1954 Indianapolis 500

Last updated
38th Indianapolis 500
Indy500winningcar1953-1954.JPG
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body AAA
DateMay 31, 1954
Winner Bill Vukovich
Winning Entrant Howard B. Keck
Average speed130.840 mph (210.567 km/h)
Pole position Jack McGrath
Pole speed141.033 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 attendance175,000 [2]
Chronology
PreviousNext
1953 1955

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.

Contents

Time trials

Time trials was scheduled for four days.

Starting grid

 R  = Indianapolis 500 rookie;  W  = Former Indianapolis 500 winner

RowInsideMiddleOutside
12 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack McGrath 19 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Daywalt 9 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan
243 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson 98 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Stevenson 7 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Freeland
325 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Reece 16 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duane Carter 17 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Sweikert
41 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks 34 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Troy Ruttman  W 35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat O'Connor  R 
524 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cal Niday 73 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Nazaruk 15 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnnie Parsons  W 
612 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward 31 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Hartley 51 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Homeier  R 
714 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Vukovich  W 32 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ernie McCoy 10 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen
888 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Manny Ayulo 74 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Linden 77 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Agabashian
928 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Larry Crockett  R 33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Len Duncan  R 45 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Art Cross
1038 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann 65 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Spider Webb 99 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jerry Hoyt
1127 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ed Elisian  R 5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Russo 71 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Frank Armi  R 

Alternates

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. The race reportedly went 110 laps before the first yellow light. [5]

Box score

PosGridNoDriverConstructorQualRankLapsLedTime/RetiredWDC PointsAAA Points
11914 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Vukovich  W  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.4714200903:49:17.2781,000
239 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan Kuzma-Offenhauser 139.66520046+ 1:09.956800
312 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack McGrath Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 141.03120047+ 1:19.735 1 700
41134 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Troy Ruttman  W 
(Relieved by Duane Carter)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.73312000+ 2:52.681.5
1.5		387
51473 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Nazaruk Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.5862000+ 3:24.552500
62477 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.74302000+ 3:47.55 400
767 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Freeland Phillips-Offenhauser 138.33162000+ 4:13.35 300
8325 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Russo
(Relieved by Jerry Hoyt)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.67322000+ 5:01.17 187.5
92528 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Larry Crockett  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.5582000+ 7:07.24 200
101324 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cal Niday Stevens-Offenhauser 139.8232000+ 7:07.69 150
112745 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Art Cross
(Relieved by Johnnie Parsons)
(Relieved by Sam Hanks)
(Relieved by Andy Linden)
(Relieved by Jimmy Davies)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.67132008+ 8:22.19 59.5
12598 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Stevenson
(Relieved by Walt Faulkner)		 Kuzma-Offenhauser 138.77121990+ 1 Lap 21.5
132288 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Manny Ayulo Kuzma-Offenhauser 138.16221970+ 3 Laps 
14917 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Sweikert Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.20211970+ 3 Laps 
15816 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duane Carter
(Relieved by Marshall Teague)
(Relieved by Jimmy Jackson)
(Relieved by Tony Bettenhausen)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.23191960+ 4 Laps 
162032 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ernie McCoy Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.41151940+ 6 Laps 
17725 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Reece Pankratz-Offenhauser 138.31171940+ 6 Laps 
183127 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ed Elisian  R 
(Relieved by Bob Scott)		 Stevens-Offenhauser 137.79291930+ 7 Laps 
193371 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Frank Armi  R 
(Relieved by George Fonder)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.67331930+ 7 Laps 
20101 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks
(Relieved by Jimmy Davies)
(Relieved by Jim Rathmann)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.99251911Spun Off 
211235 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat O'Connor  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.08231810Spun Off 
221612 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward
(Relieved by Eddie Johnson)		 Pawl-Offenhauser 139.9221720Retirement 
231731 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Hartley
(Relieved by Marshall Teague)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.06101680Clutch 
24443 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson
(Relieved by Andy Linden)
(Relieved by Jimmy Daywalt)		 Nichels-Offenhauser 138.78111650Retirement 
252374 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Linden
(Relieved by Bob Scott)		 Schroeder-Offenhauser 137.82271650Suspension 
263099 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jerry Hoyt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 137.82281300Engine 
27219 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Daywalt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.7841118Accident 
282838 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann
(Relieved by Pat Flaherty)		 Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.22201100Accident 
292110 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.27181050Wheel Bearing 
302965 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Spider Webb
(Relieved by Danny Kladis)		 Bromme-Offenhauser 137.97261040Fuel pump 
312633 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Len Duncan  R 
(Relieved by George Fonder)		 Schroeder-Offenhauser 139.2191010Brakes 
321515 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnnie Parsons  W  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 139.577790Engine 
331851 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Homeier  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 138.0024740Accident 
Notes

Race statistics

Additional stats

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. [5] 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. [6]

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
Booth AnnouncersTurn Reporters Pit/garage reporters

Chief Announcer: Sid Collins
Color: Charlie Brockman

South Turns: Bill Frosch
Backstretch: Jack Shapiro
North Turns: Easy Gwynn

Luke Walton (north pits)
Greg Smith (south pits)
Dick Lingle
Paula Carr

Championship standings after the race

World Drivers' Championship standings
PosDriverPoints
1rightarrow blue.svg 1 Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Fangio 8
1uparrow green.svg 162 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Vukovich 8
1downarrow red.svg 13 Flag of Italy.svg Nino Farina 6
1uparrow green.svg 144 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan 6
1downarrow red.svg 25 Flag of Argentina.svg José Froilán González 5
Source: [7]
Championship car standings
PosDriverPoints
1rightarrow blue.svg 1 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Vukovich 1,000
1rightarrow blue.svg 2 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan 800
1rightarrow blue.svg 3 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack McGrath 700
1rightarrow blue.svg 4 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Nazaruk 500
1rightarrow blue.svg 5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Agabashian 400
Source: [4]

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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. ↑ 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 logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  4. 1 2 "1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014
  6. ↑ "Air Network To Catch Speedway Action, Color". The Indianapolis Star. May 30, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved May 30, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ "Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
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1954 Argentine Grand Prix 		FIA Formula One World Championship
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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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