Wikipedia

1954 Indianapolis 500

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.

38th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning bodyAAA
DateMay 31, 1954
WinnerBill Vukovich
Winning EntrantHoward B. Keck
Average speed130.840 mph (210.567 km/h)
Pole positionJack McGrath
Pole speed141.033 mph (226.971 km/h)
Most laps ledBill Vukovich (90)
Pre-race
Pace carDodge Royal 500
Pace car driverW. C. Newberg
StarterBill Vanderwater[1]
Honorary refereeRalph DePalma[1]
Estimated attendance175,000[2]
Chronology
Previous Next
1953 1955

Time trials

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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

Starting grid

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 R  = Indianapolis 500 rookie;  W  = Former Indianapolis 500 winner

Row Inside Middle Outside
1 2   Jack McGrath 19   Jimmy Daywalt 9   Jimmy Bryan
2 43   Johnny Thomson 98   Chuck Stevenson 7   Don Freeland
3 25   Jimmy Reece 16   Duane Carter 17   Bob Sweikert
4 1   Sam Hanks 34   Troy Ruttman  W  35   Pat O'Connor  R 
5 24   Cal Niday 73   Mike Nazaruk 15   Johnnie Parsons  W 
6 12   Rodger Ward 31   Gene Hartley 51   Bill Homeier  R 
7 14   Bill Vukovich  W  32   Ernie McCoy 10   Tony Bettenhausen
8 88   Manny Ayulo 74   Andy Linden 77   Fred Agabashian
9 28   Larry Crockett  R  33   Len Duncan  R  45   Art Cross
10 38   Jim Rathmann 65   Spider Webb 99   Jerry Hoyt
11 27   Ed Elisian  R  5   Paul Russo 71   Frank Armi  R 

Alternates

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  • First alternate: Eddie Johnson (#26)[3] — Johnson drove relief during the race

Failed to qualify

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Race summary

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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

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Finish Grid No. Driver Constructor Qual Rank Laps Time/Retired Points WDC Points
1 19 14   Bill Vukovich  W  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.47 14 200 3:49:17.27 1,000 8
2 3 9   Jimmy Bryan Kuzma-Offenhauser 139.66 5 200 + 1:09.95 800 6
3 1 2   Jack McGrath Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 141.03 1 200 + 1:19.73 700 51
4 11 34   Troy Ruttman  W 
(Duane Carter Laps 101-170) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.73 31 200 + 2:52.68 387
213 		1.5
1.5
5 14 73   Mike Nazaruk Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.58 6 200 + 3:24.55 500 2
6 24 77   Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.74 30 200 + 3:47.55 400  
7 6 7   Don Freeland Phillips-Offenhauser 138.33 16 200 + 4:13.35 300  
8 32 5   Paul Russo
(Jerry Hoyt Laps 151-200) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.67 32 200 + 5:01.17 187.5
62.5 		 
9 25 28   Larry Crockett  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.55 8 200 + 7:07.24 200  
10 13 24   Cal Niday Stevens-Offenhauser 139.82 3 200 + 7:07.69 150  
11 27 45   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 59.5
12.5
5.5
8
14.5 		 
12 5 98   Chuck Stevenson
(Walt Faulkner Laps 56-94
(Walt Faulkner Laps 122-199) 		Kuzma-Offenhauser 138.77 12 199 -1 Lap 21.5
28.5 		 
13 22 88   Manny Ayulo Kuzma-Offenhauser 138.16 22 197 -3 Laps    
14 9 17   Bob Sweikert Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.20 21 197 -3 Laps    
15 8 16   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   Ernie McCoy Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.41 15 194 -6 Laps    
17 7 25   Jimmy Reece Pankratz-Offenhauser 138.31 17 194 -6 Laps    
18 31 27   Ed Elisian  R 
(Bob Scott Laps 149-193) 		Stevens-Offenhauser 137.79 29 193 -7 Laps    
19 33 71   Frank Armi  R 
(George Fonder Laps 141-164) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.67 33 193 -7 Laps    
20 10 1   Sam Hanks
(Jimmy Davies Laps 113-148)
(Jim Rathmann Laps 149-191) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.99 25 191 Spun Off    
21 12 35   Pat O'Connor  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.08 23 181 Spun Off    
22 16 12   Rodger Ward
(Eddie Johnson Laps 94-160) 		Pawl-Offenhauser 139.92 2 172 Retirement    
23 17 31   Gene Hartley
(Marshall Teague Laps 152-168) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.06 10 168 Clutch    
24 4 43   Johnny Thomson
(Andy Linden Laps 114-140)
(Bill Homeier Laps 141-165) 		Nichels-Offenhauser 138.78 11 165 Retirement    
25 23 74   Andy Linden
(Bob Scott Laps 87-138) 		Schroeder-Offenhauser 137.82 27 165 Suspension    
26 30 99   Jerry Hoyt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.82 28 130 Engine    
27 2 19   Jimmy Daywalt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.78 4 111 Accident    
28 28 38   Jim Rathmann
(Pat Flaherty Laps 96-110) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.22 20 110 Accident    
29 21 10   Tony Bettenhausen Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.27 18 105 Wheel Bearing    
30 29 65   Spider Webb
(Danny Kladis Laps 55-104) 		Bromme-Offenhauser 137.97 26 104 Fuel pump    
31 26 33   Len Duncan  R 
(George Fonder Laps 44-101) 		Schroeder-Offenhauser 139.21 9 101 Brakes    
32 15 15   Johnnie Parsons  W  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.57 7 79 Engine    
33 18 51   Bill Homeier  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.00 24 74 Accident    

Note: Relief drivers in parentheses[5]

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.

^1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap

Race statistics

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Additional stats

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  • 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

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Radio

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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.[8] 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.[9]

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 Announcers Turn Reporters Pit/garage reporters

Chief Announcer: Sid Collins
Color: Charlie Brockman

South Turns: Bill Frosch
Backstretch: Jack Shapiro
North Turns: Easy Gwynn

 Luke Walton (north pits)
Greg Smith (south pits)
Dick Lingle
Paula Carr

World Drivers' Championship

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1954 Indianapolis 500
Race 2 of 9 in the 1954 Formula One season
← Previous raceNext race →
 
Race details
Date May 31, 1954 (1954-05-31)
Location Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Speedway, Indiana
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 4.023 km (2.500 miles)
Distance 200 laps, 804.672 km (500.000 miles)

Background

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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.[10][11]

Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers.[12] However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to Formula One specifications and regulations.[13] 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

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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

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Pos Driver Points
  1   Juan Manuel Fangio 8
  16 2   Bill Vukovich 8
  1 3   Nino Farina 6
  14 4   Jimmy Bryan 6
  2 5   José Froilán González 5
Source: [14]
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included.

AAA Championship car standings after the race

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Pos Driver Points
  1   Bill Vukovich 1,000
  2   Jimmy Bryan 800
  3   Jack McGrath 700
  4   Mike Nazaruk 500
  5   Fred Agabashian 400
Source: [4]
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included.

References

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  1. ^ a b Fox, Jack C. (1994). The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 (4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0-915088-05-3.
  2. ^ Campbell, Don G. (June 1, 1954). "Even Weather Co-Operates At Speedway". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  4. ^ a b "1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. ^ "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 31, 1954". ChampCarStats.com.
  6. ^ Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954). "Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 1)". Indianapolis News. p. 10. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954). "Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 2)". Indianapolis News. p. 11. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ "Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014
  9. ^ "Air Network To Catch Speedway Action, Color". The Indianapolis Star. May 30, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 23, 2007. 1070 WIBC-AM.
  11. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 19, 2016. WFNI.
  12. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 5, 2012. WFNI.
  13. ^ Capps, Don; Cameron Argetsinger (October 25, 2000). "Where Upon Our Scribe, Sherman, & Mr. Peabody Once Again Crank Up The Way-Back Machine for 1961." AtlasF1. Rear View Mirror. 6 (43). Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  14. ^ "Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
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Previous race:
1954 Argentine Grand Prix 		FIA Formula One World Championship
1954 season 		Next race:
1954 Belgian Grand Prix
Previous race:
1953 Indianapolis 500
Bill Vukovich 		1954 Indianapolis 500
Bill Vukovich 		Next race:
1955 Indianapolis 500
Bob Sweikert
Preceded by
128.922 mph
(1952 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the Indianapolis 500 fastest average speed
130.840 mph 		Succeeded by
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