1955 Indianapolis 500

39th running of the Indianapolis 500 February 2025 39th Indianapolis 500 200px AAA May 30, 1955 Bob Sweikert John Zink A. J. Watson2011 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Official Media Guide Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation/IMS Public Relations 2011 Statistics 176 English https://doctorindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2011-Indy-500-Media-Guide.pdf 128.209 mi/h km/h on 3:53:59.53 Jerry Hoyt 140.045 mi/h km/h on Bob Sweikert (86) Chevrolet Bel Air Thomas H. Keating Bill VanderwaterFox Jack C. The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 Carl Hungness Publishing 4th 1994 22 English 0-915088-05-3 Robert A. Stranahan, Jr. 150,000Vukovich Killed In Pileup https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5624567/ Jep Cadou Jr. The Indianapolis Star 18 Newspapers.com May 31, 1955 June 2, 2017 1954 1956 The 39th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1955. The event was race 1 of 11 of the 1955 AAA National Championship Trail and was race 3 of 7 in the 1955 World Championship of Drivers. The race is notable to many as the race in which Bill Vukovich was killed in a crash while seemingly on his way to an unprecedented third consecutive Indy 500 win. Bob Sweikert ended up winning the race on the heels of a historic year, which saw him with the 1955 National Championship and the 1955 Midwest Sprint car championship – the only driver in history to sweep all three during a single racing season. Time trials Time trials was scheduled for four days. Saturday May 14 – Pole Day time trials Gusty winds, as well as the threat of rain, was observed on pole day, therefore nearly all of the competitors stayed off the track. Around the garage area, the drivers and teams agreed amongst themselves to sit out time trials for the afternoon, and instead qualify together in better conditions on Sunday. However, in the final 20 minutes, Jerry Hoyt, who had not been informed about the agreement, suddenly put his car in line, and pulled away for an unexpected qualifying attempt. His speed of 140.045 mph was not spectacular, but as the fastest (and only) car thus far of the day, he sat on the pole position. Without hesitation, Tony Bettenhausen Sr. took to the track moments later. After two fast laps, he was slowed by a gust of wind, and qualified second. Sam Hanks and Pat O'Connor got their cars ready, but neither were able to complete attempts. The day closed with only two cars in the field, and Hoyt the surprising pole winner – to the dismay of several in the garage area. Sunday May 15 – Second day time trials Qualifying resumed in better conditions, and most of the drivers who stayed off the track Saturday took to the track on Sunday. Jack McGrath (142.580 mph) was the fastest qualifier, and lined up third. Hoyt's pole-winning speed from the day before ended up being only the 8th-fastest overall in the field – a record slowest ranked pole speed. Near the end of the day, Manny Ayulo crashed due to a possible steering fault and died the following day. Saturday May 21 – Third day time trials Paul Russo, attempting to qualify the #18 Novi for Troy Ruttman, suffers a broken gearbox. This was the last appearance of a front-drive car at Indy. Sunday May 22 – Fourth day time trials Starting grid orange R silver = Indianapolis 500 rookie; gold W silver = Former Indianapolis 500 winner RowInsideMiddleOutside 1 23 USA 1912 Jerry Hoyt 10 USA 1912 Tony Bettenhausen 3 USA 1912 Jack McGrath 2 14 USA 1912 Fred Agabashian 4 USA 1912 Bill Vukovich gold W silver 8 USA 1912 Sam Hanks 3 77 USA 1912 Walt Faulkner 19 USA 1912 Andy Linden 22 USA 1912 Cal Niday 4 15 USA 1912 Jimmy Davies 1 USA 1912 Jimmy Bryan 89 USA 1912 Pat Flaherty 5 37 USA 1912 Eddie Russo orange R silver 6 USA 1912 Bob Sweikert 5 USA 1912 Jimmy Reece 6 71 USA 1912 Al Herman orange R silver 48 USA 1912 Jimmy Daywalt 98 USA 1912 Duane Carter 7 29 USA 1912 Pat O'Connor 33 USA 1912 Jim Rathmann 12 USA 1912 Don Freeland 8 42 USA 1912 Al Keller orange R silver 49 USA 1912 Ray Crawford orange R silver 99 USA 1912 Art Cross 9 41 USA 1912 Chuck Weyant orange R silver 39 USA 1912 Johnny Boyd orange R silver 16 USA 1912 Johnnie Parsons gold W silver 10 31 USA 1912 Keith Andrews orange R silver 68 USA 1912 Ed Elisian 27 USA 1912 Rodger Ward 11 81 USA 1912 Shorty Templeman orange R silver 83 USA 1912 Eddie Johnson 44 USA 1912 Johnny Thomson Alternates First alternate: Len Duncan (#24, #73)The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004 Failed to qualify 28em Manny Ayulo (#88) - Fatal accident Tony Bonadies orange R silver (#36) Bob Christie orange R silver (#7) Elmer George orange R silver (#74) Gene Hartley (#28) Bill Homeier (#72, #77) Johnny Kay orange R silver (#76) Danny Kladis (#93) Russ Klar orange R silver (#61) Ernie McCoy (#69) Earl Motter orange R silver(#81) Duke Nalon (#31) Roy Newman orange R silver (#93) Jiggs Peters orange R silver (#32) Paul Russo (#10, #21) Troy Ruttman (#18) George Tichenor orange R silver (#78) Johnnie Tolan orange R silver - Withdrew, ill Leroy Warriner orange R silver (#64) Spider Webb (#9)1955 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes http://www.champcarstats.com/races/195501.htm ChampCarStats.com 26 June 2015 Race recap Start Jack McGrath, starting from the outside despite the fastest qualifying time, grabbed the initial lead, but was quickly challenged by Bill Vukovich, who was looking for his third consecutive win. Vukovich took the lead on lap four, surrendering it back to McGrath on lap 15 but regaining it on lap 16. Fred Agabashian, who had finished in the top ten the previous two years spun on lap 39 and could not continue. McGrath chased Vukovich until lap 54, when he pulled over with mechanical problems. Despite getting out of the car and attempting to repair it himself, he was forced to drop out with a magneto issue. Lap 56, Vukovich crash With Vukovich having a considerable lead on lap 56, Rodger Ward, several laps down, flipped over twice, either due to a problem with the wind, oil, or breaking an axle. Although he landed on his wheels, the car was facing the wrong way.Goldstein, Richard (July 7, 2004) Rodger Ward, 83, Two-Time Indianapolis 500 Winner (obituary). New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2018. Al Keller, attempting to avoid Ward, turned to the inside, going close to or on to the grass, before turning hard to the right and coming quickly back up the track and contacting Johnny Boyd. Boyd's car careened into Vukovich, who appeared to be attempting to also go to the left of Ward. Vukovich made a last-second attempt to avoid Boyd to the right, but Boyd's car sent Vukovich hard into the outside barrier. Vukovich's front end also lifted into the air, causing the front to clear the barrier and the car to contact it with the rear, sending the car into a cartwheel, during which it hit several vehicles parked outside the track, and possibly a pole. The car burst into flames after it came to rest, and Vukovich died from injuries from the crash. Boyd's car also flipped but he and the other drivers escaped major injury.The Rex Dean Accident Report: The Race and Accident. Retrieved May 26, 2018. Driver Ed Elisian stopped his car on the infield and ran across the track in an attempt to help Vukovich. Remainder of race After 27 minutes of running under caution, Jimmy Bryan took over the lead of the race, but was forced to retire after ninety laps with a fuel pump issue, when the lead was taken over by Bob Sweikert. The only other driver to retire due to contact for the remainder of the race was Cal Niday on lap 170.Box Scores - Indianapolis 500 - 1955 Indianapolis 500 Historical Stats from website of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Retrieved May 26, 2018. Art Cross led the race from laps 133 to 156, but after surrendering the lead to Don Freeland was forced to retire due to mechanical trouble on lap 168. Freeland similarly was passed by Sweikert on lap 160, and retired on lap 178. Sweikert led the remainder of the race. Sweikert stated that the winds made racing difficult, and perhaps led to a decision of racing cautiously and taking advantage of other's difficulty.Burgess, Dale (May 31, 1955) "Bob Sweikert Wins 500 Mile Race" Associated Press. Retrieved May 26, 2018. Aftermath The two deaths in the 500 were part of a particularly deadly year for motorsports, which also included four other Indy drivers dying in other races, Alberto Ascari being killed while testing a sports car at Monza, and a horrific accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans which saw nearly 100 fatalities including Pierre Levegh who was driving at the time of the accident. Following the year the American Automobile Association ceased sanctioning auto races (including the Indy 500) and the United States Auto Club (USAC) was formed to handle sanctioning duties.Oreovicz, John (May 23, 2016) Indy at 100: The '50s golden era ESPN.com. Retrieved May 26, 2018. It would take until 1959 for fire suits to be made mandatory for all drivers and roll bars for all cars after Jerry Unser's fatal accident at the 1959 Indianapolis 500.Wren, Adam (May 25, 2016) Driving Forces: Danger and Safety at the Indy 500 Indianapolis Monthly. Retrieved May 26, 2018. Box score FinishGridNo.DriverConstructorQualifyingLapsStatusPointsSpeedRankUSAC USAC Championship TrailWDC World Drivers' Championship 1 14 6 United States 1912 Bob Sweikert KK500D-Offenhauser 139.99 11 200 128.209 mph 1000 8 2 2 10 United States 1912 Tony Bettenhausen(Paul Russo Laps 57–133) KK500C-Offenhauser 139.98 13 200 +2:43.56 500 300 3 3 3 10 15 United States 1912 Jimmy Davies KK500B-Offenhauser 140.27 5 200 +3:32.36 700 4 4 33 44 United States 1912 Johnny Thomson Kuzma-Offenhauser 134.11 33 200 +3:38.91 600 3 5 7 77 United States 1912 Walt Faulkner(Bill Homeier Laps 138–161) KK500C-Offenhauser 139.76 16 200 +5:17.17 447½52½ 1 1 6 8 19 United States 1912 Andy Linden KK4000-Offenhauser 139.09 22 200 +5:57.94 400 7 16 71 United States 1912 Al Herman orange R silver Silnes-Offenhauser 139.81 15 200 +6:24.24 300 8 19 29 United States 1912 Pat O'Connor KK500D-Offenhauser 139.19 21 200 +6:41.60 250 9 17 48 United States 1912 Jimmy Daywalt Kurtis-Offenhauser 139.41 18 200 +7:09.81 200 10 12 89 United States 1912 Pat Flaherty KK500B-Offenhauser 140.14 7 200 +7:46.54 150 11 18 98 United States 1912 Duane Carter Kuzma-Offenhauser 139.33 19 197 -3 Laps 100 12 25 41 United States 1912 Chuck Weyant orange R silver KK3000-Offenhauser 138.06 25 196 -4 Laps 50 13 32 83 United States 1912 Eddie Johnson Trevis-Offenhauser 134.44 32 196 -4 Laps 14 20 33 United States 1912 Jim Rathmann Epperly-Offenhauser 138.70 24 191 -9 Laps 15 21 12 United States 1912 Don Freeland Phillips-Offenhauser 139.86 14 178 Transmission 16 9 22 United States 1912 Cal Niday KK500B-Offenhauser 140.30 4 170 Accident 17 24 99 United States 1912 Art Cross KK500D-Offenhauser 138.75 23 168 Engine 18 31 81 United States 1912 Shorty Templeman orange R silver Trevis-Offenhauser 135.01 31 142 Transmission 19 6 8 United States 1912 Sam Hanks KK500C-Offenhauser 140.00 10 134 Transmission 20 28 31 United States 1912 Keith Andrews orange R silver Schroeder-Offenhauser 136.04 28 120 Fuel Pump 21 27 16 United States 1912 Johnnie Parsons gold W silver KK500D-Offenhauser 136.80 27 119 Magneto 22 13 37 United States 1912 Eddie Russo orange R silver Allen-Offenhauser 140.11 8 112 Ignition 23 23 49 United States 1912 Ray Crawford orange R silver KK500B-Offenhauser 139.20 20 111 Engine 24 11 1 United States 1912 Jimmy Bryan Kuzma-Offenhauser 140.16 6 90 Fuel Pump 25 5 4 United States 1912 Bill Vukovich gold W silver✝ KK500C-Offenhauser 141.07 3 56 Fatal Accident 11 1 26 3 3 United States 1912 Jack McGrath KK500C-Offenhauser 142.58 1 54 Magneto 27 22 42 United States 1912 Al Keller orange R silver KK2000-Offenhauser 139.55 17 54 Accident 28 30 27 United States 1912 Rodger Ward Kuzma-Offenhauser 135.04 30 53 Accident 29 26 39 United States 1912 Johnny Boyd orange R silver KK500C-Offenhauser 136.98 26 53 Accident 30 29 68 United States 1912 Ed Elisian KK4000-Offenhauser 135.33 29 53 Retirement 31 1 23 United States 1912 Jerry Hoyt Stevens-Offenhauser 140.04 9 40 Oil Leak 32 4 14 United States 1912 Fred Agabashian KK500D-Offenhauser 141.93 2 39 Spun Off 33 15 5 United States 1912 Jimmy Reece Pankratz-Offenhauser 139.99 12 10 Engine Note: Relief drivers in parenthesesChampCarStats.com https://www.champcarstats.com/races/195501.htm International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1955 gold W silver Former Indianapolis 500 winner orange R silver Indianapolis 500 Rookie All entrants utilized Firestone tires. 1 1 – 1 point for fastest lead lap Race statistics Lap Leaders Laps Leader1–3 Jack McGrath4–14 Bill Vukovich15 Jack McGrath16–24 Bill Vukovich25–26 Jack McGrath27–56 Bill Vukovich57 Jimmy Bryan58 Bob Sweikert59–88 Jimmy Bryan89–132 Bob Sweikert133–156 Art Cross157–159 Don Freeland160–200 Bob Sweikert Total laps led Driver LapsBob Sweikert 86Bill Vukovich 50Jimmy Bryan 31Art Cross 24Jack McGrath 6Don Freeland 3 Yellow Lights: 30 minutes, 25 seconds Laps* Reason40–41 Fred Agabashian spin on backstretch (1:40)56–72 Ward, Elisian, Keller, Boyd, Vukovich crash on backstretch (27:10)173 Cal Niday crash in turn 4 (1:35)* – Approximate lap counts1st Home-Town Victory Scored Since Shaw's https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/99966396/ Indianapolis Star Jeb Cadou Jr. 1 Newspapers.com May 31, 1955 April 22, 2024NewsBits (Part 1) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-terre-haute-tribune/145846865/ The Terre Haute Tribune Bob Nesbits 10 Newspapers.com May 31, 1955 April 22, 2024News-Bits (Part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-terre-haute-tribune/145847021/ The Terre Haute Tribune Bob Nesbits 11 Newspapers.com May 31, 1955 April 22, 2024500 Play-by-Play, Memorial Day, 1955 (Part 1) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/145847195/ Indianapolis News Bob Barnet 8 Newspapers.com May 31, 1955 April 22, 2024500 Play-by-Play, Memorial Day, 1955 (Part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/145847257/ Indianapolis News Bob Barnet 9 Newspapers.com May 31, 1955 April 22, 2024 Additional stats Pole position: Jerry Hoyt – 1:04.27 (while Hoyt started on the pole, Jack McGrath set the fastest time but started on the outside of the first row) Fastest Lead Lap: Bill Vukovich – 1:03.67 Shared Drives: Car #10: Tony Bettenhausen (123 laps) and Paul Russo (77 laps). They shared the 6 points for second place. After Russo had failed to qualify in his own machine, Bettenhausen and Russo pre-arranged to serve as co-drivers in the #10 car on race day. Bettenhausen started the race, and per plan, handed the car over to Russo during the first pit stop. Russo then handed the car back to Bettenhausen on the second and final pit stop.The Talk of Gasoline Alley WFNI May 14, 2020 Car #77: Walt Faulkner (176 laps) and Bill Homeier (24 laps). They shared the 2 points for fifth place. While in the lead, Bill Vukovich hit the 3-car pileup of Al Keller, Johnny Boyd, and Rodger Ward. He was killed (by fracture to the skull) when his car became airborne and went out of the course on the back long straightaway, landing upside down and on fire. His death concluded a streak of three straight years leading the most laps in the race (likely to have been four straight, 1955 inclusive), a feat unequaled since. Formula 1 championship debut for Keith Andrews, Johnny Boyd, Ray Crawford, Al Herman, Al Keller, Eddie Russo, Shorty Templeman and Chuck Weyant Broadcasting Radio The race was carried live on the IMS Radio Network. Sid Collins served as chief announcer. The broadcast was carried by 237 affiliates in all 48 states, as well as Armed Forces Radio. The broadcast was dedicated to the memory of Wilbur Shaw, who was killed in a plane crash in October. Luke Walton reported from the north pits for the third year. Charlie Brockman, in his fourth appearance on the network, conducted the winner's interview in victory lane. All five of the major radio stations in the Indianapolis area carried the broadcast. The broadcast was notable as it reported the fatal crash of Bill Vukovich. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network Booth AnnouncersTurn ReportersPit/garage reportersChief Announcer: Sid Collins Analyst: Gordon Graham Driver Expert: Mauri Rose Statistician: Charlie BrockmanSouth Turns: Bill Frosch Backstretch: Jack Shapiro North Turns: Jim SheltonLuke Walton (north)Greg Smith (south)Charlie Brockman (victory lane) World Drivers' Championship F1 USA Indianapolis 500 1955 5 30 1955 3 7 1955 Monaco Grand Prix 1955 Belgian Grand Prix File:Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1909-1956.svg Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, Indiana 2.500 4.023 200 500.000 804.672 Background The Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Championship of Drivers from 1950 through 1960. The race was sanctioned by AAA through 1955, and then by USAC beginning in 1956. At the time the new world championship was announced and first organized by the CSI, the United States did not yet have a Grand Prix. Indianapolis Motor Speedway vice president and general manager Theodore E. "Pop" Meyers lobbied that the Indianapolis 500 be selected as the race to represent the country and to pay points towards the world championship.The Talk of Gasoline Alley 1070 WIBC-AM May 23, 2007The Talk of Gasoline Alley WFNI May 19, 2016 Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers.The Talk of Gasoline Alley WFNI May 5, 2012 However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to Formula One specifications and regulations.Capps Don Cameron Argetsinger Where Upon Our Scribe, Sherman, & Mr. Peabody Once Again Crank Up The Way-Back Machine for 1961.. AtlasF1 October 25, 2000 6 Rear View Mirror 43 http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/mal/mirror.html May 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120427115856/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/mal/mirror.html April 27, 2012 dead The drivers also earned separate points (on a different scale) towards the respective AAA or USAC national championships. No points, however, were awarded by the FIA towards the World Constructors' Championship. Summary The 1955 Indianapolis 500 was round 3 of 7 on the 1955 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. Race winner Bob Sweikert earned 8 points towards the World Championship. Despite not competing in any of the other World Championship events, he finished seventh in the final season standings. World Drivers' Championship standings after the race Pos Driver Points 10px 1 France Maurice Trintignant 11 1 3 10px 2 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio 10 10px 31 3 USA 1912 Bob Sweikert 8 10px 1 4 Italy Giuseppe Farina 6 1 3 10px 1 5 Italy Eugenio Castellotti 6Source:https://www.statsf1.com/en/1955/indianapolis/championnat.aspx Indianapolis 1955 - Championship • STATS F1 www.statsf1.com 18 March 2019 Note: Only the top five positions are included. See also 1955 AAA Championship Car season References 30em External links Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats – Official Site 1955 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network: Re-released by "Speedway Audio" – WIBC-AM (2004) 1955 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference.info (Relief driver statistics) 1955 Indianapolis 500 Film - Oklahoma Historical Society Video and Film Archives 1955 Indianapolis 500Bob Sweikert 1955 1955 Monaco Grand Prix 1955 Belgian Grand Prix 1954 Indianapolis 500Bill Vukovich 1956 Indianapolis 500Pat Flaherty Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis 500 Category:Indianapolis 500 races Indianapolis 500 Category:1955 in American motorsport