View source for 1953 Indianapolis 500

{{short description|37th running of the Indianapolis 500}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox Indy500 1911to1941
| race_name      = 37th Indianapolis 500
| race_logo      = [[File:Indy500winningcar1953-1954.JPG|200px]]
| sanction       = [[AAA Contest Board|AAA]]
| date           = May 30, 1953
| winner         = [[Bill Vukovich]]
| team           = [[Howard Keck]]
| mph            = {{convert|128.740|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
| pole           = [[Bill Vukovich]]
| pole_speed     = {{convert|138.392|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
| leader         = [[Bill Vukovich]] (195)
| pace_car       = [[1952 Ford#1953|Ford Crestline Sunliner]]
| pace_driver    = [[William Clay Ford Sr.|William Clay Ford]]
| starter        = Seth Klein<ref name="Illustrated">{{cite book|last=Fox|first=Jack C.|title =The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994|publisher =Carl Hungness Publishing|edition=4th|date=1994|pages=22|language=English|isbn=0-915088-05-3}}</ref>
| honorary       = [[Henry Ford II]]<ref name="Illustrated"/>
| attendance     = 190,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Californian Leads Al But Two Laps; 5 Cars Crack Up|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5715300/|first=Corky|last=Lamm|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1953|accessdate=June 2, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
| previous       = [[1952 Indianapolis 500|1952]]
| next           = [[1954 Indianapolis 500|1954]]
}}
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 Championship Car season|1953 AAA National Championship]], and was race 2 of 9 in the [[1953 World Championship of Drivers]]. [[Bill Vukovich]], after falling just short a [[1952 Indianapolis 500|year before]], dominated the race, leading 195 of the 200 laps. Vukovich won the first of two consecutive "500" victories, finishing more than three minutes ahead of second place [[Art Cross]].

With the temperature in the high 90s (°F), and the track temperature exceeding {{convert|130|°F|°C|abbr=on}}, this race is often known as the "Hottest 500." Only twelve cars were running at the finish. Many starters needed relief drivers, and some relief drivers required their own relief drivers. Vukovich and Cross, however, both ran the full 500 miles solo. Owing to the excruciating conditions, driver [[Carl Scarborough]] dropped out of the race, and later died at the infield hospital due to [[Heat illness|heat prostration]].<ref name="OneFatalSeason">{{cite book|title=Against Death and Time: One Fatal Season in Racing's Glory Years|first=Brock |last=Yates|year=2005 |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn= 978-1-56025-770-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Vdkykk0KgEC&q=Carl+Scarborough+was+being+brought+in+with+heat+dead&pg=PA28 |access-date=2011-06-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dramatic Fight Fails to Save Scaborough|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/146347128/|newspaper=The Star Press|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1953|accessdate=April 30, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref> Not only were drivers and crew members suffering from the intense heat, but spectators as well. According to one of the doctors at the infield hospital, the number of persons requiring treatment at the hospital was "beyond comprehension". This included at least eleven members of  the [[Purdue All-American Marching Band|Purdue Band]], who marched and performed during pre-race ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news|title=Busiest Day for Hospital at Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/146347191/|newspaper=The Star Press|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1953|accessdate=April 30, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

==Time trials==
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.<ref name="yates">{{cite book |first=Brock |last=Yates |title=The Indianapolis 500: The Story of the Motor Speedway |publisher=Harper |year=1961 |page=67}}</ref> Going into the race, Miller was the 1-lap (139.600&nbsp;mph) and 4-lap (139.034&nbsp;mph) track record holder (139.600&nbsp;mph), a mark that he set in [[1952 Indianapolis 500|1952]]. After completing a fast lap of over 138&nbsp;mph, Miller went low going into turn one. The back end got loose, then the car turned to the right and drove head-on into the outside retaining wall. The car slid along the outside wall for about 100 yards, and came to rest in the south short chute. Miller,  was found dead of a [[Basilar skull fracture|basal skull fracture]] and [[Intracerebral hemorrhage|brain hemorrhage]] and likely was killed instantly.<ref>{{cite news|title=16-Year Veteran's Novi Smacks Wall; Trials Open Today|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5672582/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Bob|last=Stranahan|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 16, 1953|accessdate=April 30, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

===Saturday May 16===
The first day of time trials was scheduled for Saturday May 15, but was rained out. Pole qualifying was rescheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pole Position Attack Rest For Noon Today|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5672723/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Bob|last=Stranahan|page=53|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 17, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

===Sunday May 17===
Morning rain delayed the start of time trials until about 2:20&nbsp;p.m. Only twelve drivers managed to take to the track, and seven completed a qualifying attempt. [[Manny Ayulo]] was the first driver in the field, completing his run at a speed of 136.384&nbsp;mph. [[Bill Vukovich]] won the pole position with a four-lap average speed of 138.392&nbsp;mph, which was not a new track record. Vukovich famously completed his qualifying run in the rain. On his third lap, his car slid sideways going into turn one due to increasing dampness, but he stayed with it. On his fourth and final lap, as Vukovich was coming out of turn four, the skies opened up and a downpour ensued. The speed on his last lap slipped to 137&nbsp;mph, but he nevertheless took the checkered flag. The track was closed and Vukovich secured the pole position.<ref>{{cite news|title=Does 138 To Win 500 Pole Post (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5676180/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Bob|last=Stranahan|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 18, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Does 138 To Win 500 Pole Post (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5676264/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Bob|last=Stranahan|page=22|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 18, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Starlineup51853">{{cite news|title=Yesterday's Qualifiers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5676364/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|page=22|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 18, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|- align="center"
! {{abbr|Pos|Position}} !! {{abbr|No.|Car Number}} !! Name !! Lap 1<br />(mph) !! Lap 2<br />(mph) !! Lap 3<br />(mph) !! Lap 4<br />(mph) !! Average Speed<br />(mph)
|-
|1||14|| [[Bill Vukovich]]||139.147||138.568||138.739||137.132||align=center|'''138.392'''
|-
|2||59|| [[Fred Agabashian]]||137.405||138.376||137.279||137.132||align=center|'''137.546'''
|-
|3||59|| [[Jack McGrath (racing driver)|Jack McGrath]]||136.674||137.153||136.405||136.178||align=center|'''136.602'''
|-
|4||88|| [[Manny Ayulo]]||136.240||136.075||136.6956||136.529||align=center|'''136.384'''
|-
|5||32|| [[Andy Linden (racing driver)|Andy Linden]]||135.196||135.726||136.446||136.882||align=center|'''136.060'''
|-
|6||32|| [[Tony Bettenhausen]]||135.583||136.529||135.952||136.033||align=center|'''136.024'''
|-
|7||55|| [[Jerry Hoyt]]||135.952||135.399||135.890||135.685||align=center|'''135.731'''
|-
| — ||76|| [[George Fonder]] ||colspan=4|wave off (twice) ||align=center| —
|-
| — ||16|| [[Art Cross]] ||colspan=4|wave off||align=center| —
|-
| — ||3|| [[Sam Hanks]] ||colspan=4|wave off||align=center| —
|-
| — ||62|| [[Travis Webb|Spider Webb]] ||colspan=4|wave off||align=center| —
|-
| — ||4|| [[Duane Carter]] ||colspan=4|did not take green flag||align=center| —
|}
*<small>Source: ''The Indianapolis Star''</small><ref name="Starlineup51853"/>

===Saturday May 23===
The third day of time trials opened with 26 spots still open in the starting grid. With as many as 66 cars in the paddock looking for a chance to qualify, the schedule for time trials was extended to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.<ref>{{cite news|title=Time Lengthened for Trial Runs|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5677070/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Corky|last=Lamm|page=19|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 23, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref> A very busy day saw 45 total qualifying attempts; 27 cars completed an attempt. The field was filled to 33 cars, and one car ([[Joe Barzda]]) was bumped.

[[Johnnie Parsons]], the [[1950 Indianapolis 500|1950]] winner, was the fastest driver of the day. His speed of 137.667&nbsp;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). The threat of rain added to the urgency of the day. However, the rain held off throughout most of the afternoon. Two drivers ([[Marshall Teague (racing driver)|Marshall Teague]] and [[Eddie Johnson (racing driver)|Eddie Johnson]]) exhausted all three of their allotted attempts. Teague slid sideways in turn two during his attempt, but would hold on to make the field. Johnson would later be bumped.

No incidents were reported during the day. [[Art Cross]] threw a rod during his first attempt. He took over the car of [[Jimmy Reece]], and qualified 12th. Among those not yet in the field was [[Henry Banks]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Full Field Assured in '500' Race (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5677132/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Corky|last=Lamm|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 24, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Full Field Assured in '500' Race (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5677264/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Corky|last=Lamm|page=53|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 24, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|- align="center"
! {{abbr|Pos|Position}} !! {{abbr|No.|Car Number}} !! Name !! Lap 1<br />(mph) !! Lap 2<br />(mph) !! Lap 3<br />(mph) !! Lap 4<br />(mph) !! Average Speed<br />(mph) !! Notes
|-
|align=center|8||align=center| 21 || [[Johnnie Parsons]] || 137.447 || 138.079 || 138.079 || 137.070 ||align=center| '''137.667''' ||
|-
|align=center|9||align=center|  3 || [[Sam Hanks]] || 137.573 || 137.510 || 137.783 || 137.259 ||align=center| '''137.531''' ||
|-
|align=center|10||align=center| 92 || [[Rodger Ward]] || 137.636 || 137.678 || 137.342 || 137.216 ||align=center| '''137.468''' ||
|-
|align=center|11||align=center| 29 || [[Bob Scott (racing driver)|Bob Scott]] || 136.633 || 138.525 || 138.058 || 136.529 ||align=center| '''137.431''' ||
|-
|align=center|12||align=center| 16 || [[Art Cross]] || 136.157 || 137.552 || 137.994 || 137.552 ||align=center| '''137.310''' ||
|-
|align=center|13||align=center| 41 || [[Gene Hartley]] || 137.741 || 137.489 || 136.882 || 136.945 ||align=center| '''137.263''' ||
|-
|align=center|14||align=center| 23 || [[Walt Faulkner]] || 137.258 || 137.342 || 137.195 || 136.674 ||align=center| '''137.117''' ||
|-
|align=center|15||align=center| 38 || [[Don Freeland]] || 136.934 || 136.426 || 137.531 || 136.591 ||align=center| '''136.867''' ||
|-
|align=center|16||align=center| 97 || [[Chuck Stevenson]] || 135.767 || 136.674 || 136.861 || 136.945 ||align=center| '''136.560''' ||
|-
|align=center|17||align=center|  7 || [[Paul Russo]] || 136.219 || 136.116 || 136.737 || 135.808 ||align=center| '''136.219''' ||
|-
|align=center|18||align=center| 62 || [[Travis Webb|Spider Webb]] || 135.501 || 136.550 || 136.157 || 136.467 ||align=center| '''136.168''' ||
|-
|align=center|19||align=center| 73 || [[Carl Scarborough]] || 135.014 || 135.952 || 136.116 || 136.674 ||align=center| '''135.936''' ||
|-
|align=center|20||align=center| 12 || [[Ernie McCoy (racing driver)|Ernie McCoy]] || 135.583 || 135.767 || 136.654 || 135.706 ||align=center| '''135.926''' ||
|-
|align=center|21||align=center| 48 || [[Jimmy Daywalt]] || 135.747 || 135.767 || 135.522 || 135.952 ||align=center| '''135.747''' ||
|-
|align=center|22||align=center| 22 || [[Marshall Teague (racing driver)|Marshall Teague]] || 135.379 || 135.281 || 135.911 || 135.318 ||align=center| '''135.721''' ||
|-
|align=center|23||align=center| 83 || [[Mike Nazaruk]] || 135.095 || 135.583 || 135.706 || 136.446 ||align=center| '''135.706''' ||
|-
|align=center|24||align=center| 77 || [[Pat Flaherty (racing driver)|Pat Flaherty]] || 136.612 || 136.137 || 135.014 || 134.912 ||align=center| '''135.668''' ||
|-
|align=center|25||align=center|  2 || [[Jim Rathmann (racing driver)|Jim Rathmann]] || 136.116 || 135.767 || 135.237 || 135.542 ||align=center| '''135.666''' ||
|-
|align=center|26||align=center|  9 || [[Duke Nalon]] || 135.338 || 135.788 || 135.277 || 135.440 ||align=center| '''135.461''' ||
|-
|align=center|27||align=center|  4 || [[Duane Carter]] || 135.440 || 134.912 || 135.665 || 135.054 ||align=center| '''135.267''' ||
|-
!colspan=9|Failed to Qualify
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 26 || [[Eddie Johnson (auto racer)|Eddie Johnson]] || 134.811 || 135.318 || 135.706 || 135.115 ||align=center| '''135.237''' || Bumped on 5/24
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 78 || [[Cal Niday]] || 134.852 || 135.420 || 134.389 || 135.054 ||align=center| '''134.827''' || Bumped on 5/24
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 36 || [[Potsy Goacher]] || 134.409 || 134.368 || 134.933 || 134.771 ||align=center| '''134.620''' || Bumped on 5/24
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 61 || [[Bill Holland]] || 134.329 || 134.934 || 134.088 || 134.409 ||align=center| '''134.439''' || Bumped on 5/24
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 74 || [[Pat O'Connor (racing driver)|Pat O'Connor]] || 133.929 || 134.933 || 134.751 || 133.849 ||align=center| '''134.363''' || Bumped on 5/24
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 31 || [[Len Duncan]] || 133.909 || 133.018 || 133.591 || 133.432 ||align=center| '''133.487''' || Bumped on 5/24
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center| 69 || [[Joe Barzda]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center| '''121.918''' || Bumped by Holland
|}
*<small>Source: ''The Indianapolis Star''</small><ref>{{cite news|title=How They'll Line Up|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-0524-indy500-kval/97525211/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|page=53|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 24, 1953|accessdate=April 30, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

===Sunday May 24===
Bump Day, the fourth and final day of time trials, was held on Sunday May 24. With the field already filled to 33 cars, the bumping process began right away. A total of six cars were bumped. [[Len Duncan]] was the first driver bumped for the day, after the successful run of [[Jimmy Bryan]]. Duncan later got in a backup car, but wrecked it in a practice run. [[Frank Armi]] spun out in turn two and also failed to make the race. Both Duncan and Armi would return to the make the race in 1954.

[[Bill Holland]], the [[1949 Indianapolis 500|1949 winner]], returned to Indianapolis after being suspended by [[AAA Contest Board|AAA]] for competing in "outlaw" races. Holland's car from the previous Sunday was bumped, but he took over the [[John Fitch (racing driver)|John Finch]] machine. He put in a speed of 137.868&nbsp;mph, and became the second-fastest car overall in the field. [[Johnnie Tolan]] got out on the track with five seconds left before the 7 o'clock gun. His speed of 134.852&nbsp;mph, however, was too slow to make the field.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fastest 33 In History Await '500' (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5677415/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Corky|last=Lamm|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 25, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fastest 33 In History Await '500' (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5677489/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|first=Corky|last=Lamm|page=21|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 25, 1953|accessdate=April 28, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|- align="center"
! {{abbr|Pos|Position}} !! {{abbr|No.|Car Number}} !! Name !! Lap 1<br />(mph) !! Lap 2<br />(mph) !! Lap 3<br />(mph) !! Lap 4<br />(mph) !! Average Speed<br />(mph) !! Notes
|-
|align=center|28||align=center|69|| [[Bill Holland]] || 138.291 || 138.782 || 138.122 || 136.302 ||align=center| '''137.868''' || Bumps Goacher
|-
|align=center|29||align=center|51|| [[Bob Sweikert]] || 136.945 || 136.778 || 136.924 || 136.841 ||align=center| '''136.872''' || Bumps Holland
|-
|align=center|30||align=center|99|| [[Cal Niday]] || 135.624 || 136.075 || 136.405 || 136.405||align=center| '''136.096''' || Bumps Johnson
|-
|align=center|31||align=center|8|| [[Jimmy Bryan]] || 133.665 || 135.870 || 135.257 || 135.237 ||align=center| '''135.506''' || Bumps Duncan
|-
|align=center|32||align=center|53|| [[Jimmy Davies (racing driver)|Jimmy Davies]] || 135.014 || 134.610 || 135.583 || 136.013 ||align=center| '''135.303''' || Bumps Niday
|-
|align=center|33||align=center|56|| [[Johnny Thomson]] || 136.116 || 136.100 || 134.791 || 134.068 ||align=center| '''135.262''' || Bumps O'Connor
|-
!colspan=9|Failed to Qualify
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center|85|| [[Johnnie Tolan]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center| '''134.852''' || 
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center|63|| [[Danny Oakes]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center|   || 
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center|10|| [[Henry Banks]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center|   ||
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center|74|| [[Pat O'Connor (racing driver)|Pat O'Connor]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center|   ||
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center|76|| [[George Fonder]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center|   ||
|-
|align=center| — ||align=center|65|| [[George Tichenor (racing driver)|George Tichenor]] ||  ||  ||  ||  ||align=center|   ||
|}
*<small>Source: ''The Indianapolis Star''</small><ref>{{cite news|title=Official 500 Line-Up|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-0525-indy500-race/97525404/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|page=22|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 25, 1953|accessdate=April 30, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

===Carburetion Day - Tuesday May 26===
The final practice was held on Tuesday May 26 in hot conditions. The ambient temperature topped out at {{cvt|89|F}}, with a track temperature of {{cvt|113|F}}. It would be a precursor for the hot weather in the forecast for race day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Heat May Test Tires And Men|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/5700320/|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 27, 1953|accessdate=April 30, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>

==Starting grid==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
!Row
!colspan=2 width="195"|Inside
!colspan=2 width="195"|Middle
!colspan=2 width="195"|Outside
|-
! 1
|align="center" width="20"|14
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}}  [[Bill Vukovich]]
|align="center" width="20"|59
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}}  [[Fred Agabashian]]
|align="center" width="20"|5
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jack McGrath (racing driver)|Jack McGrath]]
|-
! 2
|align="center" width="20"|88
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Manny Ayulo]]
|align="center" width="20"|32
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Andy Linden (racing driver)|Andy Linden]]
|align="center" width="20"|98
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tony Bettenhausen]]
|-
! 3
|align="center" width="20"|55
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jerry Hoyt]]
|align="center" width="20"|21
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Johnnie Parsons]] {{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}
|align="center" width="20"|3
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Sam Hanks]]
|-
! 4
|align="center" width="20"|92
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Rodger Ward]]
|align="center" width="20"|29
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Bob Scott (racing driver)|Bob Scott]]
|align="center" width="20"|16
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Art Cross]]
|-
! 5
|align="center" width="20"|41
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Gene Hartley]]
|align="center" width="20"|23
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Walt Faulkner]]
|align="center" width="20"|38
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Don Freeland]] {{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}
|-
! 6
|align="center" width="20"|97
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Chuck Stevenson]]
|align="center" width="20"|7
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Paul Russo]]
|align="center" width="20"|62
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Travis Webb|Spider Webb]]
|-
! 7
|align="center" width="20"|73
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Carl Scarborough]]
|align="center" width="20"|12
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ernie McCoy (racing driver)|Ernie McCoy]] {{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}
|align="center" width="20"|48
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jimmy Daywalt]] {{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}
|-
! 8
|align="center" width="20"|22
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Marshall Teague (racing driver)|Marshall Teague]] {{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}
|align="center" width="20"|83
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Mike Nazaruk]]
|align="center" width="20"|77
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Pat Flaherty (racing driver)|Pat Flaherty]]
|-
! 9
|align="center" width="20"|2
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jim Rathmann (racing driver)|Jim Rathmann]]
|align="center" width="20"|9
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Duke Nalon]]
|align="center" width="20"|4
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Duane Carter]]
|-
! 10
|align="center" width="20"|49
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Bill Holland]] {{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}
|align="center" width="20"|51
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Bob Sweikert]]
|align="center" width="20"|99
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Cal Niday]] {{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}
|-
! 11
|align="center" width="20"|8
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jimmy Bryan]]
|align="center" width="20"|53
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jimmy Davies (racing driver)|Jimmy Davies]]
|align="center" width="20"|56
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Johnny Thomson]] {{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}
|-
|}
{{legend|orange|text=R|Indianapolis 500 rookie|border=solid 1px darkgray}}
{{legend|gold|text=W|Indianapolis 500 winner|border=solid 1px darkgray}}

===Alternates===
*First alternate: [[Eddie Johnson (auto racer)|Eddie Johnson]] (#26)<ref>''[[Donald Davidson (historian)|The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]'' – [[WIBC (FM)|1070-AM WIBC]], May 14, 2004</ref> – Bumped
*Second alternate: [[Johnnie Tolan]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#66, #85) – Too slow

===Failed to qualify===
All drivers from the United States unless stated.
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
*[[Joe Barzda]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#69) – Bumped
*[[Potsy Goacher]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#36) – Bumped
*[[Pat O'Connor (racing driver)|Pat O'Connor]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#28, #64, #74) – Bumped
*[[Len Duncan]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#31, #81) – Bumped
*[[George Fonder]] (#76) – Wave off
*[[Danny Oakes]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#63) – Too slow
*[[Henry Banks]] (#10) – Unsuccessful attempt
*[[George Tichenor (racing driver)|George Tichenor]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#65) – Unsuccessful attempt
*[[Frank Armi]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#79)
*[[Alberto Ascari]] {{flagicon|ITA}} (#97) – Did not appear
*[[Buzz Barton]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#35)
*[[Bill Boyd (auto racer)|Bill Boyd]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#86)
*[[Willard Cantrell|Billy Cantrell]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#42)
*[[Neal Carter (driver)|Neal Carter]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#23)
*[[George Connor (driver)|George Connor]] (#25)
*[[Ray Crawford (racing driver)|Ray Crawford]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#49)
*[[Jorge Daponte]] {{flagicon|ARG}} '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#95)
*[[Billy Devore]] (#28)
*[[Duke Dinsmore]] (#52)
*[[Bill Doster]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
*[[Edgar Elder]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#49)
*[[Johnny Fedricks]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#46)
*[[John Fitch (driver)|John Fitch]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#49, #74)
*[[Gene Force]] (#48)
*[[Cliff Griffith]] (#24)
*[[Red Hamilton (driver)|Red Hamilton]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#91)
*[[Allen Heath]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#65) 
*[[Al Herman]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#93)
*[[Jackie Holmes]] (#71)
*[[Bill Homeier]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#84, #87)
*[[Johnny Kay (racing driver)|Johnny Kay]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#67)
*[[Jud Larson]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#96)
*[[Jim Mayes]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#34)
*[[Johnny Mauro]] (#47) – Did not appear
*[[Chet Miller]] (#15) – Fatal accident
*[[Roy Newman (racing driver)|Roy Newman]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#43)
*[[Jimmy Reece]] (#16)
*[[Johnny Roberts]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#82)
*[[Hal Robson]] (#57)
*[[Troy Ruttman]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' (#2)
*[[Eddie Sachs]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#34)
*[[Wayne Selser]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#75)
*[[Joe Sostilio]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#17)
*[[Harry Stockman (racing driver)|Harry Stockman]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#84)
*[[Bill Taylor (racing driver)|Bill Taylor]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#39)
*[[Leroy Warriner]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' (#44)
*[[Ebe Yoder]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''<ref name="champcarstats">{{cite web|title=1953 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes|url=http://www.champcarstats.com/races/195301.htm|website=ChampCarStats.com|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Race summary==
===First half===
Race day dawned hot, with temperatures climbing into the 90s. The command to start engines was given at 10:54&nbsp;a.m., and the field pulled away for the pace lap. At start, [[Bill Vukovich]] took the lead from the pole position, and led the field into turn one. [[Manny Ayulo]] and [[Tony Bettenhausen]] battled for second as Vukovich pulled out to a comfortable lead. On lap 4, [[Andy Linden (racing driver)|Andy Linden]] crashed in turn three. [[Jerry Hoyt]] spun to the infield grass to avoid the wreck. Linden was out, but Hoyt was able to continue in the race. The yellow light stayed on for about one lap, and Linden was not injured.

Vukovich surrendered the lead during his first pit stop on lap 48. That put [[Fred Agabashian]] in the lead for one lap, followed by [[Jim Rathmann (racing driver)|Jim Rathmann]], then [[Sam Hanks]] for two laps. After the leaders cycled through their stops, Vukovich was back in the lead on lap 54. At the same time, [[Gene Hartley]] spun out in turn four bringing out the second yellow of the day. Hartley was taken to the infield hospital, but was released and would be able to serve as a relief driver later in the day.

The grueling conditions were starting to take a toll on the field. Several cars dropped out with mechanical problems before the halfway point. [[Jimmy Davies (racing driver)|Jimmy Davies]] came into the pits without brakes, and brushed the inside wall to slow the car down. He would stay in the race to finish 10th, but several laps down. When [[Duke Nalon]] came in for his pit stop, his crew dumped a bucket of water over his head. On lap 70, [[Carl Scarborough]] came into the pits, feeling sick from the heat and fumes. Due to a fuel spill, a small fire broke out on the side of the car. The fire was quickly extinguished, and Scarborough climbed over the pit wall where he collapsed onto a chair.<ref name=Reed>{{cite book|last=Reed |first=Terry|title=Indy: The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500|year=2005|publisher=Potomac Books|isbn=1574889079|page=[https://archive.org/details/indyraceritualof00reed/page/163 163] |url=https://archive.org/details/indyraceritualof00reed |url-access=registration |quote=carl scarborough indianapolis 500.}}</ref> [[Bob Scott (racing driver)|Bob Scott]], who had already dropped out with an oil leak, took over behind the wheel. Scarborough was taken to the infield hospital where his temperature was recorded as {{Convert|104|F}}. Physicians unsuccessfully performed [[internal cardiac massage|open-heart massage]], but he died of what was reported as [[Heat illness|heat prostration]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Yates|first=Brock|author-link=Brock Yates|date=November 8, 2005|title=Against Death and Time: One Fatal Season in Racing's Glory Years|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Vdkykk0KgEC|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|page=28|isbn=978-1-56025-770-7|access-date=2011-06-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heat, heart disease fatal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/66316539/|newspaper=[[Decatur Herald and Review|Decatur Sunday Herald and Review]]|agency=Associated Press|date=May 31, 1953|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501220438/https://www.newspapers.com/article/66316539/|archive-date=2023-05-01|url-status=live}}</ref> According to speedway historian [[Donald Davidson (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. He was unhurt, but the car was finished. [[Johnnie Parsons]] dropped out with a blown engine on lap 86, and [[Duane Carter]] was out with ignition problems.

===Second half===
At the halfway point, [[Bill Vukovich]] led with [[Fred Agabashian]] in second and [[Sam Hanks]] in third. Agabashian came in for a pit stop on lap 104. Agabashian was overcome by the heat and the engine fumes, and had to be replaced in the cockpit by relief driver [[Paul Russo]]. [[Jim Rathmann (racing driver)|Jim Rathmann]] did the same, handing his car over to [[Eddie Johnson (racing driver)|Eddie Johnson]] on lap 113. Vukovich came in for his second pit stop on lap 112, followed by Hanks four laps later. Back out on the track, Vukovich had a 50-second lead over Hanks.

[[Pat Flaherty (racing driver)|Pat Flaherty]] hit the wall in the northchute on the leaders' lap 118. The yellow light was turned on for 6 minutes and 50 seconds to clean up the oil and fluids that spilled on the track. The next driver to fall by the wayside was [[Tony Bettenhausen]]. After completing 115 laps, Bettenhausen came into the pits signaling for a relief driver. [[Chuck Stevenson]] took over the car as Bettenhausen passed out and collapsed to the ground from the heat. After a lengthy period of rest, Jim Rathmann got back in the race. Rathmann took over the car of Bill Holland, but it ultimately broke down with a magneto failure.

At the 150-lap mark (375 miles), Bill Vukovich had lapped the field. Manny Ayulo was running second, and Sam Hanks in third. Ayulo's day ended after 184 laps with engine failure. Hanks came in on lap 151, and he was the next to need a relief driver. 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. [[Marshall Teague (racing driver)|Marshall Teague]] came in on lap 169 needing assistance climbing out of the car. 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.

Bill Vukovich made his final pit stop on lap 171. [[Henry Banks]] was reportedly standing by in Vukovich's pit, with his helmet on ready to drive relief. Vukovich, however, refused the help and insisted on driving the full 500 miles solo. He drank a cup of water, poured some water down the back of his shirt, and went back out on the track. After witnessing this, radio network reporter Luke Walton labeled Vukovich the "[[Iron man (sports streak)|ironman]]" of the race. Walton described the day as the "hottest day we've had in [[Hoosier]]land since [[Wendell Willkie|Willkie]] accepted the [[1940 Republican National Convention|nomination]] in [[Elwood, Indiana|Elwood]] back in 1940".<ref>Van Camp's Pork & Beans Presents: ''Great Moments From the Indy 500'' - Fleetwood Sounds, 1975</ref>

Vukovich cruised over the final 30 laps and won his first "500" by 3 minutes and 30 seconds (about 3 laps) over second place Art Cross. Duane Carter (driving the car of Sam Hanks) came home third, with Paul Russo (driving the car of Fred Agabashian) fourth. As Vukovich was headed to victory lane, the action on the track was still hot. Gene Hartley (driving Tony Bettenhausen's car) crashed, as did Duke Nalon. Officials flagged the race after the first eight cars finished. Only four other cars were still running.

== Box score ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Finish
!rowspan="2"|Grid
!rowspan="2"|No.
!rowspan="2"|Driver
!rowspan="2"|Constructor
!colspan="2"|Qualifying
!rowspan="2"|Laps
!rowspan="2"|Time/Retired
!colspan="2"|Points
|-
!Speed
!Rank
!{{abbr|USAC|USAC Championship Trail}}
!{{abbr|WDC|World Drivers' Championship}}
|-
! 1
| 1
| 14
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Bill Vukovich]]
| '''[[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]'''
| 138.39
| 1
| 200
| 3:53:01.69
| 1000
| '''9'''{{ref|1|1}}
|-
! 2
| 12
| 16
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Art Cross]]
| '''[[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]'''
| 137.31
| 8
| 200
| +3:30.87
| 800
| '''6'''
|-
! 3
| 9
| 3
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Sam Hanks]]<br/><small>([[Duane Carter]] Laps 152–200)</small>
| '''[[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]'''
| 137.53
| 5
| 200
| +4:11.50
| 532 <br/> 168
| '''2''' <br/> '''2'''
|-
! 4
| 2
| 59
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Fred Agabashian]]<br/><small>([[Paul Russo]] Laps 105–200)</small>
| '''[[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]'''
| 137.54
| 4
| 200
| +4:39.24
| 315 <br/> 285
| '''1.5''' <br/> '''1.5'''
|-
! 5
| 3
| 5
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Jack McGrath (racing driver)|Jack McGrath]]
| '''[[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]'''
| 136.60
| 13
| 200
| +7:49.64
| 500
| '''2'''
|-
! 6
| 21
| 48
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Jimmy Daywalt]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.74
| 23
| 200
| +8:10.21
| 400
|
|-
! 7
| 25
| 2
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Jim Rathmann (race car driver)|Jim Rathmann]]<br/><small>([[Eddie Johnson (racing driver)|Eddie Johnson]] Laps 113–200)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.66
| 27
| 200
| +8:46.02
| 169½<br/>130½
|
|-
! 8
| 20
| 12
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Ernie McCoy (racing driver)|Ernie McCoy]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| [[Stevens (constructor)|Stevens]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.92
| 22
| 200
| +10:04.55
| 250
|
|-
! 9
| 6
| 98
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Tony Bettenhausen]]<br/><small>([[Chuck Stevenson]] Laps 116–159)</small><br/><small>([[Gene Hartley]] Laps 160–196)</small>
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.02
| 20
| 196
| Accident
| 116 <br/> 45 <br/> 39
|
|-
! 10
| 32
| 53
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Jimmy Davies (racing driver)|Jimmy Davies]]
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.26
| 31
| 193
| -7 laps
| 150
|
|-
! 11
| 26
| 9
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Duke Nalon]]
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Novi engine|Novi]]
| 135.46
| 30
| 191
| Accident
| 100
|
|-
! 12
| 19
| 73
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Carl Scarborough]] ✝<br/><small>([[Bob Scott (racing driver)|Bob Scott]] Laps 70–190)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.93
| 21
| 190
| -10 laps
| 17½<br/> 32½
|
|-
! 13
| 4
| 88
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Manny Ayulo]]
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.38
| 15
| 184
| Engine
|
|
|-
! 14
| 31
| 8
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Jimmy Bryan]]
| [[Schroeder (constructor)|Schroeder]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.50
| 29
| 183
| -17 laps
|
|
|-
! 15
| 28
| 49
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Bill Holland]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''<br/><small>([[Jim Rathmann (racing driver)|Jim Rathmann]] Laps 142–177)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 137.86
| 2
| 177
| Magneto
|
|
|-
! 16
| 10
| 92
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Rodger Ward]]<br/><small>([[Andy Linden (racing driver)|Andy Linden]] Laps 116–144)</small><br/><small>([[Duke Dinsmore]] Laps 145–154)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 137.46
| 6
| 177
| Axle
|
|
|-
! 17
| 14
| 23
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Walt Faulkner]]<br/><small>([[Johnny Mantz]] Laps 135–)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 137.11
| 10
| 176
| -24 laps
|
|
|-
! 18
| 22
| 22
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Marshall Teague (racing driver)|Marshall Teague]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.72
| 25
| 169
| Oil Leak
|
|
|-
! 19
| 18
| 62
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Travis Webb|Spider Webb]]<br/><small>([[Johnny Thomson]] Laps 113–157)</small><br/><small>([[Jackie Holmes]] Laps 158–166)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.16
| 17
| 166
| Oil Leak
|
|
|-
! 20
| 29
| 51
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Bob Sweikert]]
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.87
| 11
| 151
| Suspension
|
|
|-
! 21
| 23
| 83
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Mike Nazaruk]]
| [[Turner (constructor)|Turner]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.70
| 26
| 146
| Transmission
|
|
|-
! 22
| 24
| 77
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Pat Flaherty (racing driver)|Pat Flaherty]]
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.66
| 28
| 115
| Accident
|
|
|-
! 23
| 7
| 55
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Jerry Hoyt]]<br/><small>([[Chuck Stevenson]] Laps 83–95)</small><br/><small>([[Andy Linden (racing driver)|Andy Linden]] Laps 96–107)</small>
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.73
| 24
| 107
| Overheating
|
|
|-
! 24
| 27
| 4
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Duane Carter]]
| [[Lesovsky]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.26
| 32
| 94
| Ignition
|
|
|-
! 25
| 17
| 7
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Paul Russo]]
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.21
| 16
| 89
| Magneto
|
|
|-
! 26
| 8
| 21
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Johnnie Parsons]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 137.66
| 3
| 86
| Engine
|
|
|-
! 27
| 15
| 38
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Don Freeland]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| [[A. J. Watson|Watson]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.86
| 12
| 76
| Accident
|
|
|-
! 28
| 13
| 41
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Gene Hartley]]
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 137.26
| 9
| 53
| Accident
|
|
|-
! 29
| 16
| 97
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Chuck Stevenson]]
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.56
| 14
| 42
| Fuel Leak
|
|
|-
! 30
| 30
| 99
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Cal Niday]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| [[Kurtis Kraft]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.09
| 18
| 30
| Magneto
|
|
|-
! 31
| 11
| 29
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Bob Scott (auto racer)|Bob Scott]]
| [[Bromme]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 137.43
| 7
| 14
| Oil Leak
|
|
|-
! 32
| 33
| 56
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Johnny Thomson]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| [[Frank DelRoy|Del Roy]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 135.26
| 33
| 6
| Ignition
|
|
|-
! 33
| 5
| 32
| {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Andy Linden (race car driver)|Andy Linden]]
| [[Stevens (constructor)|Stevens]]-[[Offenhauser]]
| 136.06
| 19
| 3
| Accident
|
|
|}

'''Note''': Relief drivers in parentheses<ref>{{cite web|publisher=ChampCarStats.com|url=https://www.champcarstats.com/races/195301.htm|title=International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1953}}</ref>

'''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' Former Indianapolis 500 winner

'''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]] tires.

{{Note|1|1}} – Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap

===Race statistics===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Lap Leaders
|-
! Laps
! Leader
|-
|1–48 || Bill Vukovich
|-
|49|| Fred Agabashian
|-
|50 || Jim Rathmann
|-
|51–53 || Sam Hanks
|-
|54–200 || Bill Vukovich
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Total laps led
|-
! Driver
! Laps
|-
|Bill Vukovich || 195
|-
|Sam Hanks || 3
|-
|Fred Agabashian || 1
|-
|Jim Rathmann || 1
|}
{{col-break}}
{|class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Yellow Lights: 9 minutes, 28 seconds
|-
! Laps<nowiki>*</nowiki>
! Reason
|-
|4 || [[Andy Linden (racing driver)|Andy Linden]] crash in turn 3 (55 seconds)
|-
|54  || Gene Hartley spin in turn 4 (60 seconds)
|-
|81  || Don Freeland lost a wheel in turn 1 (43 seconds)
|-
|118–122  || Pat Flaherty crash in northchute (6:50)
|-
|colspan=2 align=center|<nowiki>*</nowiki> – ''<small>Approximate lap counts</small>''<ref>{{cite news|title=Notes on the 500-Mile Speedway Classic (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/86586251/|newspaper=The Star Press|first=Bob|last=Barnet|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1953|accessdate=April 21, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Notes on the 500-Mile Speedway Classic (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/86586276/|newspaper=The Star Press|first=Bob|last=Barnet|page=26|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1953|accessdate=April 21, 2024}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|}
{{col-end}}

==Race notes==
* '''[[Pole position]]:''' Bill Vukovich – 4:20.13 (4 laps)
* '''Fastest lead lap:''' Bill Vukovich – 1:06.240
* The purse for first place was [[U.S. Dollar|$]]89,496<ref name="yates2">{{cite book|first=Brock |last=Yates |title=The Indianapolis 500: The Story of the Motor Speedway |publisher=Harper |year=1961 |page=68}}</ref> (US${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|89496|1953}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).
*One of the prizes awarded to the winner was a pet [[dog]] and a year's supply of [[dog food]].<ref>''[[Donald Davidson (historian)|The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]'' – [[WIBC (FM)|1070-AM WIBC]], May 13, 2004</ref>

==Broadcasting==

===Radio===
The race was carried live flag-to-flag on the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network]]. Instead of being produced by [[WIBC (FM)|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 (broadcaster)|Sid Collins]], and featured on-air talent from [[WIBC (FM)|WIBC]], [[WNDE|WFBM]], [[WTLC (AM)|WISH]], [[WXNT|WIRE]], and [[WXLW]].<ref name="Star05-24-1953pg63">{{cite news|title=5 Stations To Handle 500-Mile|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18077155/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=63|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 24, 1953|access-date=March 7, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref>

The broadcast signed on at 10:45&nbsp;a.m. local time, and carried live through the conclusion, until 3:45&nbsp;p.m. local time. The broadcast was carried on 135 stations in at least 35 states across the country, and on [[American Forces Network|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. Charlie Brockman, the color commentator and co-announcer, called the last few laps including the finish.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
!colspan=3|[[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network]] 
|-
!Booth Announcers!!Turn Reporters!![[Sideline reporter|Pit/garage reporters]]
|-
|valign="top"|
'''[[Play-by-play|Chief Announcer]]:''' [[Sid Collins (broadcaster)|Sid Collins]]<br />
'''[[Color commentator|Color]]:''' [[Charlie Brockman]]<br />
'''Analyst:''' Chuck Breece<br />
|valign="top"|
'''South Turns:''' Bill Frosch<br />
'''North Turns:''' Jim Shelton<br />
'''Trackside location:''' Dick Pittenger<br />
'''Trackside location:''' Robin Bright<br />
|align="center" valign="top"|Luke Walton (north pits)<br />Al Vare (south pits)<br />Sid Collins (victory lane)<br />
|}

== World Drivers' Championship ==
{{Infobox Grand Prix race report
| Type          = F1
| Country       = USA
| Grand Prix    = Indianapolis 500
| GP_Suffix     =
| Fulldate      = {{Start date|1953|5|30}}
| Year          =1953
| Race_No       =2
| Season_No     =9
| Previous_round =1953 Argentine Grand Prix
| Next_round     =1953 Dutch Grand Prix
| Image          =File:Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1909-1956.svg
| Location      = [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]]<br>[[Speedway, Indiana]] 
| Course_mi     = 2.500
| Course_km     = 4.023
| Distance_laps = 200
| Distance_mi   = 500.000
| Distance_km   = 804.672
}}

=== Background ===
The Indianapolis 500 was included in the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Championship of Drivers]] from [[1950 Formula One season|1950]] through [[1960 Formula One season|1960]]. The race was sanctioned by [[AAA Contest Board|AAA]] through [[1955 AAA Championship Car season|1955]], and then by [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] beginning in [[1956 USAC Championship Car season|1956]]. At the time the new world championship was announced and first organized by the [[Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile|CSI]], the United States did not yet have a [[United States Grand Prix|Grand Prix]]. Indianapolis Motor Speedway vice president and general manager Theodore E. "Pop" Meyers lobbied that the Indianapolis 500 be selected as the race to represent the country and to pay points towards the world championship.<ref name="TOGA 5-23-07">{{cite episode|series=[[Donald Davidson (historian)#The Talk of Gasoline Alley|The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]|station=[[WIBC (FM)|1070 WIBC-AM]]|airdate=May 23, 2007}}</ref><ref name="TOGA 5-19-16">{{cite episode|series=[[Donald Davidson (historian)#The Talk of Gasoline Alley|The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]|station=[[WFNI]]|airdate=May 19, 2016}}</ref>

Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers.<ref name="TOGA 5-05-12">{{cite episode|series=[[Donald Davidson (historian)#The Talk of Gasoline Alley|The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]|station=[[WFNI]]|airdate=May 5, 2012}}</ref> However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to [[Formula One]] specifications and regulations.<ref name="Capps 2000">{{cite journal|last=Capps|first=Don|author2=[[Cameron Argetsinger]]|title=Where Upon Our Scribe, Sherman, & Mr. Peabody Once Again Crank Up The Way-Back Machine for 1961..|journal=AtlasF1|date=October 25, 2000|volume=6|series=Rear View Mirror|issue=43|url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/mal/mirror.html|access-date=May 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427115856/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/mal/mirror.html|archive-date=April 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The drivers also earned separate points (on a different [[List of American Championship car racing points scoring systems|scale]]) towards the respective [[AAA Contest Board|AAA]] or [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] [[List of American open-wheel racing national champions|national championships]]. No points, however, were awarded by the FIA towards the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|World Constructors' Championship]].

=== Summary ===
The 1953 Indianapolis 500 was round 2 of 9 on the [[1953 Formula One season|1953 World Championship]]. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit. Race winner [[Bill Vukovich]] earned 9 points towards the World Championship (8 points for first place, and 1 point for the fastest lap). Despite not competing in any of the other World Championship events, he finished seventh in the final season standings.

==== World Drivers' Championship standings after the race ====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
!
! Pos
! Driver
! Points
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1rightarrow blue.svg|10px]]
|align="center"| 1
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Alberto Ascari]]
|align="left"| 9
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1uparrow green.svg|10px]] 16
|align="center"| 2
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Bill Vukovich]]
|align="left"| 9
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1downarrow red.svg|10px]] 1
|align="center"| 3
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Luigi Villoresi]]
|align="left"| 6
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1uparrow green.svg|10px]] 14
|align="center"| 4
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Art Cross]]
|align="left"| 6
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1downarrow red.svg|10px]] 2
|align="center"| 5
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[José Froilán González]]
|align="left"| 4
|-
!colspan=4|Source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1953/indianapolis/championnat.aspx|title=Indianapolis 1953 – Championship |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
|}
* {{small|'''Note''': Only the top five positions are included. Only the best 4 results counted towards the Championship.}}

====AAA Championship car standings after the race====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
!
! Pos
! Driver
! Points
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1rightarrow blue.svg|10px]]
|align="center"| 1
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Bill Vukovich]]
|align="left"| 1000
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1rightarrow blue.svg|10px]] 
|align="center"| 2
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Art Cross]]
|align="left"| 800
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1rightarrow blue.svg|10px]] 
|align="center"| 3
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Sam Hanks]]
|align="left"| 532
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1rightarrow blue.svg|10px]] 
|align="center"| 4
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack McGrath (racing driver)|Jack McGrath]]
|align="left"| 500
|-
|align="left"| [[File:1rightarrow blue.svg|10px]] 
|align="center"| 5
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Jimmy Daywalt]]
|align="left"| 400
|-
!colspan=4|Source:<ref name="champcarstats" />
|}
* {{small|'''Note''': Only the top five positions are included.}}

==References==
{{Reflist | 30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120427163136/https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/ Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats] – Official Site
*Van Camp's Pork & Beans Presents: ''Great Moments From the Indy 500'' – Fleetwood Sounds, 1975
*1953 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast, [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network]]: ''Re-broadcast'' on "The History of the 500" – [[WFNI]] (May 12, 2013)

{{F1 race report
| Name_of_race            = 1953 [[Indianapolis 500]]<br />[[Bill Vukovich]]
| Year_of_race            = 1953
| Previous_race_in_season = [[1953 Argentine Grand Prix]]
| Next_race_in_season     = [[1953 Dutch Grand Prix]]
| Previous_year's_race    = [[1952 Indianapolis 500]]<br />[[Troy Ruttman]]
| Next_year's_race        = [[1954 Indianapolis 500]]<br />[[Bill Vukovich]]
}}

{{Indy 500}}
{{F1GP 50-59}}

[[Category:Indianapolis 500 races]]
[[Category:1953 in motorsport|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:1953 in sports in Indiana|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:1953 Formula One races|Indianapolis]]
[[Category:1953 in American motorsport]]
[[Category:May 1953 sports events in the United States|Indy]]