DE PALMA IN 500-MILE RACE.

Topics:  Indianapolis 500, Ralph De Palma

The New York Times
January 19, 1915

Auto Racing Champion Likely to be Favorite in Indianapolis Event.

With the contest six months away, four entries are already lined up for the next Indianapolis 500-mile race, the last to register being Ralph De Palma, America's road racing champion, with his Grand Prix Mercedes. Through his backer, E. C. Patterson, De Palma made entry last week, desiring to be as close to the head of the list as possible, because of the Hoosier elimination trials, which take place in the inverse order of nomination each year.

Though defeated at Corona, De Palma has great hopes of capturing the Indianapolis classic, since, out of all the machines that raced in the Western contest, his was practically the only one conforming to the new 500-mile specifications. Measuring well under 300 cubic inches, the limit prescribed by the speedway management, and tested in over 1,500 miles of actual racing, he things it is ideally suited for the task.

It is likely that De Palma will go to the post a popular favorite. In point of sportsmanship and victories alike he stands unexcelled among American drivers. Of his triumphs the following are the most noteworthy: 1912, Santa Monica light-car race, (Mercer;) Elgin national trophy race, (Mercedes;) Elgin free-for-all, (Mercedes;) Vanderbilt Cup, Milwaukee, (Mercedes;) 1913, Cobe trophy, Elgin (Mercer;) 1914, Vanderbilt Cup, Santa Monica, (Mercedes;) Elgin national trophy, (Mercedes;) Cobe trophy, Elgin, (Mercedes.)