On lap 96, Louis LeCocq and his riding mechanic Robert Bandini wrecked in turn two, and both were burned to death.

When the Armistice was signed in November 1918, the Speedway management was anxious to begin planning for the resumption of the 500-mile race for 1919.

Some early rumors circulated that the race may change dates to July 4, or even expand to 1,000 miles.

These rumors were briefly entertained when the AAA Contest Board announced that both May 30 and July 4 were being set aside on the calendar for the event.

The race was deliberately moved off Memorial Day (Friday May 30) and pushed to Saturday so as not to detract from the holiday.

[6] The race was given a new name for 1919, the Liberty Sweepstakes as a gesture to the peacetime brought on by victory and the end of the war.

[7] * Includes days where track activitywas significantly limited due to rain The deadline for entries to be submitted was midnight on Thursday May 1.

[10][11] The AAA Contest Board confirmed that the maximum starting field rule of 33 cars would apply.

This format was adopted in order to encourage more drivers to qualify early on, instead of waiting until the last minute.

Originally it was planned for all elimination trials to be held on Tuesday, but due to inclement weather, the schedule was expanded to allow Wednesday and Thursday as well.

In an effort to foil the "bootleg" programs that were being printed and sold in and around the Speedway, car numbers were not assigned until race morning.

The first day of time trials was held Tuesday May 27 starting at 10:00 a.m. Ralph DePalma (98.2 mph) was the first car in the field.

Former winner René Thomas shattered the track record with a lap of 104.7 mph to secure the pole position.

During a practice run, Omar Toft spun in the south turns, but avoided contact and was able to continue around.

The Premier team offered him a spare engine, and Goux spent the entire day working to install it.

The rest of the day was spent prepping the track by scrubbing the brick surface of oil and debris.

[68] Maurice Becker, the riding mechanic for Howdy Wilcox during the month, was disallowed by his family from participating in the race.

[70] Pace car driver Jesse G. Vincent, with passenger Eddie Rickenbacker, took the field around for one unscored warm-up lap.

André Boillot's car initially failed to pull away, but eventually got started, and sprinted to catch up to the rest of the field.

On lap 45, Arthur Thurman lost control at about 90 mph, swerved to the inside wall on the backstretch, then flipped over three times.

Both LeCocq and Bandini were pinned underneath the car, doused with gasoline, and burned to death at the scene.

After dominating most of the first half, Ralph DePalma gave up the lead on lap 103 to make a pit stop.

Wilcox made a pit stop for tires and fuel at some point after the 400 mile mark.