1942 Indianapolis 500

The 1942 Indianapolis 500 was scheduled for Saturday May 30, 1942 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was to be the 30th annual running of the famous automobile race.

Ticket order forms were available for the race in November 1941. Less than a month later, the Attack on Pearl Harbor launched the United States into World War II. Days later, in mid-December 1941, the 1942 Indy 500 was cancelled. Unlike during WWI, all automobile racing was banned in the United States, primarily due to rationing. The Speedway gates were locked, and the facility was abandoned. The race would not be held from 1942-1945. The golf course on the premises, however, did operate for at least some time during the war.

During the period in which the track was closed, it fell into a terrible state of disrepair. Grass and weeds overwhelmed the brick racing surface, and the old wooden grandstands became frail and unsuitable for use.

Towards the end of the war, Firestone received permission from the U.S. government to conduct a tire test at the Speedway. On or approximately November 25, 1944, Firestone tested several passenger cars at the track. On November 29, 1944, Wilbur Shaw tested a race car, driving a full 500 miles, averaging about 100 mph. A second similar test was reported in the spring of 1945.

The track was sold to Tony Hulman in November 1945, and reopened in 1946. The 30th Indianapolis 500 was held May 30, 1946.