The Formula

Bill Vukovich's formula for winning the 500-mile Indianapolis Speedway race last week: "I'll take the lead and stay there." Driver Vukovich did pretty well with those tactics last year, until a steering pin broke, less than eight laps from the finish, and Vukovich watched the rest of the race swing past him. This time, he was extra careful about steering pins and other mechanical details.

Vukovich drew the No. 1 post position in the 33-man field, thanks to having registered the fastest qualifying time (138.392 m.p.h.). And when the starter's flag dropped, he roared his Fuel Injection Special into the lead. Lap after lap, he led the field, picking up $150 in lap money every time he came past the judges' stand ahead of the rest.

The race settled down into a contest of durability on a track foul with exhaust fumes and simmering with bakeoven heat. For all their high-flown names (Springfield Welding Special, Cop-Sil-Loy Brake Special, Grancor-Elgin Piston Pin Special), all but one of the low-slung racers were powered by four-cylinder Meyer-Drake engines.

After 48 laps, Vukovich made a pit stop, took on fuel and four new wheels, all in 49 seconds. He lost the lead momentarily, but five laps later he had it back. The heat and the grind began to take their toll. Cars broke down, and seven swerved into spectacular accidents in which no one was seriously hurt. Worn-out drivers turned their cars over to relief men. After 70 laps Carl Scarborough, 38, dropped out. Later that day, he died of heat exhaustion.

With no relief, 34-year-old Bill Vukovich drove through the sweltering afternoon. Yellow caution lights slowed him down when others ran into trouble, but he did not lose the lead a second time. He swung his mouse-grey car under the checkered winner's flag three hours and 53 minutes after the race began. He had averaged 128.74 m.p.h.. second fastest time in the speedway's 52-year history, and had earned prizes worth $89,000.

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