Duke Nalon, who had suffered serious burns in a crash in 1949, and who missed the 1950 race, made a comeback at Indy by winning the pole position in a Novi.

Winner Lee Wallard's car lost its brakes, suffered a damaged exhaust pipe, and broke a shock absorber mounting.

[3][4] In addition to the unbearably uncomfortable ride, Wallard had worn a fire retardant outfit, created by dipping his uniform in a mixture of borax crystals and water.

Due to not wearing an undershirt, Wallard suffered serious chafing, and required treatment at the infield hospital after the victory lane celebration.

At the time the new world championship was announced and first organized by the CSI, the United States did not yet have a Grand Prix.

Mutual, which had carried the race for several years, had raised its advertising rates for 1951, and lost its primary sponsor for the event, Perfect Circle Piston Rings.

Collins interviewed the winner in victory lane, leaving Fox to call the actual finish of the race.

There were not turn and pit reporters stationed around the entire track, instead recorded interviews were played back during later broadcast segments.