1924_Indianapolis_500

1924 Indianapolis 500

1924 Indianapolis 500

12th running of the Indianapolis 500


The 12th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 30, 1924.

Quick Facts Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 ...

L. L. Corum started the race in the #15 entry, and was relieved during the race by Joe Boyer. Boyer proceeded to drive the car to victory, and both drivers were credited as "co-winners" for the 1924 race.

Boyer led the first lap of the race in his original #9 entry. After Boyer got out of the car and took over the #15, the #9 entry continued in the race, taken over by Ernie Ansterburg, Corum, and later Thane Houser. Houser crashed the car after 176 laps, and Boyer's original car was credited with 18th place.

Time trials

Four-lap (10 mile) qualifying runs were utilized. Jimmy Murphy won the pole position with a speed of over 108mph.

Starting grid

More information Row, Inside ...
R Indianapolis 500 rookie
W Indianapolis 500 winner

Race summary and results

The 1924 winning car

After Joe Boyer, in his original car, led the first lap, Jimmy Murphy took the lead. By half-distance, Murphy led while Earl Cooper held 2nd. Fred Duesenberg, incensed that his lead car was behind four Miller vehicles, called Boyer into the pits, as his car had fallen behind with unscheduled pit stops. He then waved in his 5th-place car, driven by L. L. Corum, and installed Boyer in it. Duesenberg reportedly told him, "Catch them," referring to the Millers, "or burn this ship!"[3]

Boyer re-entered the race with Corum's car and soon passed Bennett Hill and Harry Hartz. With 40 laps to go, he was about 1 mile behind leader Jimmy Murphy and Earl Cooper, turning laps at up to 104 mph.

Murphy was signaled that Boyer was rapidly closing and upped his pace, but he soon cut a tire and had to pit. Cooper assumed the lead but suffered the same fate after pushing harder. Cooper sped out of the pits and closed on Boyer. With 12 laps to go, Cooper made a passing attempt in turn 1, but skidded and again cut a tire, prompting another pit stop. Boyer then eased his pace to win the 500 with a record average speed of over 98 mph.[4]

Co-winners L. L. Corum (left) and Joe Boyer (right)
More information Finish, Start ...

Statistics

More information Lap Leaders, Laps ...

Race details

  • Eddie Hearne was the lone entry in the race who competed in the inaugural Indy 500

References

  1. 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. Patton, W. Blaine (May 31, 1924). "Boyer Relieves 'Duesie' Pilot In 106th, Finishing; Corum Officially Wins". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017 via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 58
  4. Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p.58-61
  5. "Indianapolis 500 1924". Ultimate Racing History. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  6. Popely, Rick; Riggs, L. Spencer (1998). The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd. ISBN 0-7853-2798-3.
  7. Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.
More information Grand Prix Race ...
1923 Indianapolis 500
Tommy Milton
1924 Indianapolis 500
L. L. Corum and Joe Boyer
1925 Indianapolis 500
Peter DePaolo
Preceded by
94.484 mph
(1922 Indianapolis 500)
Record for the fastest average speed
98.234 mph
Succeeded by

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