Vukovich won the first of two consecutive "500" victories, finishing more than three minutes ahead of second place Art Cross.

Owing to the excruciating conditions, driver Carl Scarborough dropped out of the race, and later died at the infield hospital due to heat prostration.

[5] On Friday May 15, one day prior to the opening of time trials, sixteen-year race veteran Chet Miller died in a crash in turn one.

Miller, was found dead of a basal skull fracture and brain hemorrhage and likely was killed instantly.

Bill Vukovich won the pole position with a four-lap average speed of 138.392 mph, which was not a new track record.

On his fourth and final lap, as Vukovich was coming out of turn four, the skies opened up and a downpour ensued.

His speed of 137.667 mph wound up being the third-fastest overall in the field, but as a third day qualifier, he was forced to line up in 8th starting spot (middle of row 3).

Bill Holland, the 1949 winner, returned to Indianapolis after being suspended by AAA for competing in "outlaw" races.

Manny Ayulo and Tony Bettenhausen battled for second as Vukovich pulled out to a comfortable lead.

[23][24] According to speedway historian Donald Davidson, Scarborough may have inhaled carbon dioxide from the fire extinguishers, which may have contributed to, or been the actual cause of death.

With 80 laps completed, Bill Vukovich was still leading, with Art Cross second and Fred Agabashian third.

Don Freeland lost a wheel in turn one on the leader's lap 81, and he spun down to the infield grass.

Johnnie Parsons dropped out with a blown engine on lap 86, and Duane Carter was out with ignition problems.

At the halfway point, Bill Vukovich led with Fred Agabashian in second and Sam Hanks in third.

Agabashian was overcome by the heat and the engine fumes, and had to be replaced in the cockpit by relief driver Paul Russo.

The yellow light was turned on for 6 minutes and 50 seconds to clean up the oil and fluids that spilled on the track.

Duane Carter got behind the wheel, but the team lost considerable time as the crew had to repair a broken exhaust pipe before he could get the car back out.

Cal Niday was preparing to take over behind the wheel, but in the meantime, the crew discovered an irreparable oil leak and the car was done for the day.

Henry Banks was reportedly standing by in Vukovich's pit, with his helmet on ready to drive relief.

After witnessing this, radio network reporter Luke Walton labeled Vukovich the "ironman" of the race.

Instead of being produced by 1070 WIBC-AM, the network pooled together talent and technical staff from all five of the major radio stations in Indianapolis.

The broadcast was anchored by Sid Collins, and featured on-air talent from WIBC, WFBM, WISH, WIRE, and WXLW.

The broadcast was carried on 135 stations in at least 35 states across the country, and on Armed Forced Network to Europe and Asia.

Towards the end of the race, chief announcer Sid Collins departed the booth in order to report from victory lane.

Chief Announcer: Sid Collins Color: Charlie Brockman Analyst: Chuck Breece South Turns: Bill Frosch North Turns: Jim Shelton Trackside location: Dick Pittenger Trackside location: Robin Bright The Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Championship of Drivers from 1950 through 1960.

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.

[36] The drivers also earned separate points (on a different scale) towards the respective AAA or USAC national championships.