1953 Indianapolis 500

The 1953 Indianapolis 500 was an automobile race held on Saturday, May 30, 1953 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event was the second round of the 1953 World Drivers' Championship.

Practice
Chet Miller died in an accident in practice on May 15.

Qualifying
Bill Vukovich won the pole position and later the race.

Race
Polesitter Bill Vukovich dominated the race by leading 195 laps and also had the fastest lap of the race.


 * The race was known as the "Hottest 500", with track temperatures exceeding 130 °F. Half the drivers in the race used backup drivers, 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 died from heat exhaustion after retiring from the race. He retired from the race due to heat exhaustion, and died later at the infield hospital.

Classification
Failed to Qualify: Frank Armi (#79), Henry Banks (#10), Buzz Barton (#35), Joe Barzda (#69), Bill Boyd (#86), Billy Cantrell (#42), Neal Carter (#23), George Connor (#25), Ray Crawford (#49), Jorge Daponte (#95), Duke Dinsmore (#52), Bill Doster, Len Duncan (#31, #81), Edgar Elder (#49), Johnny Fedricks (#46), John Fitch (#49, #74), George Fonder (#76), Potsy Goacher (#36), Cliff Griffith (#24), Red Hamilton (#91), Allen Heath (#65), Al Herman (#93), Jackie Holmes (#71), Bill Homeier (#84, #87), Eddie Johnson (#26), Johnny Kay (#67), Jud Larson (#96), Jim Mayes (#34), Chet Miller (#15), Roy Neuman (#43), Danny Oakes (#63), Pat O'Connor (#28, #64, #74), Johnny Roberts (#82), Hal Robson (#57), Troy Ruttman (#2), Eddie Sachs (#34), Wayne Selser (#75), Joe Sostilio (#17), Harry Stockman (#84), Bill Taylor (#39), George Tichenor (#65), Johnnie Tolan (#66, #85), Leroy Warriner (#44),

Drivers' Championship standings after the race

 * Note: Only the top five positions are included. Only the best 4 results counted towards the Championship.