The U.S. Auto Club succeeded AAA as sanctioning body for the race. USAC officials had a busy month.

The Speedway was drenched in rain for days and for a while it seemed likely the race would be postponed. But the weather held off long enough for Pat Flaherty to win from the pole.

There were several accidents, but tires were more of an issue than the weather. The crashes didn't end with the race: Dick Rathmann spun after taking the checkered flag.

Flaherty set a one-lap record of 146.056 mph in qualifying. His win by 20.46 seconds over Sam Hanks was the first for a car built by A.J. Watson and made Watson the winning chief mechanic for the second year in a row.