1927 Indianapolis 500

15th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body	AAA
Date	May 30, 1927
Winner	George Souders
Winning Entrant	William S. White
Average speed	97.545 mph (156.983 km/h)
Pole position	Frank Lockhart
Pole speed	120.100 mph (193.282 km/h)
Most laps led	Frank Lockhart (110)
Pre-race
Pace car	LaSalle V-8 Series 303
Pace car driver	Willard "Big Boy" Rader
Starter	George Townsend
Honorary referee	Charles F. Kettering
Estimated attendance	135,000
Chronology
1926	1928

Last updated May 12, 2024

The 15th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1927.

Time trials

Four-lap (10 mile) qualifying runs were utilized. Frank Lockhart won the pole position with a speed of 120.10 mph. Lockhart set a new 1-lap track record on his final lap.

For the first time, all 33 qualifiers exceeded 100 mph for average speed. ^[3]

Date	Driver	Lap 1 (mph)	Lap 2 (mph)	Lap 3 (mph)	Lap 4 (mph)	Average Speed (mph)
Qualifying Results
5/26/1927	Frank Lockhart	120.192	119.474	119.824	120.918	120.100

Starting grid

Row	Inside		Middle		Outside
1	2	Frank Lockhart W	3	Pete DePaolo W	12	Leon Duray
2	1	Harry Hartz	19	Ralph Hepburn	15	Cliff Woodbury
3	14	Bob McDonogh	7	Dave Lewis	4	Bennett Hill
4	8	Norman Batten	22	Jack Petticord R	9	Peter Kreis
5	5	Frank Elliott	25	Cliff Bergere R	10	Earl Devore
6	17	W. E. Shattuc	26	Dutch Baumann R	16	Eddie Hearne
7	29	Wilbur Shaw R	44	Al Melcher R	18	Jules Ellingboe
8	32	George Souders R	43	Louis Schneider R	38	Babe Stapp R
9	6	Tommy Milton W	41	Wade Morton	27	Tony Gulotta
10	21	Dave Evans R	35	Al Cotey R	23	Fred Lecklider
11	24	Benny Shoaff R	42	Jim Hill R	31	Fred Frame R

R Indianapolis 500 rookie

W Indianapolis 500 winner

Race summary

At the start, polesitter Lockhart took the lead and dominated the first half of the race. At the halfway point, he had won almost $10,000 in lap prize money. But on lap 120, his Miller broke a connecting rod, and he was out of the race. He reportedly stepped out, shrugged, smiled, and asked for a hot dog.^[4]

After Lockhart's retirement, Pete DePaolo took the lead, driving in relief for Bob McDonogh after his own car dropped out. But a supercharger problem required an extended, unscheduled pit stop to repair. With 60 laps to go, George Souders first took the lead. He steadily pulled away from Babe Stapp, both in Duesenbergs, and cruised to victory by over 12 minutes. Stapp (driving relief for Benny Shoaff), seemingly on his way to second place, broke a rear axle with a lap and a half to go, and the car finished out of the top ten.^[5]

Box score

Finish	Start	No	Name	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Qual	Rank	Laps	Status
1	22	32	George Souders R	William S. White	Duesenberg	Duesenberg	111.551	12	200	Running
2	15	10	Earl Devore (Zeke Meyer Laps 97–152)	F. P. Cramer	Miller	Miller	107.497	23	200	Running
3	27	27	Tony Gulotta (Pete DePaolo Laps 86–92)	Anthony Gulotta	Miller	Miller	107.765	22	200	Running
4	19	29	Wilbur Shaw R (Louis Meyer Laps 77–129)	Fred Clemons	Miller	Miller	104.465	32	200	Running
5	28	21	Dave Evans R (Steve Nemesh Laps 57–82)	David E. Evans	Duesenberg	Duesenberg	107.360	25	200	Running
6	7	14	Bob McDonogh (Pete DePaolo Laps 113–200)	Cooper Engineering Company	Cooper	Miller	113.175	8	200	Running
7	18	16	Eddie Hearne (Harry Hartz Laps 47–81) (Leon Duray Laps 116–130) (Ira Vail Laps 131–154)	Harry Hartz	Miller	Miller	105.115	31	200	Running
8	25	6	Tommy Milton W (C. W. Van Ranst Laps 82–106) (Ralph Hepburn Laps 107–200)	Tommy Milton	Detroit	Miller	108.758	20	200	Running
9	14	25	Cliff Bergere R (Wesley Crawford Laps 96–108) (Wesley Crawford Laps 147–176)	Muller Brothers	Miller	Miller	108.820	19	200	Running
10	13	5	Frank Elliott (Fred Frame Laps 54–100)	Frank Elliott	Miller	Miller	109.682	17	200	Running
11	33	31	Fred Frame R (George Fernic Laps 6–68) (George Abell Laps 69–76) (George Fernic Laps 77–123) (George Abell Laps 124–127) (George Fernic Laps 128–199)	O. B. Dolfinger	Miller	Miller	106.859	27	199	Flagged
12	32	42	Jim Hill R (Don Ostrander Laps 30–87) (Don Ostrander Laps 108–115) (Don Ostrander Laps 176–197)	Earl Devore	Miller	Miller	107.392	24	197	Flagged
13	31	24	Benny Shoaff R (Babe Stapp Laps 69–103) (Babe Stapp Laps 173–198)	Duesenberg Brothers	Duesenberg	Duesenberg	110.152	13	198	Rear end gears
14	26	41	Wade Morton (Ralph Holmes Laps 34–63) (Freddie Winnai Laps 64–131) (Ralph Holmes Laps 140–152)	Duesenberg Brothers	Duesenberg	Duesenberg	108.075	21	152	Crash
15	20	44	Al Melcher R (Jack Petticord Laps 44–129) (Fred Lecklider Laps 130–143) (Jack Petticord Laps 143–144)	Charles Haase	Miller	Miller	102.918	33	144	Supercharger
16	23	43	Louis Schneider R (L. L. Corum Laps 88–97) (Dutch Baumann Laps 125–135)	Fred Lecklider	Miller	Miller	109.910	15	137	Timing gears
17	12	9	Pete Kreis	Cooper Engineering Company	Cooper	Miller	109.900	16	123	Front axle
18	1	2	Frank Lockhart W (Harry Hartz Laps 101–123)	Frank S. Lockhart	Miller	Miller	120.100	1	120	Rod
19	6	15	Cliff Woodbury (Ralph Hepburn Laps 71–80)	Cliff Woodbury	Miller	Miller	113.200	7	108	Supercharger
20	17	26	Dutch Baumann R	Harry S. Miller	Miller	Miller	106.078	29	90	Pinion shaft
21	29	35	Al Cotey R (Eddie Burbach Laps 63–87)	Al Cotey	Miller	Miller	106.295	28	87	Universal joint
22	16	17	W. E. Shattuc	Dr. W. E. Shattuc, M.D.	Miller	Miller	107.060	26	83	Valve
23	30	23	Fred Lecklider (Henry Kohlert Laps 17–49)	Henry Kohlert	Miller	Miller	105.729	30	49	Crash T1
24	5	19	Ralph Hepburn	Cliff Woodbury	Miller	Miller	114.209	5	39	Fuel tank leak
25	4	1	Harry Hartz	Harry Hartz	Miller	Miller	116.739	4	38	Crankshaft
26	2	3	Peter DePaolo W	Peter DePaolo	Miller	Miller	119.510	2	31	Supercharger
27	3	12	Leon Duray	Leon Duray	Miller	Miller	118.788	3	26	Fuel tank leak
28	9	4	Bennett Hill	Cooper Engineering Company	Miller	Miller	112.013	10	26	Shackle bolt
29	21	18	Jules Ellingboe	Earl Cooper	Miller	Miller	113.239	6	25	Crash T4
30	10	8	Norman Batten	Norman K. Batten	Fengler	Miller	111.940	11	24	Caught fire
31	24	38	Babe Stapp R	Duesenberg Brothers	Duesenberg	Duesenberg	109.555	18	24	Universal joint
32	11	22	Jack Petticord R	Cliff Woodbury	Miller	Miller	109.920	14	22	Supercharger
33	8	7	Dave Lewis	Dave Lewis	Miller	Miller	112.275	9	21	Front axle
^[6]^[7]

Note: Relief drivers in parentheses^[8]

W Former Indianapolis 500 winner

R Indianapolis 500 Rookie

Race statistics

Lap Leaders
Laps	Leader
1-81	Frank Lockhart
82–90	Dutch Baumann
91–119	Frank Lockhart
120–149	Pete DePaolo
150–200	George Souders

Total laps led
Leader	Laps
Frank Lockhart	110
George Souders	51
Pete DePaolo	30
Dutch Baumann	9

Race details

For 1927, riding mechanics were optional;^[9] however, no teams utilized them.

Eddie Hearne was the only driver in the field who had competed at the inaugural Indy 500. This would be the final time a driver from the inaugural race would compete.

Related Research Articles

This article discusses the year-by-year history of the Indianapolis 500 race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1912 Indianapolis 500</span> Second running of the Indianapolis 500

The 1912 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, or International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race, the second such race in history, was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 30, 1912. Indiana-born driver Joe Dawson won the race, leading only the final two laps. Ralph DePalma dominated the race, leading 196 of the 200 laps, and pulling out to an over 5-lap lead. But with just over two laps to go, his car failed with a broken connecting rod.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1940 Indianapolis 500</span> 28th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 28th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1940. The winner was Wilbur Shaw in the same Maserati 8CTF he had driven to victory in 1939. Shaw became the first driver in the history of the race to win in consecutive years. It also marked Shaw's third win in four years, making him the second three-time winner of the race. Shaw's average speed was 114.277 mph, slowed by rain which caused the last 50 laps to be run under caution. Shaw took home $31,875 in prize winnings, plus additional prizes that included a car and a refrigerator.

The 26th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1938. For 1938, riding mechanics were made optional; however, no teams utilized them in the race. In addition, after seven years, the engine specifications were changed again. The 1930 "Junk" formula was eliminated. Normally aspirated engines were allowed 4.5 liters, and superchargers would be permitted again, with a maximum displacement of 3.0 liters. Any fuel was allowed, which directly affected the race.

The 25th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 31, 1937. With temperatures topping out at 92 °F (33 °C), it is one of the hottest days on record for the Indy 500.

The 24th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1936. The race was part of the 1936 AAA Championship Car season. The race is remembered for three noteworthy Indy traditions getting their start.

The 23rd International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 30, 1935. Despite attempts to improve participant safety by requiring crash helmets and installing green and yellow lights around the track, the event that year would prove to be one of the worst in terms of fatalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1934 Indianapolis 500</span> 22nd running of the Indianapolis 500

The 22nd International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1934. The winner was the number seven car driven by Bill Cummings, an Indianapolis native, at an average speed of 104.863 miles per hour. Cummings led for 57 laps total, including the last 26. Of the 33 cars that began the race, only 12 were running at the finish, although there were no crashes resulting in serious injuries. One serious incident involved George Bailey, whose car went over the outside wall, but resulted in only a broken wrist to the driver. The finish was the closest in the history of the race to that point, with second-place finisher Mauri Rose within 100 yards of Cummings at the finish. Rose would also file a protest that Cummings had illegally gained ground during a "slow-down" period following a crash.

The 21st International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 30, 1933. Louis Meyer defeated Wilbur Shaw by a time of 401.89 seconds. The average speed of the race was 104.162 miles per hour (167.632 km/h) while Bill Cummings achieved the pole position with a speed of 118.521 miles per hour (190.741 km/h). The race was part of the 1933 AAA Championship Car season.

The 19th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1931. Race winner Louis Schneider, who led the final 34 laps, was accompanied by riding mechanic Jigger Johnson.

The 18th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 30, 1930. The race was part of the 1930 AAA Championship Car season.

The 17th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 30, 1929. Ray Keech, who finished fourth a year earlier, took the lead for the final time on lap 158 and won his first Indianapolis 500. Keech won for car owner Maude A. Yagle, the first and to-date, only female winning owner in Indy history. Only two weeks after winning the race, Ray Keech was fatally injured in a crash at Altoona Speedway on June 15, 1929. The race was part of the 1929 AAA Championship Car season.

The 16th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 30, 1928. This was the first Indianapolis 500 presided over by new Speedway president Eddie Rickenbacker. Rain threatened to wash out the day, but the showers stopped and the race started on time. One brief shower slowed the race around the 400-mile mark, bringing out the yellow flag for a few laps.

The 14th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 31, 1926. Louis Chevrolet drove the Chrysler pace car for the start.

The 13th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1925.

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

The 11th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 30, 1923. After winning previously in 1921, Tommy Milton became the first multiple winner of the Indianapolis 500. Howdy Wilcox drove relief for Milton in laps 103–151. During the break, Milton had to have his hands bandaged due to blisters, and changed his shoes due to crimping of his toes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1922 Indianapolis 500</span> Tenth running of the Indianapolis 500

The 10th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 30, 1922.

The 9th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1921.

The 8th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 31, 1920.

References

1 2 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.
↑ Patton, W. Blaine (May 31, 1927). "Hoosier Averages 97.45 Miles An Hour In 500-Mile Grind". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
↑ Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 72
↑ Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p.72
↑ Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 72-75
↑ "Indianapolis 500 1927". Ultimate Racing History. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
↑ Popely, Rick; Riggs, L. Spencer (1998). The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd. ISBN 0-7853-2798-3.
↑ "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1927". ChampCarStats.com.
↑ Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.

Grand Prix Race
Previous race: 1926 Italian Grand Prix	1927 Grand Prix season Grandes Épreuves	Next race: 1927 French Grand Prix
Previous race: 1926 Indianapolis 500	Indianapolis 500	Next race: 1928 Indianapolis 500

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[Illustrated-1] 1 2 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, 1927). "Hoosier Averages 97.45 Miles An Hour In 500-Mile Grind". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017– via Newspapers.com.

[3] Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 72

[4] Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p.72

[5] Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 72-75

[6] "Indianapolis 500 1927". Ultimate Racing History. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

[7] Popely, Rick; Riggs, L. Spencer (1998). The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd. ISBN 0-7853-2798-3.

[8] "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1927". ChampCarStats.com.

[Riding_Mechanics-9] Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]