The 37th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1953. The event was part of the 1953 AAA National Championship Trail, and was race 2 of 9 in the 1953 World Championship of Drivers. Bill Vukovich, after falling short a year before, earned the first of two consecutive Indy 500 victories. With the temperature in the high 90s (°F), and the track temperature exceeding , this race is often known as the "Hottest 500." Driver Carl Scarborough dropped out the race, and later died at the infield hospital due to heat prostration. Due to the extreme heat conditions, several drivers in the field required relief drivers, and some relief drivers even required additional relief. Vukovich, however, as well as second-place finisher Art Cross, both ran the full 500 miles solo. Race details Practice Sixteen-year race veteran Chet Miller died in an accident in practice on May 15. Qualifying Time trials were scheduled for four days. Saturday May 16 – Pole Day time trials (rained out) Sunday May 17 – Second day time trials Saturday May 23 – Third day time trials Sunday May 24 – Fourth day time trials Vukovich qualified on pole, with a speed of . Race Polesitter Bill Vukovich dominated the race, leading 195 laps and also recording fastest lap. The race is commonly known as the "Hottest 500", with track temperatures exceeding . Recent research, however, has suggested that the 1937 race actually had higher recorded temperatures. Half the drivers in the field used relief help, including: Duane Carter (49 laps) took over from Sam Hanks (151) Paul Russo (96) took over from Fred Agabashian (104) Eddie Johnson (88) took over from Jim Rathmann (112) Gene Hartley (37) and Chuck Stevenson (44) took over from Tony Bettenhausen (115) Bob Scott (121) took over from Carl Scarborough (69) Jim Rathmann (36) took over from Bill Holland (141) Duke Dinsmore (10) and Andy Linden (29) took over from Rodger Ward (138) Johnny Mantz (42) took over from Walt Faulkner (134) Jackie Holmes (9) and Johnny Thomson (45) took over from Spider Webb (112) Andy Linden (12) and Chuck Stevenson (13) took over from Jerry Hoyt (82) Carl Scarborough retired from the race due to heat exhaustion, and died later at the infield hospital. Box score Notes – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap Alternates First alternate: Eddie Johnson (#26) Failed