Former Indianapolis 500 winner Alternates First alternate: Len Duncan (#24, #73) Failed to qualify Manny Ayulo (#88) - Fatal accident Tony Bonadies (#36) Bob Christie (#7) Elmer George (#74) Gene Hartley (#28) Bill Homeier (#72, #77) Johnny Kay (#76) Danny Kladis (#93) Russ Klar (#61) Ernie McCoy (#69) Earl Motter (#81) Duke Nalon (#31) Roy Newman (#93) Jiggs Peters (#32) Paul Russo (#10, #21) Troy Ruttman (#18) George Tichenor (#78) Johnnie Tolan - Withdrew, ill Leroy Warriner (#64) Spider Webb (#9) Race recap Jack McGrath, starting from the outside despite the fastest qualifying time, grabbed the initial lead, but was quickly challenged by Bill Vukovich, who was looking for his third consecutive win. Vukovich took the lead on lap four, surrendering it back to McGrath on lap 15 but regaining it on lap 16. Fred Agabashian, who had finished in the top ten the previous two years spun on lap 39 and could not continue. McGrath chased Vukovich until lap 54, when he pulled over with mechanical problems. Despite getting out of the car and attempting to repair it himself, he was forced to drop out with a magneto issue. With Vukovich having a considerable lead on lap 56, Rodger Ward, several laps down, flipped over twice, either due to a problem with the wind, oil, or breaking an axle. Although he landed on his wheels, the car was facing the wrong way. Al Keller, attempting to avoid Ward, turned to the inside, going close to or on to the grass, before turning hard to the right and coming quickly back up the track and contacting Johnny Boyd. Boyd's car careened into Vukovich, who appeared to be attempting to also go to the left of Ward. Vukovich made a last second attempt to avoid Boyd to the right, but Boyd's car sent Vukovich hard into the outside barrier. Vukovich's front end also lifted into the air, causing the front to clear the barrier and the car to contact it with the rear, sending the car into a cartwheel, during which it hit several vehicles parked outside the track, and possibly a pole. The car burst into flames after it came to rest, and Vukovich died from injuries from the crash. Boyd's car also flipped but he and the other drivers escaped major injury. Driver Ed Elisian stopped his car on the infield and ran across the track in an attempt