1954 Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indianapolis 500 | |||||
Sanctioning body | AAA | ||||
Date | May 31, 1954 | ||||
Winner | Bill Vukovich | ||||
Winning Entrant | Howard B. Keck | ||||
Average speed | 130.840 mph (210.567 km/h) | ||||
Pole position | Jack McGrath | ||||
Pole speed | 141.033 mph (226.971 km/h) | ||||
Most laps led | Bill Vukovich(90) | ||||
Pre-race | |||||
Pace car | Dodge Royal 500 | ||||
Pace car driver | W. C. Newberg | ||||
Starter | Bill Vanderwater[1] | ||||
Honorary referee | Ralph DePalma[1] | ||||
Estimated attendance | 175,000[2] | ||||
Chronology | |||||
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The38th International 500-Mile Sweepstakeswas held at theIndianapolis Motor Speedwayon Monday, May 31, 1954. The event was part of the1954 AAA National Championship Trail,and was also race 2 of 9 in the1954 World Championship of Drivers.
Time trials[edit]
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[edit]
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 | ![]() |
51 | ![]() |
7 | 14 | ![]() |
32 | ![]() |
10 | ![]() |
8 | 88 | ![]() |
74 | ![]() |
77 | ![]() |
9 | 28 | ![]() |
33 | ![]() |
45 | ![]() |
10 | 38 | ![]() |
65 | ![]() |
99 | ![]() |
11 | 27 | ![]() |
5 | ![]() |
71 | ![]() |
Alternates[edit]
- First alternate:Eddie Johnson(#26)[3]— Johnson drove relief during the race
Failed to qualify[edit]
- Henry Banks(#26) - Retired
- Joe BarzdaR(#54)
- Bill BoydR(#47)
- Wally CampbellR(#66, #81) - Failed rookie test
- Bob ChristieR(#66)
- George Connor(#27, #32) - Retired
- Ray CrawfordR(#32) - Entry declined
- Jimmy Davies(#53)
- Billy Devore(#93)
- Duke Dinsmore(#62, #67)
- Walt Faulkner(#44, #97)
- Pat Flaherty(#39, #76, #89)
- Johnny FedricksR(#89)
- George Fonder(#33, #36)
- Potsy GoacherR(#67)
- Cliff Griffith(#22)
- Al HermanR(#36)
- Bill HollandW#38)
- Frank MundyR(#41)
- Duke Nalon(#8)
- Danny OakesR(#47, #49)
- Eddie RussoR(#37)
- Eddie SachsR(#54)
- Bob Scott(#18, #21)
- Joe SostilioR(#45)
- Marshall Teague(#3)
- George TichenorR(#22)
- Johnnie TolanR(#69)
- Lee WallardW(#99) - Retired
- Leroy Warriner(#67) - Withdrew, injured
- Chuck WeyantR(#52)[4]
Race summary[edit]
Bill Vukovichhad 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 the1957 Indianapolis 500.Vukovich died the following year attempting to win his third consecutive Indy 500.
Box score[edit]
Finish | Grid | No. | Driver | Constructor | Qual | Rank | Laps | Time/Retired | Points | WDCPoints |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 19 | 14 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.47 | 14 | 200 | 3:49:17.27 | 1,000 | 8 |
2 | 3 | 9 | ![]() |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 139.66 | 5 | 200 | + 1:09.95 | 800 | 6 |
3 | 1 | 2 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.03 | 1 | 200 | + 1:19.73 | 700 | 51 |
4 | 11 | 34 | ![]() (Duane CarterLaps 101-170) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.73 | 31 | 200 | + 2:52.68 | 387 213 |
1.5 1.5 |
5 | 14 | 73 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.58 | 6 | 200 | + 3:24.55 | 500 | 2 |
6 | 24 | 77 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.74 | 30 | 200 | + 3:47.55 | 400 | |
7 | 6 | 7 | ![]() |
Phillips-Offenhauser | 138.33 | 16 | 200 | + 4:13.35 | 300 | |
8 | 32 | 5 | ![]() (Jerry HoytLaps 151-200) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 32 | 200 | + 5:01.17 | 187.5 62.5 |
|
9 | 25 | 28 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.55 | 8 | 200 | + 7:07.24 | 200 | |
10 | 13 | 24 | ![]() |
Stevens-Offenhauser | 139.82 | 3 | 200 | + 7:07.69 | 150 | |
11 | 27 | 45 | ![]() (Johnnie ParsonsLaps 121-142) (Sam HanksLaps 143-153) (Andy LindenLaps 154-170) (Jimmy DaviesLaps 171-200) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.67 | 13 | 200 | + 8:22.19 | 59.5 12.5 5.5 8 14.5 |
|
12 | 5 | 98 | ![]() (Walt FaulknerLaps 56-94 (Walt FaulknerLaps 122-199) |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 138.77 | 12 | 199 | -1 Lap | 21.5 28.5 |
|
13 | 22 | 88 | ![]() |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 138.16 | 22 | 197 | -3 Laps | ||
14 | 9 | 17 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.20 | 21 | 197 | -3 Laps | ||
15 | 8 | 16 | ![]() (Marshall TeagueLaps 77-105) (Jimmy JacksonLaps 106-120) (Tony BettenhausenLaps 121-154) (Jimmy JacksonLaps 155-196) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.23 | 19 | 196 | -4 Laps | ||
16 | 20 | 32 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.41 | 15 | 194 | -6 Laps | ||
17 | 7 | 25 | ![]() |
Pankratz-Offenhauser | 138.31 | 17 | 194 | -6 Laps | ||
18 | 31 | 27 | ![]() (Bob ScottLaps 149-193) |
Stevens-Offenhauser | 137.79 | 29 | 193 | -7 Laps | ||
19 | 33 | 71 | ![]() (George FonderLaps 141-164) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 33 | 193 | -7 Laps | ||
20 | 10 | 1 | ![]() (Jimmy DaviesLaps 113-148) (Jim RathmannLaps 149-191) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.99 | 25 | 191 | Spun Off | ||
21 | 12 | 35 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.08 | 23 | 181 | Spun Off | ||
22 | 16 | 12 | ![]() (Eddie JohnsonLaps 94-160) |
Pawl-Offenhauser | 139.92 | 2 | 172 | Retirement | ||
23 | 17 | 31 | ![]() (Marshall TeagueLaps 152-168) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.06 | 10 | 168 | Clutch | ||
24 | 4 | 43 | ![]() (Andy LindenLaps 114-140) (Bill HomeierLaps 141-165) |
Nichels-Offenhauser | 138.78 | 11 | 165 | Retirement | ||
25 | 23 | 74 | ![]() (Bob ScottLaps 87-138) |
Schroeder-Offenhauser | 137.82 | 27 | 165 | Suspension | ||
26 | 30 | 99 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.82 | 28 | 130 | Engine | ||
27 | 2 | 19 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.78 | 4 | 111 | Accident | ||
28 | 28 | 38 | ![]() (Pat FlahertyLaps 96-110) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.22 | 20 | 110 | Accident | ||
29 | 21 | 10 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.27 | 18 | 105 | Wheel Bearing | ||
30 | 29 | 65 | ![]() (Danny KladisLaps 55-104) |
Bromme-Offenhauser | 137.97 | 26 | 104 | Fuel pump | ||
31 | 26 | 33 | ![]() (George FonderLaps 44-101) |
Schroeder-Offenhauser | 139.21 | 9 | 101 | Brakes | ||
32 | 15 | 15 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.57 | 7 | 79 | Engine | ||
33 | 18 | 51 | ![]() |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.00 | 24 | 74 | Accident |
Note:Relief drivers in parentheses[5]
WFormer Indianapolis 500 winner
RIndianapolis 500 Rookie
All entrants utilizedFirestonetires.
^1– Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap
Race statistics[edit]
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Additional stats[edit]
- 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 hadOffenhauserengines.
Broadcasting[edit]
Radio[edit]
The race was carried live flag-to-flag on theIndianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.It was the second time the race was carried in its entirety. The broadcast was anchored bySid Collins,his third as chief announcer, and seventh year overall with the crew.Charlie Brockmanserved 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 ofWIREserved 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 | ||
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Booth Announcers | Turn Reporters | Pit/garage reporters |
South Turns:Bill Frosch |
Luke Walton (north pits) Greg Smith (south pits) Dick Lingle Paula Carr |
World Drivers' Championship[edit]
1954 Indianapolis 500 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Race 2 of 9 in the1954 Formula One season
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![]() | |||||
Race details | |||||
Date | May 31, 1954 | ||||
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[edit]
The Indianapolis 500 was included in theFIAWorld Championship of Driversfrom1950through1960.The race was sanctioned byAAAthrough1955,and then byUSACbeginning in1956.At the time the new world championship was announced and first organized by theCSI,the United States did not yet have aGrand 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 toFormula Onespecifications and regulations.[13]The drivers also earned separate points (on a differentscale) towards the respectiveAAAorUSACnational championships.No points, however, were awarded by the FIA towards theWorld Constructors Championship.
Summary[edit]
The 1954 Indianapolis 500 was round 2 of 9 on the1954 World Championship.The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. Race winnerBill Vukovichearned 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[edit]
Pos | Driver | Points | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1 | ![]() |
8 |
![]() |
2 | ![]() |
8 |
![]() |
3 | ![]() |
6 |
![]() |
4 | ![]() |
6 |
![]() |
5 | ![]() |
5 |
Source:[14] |
- Note:Only the top five positions are included.
AAA Championship car standings after the race[edit]
Pos | Driver | Points | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1 | ![]() |
1,000 |
![]() |
2 | ![]() |
800 |
![]() |
3 | ![]() |
700 |
![]() |
4 | ![]() |
500 |
![]() |
5 | ![]() |
400 |
Source:[4] |
- Note:Only the top five positions are included.
References[edit]
- ^abFox, Jack C. (1994).The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994(4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22.ISBN0-915088-05-3.
- ^Campbell, Don G. (June 1, 1954)."Even Weather Co-Operates At Speedway".The Indianapolis Star.p. 1.RetrievedJune 2,2017– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^The Talk of Gasoline Alley–1070-AM WIBC,May 14, 2004
- ^ab"1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes".ChampCarStats.com.Retrieved26 June2015.
- ^"International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 31, 1954".ChampCarStats.com.
- ^Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954)."Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 1)".Indianapolis News.p. 10.RetrievedApril 22,2024– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954)."Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 2)".Indianapolis News.p. 11.RetrievedApril 22,2024– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014
- ^"Air Network To Catch Speedway Action, Color".The Indianapolis Star.May 30, 1954. p. 9.RetrievedMay 30,2023– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^The Talk of Gasoline Alley.May 23, 2007.1070 WIBC-AM.
- ^The Talk of Gasoline Alley.May 19, 2016.WFNI.
- ^The Talk of Gasoline Alley.May 5, 2012.WFNI.
- ^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 fromthe originalon April 27, 2012.RetrievedMay 1,2011.
- ^"Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1".www.statsf1.com.Retrieved18 March2019.
External links[edit]
- Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats– Official Site
- 1954 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference.info(Relief driver statistics)