Ray Keech, who finished fourth a year earlier, took the lead for the final time on lap 158 and won his first Indianapolis 500.

Only two weeks after winning the race, Ray Keech was fatally injured in a crash at Altoona Speedway on June 15, 1929.

A total of twelve front-wheel drive machines made the field, but Keech's rear-wheel-drive Simplex Piston Ring Special took the victory.

Pole-sitter Cliff Woodbury crashed on lap 4, and became the first pole position winner in Indy history to finish last (33rd).

Defending race winner Louis Meyer was leading in the second half, but lost nearly seven minutes when his car stalled in the pits due to low oil pressure on lap 157.

Contrary to popular belief, the proposed rules changes were not made in response to the stock market crash of 1929 (which had not occurred yet) and the subsequent Great Depression.

With the 911⁄2 c.i.d engines on their way out, interest was focused on whether the roughly 200 horsepower machines could set a track record for 500 miles in their swan song.

[8] * Includes days where track activitywas significantly limited due to rain An expanded garage area greeted competitors arriving at the Speedway for 1929.

During the offseason, Speedway superintendent Laurence Welch oversaw the construction of a second row of garages along the Gasoline Alley corridor.

[9] Veteran Indianapolis drivers Earl Devore and Norman Batten were lost at sea in November 1928 in the sinking of the SS Vestris.

Cars were allowed to take as many warm up laps as needed, and when the driver was ready to begin, he would hold his hand up as he came down the frontstretch.

On the morning of time trials, the biggest news out of the paddock was that Ralph DePalma would not attempt to qualify.

After signing with the Alden Sampson team a week earlier, DePalma was prohibited from driving by his current employer.

However, with 18 spots left open and most of the top cars already qualified, the prediction was that any speed over 103 mph was relatively safe.

The second day of time trials was held on Sunday May 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any cars still in line at 5 o'clock would be able to make an attempt, with the track closing at sundown.

Late in the afternoon, Myron Stevens hit a bump in turn one, which veered the car to the inside wall.

Bill Lindau was "crowded out" (bumped) by Cliff Bergere, and rookie Frank Swigart (99.585 mph) was too slow.

Two additional drivers, Zeke Meyer and Sam Grecco, tried to qualify in total darkness, but were too slow[41] and officials flagged them off the track.

[44] Sources:[46][42] The race began at 10 a.m. with George Hunt driving the Studebaker President Roadster pace car.

Among the notable guests and celebrities in attendance were Governor Harry G. Leslie, Glenn Curtiss, Horace E. Dodge, Harvey S. Firestone, William S. Knudsen, and Ray Harroun.

Woodbury was credited with only 3 laps completed, but was uninjured, and immediately returned to the pits to drive relief for other cars.

Barreling down the backstretch, Litz veered to the inside apron to avoid crashing and possibly collecting the two other leaders.

Ray Keech made a 30-second pit stop to change a right rear tire on lap 21, and fell back to tenth position.

After his early crash, Cliff Woodbury was already back behind the wheel around lap 30, driving relief for Billy Arnold.

Arnold came to the pits with broken goggles and a cut eye, and needed relief while his injuries were tended to.

Louis Meyer was charging hard in third place, desperate to make up for lost time in the pits.

After showing strength in qualifying, the only front-wheel drive car to go the distance belonged to Cliff Bergere, credited with 9th place.

After suffering a cut eye early in the going, Arnold was back in the car for the finish, but ran out of gas on lap 196.

John Mannix and a crew of four assistants handled the pit duties, and William F. Sturm was on hand to offer race summaries.

The one-lap qualifying record (124.018 mph) set by Leon Duray in 1928 would also stand for nearly a decade until it fell.