Local Fans Plan Testimonial Banquet for Jimmy Daywalt, 6th in 500 Mile Race; His Condition Reported as Improved

Winchester, – Jimmy Daywalt of Wabash, named rookie of the year for his sixth place finish in the Indianapolis 500-mile Memorial Day race, Monday was recovering from injuries suffered in time trials for a 50-lap feature here.

Daywalt received a mild concussion, a knee injury and lacerations when his car lost a wheel and flipped over. He was taken to Randolph County hospital where his physician said his condition was not serious.

The driver missed the presentation of his 500-mile classic rookie of the year award, announced Sunday night at the victory banquet in Indianapolis. He collected $7,696.97 for his sixth place finish.

Local fans of Jimmy Daywalt are planning a testimonial banquet in his honor as soon as hi is able to leave the hospital, it was announced here Monday.

Spearheading the movement are Dick Miller of Dick’s Men’s Wear store, and Hugh Reahard, proprietor of the Snack shop.

Daywalt placed sixth in the big time race at Indianapolis Memorial Day and his fans here are desirous of recognizing the achievement with a suitable program. Miller expressed the hope that the dinner could be held next week in the Honeywell Memorial Center.

Further details will be made public as the planning progresses. The sponsors also desire that Daywalt bring his racing car here for display during the program, and efforts will be made to obtain a copy of the official colored movies of the 1953 races as a feature of the event.

Meanwhile, relatives here Monday received word from the Randolph County hospital, Winchester, that Jimmy was making good recovery from injuries received in time trials here Sunday. His severe headache has subsided and doctors plan to put his knee in a cast.