankfort Renner's 7, Frankfort 1 (Final). Girls' League Quality Gauge 24, PBI Yellow Streakers Speed Queen Laundry 0, White Tab Kittens Nichols Loan 12, Red Tab Kittens 2. INDY TARP SPECIALTIES 723 S. Capitol 635-1103 Car Total Race DRIVER No.

Chassis-Engine Laps Time Avg. "TOE 1 Johnny Rutherford 3 McLaren-Offy 200 3:09:10.06 158.589 1 2 Boby Unser 48 Eagle-Offy 200 3:09:32.38 158.278 1 3 Bill Vukovich 4 Eagle-Offy 199 3:12:05.51 155.394 1 4 Gordon Johncock 20 Eagle-Oily 198 3:11:53.59 154.774 1 5 David Hobbs 73 McLaren-Offy 196 3:12:15.41 152.920 1 6 Jim McElreath 45 Eagle-Offy 194 3:11:50.40 151.689 1 7 Duane Carter Jr. 11 Eagle-Offy 191 3:12:11.40 149.071 1 8 Bob Harkey 79 Kenyon-Foyt 189 3:11:59.38 148.664 1 9 Lloyd Ruby 9 Eagle-Offy 187 3:01:49.35 154.271 2 10 Jerry Grant 55 Eagle-Offy 175 3:12:10.42 136.595 1 11 John Martin 89 McLaren-Offy 169 3:11:51.79 132.125 1 12 Tom Bigelow 27 Vollstedt-Offy 165 3:11:58.40 129.706 1 13 Bill Simpson 18 Eagle-Offy 163 3:02:12.45 134.183 3 14 Mike Hiss 68 McLaren-Offy 158 3:11:55.51 123.485 1 15 A. J. Foyt 14 Coyole-Foyt 142 2:18:59.65 153.244 4 16 Roger McCluskey 1 Riley-Offy 141 2:21:41.18 149.273 5 17 Salt Walther 77 McLaren-Offy 141 2:26:17.61 144.572 3 18 Al Unser 15 Eagle-Offy 131 2:07:01.65 154.691 6 19 Jerry Karl 42 Eagle-Offy 115 1:50:47.18 155.705 7 20 Tom Sneva 24 Kingfish-Offy 94 1:34:35.17 149.070 8 21 Jan Opperman 51 Parnelli-Offy 85 154.216 1 22 Steve Krisiloff 60 Eagle-Offy 72 1:14:57.12 144.092 9 23 Jimmy Caruthcrs 21 Eagle-Offy 64 :58:30.43 144.082 5 24 Larry Cannon 59 Eagle-Offy 49 :51:05.96 143.857 10 25 Jim Hurtublse 56 McLaren-Offy 31 :27:47.40 167.326 6 26 Johnny Parsons 94 Finley-Offy 18 :43:36.01 61.926 11 27 Rick Muther 61 Coyote-Foyt 11 :11:03.76 149.150 3 28 George Snider 82 Atlanta-Foyt 7 :06:03.85 173.148 12 29 Mike Moslcy 98 Eagle-Offy 6 :05:04.45 177.369 6 30 Wally Dallenbaeh 40 Eagle-Offy 3 :03:03.21 147.372 3 31 Mario Andrettl 5 Eagle-Offy 2 :01:44.11 172.094 12 32 Gary Bcttcnhauscn 8 McLaren-Offy 2 :02:38.12 113.838 12 33 Dick Simon 44 Eagle-Foyt 1 :00:55.87 161.088 12 vii vii vjvilij INVENTORY CLEARANCE 1VHEN DICK BEITH WAS A youngster hustling pop corn and newspapers so he could get into the Oakland (Calif.) Speedway "Heaven was Indianapolis." He's here now.

And, "it's still Heaven." The San Francisco entrepreneur who started as a shop teacher prior to founding a highly-successful mag wheel firm is now a "retired" businessman doing what he likes best enjoying life to the fullest. That includes owning a race car. When he sold his business for $3 million the 38-year-old Beith decided to join USAC racing. So, he went hunting for a car and purchased the Eagle driven to victory by Wally Dallenbaeh in the 1973 Ontario 500. Then, It was look for a sponsor time.

None could be found. None still has been found, but that doesn't really bother Beith who has an investment "around $150,000 in his American Kids Racer which Bill Simpson drove to 13th place in Sunday's 500-Mile Race despite serious problems caused by rust in the pit fuel tank which clogged the fuel filter and caused the engine to miss. Beith hopes Sunday's showing proves to some potential sponsors he's serious about racing. "We've got a package to market and it's a good he said yesterday morning while relaxing in the sun sitting in front of the car's garage. "Our machine is dedicated to American kids and what could be more appropriate than a race car.

Look at small children playing on the floor and what are they doing often it's pushing a small car. I want to keep kids interested in racing. For some reason adults tend to turn them away from cars to football, basketball, baseball and other sports. Let's keep them interested in cars and racing." While the operation is serious, Beith takes a middle of the road approach to the situations. "It can't be all work," he says.

"People who are intense all the time don't enjoy life. It's like a man beating his head against a wall for nine innings in a baseball game just so he can win. How long does he enjoy the victory? Maybe 10 minutes. If winning is a man's only goal, life is empty. A man's goal should be to enjoy what he's doing.

Winning makes it better, but it's not everything. During his short association with USAC racing, Beith has made some serious observations and he isn't exactly overjoyed with what he's seen in certain areas. "We're a touring road show and we've got to. please the people in the grandstand." he asserts. "One of my big irritations is mechanics who think their only job is to put together and take apart automobiles.

We've got to be associated with the fans. We've got to be friends among ourselves. We can't be airing our problems in public." Beith contends Johnny Rutherford s.iould have been permitted to compete for the pole even though he wasn't in line on the first morning of qualifying. "Look at what a drawing card it would have been," he says about the man who won this year's race even though he started 25th after qualifying late. "Let everyone have a shot at the pole during qualifying.

It makes a better show for the fans. It's true competition between everyone trying to make the race." There are plans to continue racing on the championship circuit the remainder of the year. And, Simpson is Beith's driver if he wants the job. "It's been interesting watching Bill grow," he says. "He's never driven a car like this and we're happy with him." Simpson isn't sure of his plans.

Relaxing several hours after the race Sunday prior to flying to Miami, the driver who has shed his "playboy" reputation through hard work and discipline, said "Dick and I have some talking to do." Simpson wasn't happy with the fuel tank situation which kept the rur In the pits in the neighborhood of 20 minutes. "I was disappointed, I couldn't keep charged up," he said. "It was more like coast and collect than charging even though I knew wc could run with most of the cars." Driving In his first Indianapolis race, the 34-year-old Simpson Is a "new man." He's shed 50 pounds, shaved off hi mustache und Is more serious about racing, His original deal was he'll drive for nothing Just to get a ride. He'll get his share of the purse, the same as any other driver, but ho didn't siRn a contract for the month, lie just wanted to prove he could drive. "Money Is important, but it doesn't mean that much to me I've got a lot of it," he says.

Simpson Is also a California businessman who lives on a 50-foot ketch, lie sells murine safety equipment, has nn industrial park, sells automobile safety equipment and brings in more than enough bread lo survive. If Simpson stays it could be an Interesting marriage between two men wiio enjoy life and sport. We are moving our warehouse and must reduce inventory! BARGAINS GALORE! Some 1st Line, Some Blems! GOODYEAR QUALITY at DISCOUNT PRICES! COE-Causes of Elimination 1. Running; 2. Ran out of fuel; 3, Piston failures; 4, Broken scavenger pump oil fitting; 5, Gear box; 6, Blown engine; 7, Accident; 8, Ring Pinion gear; 9, Clutch failure; 10, Differential failure; 11, Turbocharger failure; 12, Valve failure.

LAP LEADERS 1-2-Dallcnbach, 3-24 Foyt, 25-26 B. Unser; 27-49 Foyt; 50-52 B. Unser; 53-64 Foyt, 65-125 Rutherford; 126-135 Foyt; 130-137 Rutherford, 138-140 Foyt; 141-175 Rutherford; 176 B. Unser; 177-200 Rutherford. Totals: Rutherford 122, Foyt 70, B.

Unser 6, Dallenbaeh 2. YELLOW LIGHTS Seven for 14 laps and total time of 34 minutes, 2 seconds. MIDGET AUTO RACES Quack Captures POLYSTEEL WHITEWALLS TRUCK TIRES1 A78xl3 S22.00 G78cl4 S31.S0 7.00x15 S28.5C 8 00x1 6 5 $40.00 B78xl4 $22.00 J78xl5 $32.00 6 00x'6 8.00xl6.5WW F78xU $31.50 6.50x16 5 $40.00 7.00x16 $29.00 8.75x16 5 $58.00 STEEl RADIAL WHITEWAltS RADIAL BIACKWAUS AR78xl3 $42.00 DR78xl4 $45.00 FR78xlJ $28 00 8x15 $33.00 FR78xl4 $40.00 JR78xl5 $48.00 GR7815 $28.00 1 LR78xl5 $35.00 HR78xl4 $43.00) LR78xl5 $53.00 HR78x15 $32.00 POLYESTER WHITEWALLS POLYESTER BLACKWALLS A78xl3 $20.00 8 55x14 $23.00 A78xl3 $19.00 G78xl5 $23.00 D78xl4 $20.00 G78xl5 $26.00 D78xl4- H78xl5 $25.00 $22.00 H78x'l5 $26.00 f78xl4- $19.00 J78xl5 $27.00 F78xl4 $25.00 178x15 $28.00 H78xl4- $25.00 FULL SIZE MIDGETS POWERED BY OFFIES, SESCO's, CHEVY ll's C.O.R.A. SANCTIONED Culifornian Race Inglewood, Calif. (AP)-Bwamazon Farm's Quack repeated his victory of a year ago with a stretch drive yesterday to capture the $115,900 Californian at Hollywood Park, Quack had gone to the post five times this year without a victory but the favored Ancient Title could not stand off the stretch running of the 5-year-old and his rider, Donald Pierce.

Quack won the 1 1161 mile test in 1:4015. Ancient Title, the 9-5 favorite, hung on for second with the longshot Woodland Pines taking third. Pro Hockey Notes BLUES TlUti fllhl wlnqtr Oiry SabOUNn it Tarnnln far anal HUM ALL PRICES PLUS $1.96 to $4.56 F.E.T. PER TIRE, depending on size FREE 5 000-MI ROTATION' instant credit 90 DAYS SAME AS CASH FREE TIRE MOUNTING! All Major Credit Cards Accepted CALL DON SICKLE or STEVE SICKLE, 356-6339 IRVINGT0N TIRE CENTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT, MAY 29th GATES OPEN 6:30, QUALIFYING Ti30, RACE 8:30 FULL-SIZE MIDGET RACING EVERY WEDNESDAY CMS and DRIVERS horn 10 STATES Indianapolis SPEEDR0ME 6600 BrookvilU Rood (U.S. 52) Indinnopolii (6600 E.

Washington St. South 1 Mile on Kitley 356-6439 RACING EVERY SUN. NITES JohiiMon. NORTH Acqulrm KM win-John PIikIi and rlnhl wing Dun MmIIiimii i Hv 5606 E.WASHINGTON ST. (3 Miles West of 1-465) want pfvri..