Gusty winds, as well as the threat of rain, was observed on pole day, therefore nearly all of the competitors stayed off the track.

Around the garage area, the drivers and teams agreed amongst themselves to sit out time trials for the afternoon, and instead qualify together in better conditions on Sunday.

However, in the final 20 minutes, Jerry Hoyt, who had not been informed about the agreement, suddenly put his car in line, and pulled away for an unexpected qualifying attempt.

The day closed with only two cars in the field, and Hoyt the surprising pole winner – to the dismay of several in the garage area.

Paul Russo, attempting to qualify the #18 Novi for Troy Ruttman, suffers a broken gearbox.

Fred Agabashian, who had finished in the top ten the previous two years spun on lap 39 and could not continue.

[6] Driver Ed Elisian stopped his car on the infield and ran across the track in an attempt to help Vukovich.

[8] The two deaths in the 500 were part of a particularly deadly year for motorsports, which also included four other Indy drivers dying in other races, Alberto Ascari being killed while testing a sports car at Monza, and a horrific accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans which saw nearly 100 fatalities including Pierre Levegh who was driving at the time of the accident.

[9] It would take until 1959 for fire suits to be made mandatory for all drivers and roll bars for all cars after Jerry Unser's fatal accident at the 1959 Indianapolis 500.

Chief Announcer: Sid Collins Analyst: Gordon Graham Driver Expert: Mauri Rose Statistician: Charlie Brockman South Turns: Bill Frosch Backstretch: Jack Shapiro North Turns: Jim Shelton 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.

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