Wikipedia

1950 Indianapolis 500

The 34th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 30, 1950. The event was sanctioned by the AAA and served as the premier event on the calendar of the 1950 AAA National Championship Trail. For the first time, the race was included as a points-paying event towards the FIA-sanctioned World Drivers' Championship. The race was originally scheduled for 200 laps (500 miles), but was stopped after 138 laps (345 miles) due to rain.

34th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning bodyAAA
DateMay 30, 1950
WinnerJohnnie Parsons
Winning EntrantFrank Kurtis
Average speed124.002 mph (199.562 km/h)
Pole positionWalt Faulkner
Pole speed134.343 mph (216.204 km/h)
Most laps ledJohnnie Parsons (115)
Pre-race
Pace carMercury
Pace car driverBenson Ford
StarterSeth Klein[1]
Honorary refereeClarence Beesmyer[1]
Estimated attendance175,000[2]
Chronology
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1949 1951

A rumor circulated in racing circles during and after this race that Johnnie Parsons's team discovered an irreparable crack in the engine block on race morning. The discovery supposedly precipitated Parsons to charge for the lap leader prizes.[3] Presumably, he set his sights on leading as many laps as possible before the engine inevitably was to fail. Furthermore, the race ending early due to rain supposedly saved Parsons's day allowing him to secure the victory before the engine let go. However, the engine block crack was proved to be an urban myth,[4] and it was said to be a very minor but acceptable level of porosity, which did not significantly affect the performance.

Parsons's win saw him score 9 points and move to a temporary first-place tie (after 3 races on the Formula One season calendar) in the first ever World Drivers' Championship, alongside Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, and also saw him become the first American to win a World Championship race. Parsons is one of only three drivers to have won his first World Championship race, the other two being Farina, who won the first World Championship race (the 1950 British Grand Prix, 17 days earlier) and Giancarlo Baghetti, who won the 1961 French Grand Prix. Despite the 500 being his only race in the 1950 World Championship, it would be enough to see him finish the championship 6th in points.

During the month, Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck were at the track to film scenes for the film To Please a Lady. Stanwyck was on hand in victory lane after the race for the traditional celebratory kiss to the winner. During 1951 a young Mario Andretti saw the film in his native Italy - where it was titled Indianapolis - an event which exposed the future Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time National Champion to the race for the first time.[5]

Time trials

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1950 Cummins Diesel

Time trials was scheduled for six days.

  • Saturday May 13: Walt Faulkner won the pole position with a record run of 134.343 mph.
  • Sunday May 14
  • Saturday May 20: The third day of time trials saw six cars complete runs. Bayliss Levrett (131.181 mph) was the fastest of the afternoon. Charles Van Acker was ruled physically disqualified, after a crash he suffered at the Speedway from 1949.[6]
  • Sunday May 21
  • Saturday May 27: The day began with 11 spots open in the grid.[7]
  • Sunday May 28: Only one driver managed to bump his way into the field. Johnny McDowell bumped Cliff Griffith, while 15 other cars failed to make the field. The two Novi entries failed to qualify – Chet Miller had engine trouble in one of the cars, while the other snapped a supercharger shaft. Rain and two crashes cut the track time to less than three hours. Cy Marshall was among the few left in line when time trials closed at 6 p.m.[8]

Starting grid

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Row Inside Middle Outside
1 98   Walt Faulkner  R  28   Fred Agabashian 31   Mauri Rose  W 
2 5   George Connor 1   Johnnie Parsons 49   Jack McGrath
3 69   Duke Dinsmore 14   Tony Bettenhausen 17   Joie Chitwood
4 3   Bill Holland  W  59   Pat Flaherty  R  54   Cecil Green  R 
5 18   Duane Carter 21   Spider Webb 81   Jerry Hoyt  R 
6 2   Myron Fohr 24   Bayliss Levrett 45   Dick Rathmann  R 
7 7   Paul Russo 4   Walt Brown 12   Henry Banks
8 67   Bill Schindler  R  8   Lee Wallard 55   Troy Ruttman
9 23   Sam Hanks 15   Mack Hellings 22   Jimmy Davies  R 
10 76   Jim Rathmann 27   Walt Ader  R  77   Jackie Holmes
11 75   Gene Hartley  R  61   Jimmy Jackson 62   Johnny McDowell
R Indianapolis 500 rookie
W Indianapolis 500 winner

Box score

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Pos Grid No Driver Constructor Qual Rank Laps Time/Retired Points WDC Points
1 5 1   Johnnie Parsons Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.04 8 138 2:46:55.97 690 91
2 10 3   Bill Holland  W  Diedt-Offenhauser 130.48 21 137 - 1 Lap 552 6
3 3 31   Mauri Rose  W  Diedt-Offenhauser 132.31 6 137 - 1 Lap 483 4
4 12 54   Cecil Green  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.91 2 137 - 1 Lap 414 3
5 9 17   Joie Chitwood
(Tony Bettenhausen Laps 86–136) 		Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 130.75 19 136 - 2 Laps 217.5
127.5 		1
1
6 23 8   Lee Wallard Moore-Offenhauser 132.43 5 136 - 2 Laps 276  
7 1 98   Walt Faulkner  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 134.34 1 135 - 3 Laps 207  
8 4 5   George Connor Lesovsky-Offenhauser 132.16 7 135 - 3 Laps 172.5  
9 19 7   Paul Russo Nichels-Offenhauser 130.79 18 135 - 3 Laps 138  
10 11 59   Pat Flaherty  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 129.60 30 135 - 3 Laps 103.5  
11 16 2   Myron Fohr Marchese-Offenhauser 131.71 11 133 - 5 Laps 69  
12 13 18   Duane Carter Stevens-Offenhauser 131.66 12 133 - 5 Laps 34.5  
13 26 15   Mack Hellings Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 130.68 20 132 - 6 Laps    
14 6 49   Jack McGrath Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.86 10 131 Spun Off    
15 24 55   Troy Ruttman Lesovsky-Offenhauser 131.91 9 130 - 8 Laps    
16 31 75   Gene Hartley  R  Langley-Offenhauser 129.21 32 128 - 10 Laps    
17 27 22   Jimmy Davies  R  Ewing-Offenhauser 130.40 23 128 - 10 Laps    
18 33 62   Johnny McDowell Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 129.69 27 128 - 10 Laps    
19 20 4   Walt Brown Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 130.45 22 127 - 11 Laps    
20 14 21   Spider Webb Maserati-Offenhauser 129.74 26 126 - 12 Laps    
21 15 81   Jerry Hoyt  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 129.52 31 125 - 13 Laps    
22 29 27   Walt Ader  R  Rae-Offenhauser 129.94 25 123 - 15 Laps    
23 30 77   Jackie Holmes Olson-Offenhauser 129.69 28 123 Spun Off    
24 28 76   Jim Rathmann Wetteroth-Offenhauser 129.95 24 122 - 16 Laps    
25 21 12   Henry Banks
(Fred Agabashian Laps 72–112) 		Maserati-Offenhauser 129.64 29 112 Oil Line    
26 22 67   Bill Schindler  R  Snowberger-Offenhauser 132.69 4 111 Transmission    
27 17 24   Bayliss Levrett
(Bill Cantrell Laps 106–108) 		Adams-Offenhauser 131.18 14 108 Oil Pressure    
28 2 28   Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.79 3 64 Oil Leak    
29 32 61   Jimmy Jackson Kurtis Kraft-Cummins 129.20 33 52 Compressor    
30 25 23   Sam Hanks Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.59 13 42 Oil Pressure    
31 8 14   Tony Bettenhausen Diedt-Offenhauser 130.94 16 30 Wheel Bearing    
32 18 45   Dick Rathmann  R  Watson-Offenhauser 130.92 17 25 Stalled    
33 7 69   Duke Dinsmore Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.06 15 10 Oil Leak    
Source:[9]

Note: Relief drivers in parentheses[10]

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.

^1 – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap.

Race statistics

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Notes

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Qualifying

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Pos No Driver Constructor Lap Gap
1 98   Walt Faulkner Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:27.97 –
2 28   Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:31.10 + 3.13
3 31   Mauri Rose Diedt-Offenhauser 4:32.07 + 4.10
4 5   George Connor Lesovsky-Offenhauser 4:32.39 + 4.42
5 1   Johnnie Parsons Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:32.43 + 4.46
6 49   Jack McGrath Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:33.00 + 5.03
7 69   Duke Dinsmore Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:34.67 + 6.70
8 14   Tony Bettenhausen Diedt-Offenhauser 4:34.92 + 6.95
9 17   Joie Chitwood Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:35.32 + 7.35
10 3   Bill Holland Diedt-Offenhauser 4:35.90 + 7.93
11 59   Pat Flaherty Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:37.76 + 9.79
12 54   Cecil Green Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:30.86 + 2.89
13 18   Duane Carter Stevens-Offenhauser 4:33.42 + 5.45
14 21   Spider Webb Maserati-Offenhauser 4:37.46 + 9.49
15 81   Jerry Hoyt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:37.95 + 9.98
16 2   Myron Fohr Marchese-Offenhauser 4:33.32 + 5.35
17 24   Bayliss Levrett Adams-Offenhauser 4:34.43 + 6.46
18 45   Dick Rathmann Watson-Offenhauser 4:34.96 + 6.99
19 7   Paul Russo Nichels-Offenhauser 4:35.25 + 7.28
20 4   Walt Brown Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:35.96 + 7.99
21 12   Henry Banks Maserati-Offenhauser 4:37.68 + 9.71
22 67   Bill Schindler Snowberger-Offenhauser 4:31.31 + 3.34
23 8   Lee Wallard Moore-Offenhauser 4:31.83 + 3.86
24 55   Troy Ruttman Lesovsky-Offenhauser 4:32.91 + 4.94
25 23   Sam Hanks Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:33.57 + 5.60
26 15   Mack Hellings Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:35.32 + 7.35
27 22   Jimmy Davies Ewing-Offenhauser 4:36.07 + 8.10
28 76   Jim Rathmann Wetteroth-Offenhauser 4:37.01 + 9.04
29 27   Walt Ader Rae-Offenhauser 4:37.05 + 9.08
30 77   Jackie Holmes Olson-Offenhauser 4:37.57 + 9.60
31 75   Gene Hartley Langley-Offenhauser 4:38.61 + 10.64
32 61   Jimmy Jackson Kurtis Kraft-Cummins 4:38.62 + 10.65
33 62   Johnny McDowell Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 4:37.58 + 9.61

First alternate

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No Driver Constructor
66   Cliff Griffith  R [14] Miller-Offenhauser

Non-qualifiers

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No Driver Constructor
9   Andy Linden  R  Bromme-Offenhauser
9   Bud Rose  R  Bromme-Offenhauser
10   Bill Vukovich  R  Maserati-Maserati
10   Hal Cole Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser
16   Ted Duncan  R  Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser
19   Ralph Pratt  R  Bardazon-Offenhauser
19   Kenny Eaton  R  Bardazon-Offenhauser
25   Johnny Mauro Alfa Romeo-Alfa Romeo
26   George Fonder Diedt-Sparks
29   Charles Van Acker Stevens-Offenhauser
33   Joel Thorne Kurtis-Kraft-Sparks
34   Johnny Fedricks  R  Kupiec-Offenhauser
36   George Lynch Snowberger-Offenhauser
38   Duke Nalon Kurtis-Kraft-Novi
39   Danny Kladis Maserati-Maserati
41   Milt Fankhouser Stevens-Offenhauser
43   Chet Miller Kurtis-Kraft-Novi
44   Bill Cantrell Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser
47   Ralph Pratt  R  Gdula-Offenhauser
51   Mark Light  R  Stevens-Offenhauser
52   Mark Light  R  Meyer-Offenhauser
52   Dick Frazier  R  Meyer-Offenhauser
58   Billy Devore Scopa-Offenhauser
63   Joe James  R  Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser
63   Bob Gregg  R  Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser
64   Bob Sweikert  R  Wetteroth-Offenhauser
65   Marvin Burke  R  Kurtis-Kraft-Duray
65   Norm Houser Kurtis-Kraft-Duray
74   Carl Forberg  R  Miller-Offenhauser
78   Cy Marshall Miller-Miller
79   Chuck Leighton  R  Cantarano-Wayne
82   Joe James  R  Weidel-Mercury
83   Al Miller Miller-Miller
84   Mike Burch  R  Miller-Offenhauser
85   Manuel Ayulo Maserati-Offenhauser
85   Jim Rigsby  R  Maserati-Offenhauser
87   Bill Vukovich  R  Rounds Rocket-Offenhauser
99   Kenny Eaton  R  Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser
99   Emil Andres Kurtis-Kraft-Offenhauser

World Drivers' Championship

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1950 Indianapolis 500
Race 3 of 7 in the 1950 Formula One season
← Previous raceNext race →
 
Race details
Date May 30, 1950 (1950-05-30)
Location Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Speedway, Indiana
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 4.023 km (2.500 miles)
Distance 138 laps, 555.224 km (345.000 miles)
Scheduled distance 200 laps, 804.672 km (500.000 miles)

Background

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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.[15][16]

Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers.[17] However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to Formula One specifications and regulations.[18] 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

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The 1950 Indianapolis 500 was round 3 of 7 on the 1950 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract significant interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. Giuseppe Farina and Franco Rol submitted Maserati entries, but their cars never arrived, and the race took place without any European competitors.[19] Race winner Johnnie Parsons earned 9 points towards the World Championship (8 points for first place, and 1 point for the fastest lap). Despite not competing in any of the other World Championship events, he finished sixth in the final season standings.

Parsons is one of only three drivers to win on their WDC début. The other two are Farina, who won the inaugural World Championship race – the 1950 British Grand Prix, 17 days earlier – and Giancarlo Baghetti, who won the 1961 French Grand Prix.

World Drivers' Championship standings after the race

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Change Pos Driver Points
  1   Giuseppe Farina 9
  2   Juan Manuel Fangio 9
  31 3   Johnnie Parsons 9
  1 4   Luigi Fagioli 6
  1 5   Alberto Ascari 6
  • Note: Only the top five positions are listed. Only the best four results counted towards the Championship.

Broadcasting

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Radio

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The race was carried live on the Mutual Broadcasting System, the precursor to the IMS Radio Network. The broadcast was sponsored by Perfect Circle Piston Rings and Bill Slater served as the anchor. Sid Collins moved into the booth for the first time to serve as analyst, and conducted the victory lane interview at the conclusion of the race. The broadcast feature live coverage of the start, the finish, and live updates throughout the race.

Prior to the race, it was reported that Slater might miss the race, due to illness. WIBC personality Sid Collins was named as a replacement, however, Slater was able to arrive in time for race day. Collins, who had previously served as a turn reporter, was invited to be the co-anchor in the booth.[20] For the first time, Collins interviewed the winner in victory lane at the conclusion of the race. Collins claims he burned his trousers on Parsons's hot exhaust pipe during the interview, which took place in the rain.

Because the race was shortened, Mutual had to interrupt Queen for a Day to cover the finish of the abbreviated event. This was cited by some as a reason why the Speedway would begin flag-to-flag coverage in 1953.

Mutual Broadcasting System
Booth Announcers Turn Reporters Pit reporters

Booth Announcer: Bill Slater
Analyst: Sid Collins

South turns: Easy Gwynn
North turns: Jim Shelton

 Gordon Graham
Sid Collins (victory lane)

Television

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The race was carried live for the second year in a row on local television on WFBM-TV channel 6 of Indianapolis. Earl Townsend, Jr. was the announcer, along with Dick Pittenger and Paul Roberts. After the race, Speedway management disallowed WFBM from broadcasting the race live again, feeling that gate attendance had been negatively affected.

WFBM-TV
Play-by-play Pit reporters

Announcer: Earl Townsend, Jr
Color: Dick Pittenger

 Paul Roberts

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1950 Indianapolis 500.
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Parsons Sets Record As Rain Halts 500-Mile Speedway Race". The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 31, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ "Great Moments From the Indy 500" (VanCamp's Pork and Beans Presents/Freetwood Sounds), 1975
  4. ^ "The Talk of Gasoline Alley" – WFNI, May 20, 2012
  5. ^ Oreovicz, John (2021). Indy Split: The Big Money Battle that Nearly Destroyed Indy Racing. Austin, TX: Octane Press. p. 365. ISBN 978-1-64234-056-3.
  6. ^ Vet Van Acker Is Ruled Out (May 22, 1950)
  7. ^ Speedway Qualifications End Tomorrow; 11 Vacancies
  8. ^ One Change In Lineup For Big Race (May 29, 1950)
  9. ^ "1950 Indianapolis 500". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  10. ^ "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1950". ChampCarStats.com.
  11. ^ Sansbury, Ed (May 30, 1959). "Rain Calls For End Of Classic After 138 Laps". Tucson Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  12. ^ O'Brien, J.E. (May 31, 1950). "Parsons waits booty after bobtailed 500". Indianapolis News. p. 13. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ Dunkley, Charles (May 31, 1950). "Johnny Parsons Wins Shortened 500-Mile Race". The Terra Haute Star. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  15. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 23, 2007. 1070 WIBC-AM.
  16. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 19, 2016. WFNI.
  17. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 5, 2012. WFNI.
  18. ^ Capps, Don; Cameron Argetsinger (October 25, 2000). "Where Upon Our Scribe, Sherman, & Mr. Peabody Once Again Crank Up The Way-Back Machine for 1961." AtlasF1. Rear View Mirror. 6 (43). Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  19. ^ "1950 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  20. ^ Davidson, Donald (2012-05-24). "IMS Radio Network celebrates 60th anniversary". Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
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Previous race:
1950 Monaco Grand Prix 		FIA Formula One World Championship
1950 season 		Next race:
1950 Swiss Grand Prix
Previous race:
1949 Indianapolis 500
Bill Holland 		1950 Indianapolis 500
Johnnie Parsons 		Next race:
1951 Indianapolis 500
Lee Wallard
Preceded by
121.327 mph
(1949 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the Indianapolis 500 fastest average speed
124.002 mph 		Succeeded by
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