1938 Indianapolis 500

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26th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning bodyAAA
DateMay 30, 1938
WinnerFloyd Roberts
Winning EntrantLou Moore
Average speed117.200 mph
Pole positionFloyd Roberts
Pole speed125.681 mph
Most laps ledFloyd Roberts, Jimmy Snyder (92 each)
Pre-race
Pace carHudson 112
Pace car driver
StarterSeth Klein[1]
Honorary refereeHarvey S. Firestone[1]
Estimated attendance150,000[2]
Chronology
Previous Next
1937 1939

The 26th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1938. For 1938, riding mechanics were made optional; however, no teams utilized them in the race.[3] In addition, after seven years, the engine specifications were changed again. The 1930 "Junk" formula was eliminated. Normally aspirated engines were allowed 4.5 liters (down from 6.0 L), and superchargers would be permitted again, with a maximum displacement of 3.0 liters.

Time trials[]

Ten-lap (25 mile) qualifying runs were utilized. This would be the final time this distance was used. Floyd Roberts won the pole position.

Qualifying Results
Date Driver Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Lap 5
(mph)		 Lap 6
(mph)		 Lap 7
(mph)		 Lap 8
(mph)		 Lap 9
(mph)		 Lap 10
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
Sat 5/21/1938 Floyd Roberts 126.174 126.743 124.138 125.839 125.857 125.122 124.688 125.523 125.892 126.886 125.506

Race Recap[]

The race was won by the number 23 car driven by Floyd Roberts. Roberts' car started in the pole position, and was the first car to win from that start since 1930. Roberts led 92 laps, posted an average speed of 117.200 miles per hours, and won $32,075.[4] Roberts' car was owned by Lou Moore, who was also the chief mechanic. The race was marred by the death of 33-year-old spectator Everett Spence. On lap 45 the number 42 car driven by Emil Andres hit the wall in turn two, then flipped over several times, causing its right front wheel to fly off. The wheel traveled 100 feet (30 m) through the air and hit Spence, who was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital. Andres suffered a concussion, broken nose, and chest injuries.[5]

Box score[]

Finish Start No Name Qual Rank Laps Led Status
1 1 23 United States Floyd Roberts 125.681 2 200 92 Running
2 7 1 United States Wilbur Shaw  W  120.987 13 200 0 Running
3 5 3 United States Chet Miller 121.898 9 200 0 Running
4 6 2 United States Ted Horn 121.327 12 200 0 Running
5 18 38 United States Chet Gardner 120.435 17 200 0 Running
6 14 54 United States Herb Ardinger 119.022 24 199 0 Flagged
7 25 45 United States Harry McQuinn 119.492 21 197 0 Flagged
8 30 58 United States Billy Devore 116.339 30 185 0 Flagged
9 13 22 United States Joel Thorne  R  119.155 23 185 0 Flagged
10 17 29 United States Frank Wearne 121.405 11 181 0 Flagged
11 33 43 United States Duke Nalon  R  113.828 33 178 0 Flagged
12 29 12 United States George Bailey 116.393 29 166 0 Clutch
13 9 27 United States Mauri Rose 119.796 20 165 0 Supercharger
14 10 16 United States Ronney Householder 125.769 1 154 0 Supercharger
15 15 6 United States Jimmy Snyder 123.506 4 150 92 Supercharger
16 12 5 United States Louis Meyer  W  120.525 16 149 0 Oil Pump
17 4 17 United States Tony Gulotta 122.499 6 130 0 Rod
18 22 55 United States Al Miller 119.420 22 125 0 Clutch
19 19 15 United States George Connor 120.326 18 119 0 Engine
20 32 9 United States Cliff Bergere 114.464 32 111 0 Piston
21 31 33 United States Henry Banks  R  116.279 31 109 0 Rod bearing
22 21 35 United States Kelly Petillo  W  119.827 19 100 0 Camshaft
23 24 21 United States Louis Tomei 121.599 10 88 0 Rod
24 16 7 United States Bill Cummings  W  122.393 7 72 0 Radiator
25 2 14 United States Russ Snowberger 124.027 3 56 0 Rod
26 8 34 United States Babe Stapp 120.595 15 54 0 Valve
27 26 10 United States Tony Willman 118.458 25 47 0 Valve
28 3 8 United States Rex Mays 122.845 5 45 16 Supercharger
29 28 42 United States Emil Andres 117.126 27 45 0 Crash T2
30 27 37 United States Ira Hall 118.255 26 44 0 Crash T3
31 11 26 United States Frank Brisko 121.921 8 39 0 Oil line
32 23 36 United States Al Putnam  R  116.791 28 15 0 Crankshaft
33 20 47 United States Shorty Cantlon 120.906 14 13 0 Supercharger
[6]

Alternates[]

  • First alternate: [7]

Failed to Qualify[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Fox, Jack C. (1994). The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 (4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0-915088-05-3.
  2. ^ "Roberts Is Winner; Sets Track Record; Spectator Is Killed". The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 31, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  3. ^ Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-06-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ New York Times, "Roberts Sets Record to Win Indianapolis Auto Classic; Spectator Is Killed", May 31, 1938, page 24.
  6. ^ "Indianapolis 500 1938". Ultimate Racing History. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  7. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  8. ^ "1938 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.


1937 Indianapolis 500
Wilbur Shaw 		1938 Indianapolis 500
Floyd Roberts 		1939 Indianapolis 500
Wilbur Shaw
Preceded by
113.580 mph
(1937 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the fastest average speed
117.200 mph 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""