Published evidence
1953 Indianapolis 500
A historical profile with source-linked evidence. Further research is in progress.
THE HISTORICAL RECORD
Profile & context
Event date: 30 May 1953
- Name
- 1953 Indianapolis 500
PROVENANCE
Sources behind this page
F1DB
v2026.17.0 · races/25
Original reference ↗Historical source & scope
F1DB v2026.17.0 · CC BY 4.0. Normalisation, links and calculations by MotorPedia. Original source observations retained.
Source-reported facts are not independent historical confirmation. Missing times and points remain unknown; source-rounded points retain their published precision. Constructor, entrant and team identities are kept distinct.
Recorded qualifying format: FOUR_LAPS
Grand Prix context
1953 Indianapolis 500 · Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Technical formula: US national regulations. World Championship membership is separate from technical regulations.
1953 Formula 1 World Championship · round 2
Race classification
| Position | Driver | Constructor | Recorded details | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Vukovich | Kurtis Kraft | 3:53:01.690 · 200 laps · offenhauser | 9 |
| 2 | Art Cross | Kurtis Kraft | 3:56:32.562 · 200 laps · offenhauser | 6 |
| 3 | Sam Hanks | Kurtis Kraft | 3:57:13.190 · 200 laps · offenhauser | 2 |
| 3 | Duane Carter | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | 2 |
| 4 | Fred Agabashian | Kurtis Kraft | 3:57:40.930 · 200 laps · offenhauser | 1.5 |
| 4 | Paul Russo | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | 1.5 |
| 5 | Jack McGrath | Kurtis Kraft | 4:00:51.330 · 200 laps · offenhauser | 2 |
| 6 | Jimmy Daywalt | Kurtis Kraft | 4:01:11.900 · 200 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 7 | Jim Rathmann | Kurtis Kraft | 4:01:47.710 · 200 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 7 | Eddie Johnson | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 8 | Ernie McCoy | Stevens | 4:03:06.240 · 200 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 9 | Tony Bettenhausen | Kuzma | Accident · Time not recorded · 196 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 9 | Chuck Stevenson | Kuzma | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 9 | Gene Hartley | Kuzma | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 10 | Jimmy Davies | Kurtis Kraft | Time not recorded · 193 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 11 | Duke Nalon | Kurtis Kraft | Accident · Time not recorded · 191 laps · novi | Unknown / not applicable |
| 12 | Carl Scarborough | Kurtis Kraft | Time not recorded · 190 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 12 | Bob Scott | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 13 | Manny Ayulo | Kuzma | Engine · Time not recorded · 184 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 14 | Jimmy Bryan | Schroeder | Time not recorded · 183 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 15 | Bill Holland | Kurtis Kraft | Magneto · Time not recorded · 177 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 15 | Jim Rathmann | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 16 | Rodger Ward | Kurtis Kraft | Axle · Time not recorded · 177 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 16 | Andy Linden | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 16 | Duke Dinsmore | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 17 | Walt Faulkner | Kurtis Kraft | Time not recorded · 176 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 17 | Johnny Mantz | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 18 | Marshall Teague | Kurtis Kraft | Oil leak · Time not recorded · 169 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 19 | Spider Webb | Kurtis Kraft | Oil leak · Time not recorded · 166 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 19 | Johnny Thomson | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 19 | Jackie Holmes | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 20 | Bob Sweikert | Kuzma | Suspension · Time not recorded · 151 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 21 | Mike Nazaruk | Turner | Transmission · Time not recorded · 146 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 22 | Pat Flaherty | Kurtis Kraft | Accident · Time not recorded · 115 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 23 | Jerry Hoyt | Kurtis Kraft | Overheating · Time not recorded · 107 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 23 | Chuck Stevenson | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 23 | Andy Linden | Kurtis Kraft | Shared drive · Time not recorded · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 24 | Duane Carter | Lesovsky | Ignition · Time not recorded · 94 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 25 | Paul Russo | Kurtis Kraft | Magneto · Time not recorded · 89 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 26 | Johnnie Parsons | Kurtis Kraft | Engine · Time not recorded · 86 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 27 | Don Freeland | Watson | Accident · Time not recorded · 76 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 28 | Gene Hartley | Kurtis Kraft | Accident · Time not recorded · 53 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 29 | Chuck Stevenson | Kuzma | Fuel leak · Time not recorded · 42 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 30 | Cal Niday | Kurtis Kraft | Magneto · Time not recorded · 30 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 31 | Bob Scott | Bromme | Oil leak · Time not recorded · 14 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 32 | Johnny Thomson | Del Roy | Ignition · Time not recorded · 6 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
| 33 | Andy Linden | Stevens | Accident · Time not recorded · 3 laps · offenhauser | Unknown / not applicable |
Qualifying
| Position | Driver | Constructor | Recorded details | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Vukovich | Kurtis Kraft | 4:20.130 · offenhauser | |
| 2 | Fred Agabashian | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.730 · offenhauser | |
| 3 | Jack McGrath | Kurtis Kraft | 4:23.540 · offenhauser | |
| 4 | Manny Ayulo | Kuzma | 4:23.960 · offenhauser | |
| 5 | Andy Linden | Stevens | 4:24.590 · offenhauser | |
| 6 | Tony Bettenhausen | Kuzma | 4:24.660 · offenhauser | |
| 7 | Jerry Hoyt | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.230 · offenhauser | |
| 8 | Johnnie Parsons | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.500 · offenhauser | |
| 9 | Sam Hanks | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.760 · offenhauser | |
| 10 | Rodger Ward | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.880 · offenhauser | |
| 11 | Bob Scott | Bromme | 4:21.950 · offenhauser | |
| 12 | Art Cross | Kurtis Kraft | 4:22.180 · offenhauser | |
| 13 | Gene Hartley | Kurtis Kraft | 4:22.270 · offenhauser | |
| 14 | Walt Faulkner | Kurtis Kraft | 4:22.550 · offenhauser | |
| 15 | Don Freeland | Watson | 4:23.030 · offenhauser | |
| 16 | Chuck Stevenson | Kuzma | 4:23.620 · offenhauser | |
| 17 | Paul Russo | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.280 · offenhauser | |
| 18 | Spider Webb | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.380 · offenhauser | |
| 19 | Carl Scarborough | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.830 · offenhauser | |
| 20 | Ernie McCoy | Stevens | 4:24.850 · offenhauser | |
| 21 | Jimmy Daywalt | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.200 · offenhauser | |
| 22 | Marshall Teague | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.250 · offenhauser | |
| 23 | Mike Nazaruk | Turner | 4:25.280 · offenhauser | |
| 24 | Pat Flaherty | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.350 · offenhauser | |
| 25 | Jim Rathmann | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.360 · offenhauser | |
| 26 | Duke Nalon | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.760 · novi | |
| 27 | Duane Carter | Lesovsky | 4:26.140 · offenhauser | |
| 28 | Bill Holland | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.120 · offenhauser | |
| 29 | Bob Sweikert | Kuzma | 4:23.020 · offenhauser | |
| 30 | Cal Niday | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.520 · offenhauser | |
| 31 | Jimmy Bryan | Schroeder | 4:25.760 · offenhauser | |
| 32 | Jimmy Davies | Kurtis Kraft | 4:26.150 · offenhauser | |
| 33 | Johnny Thomson | Del Roy | 4:26.150 · offenhauser |
Starting grid
| Position | Driver | Constructor | Recorded details | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Vukovich | Kurtis Kraft | 4:20.130 · offenhauser | |
| 2 | Fred Agabashian | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.730 · offenhauser | |
| 3 | Jack McGrath | Kurtis Kraft | 4:23.540 · offenhauser | |
| 4 | Manny Ayulo | Kuzma | 4:23.960 · offenhauser | |
| 5 | Andy Linden | Stevens | 4:24.590 · offenhauser | |
| 6 | Tony Bettenhausen | Kuzma | 4:24.660 · offenhauser | |
| 7 | Jerry Hoyt | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.230 · offenhauser | |
| 8 | Johnnie Parsons | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.500 · offenhauser | |
| 9 | Sam Hanks | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.760 · offenhauser | |
| 10 | Rodger Ward | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.880 · offenhauser | |
| 11 | Bob Scott | Bromme | 4:21.950 · offenhauser | |
| 12 | Art Cross | Kurtis Kraft | 4:22.180 · offenhauser | |
| 13 | Gene Hartley | Kurtis Kraft | 4:22.270 · offenhauser | |
| 14 | Walt Faulkner | Kurtis Kraft | 4:22.550 · offenhauser | |
| 15 | Don Freeland | Watson | 4:23.030 · offenhauser | |
| 16 | Chuck Stevenson | Kuzma | 4:23.620 · offenhauser | |
| 17 | Paul Russo | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.280 · offenhauser | |
| 18 | Spider Webb | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.380 · offenhauser | |
| 19 | Carl Scarborough | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.830 · offenhauser | |
| 20 | Ernie McCoy | Stevens | 4:24.850 · offenhauser | |
| 21 | Jimmy Daywalt | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.200 · offenhauser | |
| 22 | Marshall Teague | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.250 · offenhauser | |
| 23 | Mike Nazaruk | Turner | 4:25.280 · offenhauser | |
| 24 | Pat Flaherty | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.350 · offenhauser | |
| 25 | Jim Rathmann | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.360 · offenhauser | |
| 26 | Duke Nalon | Kurtis Kraft | 4:25.760 · novi | |
| 27 | Duane Carter | Lesovsky | 4:26.140 · offenhauser | |
| 28 | Bill Holland | Kurtis Kraft | 4:21.120 · offenhauser | |
| 29 | Bob Sweikert | Kuzma | 4:23.020 · offenhauser | |
| 30 | Cal Niday | Kurtis Kraft | 4:24.520 · offenhauser | |
| 31 | Jimmy Bryan | Schroeder | 4:25.760 · offenhauser | |
| 32 | Jimmy Davies | Kurtis Kraft | 4:26.150 · offenhauser | |
| 33 | Johnny Thomson | Del Roy | 4:26.150 · offenhauser |
Championship progression
| Position | Driver | Constructor | Recorded details | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberto Ascari | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 9 |
| 1 | Bill Vukovich | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 9 |
| 3 | Luigi Villoresi | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 6 |
| 3 | Art Cross | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 6 |
| 5 | José Froilán González | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 4 |
| 6 | Mike Hawthorn | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 3 |
| 7 | Sam Hanks | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 2 |
| 7 | Duane Carter | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 2 |
| 9 | Oscar Alfredo Gálvez | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 2 |
| 9 | Jack McGrath | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 2 |
| 11 | Fred Agabashian | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 1.5 |
| 11 | Paul Russo | Not applicable / not recorded | Time not recorded | 1.5 |