# 1957 Indianapolis 500

The 41st International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 30, 1957. The event was part of the 1957 USAC National Championship Trail and it was the third race of the eight-race 1957 World Championship of Drivers.
Sam Hanks won the Indianapolis 500 in his thirteenth attempt, the most such by any 500 winner. He retired from competition at Indy in victory lane. Contrary to popular belief, Hanks did not completely retire from racing until the end of the year. He skipped the Race of Two Worlds when his entrant withdrew, but competed in USAC Stock Car events later in the year, winning the event at Trenton, and finished third in points championships for 1957.
Hanks received a record $103,844 purse, the first driver to win a $100,000 single-race payday. The total race purse was also a record, over $300,000 for the first time.
Hanks won the race in George Salih's "Lay-down Offy". The Offenhauser engine was mounted on its side and shifted off-center. This was done in order to lower the center of gravity, reduce frontal area, and counterbalance the body roll in the turns. The car that Hanks drove for the win in 1957 would win back-to-back Indy 500s, with Jimmy Bryan piloting the very same chassis to victory again in 1958.

## Track improvements

For 1957, the Speedway introduced a new state-of-the-art pit lane and brand new Master Control Tower to house broadcasting as well as timing and scoring. For the first time, the pit area was separated from the mainstretch by an inside wall. The pit lane was paved in concrete (the mainstretch remained brick), while a grass strip went the length of the pit road to accommodate pit crew sign board men. Flagging duties would be done from a station on the grass strip at the start/finish line, and eventually a small wooden platform would be constructed for the flagman to stand atop. USAC officials also stationed themselves on the new grass parapet (which would be removed after the 1993 race when the parapet was narrowed and paved with concrete, and pit road become asphalt except for the pit boxes).
For the 1957 race, the field lined up in the pit area single-file, rather than the traditional eleven rows of three on the racing surface. On the pace lap, the field assembled into position, and was aligned for the green flag. By 1957, the field was now being taken around for two warm-up laps (one "parade" lap, and one "pace" lap), an increase over the single lap used previously. This single-file grid practice would eventually lead to confusion, and was utilized for only two years.

## Practice and time trials

Time trials was scheduled for four days, but the second day was rained out. Rain affected practice days as well.
Giuseppe Farina was the only European driver on the entry list for the race, however, he did not attempt to qualify. Farina had difficulty getting his car up to speed, and had experienced handling problems. On May 15, his teammate Keith Andrews stepped into his car for a test run, but crashed. Down the frontstretch, Andrews began to slide, and when he attempted to correct, the car backed into the inside wall separating the pit area. Andrews was crushed to death between the cowl and the fuel tank, but no fire broke out. Farina withdrew after Andrews was killed, with no backup car to use.

### Saturday May 18 – Pole Day time trials

Pat O'Connor qualified for the pole position. Showers delayed qualifying for nearly four hours, and at other points during the afternoon. A total of only nine cars completed runs.
O'Connor's speed of 143.948 mph was not a track record. Troy Ruttman was on the track, and after a lap of over 144 mph, rain forced him to abort the attempt. He was able to get back out to the track, but had to settle for a speed of only 142.772 mph.
The first rookie to make the field was Elmer George, the husband of Mari Hulman George, and son-in-law of Speedway president Tony Hulman.

### Sunday May 19 – Second day time trials

The second day scheduled for qualifying was rained out.

### Saturday May 25 – Third day time trials

Paul Russo (144.817 mph) was the fastest driver of the day, in one of the Novi Specials. Russo was the fastest qualifier in the field, as his speed was faster than the pole position time from the previous weekend.

### Sunday May 26 – Fourth day time trials

Rain and winds plagued the final day of time trials. Twenty three cars entered the day looking to fill the final 11 positions. A total of 43 attempts were made, with 9 cars bumped.
Tony Bettenhausen (142.439 mph) was the fastest driver of the day, driving one of the 500 hp Novi Specials. Bill Cheesbourg needed two cars to make the field. His first attempt was too slow. But late in the day, he got in Cliff Griffith's car, and at a speed of 141.565 mph, bumped Johnnie Parsons from the lineup.

## Qualifying results
### Grid

| Row | Inside | Inside | Middle | Middle | Outside | Outside |
| 1 | 12 | Pat O'Connor Sumar Special Chapman Root Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 143.948 mph (231.662 km/h) | 88 | Eddie Sachs R Peter Schmidt Special Peter Schmidt Kuzma, Offenhauser 143.872 mph (231.540 km/h) | 52 | Troy Ruttman W John Zink Special John Zink Watson, Offenhauser 142.772 mph (229.769 km/h) |
| 2 | 14 | Fred Agabashian Bowes Seal Fast Special George Bignotti Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 142.557 mph (229.423 km/h) | 6 | Johnny Boyd Bowes Seal Fast Special George Bignotti Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 142.102 mph (228.691 km/h) | 5 | Jimmy Reece Hoyt Machine Special Fred Sommer Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 142.006 mph (228.537 km/h) |
| 3 | 83 | Ed Elisian McNamara Special Lee Elkins Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 141.777 mph (228.168 km/h) | 16 | Al Keller Bardahl/Clancy Special Pat Clancy Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 141.398 mph (227.558 km/h) | 23 | Elmer George R Travelon Trailer Special Ernest Ruiz Kurtis 500B, Offenhauser 140.729 mph (226.481 km/h) |
| 4 | 54 | Paul Russo Novi Auto Air Conditioner Special Novi Racing Corp Kurtis 500F, Novi SC 144.817 mph (233.060 km/h) | 10 | Johnny Thomson D-A Lubricant Special Racing Associates Kuzma, Offenhauser 143.529 mph (230.988 km/h) | 73 | Andy Linden McNamara/Veedol Special Lee Elkins Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 143.244 mph (230.529 km/h) |
| 5 | 9 | Sam Hanks Belond Exhaust Special George Salih Salih, Offenhauser 142.812 mph (229.834 km/h) | 22 | Gene Hartley Massaglia Hotels Special Hart Fullerton Lesovsky, Offenhauser 141.271 mph (227.354 km/h) | 1 | Jimmy Bryan Dean Van Lines Special Al Dean Kuzma R, Offenhauser 141.188 mph (227.220 km/h) |
| 6 | 7 | Bob Veith Bob Estes Special Bob Estes Phillips, Offenhauser 141.016 mph (226.943 km/h) | 18 | Johnnie Parsons W Sumar Special Chapman Root Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 140.784 mph (226.570 km/h) | 77 | Mike Magill R Dayton Steel Foundry Special George Walther Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 140.411 mph (225.970 km/h) |
| 7 | 19 | Jack Turner Bardahl Special Pat Clancy Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 140.367 mph (225.899 km/h) | 43 | Eddie Johnson Chapman Special Harry Allen Chapman Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 140.171 mph (225.583 km/h) | 3 | Don Freeland Ansted Rotary Ansted-Thompson Racing Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser 139.649 mph (224.743 km/h) |
| 8 | 27 | Tony Bettenhausen Novi Auto Air Conditioner Special Novi Racing Corp. Kurtis 500F, Novi SC 142.439 mph (229.233 km/h) | 31 | Bill Cheesbourg R Schildmeier Seal Line Special J.S. Donaldson Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 141.565 mph (227.827 km/h) | 8 | Rodger Ward Wolcott Fuel Injection Special Roger Wolcott Lesovsky, Offenhauser SC 141.321 mph (227.434 km/h) |
| 9 | 82 | Chuck Weyant Central Excavating Special Pete Salemi Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 141.105 mph (227.086 km/h) | 55 | Eddie Russo Sclavi & Amos Special Fred Sclavi Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 140.862 mph (226.695 km/h) | 92 | Don Edmunds R McKay Special Roy McKay Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser 140.449 mph (226.031 km/h) |
| 10 | 48 | Marshall Teague Sumar Special Chapman Root Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 140.329 mph (225.838 km/h) | 57 | Jimmy Daywalt Helse Special H.H. Johnson Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 140.203 mph (225.635 km/h) | 89 | Al Herman Dunn Engineering Special Harry Dunn Dunn, Offenhauser 140.007 mph (225.319 km/h) |
| 11 | 28 | Johnnie Tolan Greenman-Casale Special Lysle Greenman Kuzma, Offenhauser 139.884 mph (225.121 km/h) | 26 | Jim Rathmann Chiropractic Special Lindsey Hopkins Epperly, Offenhauser 139.806 mph (224.996 km/h) | 95 | Bob Christie Jones & Maley Special Jones & Maley Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser 139.779 mph (224.952 km/h) |
| Sources: ||||||||||

### First alternate

* #33 - Billy Garrett Federal Engineering Special Kurtis 500E, Offenhauser

### Failed to qualify

| #4 - George Amick R Federal Engineering Special Snowberger, Offenhauser Too slow | #62 - Keith Andrews Farina Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Fatal accident | #82 - Johnny Baldwin R Central Excavating Special Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser Did not qualify |
| #45 - Bill Cheesbourg Las Vegas Club Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Too slow, Qualified #31 | #15 - Tony Bonadies R Ray Brady Special Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser Practice accident | #81 - Tony Bonadies R Central Excavating Special Kuzma D, Offenhauser Too slow |
| #59 - Bud Clemons R Chiropractic Special Shilala Offenhauser Too slow | #49 - Ray Crawford Meguiar Mirror Glaze Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Too slow | #32 - Jimmy Davies Anderson Special Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser Too slow |
| #62 - Giuseppe Farina R Farina Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Crashed by K. Andrews | #71 - Johnny Fedricks R Gdula Special Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser Did not qualify | #64 - Gene Force Shannon Brothers Special Watts, Offenhauser Too slow |
| #58 - Andy Furci R Ray Brady Special Schroder D, Offenhauser Did not qualify | #31 - Cliff Griffith Seal Line Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Did not qualify | #43 - Van Johnson R Chapman Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Did not qualify |
| #72 - Danny Kladis Morgan Engineering Special Maserati, Maserati SC Too slow | #84 - Danny Kladis Safety Auto Glass Special Mercedes, Jaguar Too slow | #25 - Jud Larson R John Zink Special Watson, Offenhauser Too slow |
| #34 - Jim McWithey R Federal Engineering Special Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser Qualifying accident | #32 - Cal Niday Trio Brass Foundry Special Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser Did not qualify | #98 - Johnnie Parsons W Agajanian Special Kuzma, Offenhauser Too slow |
| #92 - Leroy Warriner R McKay Special Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser Did not qualify | #42 - Dempsey Wilson R Martin Special Curtis, Offenhauser Too slow |
R = Indianapolis 500 rookie W = Former Indianapolis 500 winner

## Race summary
### First half

On the backstretch during the pace lap, Elmer George hit the back of Eddie Russo's car, putting both cars out of the race before the start. Only 31 cars took the green flag.
Polesitter Pat O'Connor took the lead at the start and led the first four laps. Troy Ruttman led laps 5–6. O'Connor re-took the lead for laps 7–9, but Ruttman led laps 10–11, until blowing the engine. Paul Russo took the lead on lap 12, and in the first twelve laps there had already been four lead changes between three drivers.

### Second half

Sam Hanks took the lead for the final time on lap 135.

## Box score

| Pos | Grid | No | Driver | Chassis | Engine | Laps | Time/Status | Points | WDC Points |
| 1 | 13 | 9 | Sam Hanks | Salih | Offenhauser | 200 | 3:41:14.25 | 1000 | 8 |
| 2 | 32 | 26 | Jim Rathmann | Epperly | Offenhauser | 200 | +21.46 | 800 | 7 |
| 3 | 15 | 1 | Jimmy Bryan | Kuzma R | Offenhauser | 200 | +2:13.97 | 700 | 4 |
| 4 | 10 | 54 | Paul Russo | Kurtis 500F | Novi SC | 200 | +2:56.86 | 600 | 3 |
| 5 | 12 | 73 | Andy Linden | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 200 | +3:14.27 | 500 | 2 |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | Johnny Boyd | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 200 | +4:35.27 | 400 | |
| 7 | 28 | 48 | Marshall Teague | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 200 | +4:45.58 | 300 | |
| 8 | 1 | 12 | Pat O'Connor | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 200 | +5:33.15 | 250 | |
| 9 | 16 | 7 | Bob Veith | Phillips | Offenhauser | 200 | +6:17.11 | 200 | |
| 10 | 14 | 22 | Gene Hartley | Lesovsky | Offenhauser | 200 | +7:10.12 | 150 | |
| 11 | 19 | 19 | Jack Turner | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 200 | +7:56.07 | 100 | |
| 12 | 11 | 10 | Johnny Thomson | Kuzma | Offenhauser | 199 | -1 Lap | 50 | |
| 13 | 33 | 95 | Bob Christie | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 197 | -3 Laps | | |
| 14 | 25 | 82 | Chuck Weyant | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 196 | -4 Laps | | |
| 15 | 22 | 27 | Tony Bettenhausen | Kurtis 500F | Novi SC | 195 | -5 Laps | | |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | Johnnie Parsons W | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 195 | -5 Laps | | |
| 17 | 21 | 3 | Don Freeland | Kurtis 500D | Offenhauser | 192 | -8 Laps | | |
| 18 | 6 | 5 | Jimmy Reece | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 182 | Throttle | | |
| 19 | 27 | 92 | Don Edmunds R | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 170 | Spun Off | | |
| 20 | 31 | 28 | Johnnie Tolan | Kuzma | Offenhauser | 138 | Clutch | | |
| 21 | 30 | 89 | Al Herman | Dunn | Offenhauser | 111 | Accident | | |
| 22 | 4 | 14 | Fred Agabashian | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 107 | Fuel Leak | | |
| 23 | 2 | 88 | Eddie Sachs R | Kuzma | Offenhauser | 105 | Fuel Leak | | |
| 24 | 18 | 77 | Mike Magill R | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 101 | Accident | | |
| 25 | 20 | 43 | Eddie Johnson | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 93 | Wheel Bearing | | |
| 26 | 23 | 31 | Bill Cheesbourg R | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 81 | Fuel Leak | | |
| 27 | 8 | 16 | Al Keller | Kurtis 500G | Offenhauser | 75 | Accident | | |
| 28 | 29 | 57 | Jimmy Daywalt | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 53 | Accident | | |
| 29 | 7 | 83 | Ed Elisian | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 51 | Timing gear | | |
| 30 | 24 | 8 | Rodger Ward | Lesovsky | Offenhauser SC | 27 | Supercharger | | |
| 31 | 3 | 52 | Troy Ruttman W | Watson | Offenhauser | 13 | Oil leak | | |
| 32 | 26 | 55 | Eddie Russo | Kurtis 500C | Offenhauser | 0 | Accident | | |
| 33 | 9 | 23 | Elmer George R | Kurtis 500B | Offenhauser | 0 | Accident | | |
| Sources: ||||||||||
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 |
| 1–4 | Pat O'Connor |
| 5–6 | Troy Ruttman |
| 7–9 | Pat O'Connor |
| 10–11 | Troy Ruttman |
| 12–35 | Paul Russo |
| 36–48 | Sam Hanks |
| 49–53 | Johnny Thomson |
| 54–110 | Sam Hanks |
| 111–134 | Jim Rathmann |
| 135–200 | Sam Hanks |
Total laps led :
| Driver | Laps |
| Sam Hanks | 136 |
| Jim Rathmann | 24 |
| Paul Russo | 24 |
| Pat O'Connor | 7 |
| Johnny Thomson | 5 |
| Troy Ruttman | 4 |
Yellow Lights: 31 minutes, 41 seconds :
| Laps* | Reason |
| 54–66 | Jimmy Daywalt crash in turn 3 (12:45) |
| 76–80 | Al Keller crash in turn 1 (5:35) |
| 110–119 | Al Herman, Mike Magill crash in turn 4 (10:45) |
| 170–171 | Don Edmunds spin in turn 3 (2:35) |
| * – Approximate lap counts ||

### Race notes

* Fastest Lead Lap: Jim Rathmann – 1:02.75
* Sam Hanks was the only driver in the field using the British made Lodge Spark Plugs. The other 32 drivers all had the American Champion brand installed.
* Dick Rathmann qualified, but was mugged the night before the race. He was replaced in the car by Johnnie Parsons.
* First Indianapolis 500 starts for Eddie Sachs, Mike Magill, Bill Cheesbourg, and Elmer George.
* Only Indianapolis 500 start for Don Edmunds.
* Last Indianapolis 500 starts for Sam Hanks, Andy Linden, Marshall Teague, and Fred Agabashian.

## Broadcasting
### Radio

The race was carried live on the IMS Radio Network. Sid Collins served as chief announcer. The broadcast was carried by 302 affiliates, including Latin America. It reached 46 states and DC. The broadcast came on-air at 10:45 a.m. local time, fifteen minutes prior to the start of the race. For the fifth years, the network featured announcers from the five major radio stations in Indianapolis (WISH, WIRE, WIBC, WFBM, and WISH). For 1957, the crew was expanded to eleven, with three new remote reporting locations. For the first time, there would be a reporter in each of the four turns, and a third pit reporter was added to help cover the recently lengthened pit lane. In addition, the booth announcers moved into the newly-constructed Master Control Tower along the frontstretch.
Charlie Brockman conducted the winner's interview in victory lane.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network :
| Booth Announcers | Turn Reporters | Pit reporters |
| Chief Announcer: Sid Collins Driver Expert/garages: Floyd Davis Statistician: Charlie Brockman | Turn 1: Bill Frosch Turn 2: Bob Rhodes Backstretch: Bernie Herman Turn 3: Robin Bright Turn 4: Jim Shelton | Luke Walton Greg Smith Gordon Graham Charlie Brockman (victory lane) |

## 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 1957 Indianapolis 500 was round 3 of 8 on the 1957 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. For the second year in a row, former World Champion Giuseppe Farina entered, but again struggled to get his car up to speed. He eventually withdrew after his teammate Keith Andrews was killed in a crash testing the car. Race winner Sam Hanks earned 8 points towards the World Championship. Despite not competing in any of the other World Championship events, Hanks finished eighth in the final season standings.

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

| | Pos | Driver | Points |
| | 1 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 17 |
| 28 | 2 | Sam Hanks | 8 |
| 27 | 3 | Jim Rathmann | 7 |
| 2 | 4 | Jean Behra | 6 |
| 2 | 5 | Tony Brooks | 6 |
| Source: ||||
* Note: Only the top five positions are included.

#### USAC National Championship Trail standings after the race

| Rank | Driver | Points |
| 1 | Sam Hanks | 1000 |
| 2 | Jim Rathmann | 800 |
| 3 | Jimmy Bryan | 700 |
| 4 | Paul Russo | 600 |
| 5 | Andy Linden | 500 |
| Source: |||
* Note: Only the top five positions are included.

## Gallery

* 1957 pace car