News and Headlines

Actions

1955: Indy 500 race leader killed on Lap 57

Posted
and last updated

INDIANAPOLIS -- Following the year of the Milan Miracle, there was another historic win in state basketball history.

Two African-American schools battled it out for the state championship on March 19 - Crispus Attucks from Indianapolis and Roosevelt High from Gary.

The day belonged to Attucks. The first all-black high school in the nation to win a state championship.

Leading the way for the Tigers, future NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, who poured in 30 points.

A big name in the racing world also hoped to make history during the 39th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Bill Vukovich was gunning for his third-straight win.

But while in the lead, tragedy struck on Lap 57.

Vukovich was killed, trapped under his burning car.

After 27 minutes under caution to remove the wreckage, the race continued at full speed.

The tragic turn of events led to a new name headed to Victory Lane.

Bob Sweikert, a relatively unknown driver from California, took the checkered flag in the "Pink Zink". A car that now resides in the Hall of Fame Museum.

MORE ON THE ROAD TO 100

1954 | 1953 | 1952|1951| 1950 | 1949|1948194719461941 |  1940 | 1939 | 1938 | 1937 | 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.

----------

Download the new and improved RTV6 app to get the latest news on the go and receive alerts to your phone

Sign up to have the latest news headlines delivered straight to your email inbox