1950 Indianapolis 500

34th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body AAA / World Championship
Date May 30, 1950
Winner Johnnie Parsons
Winning Entrant Frank Kurtis
Average speed 124.002 mph (199.562 km/h)
Pole position Walt Faulkner
Pole speed 134.343 mph (216.204 km/h)
Most laps led Johnnie Parsons (115)
Pre-race
Pace car Mercury
Pace car driver Benson Ford
Chronology
Previous Next
1949 1951

The 34th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 30, 1950. The event was part of the 1950 AAA National Championship Trail. The race was also included as the third round in the inaugural 1950 World Drivers Championship, and paid points towards the World Championship. The event, however, did not attract any European entries for 1950. Giuseppe Farina originally planned to enter, but his car never arrived. The Indianapolis 500 would be included on the World Championship calendar through 1960.

The race was originally scheduled for 200 laps (500 miles), but was stopped after 138 laps (345 miles) due to rain.

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.[1] 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,[2] and it was said to be a very minor but acceptable level of porosity, which did not significantly affect the performance.

Parsons' win saw him score 9 points move to equal first in the first ever World Drivers' Championship alongside Giuseppe Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, and also saw him become the first American to win a World Championship race. Despite the 500 being his only race in the 1950 World Championship, it would be enough to see him finish 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.

Time trials

1950 Cummins Diesel

Time trials was scheduled for six days.

Classification

Pos Grid No Driver Constructor Qual Rank Laps Led Time/Retired Points
1 5 1 United States Johnnie Parsons Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.040 8 138 115 2:46:55.97 9
2 10 3 United States Bill Holland (W) Deidt-Offenhauser 130.480 21 137 8 + 1 Lap 6
3 3 31 United States Mauri Rose (W) Deidt-Offenhauser 132.310 6 137 15 + 1 Lap 4
4 12 54 United States Cecil Green (R) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.910 2 137 0 + 1 Lap 3
5 9 17 United States Joie Chitwood
(Relieved by Tony Bettenhausen)
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 130.750 19 136 0 + 2 Laps 1
1
6 23 8 United States Lee Wallard Moore-Offenhauser 132.430 5 136 0 + 2 Laps  
7 1 98 United States Walt Faulkner (R) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 134.340 1 135 0 + 3 Laps  
8 4 5 United States George Connor Lesovsky-Offenhauser 132.160 7 135 0 + 3 Laps  
9 19 7 United States Paul Russo Nichels-Offenhauser 130.790 18 135 0 + 3 Laps  
10 11 59 United States Pat Flaherty (R) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 129.600 30 135 0 + 3 Laps  
11 16 2 United States Myron Fohr Marchese-Offenhauser 131.710 11 133 0 + 5 Laps  
12 13 18 United States Duane Carter Stevens-Offenhauser 131.660 12 133 0 + 5 Laps  
13 26 15 United States Mack Hellings Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 130.680 20 132 0 + 6 Laps  
14 6 49 United States Jack McGrath Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.860 10 131 0 Spun Off  
15 24 55 United States Troy Ruttman Lesovsky-Offenhauser 131.910 9 130 0 + 8 Laps  
16 31 75 United States Gene Hartley (R) Langley-Offenhauser 129.210 32 128 0 + 10 Laps  
17 27 22 United States Jimmy Davies (R) Ewing-Offenhauser 130.400 23 128 0 + 10 Laps  
18 33 62 United States Johnny McDowell Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 129.690 27 128 0 + 10 Laps  
19 20 4 United States Walt Brown Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 130.450 22 127 0 + 11 Laps  
20 14 21 United States Spider Webb Maserati-Offenhauser 129.740 26 126 0 + 12 Laps  
21 15 81 United States Jerry Hoyt (R) Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 129.520 31 125 0 + 13 Laps  
22 29 27 United States Walt Ader (R) Rae-Offenhauser 129.940 25 123 0 + 15 Laps  
23 30 77 United States Jackie Holmes Olson-Offenhauser 129.690 28 123 0 Spun Off  
24 28 76 United States Jim Rathmann Wetteroth-Offenhauser 129.950 24 122 0 + 16 Laps  
25 21 12 United States Henry Banks
(Relieved by Fred Agabashian)
Maserati-Offenhauser 129.640 29 112 0 Oil Line  
26 22 67 United States Bill Schindler (R) Snowberger-Offenhauser 132.690 4 111 0 Transmission  
27 17 24 United States Bayliss Levrett
(Relieved by Bill Cantrell)
Adams-Offenhauser 131.180 14 108 0 Oil Pressure  
28 2 28 United States Fred Agabashian Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 132.790 3 64 0 Oil Leak  
29 32 61 United States Jimmy Jackson Kurtis Kraft-Cummins 129.200 33 52 0 Compressor  
30 25 23 United States Sam Hanks Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.590 13 42 0 Oil Pressure  
31 8 14 United States Tony Bettenhausen Deidt-Offenhauser 130.940 16 30 0 Wheel Bearing  
32 18 45 United States Dick Rathmann (R) Watson-Offenhauser 130.920 17 25 0 Stalled  
33 7 69 United States Duke Dinsmore Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 131.060 15 10 0 Oil Leak  
Source:[6]

Notes

Qualifying

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

First alternate

No Driver Constructor
66 United States Cliff Griffith (R)[7] Miller-Offenhauser

Non-qualifiers

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

Championship standings after the race

World Drivers' Championship standings
Pos Driver Points
1 Italy Nino Farina 9
2 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio 9
31 3 United States Johnnie Parsons 9
1 4 Italy Luigi Fagioli 6
1 5 Italy Alberto Ascari 6

Broadcasting

Radio

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.[8] 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 AnnouncersTurn ReportersPit reporters

Booth Announcer: Bill Slater
Analyst: Sid Collins

South turns: E. Z. Gwynn
North turns: Jim Shelton

Gordon Graham
Sid Collins (victory lane)

Television

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-playPit reporters

Announcer: Earl Townsend, Jr
Color: Dick Pittenger

Paul Roberts

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1950 Indianapolis 500.
  1. "Great Moments From the Indy 500" (VanCamp's Pork and Beans Presents/Freetwood Sounds), 1975
  2. "The Talk of Gasoline Alley" – WFNI, May 20, 2012
  3. Vet Van Acker Is Ruled Out (May 22, 1950)
  4. Speedway Qualifications End Tomorrow; 11 Vacancies
  5. One Change In Lineup For Big Race (May 29, 1950)
  6. "1950 Indianapolis 500". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  7. The Talk of Gasoline Alley1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  8. Davidson, Donald (2012-05-24). "IMS Radio Network celebrates 60th anniversary". Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Retrieved 2012-08-13.

External links

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
126.244 mph
(1951 Indianapolis 500)
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