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Time Trials Begin Today For Indianapolis Classic Vukovich Last Years Winner, Will Be Among First on Track By KURT FREUDENTHAL United Press Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 14. The nations best and costliest speed cars were locked tightly in their garages tonight in preparation for the first day of time trails for the 500-mile Memorial Day race. More than a dozen cars are expected to qualify Saturday if the weather is good. They seek front row positions in the 38 -car starting field for the May 31 race. Some will be out to break the qualifying records set in. 1952 by Chet Miller, who was killed in a practice run a year ago Saturday at Indianapolis. Miller holds the one-lap mark of 139.6 miles per hour and the four-lap record of 139.034 mph. The car that travels fastest over the 10-mile qualifying run on the first day of trials wins the pole position. Last years pole winner was Bill Vukovich, who lopped the first-day qualifiers, with an average speed of 138.392. Vukovich then won the race, a victory he had within his grasp a year earlier until his car conked out a few laps from the checkered flag. Vukovich is expected to be among the first on the track Saturday. Some dope-sters believe hell wipe Millers records off the books. Vukovich, as he was last year, is the pre-race favorite to get the victory flag. But the experts concede it will take luck. For there are other capable cars and drivers entered. Among those who have bettered 135 mph. in practice laps the last two weeks were Duane Carter, Bon Scott, Jimmy Reece, Troy Ruttman, the 1952 winner; Art Cross, Eddie Johnson, Sam Hanks, Bob Sweikert, Jimmy Daywalt, Tony Betten-hausen, Jack McGrath, Don Freeland and Duke Nalon. Carters 137.8 is best of the practice laps. Nalori, a popular veteran driver who never got the victory cup, said he will be among the first to try for the pole, a position he held in 1949 and 1951. If Vukovich gets the pole, hell be the first driver since. Rex Mays in 1935 and 1936 to take it twice in a row. The qualifications begin at 11:30 a.m. CDT. The pole winner gets a ,500 special prize, and if his speed is best of the entire qualifications he gets another ,000. Other time trails are scheduled for Sunday and May 22 andV,23. , , w
