After two straight years finishing second to his Blue Crown teammate, Bill Holland got the better of Mauri Rose after Rose -- running second -- was forced out of the race with a magneto problem just eight laps from the finish line. Rookie Johnnie Parsons finished second followed by George Connor in another Blue Crown car.

During qualifications, the fastest cars were the Novi V-8s, with Duke Nalon on the pole and Rex Mays alongside. But Nalon crashed on the 24th lap and engine trouble forced out Mays on the 48th.

Rookie George Metzler died from injuries sustained in a crash during practice and 33 spectators were hurt when a section of grandstand collapsed during qualifications.