The track had closed in late 1941 due to World War II, and over the next four years, the facility fell into a terrible state of disrepair.

Hulman purchased the Speedway in November 1945, and quickly went to work cleaning up the grounds, which had become overwhelmed by overgrowth and weeds.

The 1946 running of the 500 was the first of sixty-one consecutive years (1946-2006) that featured popular fixture Tom Carnegie on the Speedway public address system.

Grass and weeds overwhelmed the brick racing surface,[6] and the old wooden grandstands became frail and unsuitable and inhospitable.

[8] In mid-December, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Richard T. James, while on an official trip to Europe, formally extended invitations to European racing teams to enter for the 500.

* Includes days where track activitywas significantly limited due to rain The rules announced were largely carried over from 1941, with few changes.

Some eager fans sent requests for tickets as early as August (shortly after V-J Day) anticipating the track would reopen.

[23] On February 7, Harry McQuinn flew into the Speedway, landing his Aeronca Champion airplane on the backstretch, arriving to personally deliver his entry for the race.

[26] A welcoming committee with the local chamber of commerce was formed, in order to re-acclimate spectators to the event after the hiatus during the war.

[30] Three-time pole position holder and 1941 National Champion Rex Mays was slated to drive the Bowes Seal Fast Special, the same car he drove to second place in 1941.

It was reported some drivers, particularly those from the U.S. West Coast, were expressing concern about the perceived low purse announced for the race.

Cars were entered for Harry Schell, Raphaël Bethenod,[35] Emil Andres,[11] George Barringer,[11] Joel Thorne,[36] Cliff Bergere,[37] Rudolf Caracciola,[38] Tazio Nuvolari,[39] Chet Miller,[39] and several others.

[40] Off the track, Roy E. Cole, vice-president in charge of engineering at Studebaker, was named the chairman of the technical committee for the race.

Officials eventually would make the track available for qualifying on three additional days in order to fill the field to the traditional 33 cars.

Prior to World War II, on time trials days the track would typically be open until "sundown."

The favorites for the front row included Harry McQuinn, Cliff Bergere, Rex Mays, and Ted Horn.

During a practice run, Frank McGurk in the Shoof Special spun coming out of turn four and hit the outside wall.

Pole favorites Rex Mays and Ted Horn suffered engine problems, preventing them from going out Saturday.

Paul Russo, driving a unique twin-four-cylinder engine machine, qualified second to sit in the middle of the front row.

[58] Rear-wheel drive cars swept two spots on the front row, with Jimmy Jackson (5th) the highest front-wheel-drive-only machine.

Officials announced that Monday May 20 would be designated for qualifying, in order to make up for lost track time over the weekend.

Horn's car, prepared by "Cotton" Henning, ran two identical laps, and put him on the inside of row three.

Mauri Rose, who threw a rod on his first attempts, returned Wednesday with a different engine, was the fastest car of the day.

During a practice run for his driver's test, Hal Robson broke an axle in turn two, lost a wheel, and spun out.

Under cold weather and threatening skies, about 22,500[citation needed] spectators saw fours drivers complete runs, and the field was filled to 22 cars.

Hal Robson joined his brother George in the field, but the speeds were noticeably down from Sunday's record-breaking efforts.

After his release from the hospital, track owner Tony Hulman invited Caracciola to recuperate at his home in Terre Haute.

Late in the afternoon, Charles Van Acker completed his required four laps at an average of 115.666 mph to fill the field at 33 cars.

Tony Bettenhausen, Billy Devore and George Connor all took to the track at the same time in order to make it in before the deadline.

Attrition was high in the first race after World War II, as three of the first four cars on the grid were out before the 50 mile mark (20 laps).