# 1954 Indianapolis 500

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

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

R = Indianapolis 500 rookie; W = Former Indianapolis 500 winner
| Row | Inside | Inside | Middle | Middle | Outside | 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

* First alternate: Eddie Johnson (#26) — Johnson drove relief during the race

### Failed to qualify

* 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)

## 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.

## Box score

| Finish | Grid | No. | Driver | Constructor | Qual | Rank | Laps | Time/Retired | Points | WDC Points |
| 1 | 19 | 14 | Bill Vukovich W | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.47 | 14 | 200 | 3:49:17.27 | 1,000 | 8 |
| 2 | 3 | 9 | Jimmy Bryan | Kuzma-Offenhauser | 139.66 | 5 | 200 | + 1:09.95 | 800 | 6 |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Jack McGrath | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.03 | 1 | 200 | + 1:19.73 | 700 | 5 |
| 4 | 11 | 34 | Troy Ruttman W (Duane Carter Laps 101-170) | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.73 | 31 | 200 | + 2:52.68 | 387 213 | 1.5 1.5 |
| 5 | 14 | 73 | Mike Nazaruk | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.58 | 6 | 200 | + 3:24.55 | 500 | 2 |
| 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 (Jerry Hoyt Laps 151-200) | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 32 | 200 | + 5:01.17 | 187.5 62.5 | |
| 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 (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 | Chuck Stevenson (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 | 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 (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 | 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 (Bob Scott Laps 149-193) | Stevens-Offenhauser | 137.79 | 29 | 193 | -7 Laps | | |
| 19 | 33 | 71 | Frank Armi R (George Fonder Laps 141-164) | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 137.67 | 33 | 193 | -7 Laps | | |
| 20 | 10 | 1 | Sam Hanks (Jimmy Davies Laps 113-148) (Jim Rathmann Laps 149-191) | 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 (Eddie Johnson Laps 94-160) | Pawl-Offenhauser | 139.92 | 2 | 172 | Retirement | | |
| 23 | 17 | 31 | Gene Hartley (Marshall Teague Laps 152-168) | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 139.06 | 10 | 168 | Clutch | | |
| 24 | 4 | 43 | Johnny Thomson (Andy Linden Laps 114-140) (Bill Homeier Laps 141-165) | Nichels-Offenhauser | 138.78 | 11 | 165 | Retirement | | |
| 25 | 23 | 74 | Andy Linden (Bob Scott Laps 87-138) | 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 (Pat Flaherty Laps 96-110) | 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 (Danny Kladis Laps 55-104) | Bromme-Offenhauser | 137.97 | 26 | 104 | Fuel pump | | |
| 31 | 26 | 33 | Len Duncan R (George Fonder Laps 44-101) | 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 | | |
Note: Relief drivers in parentheses
W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
R Indianapolis 500 Rookie
All entrants utilized Firestone tires.
^1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap

### Race statistics

Lap Leaders :
| Laps | Leader |
| 1–44 | Jack McGrath |
| 45–50 | Jimmy Daywalt |
| 51–54 | Art Cross |
| 55 | Jimmy Daywalt |
| 56–59 | Art Cross |
| 60 | Jimmy Daywalt |
| 61 | Bill Vukovich |
| 62 | Sam Hanks |
| 63–88 | Jimmy Bryan |
| 89–91 | Jack McGrath |
| 92–129 | Bill Vukovich |
| 130–149 | Jimmy Bryan |
| 150–200 | Bill Vukovich |
Total laps led :
| Driver | Laps |
| Bill Vukovich | 90 |
| Jack McGrath | 47 |
| Jimmy Bryan | 46 |
| Art Cross | 8 |
| Jimmy Daywalt | 8 |
| Sam Hanks | 1 |
Yellow Lights: 21 minutes, 16 seconds :
| Laps* | Reason |
| 55 | Troy Ruttman spin in turn 3 (1:01) |
| 111–115 | Jimmy Daywalt, Pat Flaherty crash in turn 4 (12:25) |
| 183–190 | Pat O'Connor spin in turn 2; Rain & wind (6:37) |
| 197 | Jim Rathmann spin on mainstretch (1:13) |
| * – Approximate lap counts ||

## Additional stats

* 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
### 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. 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.
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 |
| 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 |

## World Drivers' Championship
### 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.
Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers. However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to Formula One specifications and regulations. 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 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.

#### World Drivers' Championship standings after the race

| | 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: ||||
* Note: Only the top five positions are included.

#### AAA Championship car standings after the race

| | 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: ||||
* Note: Only the top five positions are included.