‘Vuky wins 500 again’

The 38th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 31, 1954. American Bill Vukovich won the legendary race for the second consecutive time (picture above).

Bill Vukovich had to work much harder in this race due to his car, a Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser, was now two years old. His team had trouble getting it up to speed leading to a 19th place starting spot, inside of row 7 for the race.

The American fought hard through the field to take the lead on lap 92, a lead that he kept for 38 laps until his next pitstop. Then Vukovich took the lead for good on lap 150 to win his second consecutive Indy 500, setting a record (at the time) of 130.840 mph average race speed.

Sadly, Bill Vukovich died the following year attempting to win his third consecutive Indy 500. The American is seen here-under on his way (in his Kurtis-Offenhauser) to victory in 1954.