1939 Indianapolis 500

The 27th Indianapolis 500 took place May 30, 1939. The race was won by the number two car of Wilbur Shaw, who started in the third position.[1] The race was notable for a three car accident on lap 109, when Floyd Roberts the reigning champion, was killed when his car went through the wooden outer wall at over 100 miles (Template:Convert/(100)*1609.344) an hour at the backstretch.

In Louis Meyer's final Indy 500, he too would crash at the backstretch at over 100 miles (Template:Convert/(100)*1609.344) at hour, but he walked away unharmed.

Of the 33 drivers who started the race, 12 would have their lives ended by vehicle accidents.

The Crash

With Roberts on lap 109, the car driven by Bob Swanson lost control and went sideways. Roberts' car contacted Swanson's, causing Swanson's car to eject Swanson, flip over, and catch fire, while Roberts' car went through the outer wall. Chet Miller's car went into the debris field, flipped, and went into the inner wall. Two spectators were also injured by flying debris. The three drivers were taken to hospitals, while it took over 30 minutes to clear the burning wreck of Swanson's car from the track. Roberts death due to brain injuries was announced before the race was completed.

Results

Results of the 1939 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Tuesday, May 30, 1939.

Finish	Start	No	Name	Qual	Rank	Laps	Led	Status
1	3	2	Wilbur Shaw	128.977	4	200	51	Running
2	1	10	Jimmy Snyder	130.138	1	200	65	Running
3	10	54	Cliff Bergere	123.835	15	200	0	Running
4	4	4	Ted Horn	127.723	6	200	4	Running
5	16	31	Babe Stapp	125.000	12	200	0	Running
6	15	41	George Barringer	120.935	28	200	0	Running
7	20	8	Joel Thorne	122.177	23	200	0	Running
8	8	16	Mauri Rose	124.896	13	200	0	Running
9	17	14	Frank Wearne	125.074	11	200	0	Running
10	33	26	Billy Devore	116.527	33	200	0	Running
11	27	62	Tony Gulotta	121.749	24	200	0	Running
12	2	45	Louis Meyer	130.067	2	197	79	Crash BS
13	12	18	George Connor	123.208	19	195	0	Stalled
14	26	51	Tony Willman	122.771	21	188	0	Fuel pump
15	30	58	Louis Tomei	118.426	30	186	0	Flagged
16	19	15	Rex Mays	126.413	7	145	1	Rings
17	9	9	Herb Ardinger	124.125	14	141	0	Clutch
18	24	35	Kelly Petillo	123.660	16	141	0	Pistons
19	14	49	Mel Hansen	121.683	25	113	0	Crash Pits
20	32	38	Harry McQuinn	117.287	32	110	0	Ignition
21	5	3	Chet Miller	126.318	8	109	0	Crash BS
22	13	25	Ralph Hepburn	122.204	22	107	0	Crash BS
23	23	1	Floyd Roberts	128.968	5	106	0	Crash BS
24	18	37	Ira Hall	121.188	27	89	0	Head gasket
25	25	21	Russ Snowberger	123.199	20	50	0	Radiator
26	6	17	George Bailey	125.821	9	47	0	Valve
27	29	56	Floyd Davis	119.375	29	43	0	Shock absorber
28	28	42	Al Miller	123.233	18	41	0	Accelerator
29	11	29	Frank Brisko	123.351	17	38	0	Air pump
30	21	44	Emil Andres	121.212	26	22	0	Spark plugs
31	22	32	Bob Swanson	129.431	3	19	0	Rear axle
32	7	47	Shorty Cantlon	125.567	10	15	0	Main bearing
33	31	53	Deacon Litz	117.979	31	7	0	Valve

See also

• 1939 AAA Championship Car season

1938 Indianapolis 500 Floyd Roberts	1939 Indianapolis 500 Wilbur Shaw	1940 Indianapolis 500 Wilbur Shaw

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