Summary
The 40th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 30, 1956. The event was part of the 1956 USAC National Championship Trail and was also race 3 of 8 in the 1956 World Championship of Drivers. The 1956 race was the first to be governed by the United States Automobile Club. AAA withdrew from auto racing the previous August. Another change would have a more immediate effect on the current race. The track had been paved over with asphalt with only about 600 yards of the main stretch still remaining brick.
 | |||||
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | USAC | ||||
| Date | May 30, 1956 | ||||
| Winner | Pat Flaherty | ||||
| Winning team | John Zink | ||||
| Average speed | 128.490 mph (206.785 km/h) | ||||
| Pole position | Pat Flaherty | ||||
| Pole speed | 145.596 mph (234.314 km/h) | ||||
| Most laps led | Pat Flaherty – 127 laps | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| Pace car | DeSoto Fireflite | ||||
| Pace car driver | L. Irving Woolson | ||||
| Starter | Bill Vanderwater[1] | ||||
| Estimated attendance | 125,000-150,000[2] | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
| |||||
The 1956 race is also known in Indy 500 lore as "Cagle's Miracle." Torrential rains pummeled the Speedway in the days leading up to the race. The track was full of standing water, access tunnels were completely flooded, and the infield was a muddy quagmire. The conditions threatened to postpone or outright cancel the race. Speedway superintendent Clarence Cagle supervised a massive cleanup effort, in which hundreds of thousands of gallons of water were pumped out of the tunnels and the infield. Cagle and his crew worked non-stop for 48 hours straight, some without sleep, and had the track ready just in time for race morning.[3]
The race was slowed by a then-record eleven yellow caution light periods which totaled 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 15 seconds. The race was described by veteran sportswriters as "a series of sprint races between yellow lights".[4] Pat Flaherty led a total of 127 laps en route to victory; taking the lead for good on lap 76. Sam Hanks - the popular veteran still searching for his first "500" victory - came home second, just 20 seconds behind. Hanks charged during the second half, but the numerous cautions stymied his chances to catch up to much less pass Flaherty. No less than twelve cars were involved in crashes or spins, including Dick Rathmann, who took the checkered flag to finish 5th, only to wreck in turn 1 on his cool down lap.
Time trials edit
Time trials was scheduled for four days, but the third day was rained out. With the new surface, a new track record was expected. Pat Flaherty did not disappoint with a pole speed of 145.596 mph (234.314 km/h), over 4.5 mph (7.2 km/h) faster than the 1954 record. 29 drivers qualified opening weekend. The second weekend saw heavy rain that completely canceled Saturday and left only a small window on Sunday for 4 drivers to fill the field. Nino Farina was one of the drivers left out when he didn't get a chance to qualify his Bardahl-Ferrari.
- Saturday May 19 – Pole Day time trials
- Sunday May 20 – Second day time trials
- Saturday May 26 – Third day time trials (rained out)
- Sunday May 27 – Fourth day time trials
Starting grid edit
| Row | Inside | Middle | Outside | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 |  Pat Flaherty
|
24 | Jim Rathmann
|
7 | Pat O'Connor
|
| 2 | 73 | Dick Rathmann
|
99 | Tony Bettenhausen
|
98 | Johnnie Parsons W
|
| 3 | 47 | Fred Agabashian
|
29 | Paul Russo
|
5 | Andy Linden
|
| 4 | 1 | Bob Sweikert W
|
53 | Troy Ruttman W
|
15 | Johnny Boyd
|
| 5 | 4 | Sam Hanks
|
10 | Ed Elisian
|
19 | Rodger Ward
|
| 6 | 48 | Jimmy Daywalt
|
49 | Ray Crawford
|
88 | Johnny Thomson
|
| 7 | 2 | Jimmy Bryan
|
89 | Keith Andrews
|
26 | Jimmy Reece
|
| 8 | 82 | Gene Hartley
|
14 | Bob Veith R
|
54 | Jack Turner R
|
| 9 | 57 | Bob Christie R
|
16 | Don Freeland
|
12 | Al Herman
|
| 10 | 55 | Al Keller
|
41 | Billy Garrett R
|
27 | Cliff Griffith
|
| 11 | 34 | Johnnie Tolan R
|
81 | Eddie Johnson
|
64 | Duke Dinsmore
|
Alternates edit
- First alternate: Eddie Sachs R (#58)[5]
Failed to Qualify edit
- Jay Abney R (#87)
- George Amick R (#33) - Entry declined, failed physical
- Johnny Baldwin (R) (#91)
- Tony Bonadies R (#25)
- Buddy Cagle R (#81) - Wrecked rookie test
- Bill Cheesbourg R (#84, #87)
- Jimmy Davies (#31)
- Len Duncan (#51)
- Edgar Elder R (#41) - Did not finish rookie test
- Giuseppe Farina R (#9)
- Elmer George R (#78)
- Johnny Kay R (#35)
- Danny Kladis (#91)
- Mike Magill R (#74)
- Ernie McCoy
- Jim McWithey R (#77)
- Earl Motter R (#9, #41)
- Duke Nalon (#31)
- Roy Newman R (#74)
- Cal Niday
- Marvin Pifer R (#75)
- Dickie Reese R (#87)
- Eddie Russo (#10, #27, #33)
- Gig Stephens R (#85)
- Len Sutton R (#62)
- Marshall Teague (#3, #47)
- Shorty Templeman (#46)
- Leroy Warriner R (#93)
- Chuck Weyant (#22)
- Dempsey Wilson R (#22, #79)[6]
Race summary edit
The early part of the race turned into a three-man duel between Russo, O'Connor, and Flaherty. Russo was the first to retire when his tire failed and his car crashed and caught fire. At quarter distance due to yellows and the pit stops, Parsons took the lead followed by Freeland. By the 200-mile (320 km) mark Flaherty took over the lead followed by Freeland, Sweikert, and Parsons but Hanks was working his way through the fields after sustaining some damage in the Russo crash, eventually taking second. Flaherty had built up such a lead that he was able to make his last pit stop and remain in front. He crossed the finish line with Hanks the only other car on the lead lap. The only real change in the top cars toward the end was both O'Connor and Jim Rathmann having to drop back with mechanical problems while both drivers were in the top 5.
Box score edit
| Pos | Grid | No | Driver | Constructor | Qual | Rank | Laps | Time/Retired | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 8 | Pat Flaherty
|
Watson-Offenhauser | 145.59 | 1 | 200 | 3:53:28.84 | 8 |
| 2 | 13 | 4 | Sam Hanks
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.05 | 21 | 200 | +0:20.45 | 6 |
| 3 | 26 | 16 | Don Freeland
|
Phillips-Offenhauser | 141.69 | 22 | 200 | +1:30.23 | 4 |
| 4 | 6 | 98 | Johnnie Parsons W
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 144.14 | 7 | 200 | +3:25.69 | 3 |
| 5 | 4 | 73 | Dick Rathmann
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 144.47 | 6 | 200 | +4:21.81 | 2 |
| 6 | 10 | 1 | Bob Sweikert W
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 143.03 | 12 | 200 | +5:35.05 | |
| 7 | 23 | 14 | Bob Veith R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.53 | 16 | 200 | +6:25.63 | |
| 8 | 15 | 19 | Rodger Ward
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.17 | 27 | 200 | +6:32.31 | |
| 9 | 21 | 26 | Jimmy Reece
|
Lesovsky-Offenhauser | 142.88 | 14 | 200 | +6:38.31 | |
| 10 | 30 | 27 | Cliff Griffith
|
Stevens-Offenhauser | 141.47 | 24 | 199 | -1 Lap | |
| 11 | 22 | 82 | Gene Hartley
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 142.84 | 15 | 196 | -4 Laps | |
| 12 | 7 | 42 | Fred Agabashian
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 144.06 | 8 | 196 | -4 Laps | |
| 13 | 25 | 57 | Bob Christie R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.23 | 20 | 196 | -4 Laps | |
| 14 | 28 | 55 | Al Keller
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.19 | 26 | 195 | -5 Laps | |
| 15 | 32 | 81 | Eddie Johnson
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 139.09 | 32 | 195 | -5 Laps | |
| 16 | 29 | 41 | Billy Garrett R
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 140.55 | 30 | 194 | -6 Laps | |
| 17 | 33 | 64 | Duke Dinsmore
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 138.53 | 33 | 191 | -9 Laps | |
| 18 | 3 | 7 | Pat O'Connor
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 144.98 | 4 | 187 | -13 Laps | |
| 19 | 19 | 2 | Jimmy Bryan
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 143.74 | 9 | 185 | -15 Laps | |
| 20 | 2 | 24 | Jim Rathmann
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 145.12 | 3 | 175 | Engine | |
| 21 | 31 | 34 | Johnnie Tolan R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 140.06 | 31 | 173 | Engine | |
| 22 | 5 | 99 | Tony Bettenhausen
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 144.60 | 5 | 160 | Accident | |
| 23 | 14 | 10 | Ed Elisian (Relieved by Eddie Russo Laps 124-160) |
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.38 | 25 | 160 | Brakes | |
| 24 | 16 | 48 | Jimmy Daywalt
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 140.97 | 28 | 134 | Accident | |
| 25 | 24 | 54 | Jack Turner R
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.39 | 18 | 131 | Engine | |
| 26 | 20 | 89 | Keith Andrews
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.97 | 13 | 94 | Transmission | |
| 27 | 9 | 5 | Andy Linden
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 143.05 | 11 | 90 | Oil Leak | |
| 28 | 27 | 12 | Al Herman
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 141.61 | 23 | 74 | Accident | |
| 29 | 17 | 49 | Ray Crawford
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 140.88 | 29 | 49 | Accident | |
| 30 | 12 | 15 | Johnny Boyd
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.33 | 19 | 35 | Oil Leak | |
| 31 | 11 | 53 | Troy Ruttman W
|
Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 142.48 | 17 | 22 | Spun Off | |
| 32 | 18 | 88 | Johnny Thomson
|
Kuzma-Offenhauser | 145.54 | 2 | 22 | Spun Off | |
| 33 | 8 | 29 | Paul Russo
|
Kurtis Kraft-Novi | 143.54 | 10 | 21 | Accident | 11 |
W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
R Indianapolis 500 Rookie
All entrants utilized Firestone tires.
^1 – 1 point for fastest lead lap
Race statistics edit
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Race notes edit
- Pole position: Pat Flaherty – 4:07.26 (time over four laps)
- Fastest Lead Lap: Paul Russo – 1:02.32
- Shared Drive: Car# 10: Ed Elisian 123 laps and Eddie Russo 37 laps
- Race winner Pat Flaherty was the last driver to win the 500 wearing a t-shirt.[7] All subsequent winners have worn flame retardant uniforms.
Broadcasting edit
Radio edit
The race was carried live on the IMS Radio Network. Sid Collins served as chief announcer. The broadcast was carried by over 280 affiliates, as well as Armed Forces Radio. The broadcast came on-air at 10:45 a.m. local time, fifteen minutes prior to the start of the race. This was the final broadcast based out of the old wooden Pagoda, which was demolished after the race.[8]
This was also the final year to have only two turn reporters ("south turns" and "north turns"). Beginning in 1957, the crew would be expanded to have one reporter in each of the four turns.
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| Booth Announcers | Turn Reporters | Pit reporters |
|
Chief Announcer: Sid Collins |
South turns: Bill Frosch |
Luke Walton Greg Smith Bob Rhodes (garages) |
Championship standings after the race edit
- World Drivers' Championship standings
| Pos | Driver | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |  Jean Behra
|
10 |
|
|
2 |  Juan Manuel Fangio
|
9 |
|
|
3 |  Stirling Moss
|
8 |
 22
|
4 | Pat Flaherty
|
8 |
| 21
|
5 | Sam Hanks
|
6 |
| Source:[9] | |||
- Note: Only the top five positions are included.
See also edit
Gallery edit
-
1956 pace car
References edit
- ^ Fox, Jack C. (1994). The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 (4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0-915088-05-3.
- ^ Campbell, Don G. (May 31, 1956). "Race Fans Battle, Slosh Through And Sit In Mud". The Indianapolis Star. p. 2. Retrieved June 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500" Donald Davidson, 2006, page 138
- ^ "Flaherty Wins '500' 4th Extra". Indianapolis News. May 30, 1956. p. 7. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
- ^ "1956 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 13, 2007
- ^ Brockman, Charles (May 30, 1956). "5 Radio Stations Broadcast '500'". The Indianapolis Star. p. 33. Retrieved March 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indianapolis 1956 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
External links edit
- Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats – Official Site
- Van Camp's Pork & Beans Presents: Great Moments From the Indy 500 – Fleetwood Sounds, 1975
- 1956 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference.info (Relief driver statistics)