Starting in the middle of the front row, Lee Wallard got a big lead early and needed it because he developed mechanical problems in the later stages of the race. But no one could mount a serious challenge and Wallard wound up leading 159 laps and finishing 1 minute, 47.26 seconds ahead of rookie Mike Nazaruk.

With Wallard setting an average speed of 126.244 mph, this was the fastest 500 so far and the first to be completed in less than four hours. However, only eight cars made it to the finish.

Among those who wrecked was three-time champion Mauri Rose, who retired afterward. Four days after the race, Wallard was severely burned in a racing accident in Pennsylvania.