1951 Indianapolis 500

Last updated

35th Indianapolis 500
Indy500winningcar1951.JPG
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body AAA
DateMay 30, 1951
Winner Lee Wallard
Winning EntrantMurrell Belanger
Average speed126.244 mph (203.170 km/h)
Pole position Duke Nalon
Pole speed136.498 mph (219.672 km/h)
Most laps led Lee Wallard (159)
Pre-race
Pace car Chrysler New Yorker
Pace car driver David A. Wallace
Starter Seth Klein [1]
Honorary refereeClarence Beesmyer [1]
Estimated attendance150,000 [2]
Chronology
PreviousNext
1950 1952

The 35th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 30, 1951. The event was part of the 1951 AAA National Championship Trail, and was also race 2 of 8 in the 1951 World Championship of Drivers. For the second year in a row, no European Formula One-based teams entered the race.

Contents

Duke Nalon, who had suffered serious burns in a crash in 1949, and who missed the 1950 race, made a comeback at Indy by winning the pole position in a Novi. Heavy attrition saw only eight cars running at the finish. Winner Lee Wallard's car lost its brakes, suffered a damaged exhaust pipe, and broke a shock absorber mounting. [3] [4] In addition to the unbearably uncomfortable ride, Wallard had worn a fire retardant outfit, created by dipping his uniform in a mixture of borax crystals and water. Due to not wearing an undershirt, Wallard suffered serious chafing, and required treatment at the infield hospital after the victory lane celebration. [4] It was estimated he lost 15 pounds during the race. [4]

Wallard's winning car had the smallest displacement in the field. About a week after winning the race, Wallard suffered severe burns in a crash at Reading, which effectively ended his professional racing career. Three-time winner Mauri Rose, in his 15th Indy start, crashed and flipped on lap 126. It was his final 500, as he retired from driving after the crash.

Wallard's improbable victory helped earn him the nickname "Cinderella Man". [5] [6]

Time trials

Time trials were scheduled for six days. Rain, however, pushed qualifying into a seventh day.

Starting grid

RowInsideMiddleOutside
118 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duke Nalon 99 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Lee Wallard 9 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack McGrath
227 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duane Carter 16 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mauri Rose  W 98 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Troy Ruttman
383 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Nazaruk  R 3 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnnie Parsons  W 5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen
44 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cecil Green 59 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Agabashian 25 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks
544 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Walt Brown 2 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Walt Faulkner 73 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Carl Scarborough  R 
610 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Schindler 1 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Henry Banks 23 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cliff Griffith  R 
78 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Stevenson  R 81 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Vukovich  R 22 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Connor
869 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Force  R 19 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mack Hellings 68 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Carl Forberg  R 
948 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward  R 12 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny McDowell 76 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Davies
1032 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chet Miller 52 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bobby Ball  R 26 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Joe James  R 
1157 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Linden  R 6 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duke Dinsmore 71 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Mackey  R 
R Indianapolis 500 rookie
W Indianapolis 500 winner

Alternates

Failed to qualify

Box score

PosGridNoDriverConstructorQualRankLapsTime/RetiredPointsWDC Points
1299 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Lee Wallard Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 135.0352003:57:38.051,0009 1
2783 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Nazaruk  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.1826200+ 1:47.248006
339 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack McGrath (Laps 1–100)
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Manny Ayulo (Laps 101–200)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 134.308200+ 2:51.39350
350		2
2
43157 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Linden  R  Sherman-Offenhauser 132.2225200+ 4:40.126003
52952 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bobby Ball  R  Schroeder-Offenhauser 134.099200+ 4:52.235002
6171 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Henry Banks Moore-Offenhauser 133.8912200+ 5:40.02400 
72468 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Carl Forberg  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.8922193-7 Laps300 
8427 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duane Carter Diedt-Offenhauser 133.7415180-20 Laps250 
995 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen Diedt-Offenhauser 131.9529178Spun Off200 
10118 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duke Nalon Kurtis Kraft-Novi 136.492151Retirement150 
112269 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Force  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 133.1020142Engine100 
121225 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.9921135Engine50 
131610 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Schindler Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 134.0311129Engine  
14516 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mauri Rose  W  Diedt-Offenhauser 133.4218126Accident  
15142 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Walt Faulkner Kuzma-Offenhauser 136.871123Engine  
162776 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Davies Pawl-Offenhauser 133.5117110Axle  
171159 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 135.026109Clutch  
181573 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Carl Scarborough  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 135.614100Fire  
193371 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Mackey  R  Stevens-Offenhauser 131.473297Clutch  
20198 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Stevenson  R  Marchese-Offenhauser 133.761493Fire  
2183 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnnie Parsons  W  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.152787Magneto  
22104 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cecil Green Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.893180Engine  
23698 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Troy Ruttman Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.312478Engine  
24326 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duke Dinsmore Schroeder-Offenhauser 131.972873Overheating  
252832 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chet Miller Kurtis Kraft-Novi 135.79356Ignition  
261344 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Walt Brown Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.903055Magneto  
272548 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward  R  Bromme-Offenhauser 134.86734Oil Pipe  
281823 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cliff Griffith  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 133.831330Axle  
292081 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Vukovich  R  Trevis-Offenhauser 133.721629Oil leak  
302122 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Connor Lesovsky-Offenhauser 133.351929Transmission  
312319 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mack Hellings Diedt-Offenhauser 132.923318Engine  
322612 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny McDowell Maserati-Offenhauser 132.472315Fuel leak  
333026 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Joe James  R  Watson-Offenhauser 134.09108Transmission  
Source: [10]

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.

Race statistics

Notes

World Drivers' Championship

1951 Indianapolis 500
Race 2 of 8 in the 1951 Formula One season
←  Previous race Next race  →
Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1909-1956.svg
Race details
Date May 30, 1951 (1951-05-30)
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

The Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Championship of Drivers from 1950 through 1960. The race was sanctioned by AAA through 1955, and then by USAC beginning in 1956. At the time the new world championship was announced and first organized by the CSI, the United States did not yet have a Grand 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. [14] [15]

Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers. [16] However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to Formula One specifications and regulations. [17] The drivers also earned separate points (on a different scale) towards the respective AAA or USAC national championships. No points, however, were awarded by the FIA towards the World Constructors' Championship.

Summary

The 1951 Indianapolis 500 was round 2 of 8 on the 1951 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit, particularly since it was held only three day after the Swiss Grand Prix. Race winner Lee Wallard earned 9 points towards the World Championship (8 points for first place, and 1 point for the fastest lap). Despite not competing in any of the other World Championship events, he finished seventh in the final season standings.

World Drivers' Championship standings after the race

PosDriverPoints
1rightarrow blue.svg 1 Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Fangio 9
1uparrow green.svg 202 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Lee Wallard 9
1downarrow red.svg 13 Flag of Italy.svg Piero Taruffi 6
1uparrow green.svg 184 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Nazaruk 6
1downarrow red.svg 25 Flag of Italy.svg Nino Farina 4
Source: [18]
  • Note: Only the top five positions are listed. Only the best 4 results counted towards the Championship.

Broadcasting

Radio

The race was carried live on the radio through a network arrangement set up by 1070 WIBC-AM of Indianapolis. Mutual, which had carried the race for several years, had raised its advertising rates for 1951, and lost its primary sponsor for the event, Perfect Circle Piston Rings. As a result, Mutual dropped the coverage altogether. Local station WIBC stepped in to cover the race, and provided its feed to various Mutual affiliates. [19] A total of 26 stations carried the broadcast.

WIBC personality Sid Collins served as the chief announcer in the booth, and the remainder of the crew consisted mostly of WIBC talent. Jim Shelton reported from his familiar turn four location, and Bill Fox was also in the booth. Easy Gwynn was also to be part of the crew. Collins interviewed the winner in victory lane, leaving Fox to call the actual finish of the race. Like the Mutual broadcasts, WIBC featured live coverage of the start (30 minutes), the finish (30 minutes), and 15-minute live updates throughout the race. The on-air crew was smaller than normal. There were not turn and pit reporters stationed around the entire track, instead recorded interviews were played back during later broadcast segments. [20]

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References

  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. ↑ Stranahan, Bob (May 31, 1951). "Pilot's Hoosier's Car To Victory; Nazaruk Second". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 2, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. ↑ Van Camp's Pork & Beans Presents: Great Moments From the Indy 500 – Fleetwood Sounds, 1975
  4. 1 2 3 The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC/Network Indiana, May 17, 2007
  5. ↑ Davidson, Donald (May 13, 2000). "'Cinderella Man' found his groove at the track". The Indianapolis Star . p. 31. Retrieved October 17, 2024– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ Davidson, Donald (May 13, 2005). "Winning in a broken car". The Indianapolis Star . p. 71. Retrieved October 17, 2024– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  8. ↑ "Jean ACHARD". StatsF1.com. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  9. ↑ "1951 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com.
  10. ↑ "1951 Indianapolis 500". formula1.com. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  11. ↑ O'Brien, J.E. (May 31, 1951). "Swell Little Guy's Heavy Foot Left No Room for Strategy". Indianapolis News . p. 24. Retrieved April 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  12. ↑ O'Brien, J.E. (May 31, 1951). "Faulkner Out After 123 Laps". Indianapolis News . p. 7. Retrieved April 21, 2024– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  13. ↑ Lang, Mike (1981). Grand Prix! Vol 1. Haynes Publishing Group. p. 29. ISBN   0-85429-276-4.
  14. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley . May 23, 2007. 1070 WIBC-AM.
  15. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley . May 19, 2016. WFNI.
  16. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley . May 5, 2012. WFNI.
  17. ↑ 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 from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Indianapolis 1951 - Championship". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  19. ↑ Davidson, Donald (May 24, 2012). "IMS Radio Network celebrates 60th anniversary". Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  20. ↑ Hynes, Beatrice (May 30, 1951). "Mike-Row-Scopes". The Indianapolis Star. p. 36. Retrieved August 12, 2022– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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1951 Swiss Grand Prix 		FIA Formula One World Championship
1951 season 		Next race:
1951 Belgian Grand Prix
Previous race:
1950 Indianapolis 500
Johnnie Parsons 		1951 Indianapolis 500
Lee Wallard 		Next race:
1952 Indianapolis 500
Troy Ruttman
Preceded by
124.002 mph
(1950 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the Indianapolis 500 fastest average speed
126.244 mph		Succeeded by
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