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38th running of the Indianapolis 500 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
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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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Time trials was scheduled for four days.
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 | ![]() |
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.
Finish | Grid | No. | Driver | Constructor | Qual | Rank | Laps | Time/Retired | Points | WDC Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Carter Laps 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 Hoyt Laps 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 Parsons Laps 121-142) (Sam Hanks Laps 143-153) (Andy Linden Laps 154-170) (Jimmy Davies Laps 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 Faulkner Laps 56-94 (Walt Faulkner Laps 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 Teague Laps 77-105) (Jimmy Jackson Laps 106-120) (Tony Bettenhausen Laps 121-154) (Jimmy Jackson Laps 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 Scott Laps 149-193) |
Stevens-Offenhauser | 137.79 | 29 | 193 | -7 Laps | ||
19 | 33 | 71 | ![]() (George Fonder Laps 141-164) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 33 | 193 | -7 Laps | ||
20 | 10 | 1 | ![]() (Jimmy Davies Laps 113-148) (Jim Rathmann Laps 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 Johnson Laps 94-160) |
Pawl-Offenhauser | 139.92 | 2 | 172 | Retirement | ||
23 | 17 | 31 | ![]() (Marshall Teague Laps 152-168) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.06 | 10 | 168 | Clutch | ||
24 | 4 | 43 | ![]() (Andy Linden Laps 114-140) (Bill Homeier Laps 141-165) |
Nichels-Offenhauser | 138.78 | 11 | 165 | Retirement | ||
25 | 23 | 74 | ![]() (Bob Scott Laps 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 Flaherty Laps 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 Kladis Laps 55-104) |
Bromme-Offenhauser | 137.97 | 26 | 104 | Fuel pump | ||
31 | 26 | 33 | ![]() (George Fonder Laps 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]
W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
R Indianapolis 500 Rookie
All entrants utilized Firestone tires.
^1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap
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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.[8] 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.[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 |
1954 Indianapolis 500 | |||||
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Race 2 of 9 in the 1954 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) |
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.[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 to Formula One specifications and regulations.[13] 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.
The 1954 Indianapolis 500 was round 2 of 9 on the 1954 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. Race winner Bill Vukovich earned 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.
Pos | Driver | Points | |
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![]() |
1 | ![]() |
8 |
![]() |
2 | ![]() |
8 |
![]() |
3 | ![]() |
6 |
![]() |
4 | ![]() |
6 |
![]() |
5 | ![]() |
5 |
Source: [14] |
Pos | Driver | Points | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1 | ![]() |
1,000 |
![]() |
2 | ![]() |
800 |
![]() |
3 | ![]() |
700 |
![]() |
4 | ![]() |
500 |
![]() |
5 | ![]() |
400 |
Source: [4] |