In 1928, Louis Meyer won the first of what would be three Indy 500 victories. He barely got a ride at all and got the win after mechanical troubles befell others who were leading the race.

Leon Duray was in the lead when his engine overheated. Jimmy Gleason took the lead, but when he made a pit stop a crewman filling his radiator accidentally poured water over the magneto. That put Tony Gulotta in front until his fuel line clogged. Meyer had been dogging them all and went on to finish first.

This was Meyer's first Indianapolis 500 as a starting driver (he'd been a relief driver in the 1927 race), and he stayed behind the wheel for the full race.