May 1953, Indianapolis 500

In June of 1952, Chapman S. Root and Donald E. Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana, purchased the Bardahl #18. The Bardahl #18 was a 3000 series Kurtis Kraft owned by Ed Walsh and driven by Sam Hanks that finished 3rd in the 1952 Indy 500. Chapman and Donald brought the car back to Terre Haute and hired John H. Blouch as Chief Mechanic and Jimmy Daywalt as the driver. They painted the car navy blue with a white stripe down the middle and used the number #48. On May 30, 1953, Jimmy started in 21st in the Indianapolis 500 in the #48 Sumar Kurtis-Offy.  He finished the race 6th, earning $7,696 and the Rookie of the Year (ROY) honors.

The #48 Sumar Special

Photo from the 1954 '500' Program

Jimmy Daywalt, with his arm around Wilbur Shaw, after recieving his ROY trophy at the Honeywell Center in Wabash, IN.

Photo from the Wabash Plain Dealer

Jimmy Daywalt and his ROY trophy from the 1954 '500' program

 Daywalt Qualifies at 135.7 For Indianapolis ‘500’ Race

Local Fans Plan Testimonial Banquet for Jimmy Daywalt

Sumar Special Pilot in Spill at Winchester Sun.

Expect 300 for Daywalt Banquet, Presentation

504 ATTEND PRESENTATION OF ROOKIE…

September 7, 1953, DuQuoin

On September 7, 1953 Jimmy failed to qualify the #48 Sumar Blough-Offy at DuQuoin due to contact during practice.

September 12, 1953, Syracuse

On September 12, 1953 Jimmy was too slow and failed to qualify the #48 Sumar Blough-Offy at Syracuse.

Click the Date and Race above for the box score of that race