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.
1954 Indianapolis 500 | |||
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Winning car of the 1954 Indianapolis 500 | |||
Race details | |||
Date | 31 May 1954 | ||
Official name | 38th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes | ||
Location | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | ||
Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
Course length | 4.023 km (2.5 mi) | ||
Distance | 200 laps, 804.672 km (500 mi) | ||
Weather | Very hot and sunny | ||
Attendance | 175,000[1] | ||
Pole position | |||
Driver | Jack Hinkle | ||
Time | 4:15.26 (4 laps) | ||
Podium | |||
First | Howard B. Keck | ||
Second | Dean Van Lines | ||
Third | Jack Hinkle |
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
Starting grid
R = Indianapolis 500 rookie; W = Former Indianapolis 500 winner
Row | Inside | Middle | Outside | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | ![]() |
19 | ![]() |
9 | ![]() |
2 | 43 | ![]() |
98 | ![]() |
7 | ![]() |
3 | 25 | ![]() |
16 | ![]() |
17 | ![]() |
4 | 1 | ![]() |
34 | ![]() |
35 | ![]() |
5 | 24 | ![]() |
73 | ![]() |
15 | ![]() |
6 | 12 | ![]() |
31 | ![]() |
15 | ![]() |
7 | 14 | ![]() |
32 | ![]() |
10 | ![]() |
8 | 88 | ![]() |
74 | ![]() |
77 | ![]() |
9 | 28 | ![]() |
33 | ![]() |
45 | ![]() |
10 | 38 | ![]() |
65 | ![]() |
99 | ![]() |
11 | 27 | ![]() |
5 | ![]() |
71 | ![]() |
Alternates
- First alternate: Eddie Johnson (#26)[2] — Johnson drove relief during the race
Failed to qualify
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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. Sadly Vukovich died the following year attempting to win his third consecutive Indy 500. The race reportedly went 110 laps before the first yellow light.[4]
Classification
Pos | Grid | No | Driver | Constructor | Qual | Rank | Laps | Led | Time/Retired | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 19 | 14 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.470 | 14 | 200 | 90 | 3:49:17.27 | 8 |
2 | 3 | 9 | ![]() |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 139.660 | 5 | 200 | 46 | + 1:09.95 | 6 |
3 | 1 | 2 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.030 | 1 | 200 | 47 | + 1:19.73 | 51 |
4 | 11 | 34 | ![]() (Relieved by Duane Carter) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.730 | 31 | 200 | 0 | + 2:52.68 | 1.5 1.5 |
5 | 14 | 73 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.580 | 6 | 200 | 0 | + 3:24.55 | 2 |
6 | 24 | 77 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.740 | 30 | 200 | 0 | + 3:47.55 | |
7 | 6 | 7 | ![]() |
Phillips-Offenhauser | 138.330 | 16 | 200 | 0 | + 4:13.35 | |
8 | 32 | 5 | ![]() (Relieved by Jerry Hoyt) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.670 | 32 | 200 | 0 | + 5:01.17 | |
9 | 25 | 28 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.550 | 8 | 200 | 0 | + 7:07.24 | |
10 | 13 | 24 | ![]() |
Stevens-Offenhauser | 139.820 | 3 | 200 | 0 | + 7:07.69 | |
11 | 27 | 45 | ![]() (Relieved by Johnnie Parsons) (Relieved by Sam Hanks) (Relieved by Andy Linden) (Relieved by Jimmy Davies) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.670 | 13 | 200 | 8 | + 8:22.19 | |
12 | 5 | 98 | ![]() (Relieved by Walt Faulkner) |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 138.770 | 12 | 199 | 0 | + 1 Lap | |
13 | 22 | 88 | ![]() |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 138.160 | 22 | 197 | 0 | + 3 Laps | |
14 | 9 | 17 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.200 | 21 | 197 | 0 | + 3 Laps | |
15 | 8 | 16 | ![]() (Relieved by Marshall Teague) (Relieved by Jimmy Jackson) (Relieved by Tony Bettenhausen) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.230 | 19 | 196 | 0 | + 4 Laps | |
16 | 20 | 32 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.410 | 15 | 194 | 0 | + 6 Laps | |
17 | 7 | 25 | ![]() |
Pankratz-Offenhauser | 138.310 | 17 | 194 | 0 | + 6 Laps | |
18 | 31 | 27 | ![]() (Relieved by Bob Scott) |
Stevens-Offenhauser | 137.790 | 29 | 193 | 0 | + 7 Laps | |
19 | 33 | 71 | ![]() (Relieved by George Fonder) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.670 | 33 | 193 | 0 | + 7 Laps | |
20 | 10 | 1 | ![]() (Relieved by Jimmy Davies) (Relieved by Jim Rathmann) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.990 | 25 | 191 | 1 | Spun Off | |
21 | 12 | 35 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.080 | 23 | 181 | 0 | Spun Off | |
22 | 16 | 12 | ![]() (Relieved by Eddie Johnson) |
Pawl-Offenhauser | 139.920 | 2 | 172 | 0 | Retirement | |
23 | 17 | 31 | ![]() (Relieved by Marshall Teague) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.060 | 10 | 168 | 0 | Clutch | |
24 | 4 | 43 | ![]() (Relieved by Andy Linden) (Relieved by Jimmy Daywalt) |
Nichels-Offenhauser | 138.780 | 11 | 165 | 0 | Retirement | |
25 | 23 | 74 | ![]() (Relieved by Bob Scott) |
Schroeder-Offenhauser | 137.820 | 27 | 165 | 0 | Suspension | |
26 | 30 | 99 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.820 | 28 | 130 | 0 | Engine | |
27 | 2 | 19 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.780 | 4 | 111 | 8 | Accident | |
28 | 28 | 38 | ![]() (Relieved by Pat Flaherty) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.220 | 20 | 110 | 0 | Accident | |
29 | 21 | 10 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.270 | 18 | 105 | 0 | Wheel Bearing | |
30 | 29 | 65 | ![]() (Relieved by Danny Kladis) |
Bromme-Offenhauser | 137.970 | 26 | 104 | 0 | Fuel pump | |
31 | 26 | 33 | ![]() (Relieved by George Fonder) |
Schroeder-Offenhauser | 139.210 | 9 | 101 | 0 | Brakes | |
32 | 15 | 15 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.570 | 7 | 79 | 0 | Engine | |
33 | 18 | 51 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.000 | 24 | 74 | 0 | Accident |
- Notes
- ^1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap
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.
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.[4]
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 | ||
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Booth Announcers | Turn Reporters | Pit/garage reporters |
South Turns: Bill Frosch |
Luke Walton (north pits) Greg Smith (south pits) |
Championship standings after the race
- World Drivers' Championship standings
Pos | Driver | Points | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1 | ![]() |
8 |
![]() |
2 | ![]() |
8 |
![]() |
3 | ![]() |
6 |
![]() |
4 | ![]() |
6 |
![]() |
5 | ![]() |
5 |
Source: [5] |
- Note: Only the top five positions are included.
Gallery
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1954 Indianapolis 500. |
- 1954 winning car
References
- Campbell, Don G. (June 1, 1954). "Even Weather Co-Operates At Speedway". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
- "1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- "Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014
- "Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
External links
- Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats – Official Site
- 1954 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference.info (Relief driver statistics)
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 135.601 mph (1957 Indianapolis 500) |