1954_Indianapolis_500

1954 Indianapolis 500

1954 Indianapolis 500

38th running of the 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.

Quick Facts Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 ...

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

More information Row, Inside ...

Alternates

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

Failed to qualify

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

More information Finish, Grid ...

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.

^1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap

Race statistics

More information Lap Leaders, Laps ...

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.[7] 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.[8]

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.

More information Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, Booth Announcers ...

Championship standings after the race

World Drivers' Championship standings
More information Pos, Driver ...
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included.
Championship car standings
More information Pos, Driver ...
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included.

References

  1. [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. [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.Open access icon
  3. [3]
    The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  4. [4]
    "1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. [5]
    Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954). "Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 1)". Indianapolis News. p. 10. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  6. [6]
    Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954). "Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 2)". Indianapolis News. p. 11. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. [7]
    "Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014
  8. [8]
    "Air Network To Catch Speedway Action, Color". The Indianapolis Star. May 30, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  9. [9]
    "Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
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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