1954 Indianapolis 500

38th running of the Indianapolis 500 February 2025 38th Indianapolis 500 200px AAA May 31, 1954 Bill Vukovich Howard Keck Frank Coon & Jim Travers2011 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 130.840 mi/h km/h on 3:49:17.27 Jack McGrath 141.033 mi/h km/h on Bill Vukovich (90) Dodge Royal 500 W. C. Newberg Bill VanderwaterFox Jack C. The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 Carl Hungness Publishing 4th 1994 22 English 0-915088-05-3 Ralph DePalma 175,000Even Weather Co-Operates At Speedway https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5717146/ Don G. Campbell The Indianapolis Star 1 Newspapers.com June 1, 1954 June 2, 2017 1953 1955 The 38th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 31, 1954. The event was part of the 1954 AAA National Championship Trail, and was also race 2 of 9 in the 1954 World Championship of Drivers. Time trials Time trials was scheduled for four days. Saturday May 15 – Pole Day time trials Sunday May 16 – Second day time trials Saturday May 22 – Third day time trials Sunday May 23 – Fourth day time trials Bob Scott Qualifying Run Late in the afternoon on the final day of time trials, Bob Scott was bumped from the field. With help from his friend Bob Sweikert, Scott was able to find a new car to qualify, the number 18 owned by Ray Brady. With only minutes left in time trials, Scott went on track to qualify. His first three laps were fast enough to bump into the starting lineup. As the sun was setting low in the sky, Scott was unable to see the flag waved by the flagman, having lost track of how many laps he had run, and mistook the white flag for the checkered flag. He also saw Sweikert waving his hands over his head, thinking Sweikert was congratulating him on the completion of his run. After only three of four required laps, Scott slowed and returned to the pits, thinking his run was over.Speedway Tragedy is Not New, But Scott's Heartbreak Is https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news/15022109/ Angelo Angelopolous Indianapolis News 14 Newspapers.com May 24, 1954 May 21, 2025 Upon his return to the pits, Scott was informed what had happened. Scott and Sweikert were left in tears over the disappointment and realization over how much money was lost by missing the race.Victory Turns Into Defeat https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5803751/ Frank Anderson Indianapolis Star 20 Newspapers.com May 24, 1954 May 21, 2025 Scott died in a crash at Darlington Raceway over a month later. Starting grid orange R silver = Indianapolis 500 rookie; gold W silver = Former Indianapolis 500 winner RowInsideMiddleOutside 1 2 USA 1912 Jack McGrath 19 USA 1912 Jimmy Daywalt 9 USA 1912 Jimmy Bryan 2 43 USA 1912 Johnny Thomson 98 USA 1912 Chuck Stevenson 7 USA 1912 Don Freeland 3 25 USA 1912 Jimmy Reece 16 USA 1912 Duane Carter 17 USA 1912 Bob Sweikert 4 1 USA 1912 Sam Hanks 34 USA 1912 Troy Ruttman gold W silver 35 USA 1912 Pat O'Connor orange R silver 5 24 USA 1912 Cal Niday 73 USA 1912 Mike Nazaruk 15 USA 1912 Johnnie Parsons gold W silver 6 12 USA 1912 Rodger Ward 31 USA 1912 Gene Hartley 51 USA 1912 Bill Homeier orange R silver 7 14 USA 1912 Bill Vukovich gold W silver 32 USA 1912 Ernie McCoy 10 USA 1912 Tony Bettenhausen 8 88 USA 1912 Manny Ayulo 74 USA 1912 Andy Linden 77 USA 1912 Fred Agabashian 9 28 USA 1912 Larry Crockett orange R silver 33 USA 1912 Len Duncan orange R silver 45 USA 1912 Art Cross 10 38 USA 1912 Jim Rathmann 65 USA 1912 Spider Webb 99 USA 1912 Jerry Hoyt 11 27 USA 1912 Ed Elisian orange R silver 5 USA 1912 Paul Russo 71 USA 1912 Frank Armi orange R silver Alternates First alternate: Eddie Johnson (#26)The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004 — Johnson drove relief during the race Failed to qualify 28em Henry Banks (#26) - Retired Joe Barzda orange R silver(#54) Bill Boyd orange R silver (#47) Wally Campbell orange R silver (#66, #81) - Failed rookie test Bob Christie orange R silver (#66) George Connor (#27, #32) - Retired Ray Crawford orange R silver (#32) - Entry declined Jimmy Davies (#53) Billy Devore (#93) Duke Dinsmore (#62, #67) Walt Faulkner (#44, #97) Pat Flaherty (#39, #76, #89) Johnny Fedricks orange R silver (#89) George Fonder (#33, #36) Potsy Goacher orange R silver (#67) Cliff Griffith (#22) Al Herman orange R silver (#36) Bill Holland orange W silver#38) Frank Mundy orange R silver (#41) Duke Nalon (#8) Danny Oakes orange R silver (#47, #49) Eddie Russo orange R silver (#37) Eddie Sachs orange R silver (#54) Bob Scott (#18, #21) Joe Sostilio orange R silver (#45) Marshall Teague (#3) George Tichenor orange R silver (#22) Johnnie Tolan orange R silver (#69) Lee Wallardorange W silver(#99) - Retired Leroy Warriner (#67) - Withdrew, injured Chuck Weyant orange R silver (#52)1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes http://www.champcarstats.com/races/195401.htm ChampCarStats.com 26 June 2015 Race summary Bill Vukovich had to work much harder in this race due to his car was now 2 years old and the team had trouble getting it up to speed leading to a 19th place starting spot inside of row 7 for the race. Vukovich did not see the lead until lap 61 when he led 1 lap. He then after losing positions during pitstops worked his way forward, seeing the lead again on lap 92 leading for the next 38 laps until falling back due to another round of pitstops. Then Vukovich took the lead for good on 150 to win his second consecutive 500, setting a record (at the time) 130.840 mph average race speed. The record would stand until the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Vukovich died the following year attempting to win his third consecutive Indy 500. Box score FinishGridNo.DriverConstructorQualifyingLapsStatusPointsSpeedRankUSAC USAC Championship TrailWDC World Drivers' Championship 1 19 14 United States 1912 Bill Vukovich gold W silver Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.47 14 200 130.840 mph 1,000 8 2 3 9 United States 1912 Jimmy Bryan Kuzma-Offenhauser 139.66 5 200 +1:09.95 800 6 3 1 2 United States 1912 Jack McGrath Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 141.03 1 200 +1:19.73 700 51 1 4 11 34 United States 1912 Troy Ruttman gold W silver(Duane Carter Laps 101–170) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.73 31 200 +2:52.68 387213 1.5 1.5 5 14 73 United States 1912 Mike Nazaruk Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.58 6 200 +3:24.55 500 2 6 24 77 United States 1912 Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.74 30 200 +3:47.55 400   7 6 7 United States 1912 Don Freeland Phillips-Offenhauser 138.33 16 200 +4:13.35 300   8 32 5 United States 1912 Paul Russo(Jerry Hoyt Laps 151–200) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.67 32 200 +5:01.17 187½62½   9 25 28 United States 1912 Larry Crockett orange R silver Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.55 8 200 +7:07.24 200   10 13 24 United States 1912 Cal Niday Stevens-Offenhauser 139.82 3 200 +7:07.69 150   11 27 45 United States 1912 Art Cross(Johnnie Parsons Laps 121–142)(Sam Hanks Laps 143–153)(Andy Linden Laps 154–170)(Jimmy Davies Laps 171–200) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.67 13 200 +8:22.19 59½12½5½814½   12 5 98 United States 1912 Chuck Stevenson(Walt Faulkner Laps 56–94(Walt Faulkner Laps 122–199) Kuzma-Offenhauser 138.77 12 199 -1 Lap 21½28½   13 22 88 United States 1912 Manny Ayulo Kuzma-Offenhauser 138.16 22 197 -3 Laps     14 9 17 United States 1912 Bob Sweikert Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.20 21 197 -3 Laps     15 8 16 United States 1912 Duane Carter(Marshall Teague Laps 77–105)(Jimmy Jackson Laps 106–120)(Tony Bettenhausen Laps 121–154)(Jimmy Jackson Laps 155–196) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.23 19 196 -4 Laps     16 20 32 United States 1912 Ernie McCoy Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.41 15 194 -6 Laps     17 7 25 United States 1912 Jimmy Reece Pankratz-Offenhauser 138.31 17 194 -6 Laps     18 31 27 United States 1912 Ed Elisian orange R silver(Bob Scott Laps 149–193) Stevens-Offenhauser 137.79 29 193 -7 Laps     19 33 71 United States 1912 Frank Armi orange R silver(George Fonder Laps 141–164) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.67 33 193 -7 Laps     20 10 1 United States 1912 Sam Hanks(Jimmy Davies Laps 113–148)(Jim Rathmann Laps 149–191) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.99 25 191 Spun Off     21 12 35 United States 1912 Pat O'Connor orange R silver Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.08 23 181 Spun Off     22 16 12 United States 1912 Rodger Ward(Eddie Johnson Laps 94–160) Pawl-Offenhauser 139.92 2 172 Retirement     23 17 31 United States 1912 Gene Hartley(Marshall Teague Laps 152–168) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.06 10 168 Clutch     24 4 43 United States 1912 Johnny Thomson(Andy Linden Laps 114–140)(Bill Homeier Laps 141–165) Nichels-Offenhauser 138.78 11 165 Retirement     25 23 74 United States 1912 Andy Linden(Bob Scott Laps 87–138) Schroeder-Offenhauser 137.82 27 165 Suspension     26 30 99 United States 1912 Jerry Hoyt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.82 28 130 Engine     27 2 19 United States 1912 Jimmy Daywalt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.78 4 111 Accident     28 28 38 United States 1912 Jim Rathmann(Pat Flaherty Laps 96–110) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.22 20 110 Accident     29 21 10 United States 1912 Tony Bettenhausen Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.27 18 105 Wheel Bearing     30 29 65 United States 1912 Spider Webb(Danny Kladis Laps 55–104) Bromme-Offenhauser 137.97 26 104 Fuel pump     31 26 33 United States 1912 Len Duncan orange R silver(George Fonder Laps 44–101) Schroeder-Offenhauser 139.21 9 101 Brakes     32 15 15 United States 1912 Johnnie Parsons gold W silver Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.57 7 79 Engine     33 18 51 United States 1912 Bill Homeier orange R silver Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.00 24 74 Accident     Note: Relief drivers in parenthesesChampCarStats.com https://www.champcarstats.com/races/195401.htm International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 31, 1954 gold W silver Former Indianapolis 500 winner orange R silver Indianapolis 500 Rookie All entrants utilized Firestone tires. 1 1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap Race statistics Lap Leaders Laps Leader1–44 Jack McGrath45–50 Jimmy Daywalt51–54 Art Cross55 Jimmy Daywalt56–59 Art Cross60 Jimmy Daywalt61 Bill Vukovich62 Sam Hanks63–88 Jimmy Bryan89–91 Jack McGrath92–129 Bill Vukovich130–149 Jimmy Bryan150–200 Bill Vukovich Total laps led Driver LapsBill Vukovich 90Jack McGrath 47Jimmy Bryan 46Art Cross 8Jimmy Daywalt 8Sam Hanks 1 Yellow Lights: 21 minutes, 16 seconds Laps* Reason55 Troy Ruttman spin in turn 3 (1:01)111–115 Jimmy Daywalt, Pat Flaherty crash in turn 4 (12:25)183–190 Pat O'Connor spin in turn 2; Rain & wind (6:37)197 Jim Rathmann spin on mainstretch (1:13)* – Approximate lap countsChronological Story of '500' Race (Part 1) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/145890116/ Indianapolis News Bob Barnet 10 Newspapers.com June 1, 1954 April 22, 2024Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/145890158/ Indianapolis News Bob Barnet 11 Newspapers.com June 1, 1954 April 22, 2024 Additional stats Pole position: Jack McGrath – 4:15.26 (4 laps) Pole Speed: 141.033 mph (average for 4 laps) Fastest Lead Lap: Jack McGrath – 1:04.04 (140.540 mph) Relief drivers: Troy Ruttman (130 laps) & Duane Carter (70) shared car no 34. Shared points for 4th position. Paul Russo (150) & Jerry Hoyt (50) shared car no 5. Art Cross (120), Jimmie Davies (30), Johnnie Parsons (22), Andy Linden (17) & Sam Hanks (11) shared car no 45. Chuck Stevenson (82), Walt Faulkner (117) shared car no 98. Duane Carter (76), Jimmy Jackson (57), Tony Bettenhausen (34) & Marshall Teague (29) shared car no 16. Ed Elisian (148) & Bob Scott (45) shared car no 27. Frank Armi (179) & George Fonder (14) shared car no 71. Sam Hanks (112), Jimmie Davies (36) & Jim Rathmann (43) shared car no 1. Rodger Ward (105) & Eddie Johnson (67) shared car no 12. Gene Hartley (151) & Marshall Teague (17) shared car no 31. Andy Linden (113) & Bob Scott (52) shared car no 74. Johnny Thomson (113), Andy Linden (27) & Jimmy Daywalt (25) shared car no 43. Jim Rathmann (95) & Pat Flaherty (15) shared car no 38. Spider Webb (54) & Danny Kladis (50) shared car no 65. Len Duncan (43) & George Fonder (58) shared car no 33. It was the first Indy 500 where the entire field on race day had Offenhauser engines. Broadcasting Radio The race was carried live flag-to-flag on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. It was the second time the race was carried in its entirety. The broadcast was anchored by Sid Collins, his third as chief announcer, and seventh year overall with the crew. Charlie Brockman served as booth analyst and statistician, and also reported from victory lane."Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014 For the first time ever, a female reporter was part of the radio crew. Paula Carr of WIRE served as a roving reporter, interviewing celebrities and other special guests.Air Network To Catch Speedway Action, Color https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1954-indianapolis/125576817/ The Indianapolis Star 9 Newspapers.com May 30, 1954 May 30, 2023 Of note, the network expanded its coverage to include four qualifying wrap-up shows during time trials weekends. The network expanded to include four qualifying wrap-up shows, and the number of affiliate stations increased to 210. All five major radio stations in Indianapolis carried the broadcast. The 1954 broadcast is notable in that it featured for the first time the famous phrase "Stay tuned for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Due to the increased number of affiliates at the time, the network needed a scripted "out-cue" to alert producers when to manually insert local commercials. A young WIBC marketing staff member named Alice Greene (née Bunger) is credited with inventing the phrase, and chief announcer Sid Collins coined it on-air. It has been used ever since, with all of the chief announcers proudly reciting it during their respective tenures. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network Booth AnnouncersTurn ReportersPit/garage reportersChief Announcer: Sid Collins Color: Charlie BrockmanSouth Turns: Bill Frosch Backstretch: Jack Shapiro North Turns: Easy GwynnLuke Walton (north pits)Greg Smith (south pits)Dick LinglePaula Carr World Drivers' Championship F1 USA Indianapolis 500 1954 5 31 1954 2 9 1954 Argentine Grand Prix 1954 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 1954 Indianapolis 500 was round 2 of 9 on the 1954 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. Race winner Bill Vukovich earned 8 points towards the World Championship. Despite not competing in any of the other World Championship events, he finished sixth in the final season standings. World Drivers' Championship standings after the race Pos Driver Points 10px 1 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio 8 10px 16 2 USA 1912 Bill Vukovich 8 10px 1 3 Italy Nino Farina 6 10px 14 4 USA 1912 Jimmy Bryan 6 10px 2 5 Argentina José Froilán González 5Source:https://www.statsf1.com/en/1954/indianapolis/championnat.aspx Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1 www.statsf1.com 18 March 2019 Note: Only the top five positions are included. AAA Championship car standings after the race Pos Driver Points 10px 1 USA 1912 Bill Vukovich 1,000 10px 2 USA 1912 Jimmy Bryan 800 10px 3 USA 1912 Jack McGrath 700 10px 4 USA 1912 Mike Nazaruk 500 10px 5 USA 1912 Fred Agabashian 400Source: Note: Only the top five positions are included. References 30em External links Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats – Official Site 1954 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference.info (Relief driver statistics) 1954 Indianapolis 500Bill Vukovich 1954 1954 Argentine Grand Prix 1954 Belgian Grand Prix 1953 Indianapolis 500Bill Vukovich 1955 Indianapolis 500Bob Sweikert 130.840 128.922 mph(1952 Indianapolis 500) 135.601 mph(1957 Indianapolis 500) Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis 500 Category:Indianapolis 500 races Indianapolis 500 Category:1954 in American motorsport