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 | |||||
| |||||
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.
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 |  Jack McGrath
|
19 | Jimmy Daywalt
|
9 | Jimmy Bryan
|
| 2 | 43 | Johnny Thomson
|
98 | Chuck Stevenson
|
7 | Don Freeland
|
| 3 | 25 | Jimmy Reece
|
16 | Duane Carter
|
17 | Bob Sweikert
|
| 4 | 1 | Sam Hanks
|
34 | Troy Ruttman W
|
35 | Pat O'Connor R
|
| 5 | 24 | Cal Niday
|
73 | Mike Nazaruk
|
15 | Johnnie Parsons W
|
| 6 | 12 | Rodger Ward
|
31 | Gene Hartley
|
51 | Bill Homeier R
|
| 7 | 14 | Bill Vukovich W
|
32 | Ernie McCoy
|
10 | Tony Bettenhausen
|
| 8 | 88 | Manny Ayulo
|
74 | Andy Linden
|
77 | Fred Agabashian
|
| 9 | 28 | Larry Crockett R
|
33 | Len Duncan R
|
45 | Art Cross
|
| 10 | 38 | Jim Rathmann
|
65 | Spider Webb
|
99 | Jerry Hoyt
|
| 11 | 27 | Ed Elisian R
|
5 | Paul Russo
|
71 | Frank Armi R
|
Alternates[edit]
- First alternate: Eddie Johnson (#26)[3] — Johnson drove relief during the race
Failed to qualify[edit]
- Henry Banks (#26) - Retired
- Joe Barzda R (#54)
- Bill Boyd R (#47)
- Wally Campbell R (#66, #81) - Failed rookie test
- Bob Christie R (#66)
- George Connor (#27, #32) - Retired
- Ray Crawford R (#32) - Entry declined
- Jimmy Davies (#53)
- Billy Devore (#93)
- Duke Dinsmore (#62, #67)
- Walt Faulkner (#44, #97)
- Pat Flaherty (#39, #76, #89)
- Johnny Fedricks R (#89)
- George Fonder (#33, #36)
- Potsy Goacher R (#67)
- Cliff Griffith (#22)
- Al Herman R (#36)
- Bill Holland W #38)
- Frank Mundy R (#41)
- Duke Nalon (#8)
- Danny Oakes R (#47, #49)
- Eddie Russo R (#37)
- Eddie Sachs R (#54)
- Bob Scott (#18, #21)
- Joe Sostilio R (#45)
- Marshall Teague (#3)
- George Tichenor R (#22)
- Johnnie Tolan R (#69)
- Lee Wallard W (#99) - Retired
- Leroy Warriner (#67) - Withdrew, injured
- Chuck Weyant R (#52)[4]
Race summary[edit]
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[edit]
| Finish | Grid | No. | Driver | Constructor | Qual | Rank | Laps | Time/Retired | WDC Points |
AAA Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | 14 | Bill Vukovich W
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.47 | 14 | 200 | 3:49:17.27 | 8 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 3 | 9 | Jimmy Bryan
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 139.66 | 5 | 200 | + 1:09.95 | 6 | 800 |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Jack McGrath
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.03 | 1 | 200 | + 1:19.73 | 51 | 700 |
| 4 | 11 | 34 | Troy Ruttman W (Relieved by Duane Carter) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.73 | 31 | 200 | + 2:52.68 | 1.5 1.5 |
387 |
| 5 | 14 | 73 | Mike Nazaruk
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.58 | 6 | 200 | + 3:24.55 | 2 | 500 |
| 6 | 24 | 77 | Fred Agabashian
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.74 | 30 | 200 | + 3:47.55 | 400 | |
| 7 | 6 | 7 | Don Freeland
|
Phillips-Offenhauser | 138.33 | 16 | 200 | + 4:13.35 | 300 | |
| 8 | 32 | 5 | Paul Russo (Relieved by Jerry Hoyt) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 32 | 200 | + 5:01.17 | 187.5 | |
| 9 | 25 | 28 | Larry Crockett R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.55 | 8 | 200 | + 7:07.24 | 200 | |
| 10 | 13 | 24 | Cal Niday
|
Stevens-Offenhauser | 139.82 | 3 | 200 | + 7:07.69 | 150 | |
| 11 | 27 | 45 | Art Cross (Relieved by Johnnie Parsons) (Relieved by Sam Hanks) (Relieved by Andy Linden) (Relieved by Jimmy Davies) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.67 | 13 | 200 | + 8:22.19 | 59.5 | |
| 12 | 5 | 98 | Chuck Stevenson (Relieved by Walt Faulkner) |
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 138.77 | 12 | 199 | + 1 Lap | 21.5 | |
| 13 | 22 | 88 | Manny Ayulo
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 138.16 | 22 | 197 | + 3 Laps | ||
| 14 | 9 | 17 | Bob Sweikert
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.20 | 21 | 197 | + 3 Laps | ||
| 15 | 8 | 16 | Duane Carter (Relieved by Marshall Teague) (Relieved by Jimmy Jackson) (Relieved by Tony Bettenhausen) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.23 | 19 | 196 | + 4 Laps | ||
| 16 | 20 | 32 | Ernie McCoy
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.41 | 15 | 194 | + 6 Laps | ||
| 17 | 7 | 25 | Jimmy Reece
|
Pankratz-Offenhauser | 138.31 | 17 | 194 | + 6 Laps | ||
| 18 | 31 | 27 | Ed Elisian R (Relieved by Bob Scott) |
Stevens-Offenhauser | 137.79 | 29 | 193 | + 7 Laps | ||
| 19 | 33 | 71 | Frank Armi R (Relieved by George Fonder) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 33 | 193 | + 7 Laps | ||
| 20 | 10 | 1 | Sam Hanks (Relieved by Jimmy Davies) (Relieved by Jim Rathmann) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.99 | 25 | 191 | Spun Off | ||
| 21 | 12 | 35 | Pat O'Connor R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.08 | 23 | 181 | Spun Off | ||
| 22 | 16 | 12 | Rodger Ward (Relieved by Eddie Johnson) |
Pawl-Offenhauser | 139.92 | 2 | 172 | Retirement | ||
| 23 | 17 | 31 | Gene Hartley (Relieved by Marshall Teague) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.06 | 10 | 168 | Clutch | ||
| 24 | 4 | 43 | Johnny Thomson (Relieved by Andy Linden) (Relieved by Jimmy Daywalt) |
Nichels-Offenhauser | 138.78 | 11 | 165 | Retirement | ||
| 25 | 23 | 74 | Andy Linden (Relieved by Bob Scott) |
Schroeder-Offenhauser | 137.82 | 27 | 165 | Suspension | ||
| 26 | 30 | 99 | Jerry Hoyt
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.82 | 28 | 130 | Engine | ||
| 27 | 2 | 19 | Jimmy Daywalt
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.78 | 4 | 111 | Accident | ||
| 28 | 28 | 38 | Jim Rathmann (Relieved by Pat Flaherty) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.22 | 20 | 110 | Accident | ||
| 29 | 21 | 10 | Tony Bettenhausen
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.27 | 18 | 105 | Wheel Bearing | ||
| 30 | 29 | 65 | Spider Webb (Relieved by Danny Kladis) |
Bromme-Offenhauser | 137.97 | 26 | 104 | Fuel pump | ||
| 31 | 26 | 33 | Len Duncan R (Relieved by George Fonder) |
Schroeder-Offenhauser | 139.21 | 9 | 101 | Brakes | ||
| 32 | 15 | 15 | Johnnie Parsons W
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.57 | 7 | 79 | Engine | ||
| 33 | 18 | 51 | Bill Homeier R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.00 | 24 | 74 | Accident |
W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
R Indianapolis 500 Rookie
All entrants utilized Firestone tires.
^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 had Offenhauser engines.
Broadcasting[edit]
Radio[edit]
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.[8]
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 Announcers | Turn Reporters | Pit/garage reporters |
|
South Turns: Bill Frosch |
Luke Walton (north pits) Greg Smith (south pits) Dick Lingle Paula Carr | |
Championship standings after the race[edit]
- World Drivers' Championship standings
| Pos | Driver | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |  Juan Manuel Fangio
|
8 |
 16
|
2 | Bill Vukovich
|
8 |
 1
|
3 |  Nino Farina
|
6 |
| 14
|
4 | Jimmy Bryan
|
6 |
| 2
|
5 | José Froilán González
|
5 |
| Source: [9] | |||
- Note: Only the top five positions are included.
- Championship car standings
| Pos | Driver | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | Bill Vukovich
|
1,000 |
|
|
2 | Jimmy Bryan
|
800 |
|
|
3 | Jack McGrath
|
700 |
|
|
4 | Mike Nazaruk
|
500 |
|
|
5 | Fred Agabashian
|
400 |
| Source: [4] | |||
- Note: Only the top five positions are included.
References[edit]
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Campbell, Don G. (June 1, 1954). "Even Weather Co-Operates At Speedway". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
- ^ a b "1954 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Heroes of the 500: The 1954 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast" – WIBC, May 2014
- ^ Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954). "Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 1)". Indianapolis News. p. 10. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Barnet, Bob (June 1, 1954). "Chronological Story of '500' Race (Part 2)". Indianapolis News. p. 11. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Air Network To Catch Speedway Action, Color". The Indianapolis Star. May 30, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indianapolis 1954 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
External links[edit]
- Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats – Official Site
- 1954 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference.info (Relief driver statistics)