1934 Indianapolis 500

Background

In an effort to improve safety, the maximum field size was capped at 33 cars. 33 starters has remained the maximum field size since, with the exception of the 1979 and 1997 races. After several consecutive 500s with multiple fatalities, efforts were also made to reduce speeds through fuel limits; entries were limited to 2.5 USgal of fuel for qualification and 45 USgal of fuel for the race.

For 1934, riding mechanics were required.{{cite book

Time trials

Ten-lap (25 mile) qualifying runs were utilized. Kelly Petillo earned the pole position with a speed of 119.329 mph. Babe Stapp and Charles Tramison were both disqualified for exceeding the fuel limit in their qualifying runs.

During a qualification attempt, driver Pete Kreis lost control in turn 1, climbed over the wall, and struck a tree outside of the track. He and his riding mechanic were fatally injured.

Starting grid

Alternates

• First alternate: Willard Prentiss

Failed to Qualify

• Bill Chittum **** (#59)
• Maynard Clark **** (#56)
• George Connor **** (#39)
• Wesley Crawford (#44)
• Danny Day **** (#62)
• Pete DePaolo (#27) - Withdrew
• Leon Duray (#54)
• Fred Frame (#34)
• Sam Hoffman **** (#47)
• Ted Horn **** (#53)
• Harry Hunt **** (#43)
• Pete Kreis (#14) - Fatal accident
• Harry Lewis **** (#52)
• Tee Linn **** (#62)
• Milt Marion **** (#57)
• Vern Ornduff **** (#62)
• Jack Petticord (#52)
• Harold Shaw **** (#65) - Driver refused
• Orville Smith **** (#61) - Driver rejected
• Babe Stapp (#44, #54)
• Al Theisen **** (#53)
• Charles Tramison **** (#72)
• Bob Wallace **** (#53)
• Doc Williams **** (#38) - Driver rejected

Race summary

At the start, polesitter Petillo took the lead for the first 4 laps. But the pace was 8 mph off the record of the previous year, owing to new fuel regulations that limited cars to 45 gallons for the entire race. Frank Brisko lead much of the first half of the race, but began to fall back as the race approached half-distance. By half-distance, Mauri Rose was leading, but close behind him was Cummings. "Wild Bill" first assumed the lead at 325 miles as Rose pitted for fuel, then lost it as he too made a stop. Cummings then closed on Rose and passed him with 70 miles to go. Both drivers, confident that they had enough fuel, then upped their pace to reach 140 mph on the straights. Cummings and Rose were never more than 30 seconds apart in the last part of the race. Cummings took the checkered with a new record average speed, despite the new fuel limitations. Rose was second, 27 seconds behind.

Box score

Note: Relief drivers in parentheses

**** Former Indianapolis 500 winner

**** Indianapolis 500 Rookie

Race statistics

References

(1933 Indianapolis 500) (1935 Indianapolis 500)

References

1. Fox, Jack C.. (1994). "The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994". Carl Hungness Publishing.
2. Ogle, Carl F.. (May 31, 1934). "Boy Who Listened to Racers' Drone In 1914 Realizes Childhood Ambition". The Indianapolis Star.
3. "Reference at www.indy500.com".
4. (31 May 1934). "CUMMINGS VICTOR IN 500-MILE RACE". The New York Times.
5. (1998). "The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle". Publications International, Ltd..
6. Book "The Indianapolis: A Complete Pictorial History" p.103
7. ''[[Donald Davidson (historian). The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]'' - [[WIBC (FM). 1070-AM WIBC]], May 14, 2004
8. "1934 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes".
9. Book "The Indianapolis 500: A Complete Pictorial History" p. 193
10. "Indianapolis 500 1934". Ultimate Racing History.
11. "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1934". ChampCarStats.com.
12. (May 30, 1934). "Brisko Loses his lead by a pit stop for fuel". The Indianapolis News.