INDIANAPOLIS -- While the country remained captivated by the Hindenburg disaster of 1937, it was full speed ahead at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of the Indianapolis 500's silver anniversary.
For the 25th running of the race, roughly 70,000 people braved temps soaring to 92 degrees - still one of the hottest race days on record - but it didn't stop them from wearing hats and pants.
For the first time on the track, and ironically on such a hot day, the turns were paved with asphalt in a move toward more safety.
Shelbyville's Wilbur Shaw grabbed the lead early in the No. 6 car and held it throughout most of the race, until he and his riding mechanic fought off some late issues with the vehicle.
A roaring Ralph Hepburn kept pace, though, and won his first Indy 500 by just barely over two seconds.
MORE ON THE ROAD TO 100
1936| 1935 | 1934 | 1933 | 1932 | 1931| 1930| 1929| 1928| 1927 | 1926 | 1925 | 1924 | 1923 | 1922 | 1921 | 1920 | 1919 | 1916 | 1915 | 1914 | 1913 | 1912 | 1911 | Special Section: Road to 100 | Enter to win tickets to the Indy 500 | Start your engines: 100 stories in 100 days
Tune in to RTV6 News at 6 p.m. every night for our Road to 100, where we take a look back at each of the races leading up to the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
Want tickets to this year's race? Tune in to RTV6 News at 6 p.m. and watch for the daily trivia question and answer, then click here to enter the answer to be entered daily for your chance to win tickets to the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.
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