Wabash Plain Dealer Sports Editor

SPEEDWAY CITY – The chalked up a big “okay” for Jimmy Daywalt at the completion of one lap and that was the signal for the Wabash driver to stay on the throttle as he sped to a 144.683 qualification run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon.

Daywalt had turned in a lap almost as fast Saturday in an earlier qualifying attempt, but mistook the sign to mean 140.5 rather than 144.5 and slowed down when he attempted to change his style on the next lap.  he was flagged in by chief mechanic Russ Snowberger.

The Speedy run by Daywalt placed him on the inside of the fifth row for the Memorial day 500-mile race.  He was only one of the qualifiers Sunday as rain intererrupted trials and practice at different intervals.  the other qualifier was Jack Turner of Seattle, who will be in the middle of the fifth row in the Travelon Trailer Special.

Daywalt, who has never been regarded as “lead-footed,” was heavy on the throttle Sunday as he wheeled the Federal Engineering Special flawlessly around the 2-1/2 mile oval.  his initial lap was a very good 144.928 and his lowest 144.416.  In between them he hit 144.509 and 144.881.

Only the “pole” winner Johnny Thomson with 145.908 and Eddie Sachs, also on the fifth row, with 145.425 turned in faster laps in the first weekend of time trials.  Had Daywalt run Saturday, he would have most likely been on the front row.

His Sunday performance was the best ever for Daywalt.  In five previous qualifications for the May 30 speed classic, the 34-year old driver had never been out the the 140 bracket.  He qualified the Sumar Special at an average of 140.977 n 1956.  The 144.928 Sunday was also his best single lap.

What had been gloom for the Federal crew turned to joy as Daywalt pulled into the pits following his qualification run.

I believe I could have run 145 if it hadn’t been for that wind.

during the interview session by the PA announcer.  However, he explained he was happy to be in the race safely.

Snowberger and owner Bill Devine were well pleased with Jimmy.  Both wanted Daywalt to go out again Saturday after the initial mix-up, but he was too much down in the dumps.

The News

Jimmy Daywalt in the No. 48 Sumar Special struck the wall on the southeast turn in a ball of flame.  The car came to rest enar the outer wall.  Daywalt’s head was bobbing back and forth as guards ran to his assistance.  He is in Methodist with arm and head injuries.

—Photo from the collection of Karl Brown

From the Jeff Adams collection

Jimmy Daywalt is shown here in the #4042 Merkler Special on the last lap of the feature race at Greenville, Ohio on June 20, 1948 leading second place #2 Bobby Grim of Indianapolis, Indiana to the checkered flag. This was the only CSRA feature that was not won by Wally Stokes in 1948.

From the Jeff Adams collection

Jimmy Daywalt in the #4042 Merkler Special is shown here on the pole while Bobby Grim is in Hector Honore’s #2 “City of Roses” Offy on the outside of the front row as they lead the pace lap around for the start of the feature race at Greenville, Ohio on June 20, 1948

From the Jeff Adams collection

Dick Poiry is shown here at Bloomington, Indiana on April 3, 1949 with Jimmy Daywalt who is seated in the Merkler Special. Daywalt set the fastest time in time trials that day before winning both his heat and the 20-lap feature race.

From the Jeff Adams collection

Jimmy Daywalt of Wabash, Indiana is shown here in the #4042 Merkler Special in 1948

Jimmy Daywalt #48 hits SE Turn wall on his 135th lap and was injured.