By the third Indianapolis 500, local race fans had come to assume their city always be able to boast having the winning car, the winning driver or both. But in 1913 the French Peugeot team arrived to compete in Indianapolis. Jules Goux took a commanding lead and his showmanship and speed won the affection of much of the crowd. In his pit he called for and was given a bottle of wine to quench his thirst.

American drivers also did well and Hoosier fans consoled themselves with the fact that Goux had taken longer to win that Joe Dawson had the year before. Charlie Merz finished third, though his car was on fire as it crossed the finish line.

The French dominated the 1913 race.