Local favorite Wilbur Shaw won the 25th Indianapolis 500 in 4 hours, 24 minutes, 7.8 seconds with Jigger Johnson as his ride-along mechanic.

Shaw did it driving a four-cylinder Offy that was underpowered compared to the supercharged engines that were again permitted under an AAA rules change.

Jimmy Snyder broke the 130 mph mark driving a six-cylinder powerhouse built by Art Sparks and dubbed "the Big 6." Snyder started the race 19th and was in the lead by the third lap, but by lap 27 he was out with transmission trouble.

Three non-drivers were killed that year. George Warford and Otto C. Rhode died after a car crashed into the pits during practice. Riding mechanic Albert Opalko died in a separate accident.