Where Does The 2012 Indianapolis 500 Rank? Part 2

In the second part of this series, I look at Indianapolis 500s from 1911-1941. As I said in the first part, this is completely for fun. For the record, I was not alive for any races before the Second World War and therefore did not see or hear any of these races live. However, to the best of my ability from reading books, listening to people who have been around the speedway, especially Donald Davidson, and using box scores I will do my best to explain why these races were great.

Part One

1937 Indianapolis 500: The first of Wilbur Shaw's three Indianapolis 500 victories was probably most dramatic. At one point Shaw had lapped the field and looked to be set to ease to the checkered flag. That would not be the case as his car started to leak oil and his tires were very worn. To finish the race, Shaw slowed down to nurse the car home. Second place Ralph Hepburn notices this, got back on the lead lap and charged to overtake Shaw for the lead. Hepburn was closing the gap to Shaw and may or may have not taken the lead on the back straightaway on the final lap. Shaw gave it all he got and went for broke and held off Hepburn to win by 2.16 seconds, the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history until 1982. This race is still the hottest temperature recorded for the Indianapolis 500.

1934 Indianapolis 500: Bill Cummings led 57 laps and Mauri Rose led 68 laps with Cummings beating Rose by 27.25 seconds. Cummings came from 10th on the grid while Rose started 4th.

1930 Indianapolis 500: While it wasn't the closest race for it's time, nor was it the fastest 500 miles completed. It was the most dominating performance by an Indianapolis 500 winner. Billy Arnold took the lead on lap 3 and would lead the final 198 laps. He won 7 minute and 17.36 seconds. The top four starters finished in the top four but not all where they started. Arnold won from pole, Shorty Cantlon moved up one position to second, as did Louis Schneider to third, while Louis Meyer started 2nd, led the first two laps and ended the race in 4th.

1928 Indianapolis 500: Leon Duray and Jimmy Gleason led a combined 119 laps but both drivers would fall out of the race with mechanical failures. This gave the win to Louis Meyer his first Indianapolis 500 victory his first start at Indianapolis, however it was not his first race. He drove in relief in 1927. The margin of victory between Meyer and second place Lou Moore was 43.89 seconds.

1925 Indianapolis 500: Peter DePaolo won by 53.69 seconds in the first Indianapolis 500 completed in under five hours. He led 115 laps and held off Dave Lewis who led 50 laps. DePaolo actually had Norman Battem drive laps 106-127 as he had his hands bandaged for blisters. 3rd place Phil Shafer led 13 laps and 4th place Harry Hartz led 3 laps bring the combined total of laps led by the top four drivers to 181 laps.

1924 Indianapolis 500: In the first of two times their have been co-winners of the Indianapolis 500 L.L Corum and Joe Boyer won the race after leading 25 laps and beat second place Earl Cooper, who led a race high 119 laps by 1 minute and 23.57 seconds. 3rd place Jimmy Murphy led the other 56 laps of the race.

1922 Indianapolis 500: Jimmy Murphy becomes the first driver to win the race from pole position as he leads 153 laps and holds off Harry Hartz who led 42 laps by 3 minutes and 13.60 seconds. While not a close race, Murphy and Hartz started 1st and 2nd, were the fastest two qualifiers and finished 1st and 2nd respectively.

I think this a good list of great Indianapolis 500s. Whether or not you agree that this year's race or any of the races listed are great is you opinion and I respect it. Enjoy.