1934 Indianapolis 500

Last updated
22nd Indianapolis 500
Indy500winningcar1934.JPG
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body AAA
DateMay 30, 1934
Winner Bill Cummings
Winning EntrantH. C. Henning
Average speed104.863 mph
Pole position Kelly Petillo
Pole speed119.329 mph
Most laps led Frank Brisko (69)
Pre-race
Pace car LaSalle Model 350
Pace car driverWillard "Big Boy" Rader
Starter Seth Klein [1]
Honorary referee Roy D. Chapin [1]
Estimated attendance140,000 [2]
Chronology
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1933 1935

The 22nd International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1934. The winner was the number seven car driven by Bill Cummings, an Indianapolis native, at an average speed of 104.863 miles per hour. Cummings led for 57 laps total, including the last 26. [3] Of the 33 cars that began the race, only 12 were running at the finish, although there were no crashes resulting in serious injuries. One serious incident involved George Bailey, whose car went over the outside wall, but resulted in only a broken wrist to the driver. The finish was the closest in the history of the race to that point, with second-place finisher Mauri Rose within 100 yards of Cummings at the finish (officially 27.25 seconds behind). Rose would also file a protest that Cummings had illegally gained ground during a "slow-down" period following a crash. [4]

Contents

Cummings was accompanied by riding mechanic Earl Unversaw. The race was part of the 1934 AAA Championship Car season.


Background

In an effort to improve safety, the maximum field size was capped at 33 cars. 33 starters has remained the maximum field size since, with the exception of the 1979 and 1997 races. After several consecutive 500s with multiple fatalities, efforts were also made to reduce speeds through fuel limits; entries were limited to 2.5 U.S. gallons (9.5 L) of fuel for qualification and 45 U.S. gallons (170 L) of fuel for the race. [5] [6]

For 1934, riding mechanics were required. [7]

Time trials

Ten-lap (25 mile) qualifying runs were utilized. Kelly Petillo earned the pole position with a speed of 119.329 mph (192.041 km/h). Babe Stapp and Charles Tramison were both disqualifed for exceeding the fuel limit in their qualifying runs.

During a qualification attempt, driver Pete Kreis lost control in turn 1, climbed over the wall, and struck a tree outside of the track. He and his riding mechanic were fatally injured.

Starting grid

RowInsideMiddleOutside
117 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Kelly Petillo 3 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Wilbur Shaw 32 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Frank Brisko
29 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mauri Rose 4 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chet Gardner 26 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Phil Shafer
38 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Gulotta 36 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Miller 10 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Russ Snowberger
47 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Cummings 31 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ralph Hepburn 18 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Barringer  R 
51 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Louis Meyer  W 24 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Herb Ardinger  R 15 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Shorty Cantlon
658 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Bailey  R 51 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Gordon 22 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cliff Bergere
712 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon Litz 2 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Lou Moore 41 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Sawyer
86 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dave Evans 35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rex Mays  R 16 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Joe Russo
942 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dusty Fahrnow  R 73 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Doc MacKenzie 45 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rick Decker
1049 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Charles Crawford  R 5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Stubby Stubblefield 63 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Harry McQuinn  R 
1129 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Haustein 46 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chet Miller 33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Seymour
R Indianapolis 500 rookie
W Indianapolis 500 winner

Alternates

Failed to Qualify

Race summary

At the start, polesitter Petillo took the lead for the first 4 laps. But the pace was 8 mph off the record of the previous year, owing to new fuel regulations that limited cars to 45 gallons for the entire race. Frank Brisko lead much of the first half of the race, but began to fall back as the race approached half-distance. By half-distance, Mauri Rose was leading, but close behind him was Cummings. "Wild Bill" first assumed the lead at 325 miles as Rose pitted for fuel, then lost it as he too made a stop. Cummings then closed on Rose and passed him with 70 miles to go. Both drivers, confident that they had enough fuel, then upped their pace to reach 140 mph on the straights. Cummings and Rose were never more than 30 seconds apart in the last part of the race. Cummings took the checkered with a new record average speed, despite the new fuel limitations. Rose was second, 27 seconds behind. [10]

Box score

FinishStartNoNameEntrantChassisEngineQualRankLapsStatus
1107 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Cummings H. C. Henning Miller Miller 116.1166200Running
249 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mauri Rose Leon Duray Stevens Miller 116.0447200Running
3202 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Lou Moore
(Wilbur Shaw Laps 77–152)		California Racers, Inc. Miller Miller 113.44216200Running
41912 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon Litz
(Babe Stapp Laps 67–172)		A. B. Litz Miller Miller 113.73114200Running
52416 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Joe Russo Joe E. Russo Duesenberg Duesenberg 113.11518200Running
6836 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Miller
(Zeke Meyer Laps 169–200)		 Phil Shafer Rigling Buick 113.30717200Running
71822 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cliff Bergere
(Tony Gulotta Laps 119–130)
(Billy Winn Laps 131–141)		William S. WhiteWeil Miller 115.2438200Running
8910 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Russ Snowberger Russell Snowberger Snowberger Studebaker 111.42823200Running
9332 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Frank Brisko
(Rex Mays Laps 130–200)		 F.W.D. Auto Company Miller Miller 116.8944200Running
101424 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Herb Ardinger  R 
(Danny Day Laps 93–133)		Angelo LucentiGrahamGraham111.72222200Running
11117 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Kelly Petillo Joe Marks Adams Miller 119.3291200Running
12295 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Stubby Stubblefield
(Dave Evans Laps 124–144)		 Cummins Engine Company Duesenberg Cummins 105.92132200Running
132849 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Charles Crawford  R Detroit Gasket & Manufacturing Ford Ford V8 108.78430110In pits
141131 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ralph Hepburn
(Louis Meyer Laps 138–164)		 Ralph Hepburn Miller Miller 114.32110164Connecting rod
151218 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Barringer  R 
(Chet Gardner Laps 98–161)		H. C. Henning Miller Miller 113.85911161Bent front axle
16626 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Phil Shafer
(Zeke Meyer Laps 97–130)		 Phil Shafer Rigling Buick 113.81612130Camshaft drive
1778 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Gulotta Floyd SmithCooper Studebaker 113.7331394Rod
18131 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Louis Meyer  W  Louis Meyer Stevens Miller 112.3322092Oil tank
19226 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dave Evans Cummins Engine Company Duesenberg Cummins 102.4143381Transmission
201515 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Shorty Cantlon
(Billy Winn Laps 39–76)		 William J. Cantlon Stevens Miller 117.875276Crankshaft
2154 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chet Gardner Alden Sampson II Stevens Miller 114.786972Rod
221751 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Gordon Paul Weirick Adams Miller 116.273566Crash T1
232335 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rex Mays  R  Fred Frame Duesenberg Miller 113.6391553Front axle
242542 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dusty Fahrnow  R Irving GoldbergCooperCooper113.0701928Rod
252141 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Sawyer Lencki & Unger Miller Lencki109.8082727Rod
263333 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Seymour Fred Frame Adams Miller 108.5913122Pinion gear
272745 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rick Decker Rickliffe Decker Miller Miller 110.8952617Clutch
2823 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Wilbur Shaw Joe Marks Stevens Miller 117.647315Lost oil
292673 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Doc MacKenzie Mikan & CarsonMikan-Carson Studebaker 111.9332115Crash NC
303129 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Haustein Lawrence J. Martz Hudson Hudson 109.4262813Crash T4
313063 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Harry McQuinn  R Michel DeBaetsRigling Miller 111.0672413Rod
321658 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Bailey  R Roy ScottSnowberger Studebaker 111.0632512Crash T3
333246 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chet Miller Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation Ford Ford V8 109.2522911Crash T1
[11] < [5]

Note: Relief drivers in parentheses [12]

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

Race statistics

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References

  1. 1 2 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. ↑ Ogle, Carl F. (May 31, 1934). "Boy Who Listened to Racers' Drone In 1914 Realizes Childhood Ambition". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. ↑ "Reference at www.indy500.com". Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  4. ↑ "CUMMINGS VICTOR IN 500-MILE RACE". The New York Times. 31 May 1934.Associated Press as printed in the New York Times May 31, 1934, page 26, sports. (requires subscription to read full article)
  5. 1 2 Popely, Rick; Riggs, L. Spencer (1998). The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd. ISBN   0-7853-2798-3.
  6. ↑ Book "The Indianapolis: A Complete Pictorial History" p.103
  7. ↑ Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.
  8. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  9. ↑ "1934 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 193
  11. ↑ "Indianapolis 500 1934". Ultimate Racing History. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1934". ChampCarStats.com.
1933 Indianapolis 500
Louis Meyer 		1934 Indianapolis 500
Bill Cummings 		1935 Indianapolis 500
Kelly Petillo
Preceded by
104.162 mph
(1933 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the fastest average speed
104.863 mph		Succeeded by
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