After the 500 was canceled for two years during World War I, the 1919 race was much anticipated by racing fans.

The winner was once again a Hoosier, Crawfordsville native Howard 'Howdy' Wilcox, driving one of the Speedway's faux-Peugeots from 1916. Wilcox was the first to average more than 100 mph in qualifications, but so did Rene Thomas, who won the pole at more than 104 mph. His straight-8 Ballot was the fastest car on the track, but it faltered in the race and he came in 11th.

Crashes claimed the lives of drivers Arthur Thurman and Louis LeCocq and riding mechanics Nicholas Mollinard and Robert Bandini. Wilcox would die four years later in a race in Pennsylvania.