1932 Indianapolis 500

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20th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning bodyAAA
DateMay 30, 1932
WinnerFred Frame
Winning EntrantHarry Hartz
Average speed104.144 mph (167.604 km/h)
Pole positionLou Moore
Pole speed117.363 mph (188.877 km/h)
Most laps ledFred Frame (58)
Pre-race
Pace carLincoln Model KB
Pace car driverEdsel Ford
StarterGar Wood[1]
Honorary refereeEdsel Ford[1]
Chronology
Previous Next
1931 1933

The 20th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1932. Attrition was the story of the race, with 26 of the 40 cars dropping out due to crashes or mechanical failure. A record eight different drivers led laps during the race, with no driver seemingly able to hold the lead without experiencing some sort of trouble. For the third year in a row, Billy Arnold looked as if he would be the dominant car, but he sailed over the turn three wall on lap 59. Rookie Bob Carey also hit the wall while leading. Fred Frame took the lead for good on lap 152, and won from the 27th starting position - the furthest back of any winner except for Ray Harroun in 1911 and later, Louis Meyer in 1936. Frame was accompanied by riding mechanic Jerry Houck.

In the third year of the "stock-based" formula (also known as the "Junk" formula), speeds were beginning to increase once again, but not quite to levels seen in the late-1920s. Lou Moore qualified for the pole position with an average speed of 117.363 mph, the fastest time trial run in three years. Likewise on race day, Frame's winning average speed of 104.144 mph broke Peter DePaolo's record set back in 1925.

The race was part of the 1932 AAA Championship Car season. The month was marred by two fatalities during practice. Riding mechanic Harry Cox was killed in a crash on May 25, and driver Milton Jones died from injuries suffered in a crash on May 27.

Race schedule[edit]

Race schedule – May 1932
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
  		2
  		3
  		4
  		5
  		6
  		7
 
8
  		9
  		10
  		11
  		12
  		13
  		14
 
15
  		16
  		17
  		18
  		19
  		20
  		21
Time Trials
22
Time Trials 		23
Time Trials 		24
Time Trials 		25
Time Trials 		26
Time Trials 		27
Time Trials 		28
Time Trials
29
  		30
Indy 500 		31
  		       
Color Notes
Green Track Available for Practice
Dark Blue Time trials
Silver Race day
Blank No track activity

Practice – April[edit]

The deadline for entries to be received was midnight on Monday May 2. Teams and drivers began arriving at the Speedway in early April, setting up shop in Gasoline Alley. In addition, Tom Beall's popular diner was already open in the garage area.[2] Tony Gulotta was on the track in the Hunt Special on April 6, as was Lou Moore in the Boyle Valve Special.[2] Making news in mid-April was Argentine driver Juan Gaudino, who arrived on April 13 to enter the race for the first time.[3][4] Gaudino had intended to enter in 1931, but withdrew after a crash in South America just before he was to make the trip.

On Monday April 18, Joe Russo was practicing on the track when he lost control at the north end and crashed into the retaining wall. He suffered minor injuries to his head and face, and needed three stitches to his lip. The frame of the car was bent, but the car was expected to be repaired.[5]

Billy Devore, Terry Curley, S.T. "Pink" Donaldson, and Bert Lustig, all arrived from the west coast on April 21, each looking for rides.[6][7] Some of the biggest news came on April 27. Babe Stapp was seriously injured in a crash at Legion Ascot Speedway, and would be forced to sit out the month of May.[8]

By the end of April, at least nine cars were already at the Speedway being prepped. Drivers were even spending some free time at the Speedway Golf Course.[9]

Practice – Week 1[edit]

The deadline for entries to be received was midnight on Monday May 2.[10] Though initially down from the previous year (72 entries), at least 40 cars had submitted entries by May 1, and more were expected when postmarked entries were all processed.[11]

  • Sunday May 1: Tony Gulotta and Luther Johnson teamed up to test one of the Studebaker entries for 660 miles at an average speed of 102.6 mph.[11]
  • Monday May 2: More entries continued to come in, swelling the entry list to 68 cars.[12] Of interest was the Bowes Seal Fast team announcing a three-car effort with drivers Bill Cummings, Louis Schneider, and Deacon Litz[13]
  • Tuesday May 3: Last-minute entries brought the total to 71-72 cars, matching the number from 1931.[14]
  • Wednesday May 4: Juan Gaudino was sent to the hospital with burns on his face and hands after an acetylene torch he was working with exploded in the garage area. He was expected to be back in the car within a couple days. Russ Snowberger was out on the track, and suffered a flat tire.[15]
  • Friday May 6: Though track activity had been fairly light most of the week, by Friday, over one-third of the 71 expected entries had arrived at the Speedway.[16]
  • Saturday May 7: Some of the drivers left Indianapolis for the day to compete in other events. Billy Arnold, Deacon Litz, and Ira Hall competed in a special race meet in Chicago. Bill Cummings, Billy Winn, Paul Bost, and others raced at Langhorne.[17]

Practice – Week 2[edit]

  • Monday May 9: The five Studebaker Specials entries were out on the track on Monday. The drivers were Tony Gulotta, Luther Johnson, Pete Kreis, Cliff Bergere, and Bob McDonogh.[18] Off the track, 1930 winner Billy Arnold was married in Chicago. He was expected to arrive at the track for practice later in the week.[19]
  • Tuesday May 10: Much of Tuesday was spent taking photographs with the cars and drivers.[20]
  • Wednesday May 11: At approximately 3 p.m., Ira Hall went into turn one at about 106 mph when he lost control. The car started sliding to the inside fence, he corrected, and the car slid up to the outside barrier. It slid along the outside wall for about 100 feet, then spun to the middle of the track. The car's frame was broken in the front. Neither Hall nor his riding mechanic G.A. Casey were injured.[21] Leon Duray arrived at the Speedway for the first time Wednesday evening.
  • Thursday May 12: Russ Snowberger was out on the track Thursday in the Hupp Comet. He had two laps of 114 mph.[22] L. L. Corum, whose car was now disassembled, was not expected to be out on the track again for another week.[22] Harry Miller's 16-cylinder machine (driven in 1931 by Shorty Cantlon) was expected to arrive on Friday and be on the track with Bryan Saulpaugh behind the wheel.
  • Friday May 13: T.E. "Pop" Meyers announced that he declined Louis Schneider's request to use car #13, citing a AAA Contest Board rule.[23] Few cars made laps Friday, owing not little to the superstitious nature of Friday the 13th. Chet Miller took a few laps, but lightly brushed the wall in the south short chute. Pete Kreis did a ten-lap radiator test in his Studebaker, then was reportedly upset when informed he was driving on Friday the 13th. Also on the track were Frank Brisko and Roy Painter, but only for one or two slow laps apiece.[24]

Practice – Week 3[edit]

  • Sunday May 15: Joe Huff was out on the track in the S.O. Goldberg entry. Billy Arnold arrived at the Speedway Sunday, and expected to drive his first laps on Tuesday. Fred Frame was in Reading for the weekend, and won two races. Leon Duray's 16-cylinder car was seen in the garage area, and was expected to practice on Tuesday. After overheating problems plagued the car in 1931, the team reported that significant improvements had been made for 1932.[25]
  • Monday May 16: Wilbur Shaw was reported to be en route to the Speedway from California.[26]
  • Tuesday May 17: Louis Schneider was out on the track in the #1 Bowes Seal Fast Special. Juan Gaudino, who lost time due to changing engines, was now reportedly out on the track regularly.[27] Off the track, Gar Wood was named the official starter for race day.[28]
  • Wednesday May 18: Several cars took to the track on Wednesday, as elimination trials were drawing closer. Frank Brisko made several medium paced laps, Louis Meyer was on the track in his 16-cylinder machine, and Joe Huff had been on the track as well (105 mph). Al Miller ran a lap of 111 mph, and Bryan Saulpaugh drove one of Harry Miller's 16-cylinder machines. Just before sunset, Roy Painter suffered a flat tire going into turn three. He avoided another car, and swerved into the outside wall. The car suffered a bent rear spring and axle. Painter and his riding mechanic Thane Houser were not injured, and the car was expected to be repaired by the end of the week.[29]
  • Thursday May 19: Lou Moore led the speed chart with a practice lap of 117 mph. Also out on the track were Louis Meyer (112 mph), Luther Johnson, Fred Frame, Marion Trexler, Billy Winn, Bob Carey, and Gene Haustein.[30] Just before sundown, Russ Snowberger suffered a flat tire as he was driving through turn 3. He skidded but kept the car off the wall.[31]
  • Friday May 20: Newcomer Mauri Rose, driving the Jones-Miller, skidded at the exit of turn 4, and hit the outside wall. The car slid along the outside hub rail, crossed the track, then came to rest along the inside barrier. Rose was not injured, but the car suffered damage to the frame. Ira Hall, who hit the wall earlier in the month, was back out on the track Friday. Howdy Wilcox II completed a lap of 113.5 mph.[31]

Time trials[edit]

Qualifications was scheduled for seven days, starting on Saturday May 21, and continuing through Friday May 27.[31] Four-lap (10 mile) qualifying runs were used. Each entry was allowed three attempts to qualify. The minimum speed for qualifying was set at 100 mph. Each day of time trials would end at sundown.

Saturday May 21[edit]

The first day of time trials was scheduled for Saturday May 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. (sundown). All cars were required to be in line no later than 5 p.m. in order to make a qualifying attempt.[31] Over 12,000 spectators arrived under hot and sunny weather conditions. During a run in the morning, Bryan Saulpaugh driving one of Harry Miller's 16-cylinder machines, had just completed a lap of 116 mph when a tire blew going into turn 1. Traveling more than 120 mph, he entered the turn too fast and the tread sheared off the tire. The car broke into a spin, but Saulpaugh was able to keep the car off the wall. Also having trouble in the morning was Zeke Meyer, who hit the wall in turn four after something broke in the steering mechanism.

Frank Brisko (111.149 mph) was the first driver to complete a qualifying run. Luther Johnson blew a tire and pulled into the pits during his first attempt. The early qualifiers were led by Billy Arnold, who put in a four-lap average of 116.290 mph. Bryan Saulpaugh, who had avoided serious mishap during a practice run, rebounded to post a four-lap average of 114.369 mph, good enough for the front row.

Late in the day, Lou Moore took the track, and grabbed the pole position with a four-lap average of 117.363 mph. His fourth lap (118.577 mph) was a single-lap track record for a non-supercharged engine. Last year's polesitter Russ Snowberger qualified fourth.

The day ended with the field filled to 21 cars.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
1 8 United States Lou Moore 116.595 117.249 117.066 118.577 117.363
2 5 United States Billy Arnold  W  115.920 116.279 116.279 116.686 116.290
3 27 United States Bryan Saulpaugh  R  114.373 114.518 114.460 114.126 114.369
4 4 United States Russ Snowberger 113.967 114.141 114.708 114.489 114.326
5 35 United States Ira Hall 113.967 113.737 114.358 114.767 114.206
6 6 United States Howdy Wilcox II  R  113.794 114.358 113.350 112.388 113.468
7 16 United States Louis Meyer  W  112.599 112.122 112.136 113.037 112.471
8 17 United States Paul Bost 112.402 112.416 111.566 111.166 111.885
9 2 United States Billy Winn 111.704 111.607 112.346 111.552 111.801
10 22 United States Cliff Bergere 111.001 111.773 111.690 111.552 111.503
11 46 United States Luther Johnson 110.633 111.607 111.345 111.290 111.218
12 10 United States Bill Cummings 111.070 111.043 111.303 111.400 111.204
13 32 United States Frank Brisko 110.343 111.152 111.455 111.649 111.149
14 61 United States Bob Carey  R  110.538 111.359 111.483 110.906 111.070
15 55 United States Joe Huff 110.254 1110.132 1110.647 110.579 110.402
16 48 United States Wesley Crawford 109.237 111.400 111.469 109.516 110.396
17 18 United States Pete Kreis 109.877 110.146 110.728 110.335 110.270
18 29 United States Al Miller  R  109.930 109.944 110.443 110.200 110.129
19 24 United States Deacon Litz 111.070 110.308 108.108 108.748 109.546
20 25 United States Tony Gulotta 109.078 108.630 108.946 108.932 108.896
21 41 United States Joe Russo 108.499 108.395 108.893 109.383 108.791

Sunday May 22[edit]

The second day of time trials was held Sunday May 22. Only two cars qualified, Wilbur Shaw and Al Aspen. Shaw's four-lap average speed (114.326 mph) time was identical to Russ Snowberger's from a day earlier.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
22 3 United States Wilbur Shaw 113.737 114.548 114.987 114.040 114.326
23 21 United States Al Aspen 108.199 107.953 107.373 108.512 108.008
  • Source: The Indianapolis News[34]

Monday May 23[edit]

The third day of time trials was held Monday May 23. Hartwell "Stubby" Stubblefield wowed the crowd with a first lap of 117.310 mph, nearly as fast as the pole position. He upped his speed to 117.540 mph, and appeared to be on his way to becoming the fastest qualifier. On his fourth and final lap, however, he sensed he had a tire going down. Going into turn 3, he backed off and attempted to coast around to the pits, intending to abort the run. He shut the engine off on the mainstretch, but inadvertently coasted across the finish line. Officials ruled that he had completed the run, and the time would stand. His fourth lap of 101.488 pulled his four-lap average down to 112.988 mph. Instead of being the fastest qualifier, he had to settle for the slower speed, but nevertheless, was safely qualified.

Bob McDonogh made a conservative run of 113.279 mph, to be the fastest car of the afternoon, and the first four-wheel drive car in Indy history. Phil Shafer was the only other qualifier, putting in a speed of 110.708 mph without wearing a helmet.

By the end of the third day, only 26 (of 40) grid position had been filled. With many strong contenders still in the garage area, officials reiterated that qualifications would continue through Saturday as needed, to ensure all cars had the opportunity to qualify.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
24 58 United States Bob McDonogh 112.938 112.388 113.179 114.635 113.279
25 15 United States Stubby Stubblefield 117.310 117.570 117.005 101.488 112.899
26 33 United States Phil Shafer 110.769 110.240 110.674 110.152 110.708
  • Source: The Indianapolis News[35]

Tuesday May 24[edit]

The fourth day of time trials was held Tuesday May 24. Qualifications continued to move at a slow pace, as only two cars completed runs Tuesday. Late in the day, Gus Schrader was the first driver out, in the four-wheel drive Miller Special. The car had only been on the track three days, and the 112.003 mph average, though safe to make the field, was said to be modest to its capabilities. Fred Frame was the only other driver on the track, also driving a newly arrived machine. Frame's car had arrived only three days earlier, and had been on the track only once, but not at speed.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
27 34 United States Fred Frame 113.479 113.364 113.982 114.606 113.856
28 45 United States Gus Schrader  R  112.740 112.528 111.193 111.566 112.003
  • Source: The Indianapolis News[36]

Wednesday May 25[edit]

The fifth day of time trials was held Wednesday May 25. To the increasing chagrin of officials, only one car completed a qualifying attempt, further dragging out the already slow qualifying process. Chet Miller secured the 29th spot in the field, leaving eleven spots open. The day was marred by the death of Harry Cox, the riding mechanic for Bennie Benefiel. The car hit the inside wall, lost a wheel, then skidded into the outside wall. The car went over the outside retaining wall in turn 1, and dropped twenty feet to the ground. It hit two trees, then came to rest against another tree. Benefiel and Cox were thrown from the car. Benefiel was conscious but seriously injured. Cox suffered a broken neck and other injuries, and died at the scene.

Louis Schneider had his car out on the track for practice, but came in complaining of steering problems. Roy Painter announced his car was withdrawn due to an illegal tread width.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
29 9 United States Chet Miller 111.912 111.207 110.105 111.001 111.053

Thursday May 26[edit]

The sixth day of time trials was held Thursday May 26. For the second day in a row, only one car completed a run. Louis Schneider, driving the same Bowes Seal Fast entry he won with in 1931, took the 30th starting position.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)
30 1 United States Louis Schneider  W  110.457 110.728 110.619 110.919 110.681
  • Source: The Indianapolis News[39]

Friday May 27[edit]

The seventh day of time trials was held on Friday May 27. The day was marred by the second fatality in three days. Milton Jones and his riding mechanic Harold Gray were on a practice run early in the day when car went out of control in turn one. The car went over the wall in turn one, and landed upright on a grassy plot outside of the track. Both Jones and Gray were thrown from the car. Gray survived, suffering a broken arm and internal injuries. Jones died about six hours later at City Hospital. In a separate incident, Ira Hall crashed his already-qualified car in turn 3. The car was badly damaged, but Hall was not injured. Also having trouble was Paul Rice, whose car broke a front axle. He narrowly missed hitting the outside wall at the exit of turn four.[40]

Seven cars completed qualifying runs, but George Howie would eventually be "crowded out" (bumped) from the field on Saturday. Gene Haustein made an unsuccessful attempt.

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)		 Notes
31 7 United States Ernie Triplett 114.899 114.577 115.237 115.031 114.935
32 57 United States Malcolm Fox  R  110.988 111.221 111.635 110.756 111.149
33 49 United States Johnny Krieger  R  108.669 109.290 109.369 109.783 109.276
34 72 United States Ray Campbell  R  108.212 109.676 109.904 108.108 108.969
35 65 United States Freddie Winnai 109.250 108.212 108.212 109.369 108.755
36 14 Argentina Juan Gaudino  R  106.257 107.463 108.082 108.082 107.466
DNQ 47 United States George Howie 102.658 103.401 103.746 104.167 103.490 Bumped 5/28
DNQ 23 United States Gene Haustein 106 106 0.000 0.000 — Incomplete

Saturday May 28[edit]

The final day of time trials was held on Saturday May 28. Due to the number of spots remaining, and the number of entries still to qualify, the hours for qualifying were extended to 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Saturday. The field was filled to 40 cars, and two drivers (George Howie and James Patterson) were "crowded out." Kelly Petillo made the field just before the close of qualifying.

After qualifying concluded, the track was closed to clean up oil spills and prepare the surface for the race. A brief session was allowed late Sunday afternoon for the traditional "carburetion tests."

Pos No. Name Lap 1
(mph)		 Lap 2
(mph)		 Lap 3
(mph)		 Lap 4
(mph)		 Average Speed
(mph)		 Notes
37 26 United States Al Gordon  R  111.649 111.207 111.649 110.660 111.290
38 37 United States Zeke Meyer 109.887 110.660 111.207 111.246 110.745
39 42 United States Doc MacKenzie  R  107.630 107.940 108.431 108.630 108.154
40 36 United States Kelly Petillo  R  104.554 104.372 104.457 105.202 104.645
DNQ 75 United States James Patterson 101.260 100.919 101.203 101.603 101.246 Bumped 5/28
  • Source: The Indianapolis News,[42] The Sandusky Register,[45] The Indianapolis Star[46]

Starting grid[edit]

Row Inside Middle Outside
1 United States Lou Moore United States Billy Arnold  W  United States Bryan Saulpaugh  R 
2 United States Russ Snowberger United States Ira Hall United States Howdy Wilcox II  R 
3 United States Louis Meyer  W  United States Paul Bost United States Billy Winn
4 United States Cliff Bergere United States Luther Johnson United States Bill Cummings
5 United States Frank Brisko United States Bob Carey  R  United States Joe Huff
6 United States Wesley Crawford United States Pete Kreis United States Al Miller  R 
7 United States Deacon Litz United States Tony Gulotta United States Joe Russo
8 United States Wilbur Shaw United States Al Aspen United States Bob McDonogh
9 United States Stubby Stubblefield United States Phil Shafer United States Fred Frame
10 United States Gus Schrader  R  United States Chet Miller United States Louis Schneider  W 
11 United States Ernie Triplett United States Malcolm Fox  R  United States Johnny Krieger  R 
12 United States Ray Campbell  R  United States Freddie Winnai Argentina Juan Gaudino  R 
13 United States Al Gordon  R  United States Zeke Meyer United States Doc MacKenzie  R 
14 United States Kelly Petillo  R     

Alternates[edit]

Failed to qualify[edit]

Race summary[edit]

Stubby Stubblefield and mechanic Oito Wolfer.

Start[edit]

The race began at 10:00 a.m. with Edsel Ford driving the Lincoln Model KB pace car and Theodore E. "Pop" Meyers riding along, marshaling the start. Honorary starter Gar Wood joined Seth Kline to wave the green flag. At the start, Lou Moore took the lead into turn one from the pole position. Billy Arnold was second, Billy Winn third, and Ernie Triplett fourth. Arnold took the lead on the second lap, and began setting the pace. Arnold's average speed after 10 laps was 110.250 mph, breaking the previous record set in 1928.

On lap 3, Al Gordon crashed over the outside wall in turn 4. Stubby Stubblefield sideswiped Gordon, but was able to continue Gordon and his riding mechanic were uninjured. Also crashing out on lap 7 was Gus Schrader.

First half[edit]

Attrition started to mount early with several cars dropping out in the first 100 miles. Several other cars were into the pits with early tire wear, and Joe Huff needed a three-minute pit stop to repair a leaking radiator cap.

At the 50-mile mark, Billy Arnold led Lou Moore by 49 seconds. By the 100-mark, the lead had stretched to a minute and 18 seconds, and Bob Carey had moved up to second. By lap 50, Arnold had lapped the entire field except for Carey, and was running a record pace.

On lap 59, Billy Arnold's day came to end in a bad crash in turn 3. Arnold and riding mechanic Spider Matlock crashed over the wall while leading. Arnold suffered a broken shoulder and Matlock a broken pelvis – injuries similar (but opposite) to those suffered by them in a crash a year earlier. Arnold would retire from racing after the crash. The incident put Bob Carey in the lead from lap 59–94. After the race, Arnold found out that his grandmother had died the day before the race.

Carey led Lou Moore as the race passed the 200-mile distance. The race was still running at a record-shattering pace. Moore dropped out with bad timing gears, and Ernie Triplett moved up to second. On lap 94, Carey hit the outside wall in turn 4 while leading, spun around three times, and drove the car back to the pits with a damaged left front wheel. He lost ten minutes in the pits, and that handed the lead to Ernie Triplett.

Also in the pits was 8th place Fred Frame, who had water boiling from the radiator. Frame was about four laps down, and was in the pits for about one minute.

Second half[edit]

At the halfway point, Ernie Triplett led Howdy Wilcox II, Louis Schneider and Cliff Bergere. Triplett's time in front was short-lived. Ira Hall took the lead on lap 110, and Triplett dropped out after 125 laps with a failed clutch. Schneider dropped out at the same time with a broken frame.

With contenders dropping out in quick succession, Fred Frame came to the lead on lap 126. Frame led Wilbur Shaw, the only other car on the lead lap. Howdy Wilcox II and Cliff Bergere were running 3rd-4th one lap down.

As the race reached the 400-mile mark, Frame continued to lead. Wilbur Shaw lost over nine minutes after stalling his car in the pits then eventually dropped out with a broken axle. Frame was now all alone out front, and controlled the race to the finish. In the final 20 laps, Frame held an over 40-second lead over Howdy Wilcox II, with Cliff Bergere in third.

Finish[edit]

Late in the race, three incidents brought attention. On lap 182, Ira Hall blew a tire, spun and brushed the wall in the south end of the track. He was able to continue, but left his riding mechanic behind when he limped back to the pits. He re-joined the race, and was issued a one-lap penalty for driving off without the riding mechanic. He completed the 500 miles in 7th place. Luther Johnson lost a wheel on the mainstretch, and Tony Gulotta blew a tire in turn one. Gulotta's tire flung off the wheel, and nearly went over the fence into the stands. On the 178th lap, Pete Kreis skidded and crashed on the mainstretch.

Fred Frame led 58 of the final 75 laps and won the race by 44 seconds over Howdy Wilcox II. After strong showings in previous years, Frame, accompanied by riding mechanic Jerry Houck won with an average speed of 104.144 mph (167.604 km/h), a time that broke the seven-year-old record set by Peter DePaolo (1925). Frame charged from 27th starting position, aided by high attrition and a steady pace. It was the furthest back at that time that any driver had won the race except for Ray Harroun in 1911. Louis Meyer would equal Ray Harroun's furthest back to win (28th) in 1936. Frame's drive was not without incident, as he required six pit stops, each time taking on water to battle an overheating engine.

Source: The Indianapolis News[48][49][50][51]

Box score[edit]

Finish Start No Name Entrant Chassis Engine Qual Rank Laps Status
1 27 34 United States Fred Frame Harry Hartz Wetteroth Miller 113.856 8 200 Running
2 6 6 United States Howdy Wilcox II  R  William Cantlon Stevens Miller 113.468 9 200 Running
3 10 22 United States Cliff Bergere The Studebaker Corporation Rigling Studebaker 111.503 16 200 Running
4 14 61 United States Bob Carey  R  Louis Meyer Stevens Miller 111.070 22 200 Running
5 4 4 United States Russ Snowberger Russell Snowberger Snowberger Hupmobile 114.326 6 200 Running
6 38 37 United States Zeke Meyer The Studebaker Corporation Rigling Studebaker 110.745 24 200 Running
7 5 35 United States Ira Hall
(Eddie Meyer Laps 115–124) 		G. B. Hall Stevens Duesenberg 114.206 7 200 Running
8 35 65 United States Freddie Winnai Henry Maley Duesenberg Duesenberg 108.755 36 200 Running
9 9 2 United States Billy Winn
(James Patterson Laps 98–200) 		Fred Frame Duesenberg Duesenberg 111.801 15 200 Running
10 15 55 United States Joe Huff
(Dusty Fahrnow Laps 99–155) 		S. C. Goldberg Duesenberg Duesenberg 110.402 27 200 Running
11 26 33 United States Phil Shafer Phil Shafer Rigling Buick 110.708 25 197 Flagged
12 40 36 United States Kelly Petillo  R  Milton Jones Whippet Miller 104.645 40 189 Flagged
13 20 25 United States Tony Gulotta The Studebaker Corporation Rigling Studebaker 108.896 34 184 Flagged
14 25 15 United States Stubby Stubblefield Sparks & Weirick Adams Miller 112.899 11 178 Flagged
15 17 18 United States Pete Kreis The Studebaker Corporation Rigling Studebaker 110.270 29 178 Crash T1
16 11 46 United States Luther Johnson The Studebaker Corporation Rigling Studebaker 111.218 18 164 Lost wheel FS
17 22 3 United States Wilbur Shaw Ralph Hepburn Miller Miller 114.326 5 157 Rear axle
18 19 24 United States Deacon Litz John Rutner Duesenberg Duesenberg 109.546 31 152 Rod
19 12 10 United States Bill Cummings
(Frank Brisko Laps 106–128) 		B. L. Schneider Stevens Miller 111.204 19 151 Crankshaft
20 32 57 United States Malcolm Fox  R  William H. Richards Studebaker Studebaker 111.149 20 132 Spring
21 29 9 United States Chet Miller
(Al Miller Laps 101–125) 		R. G. "Buddy" Marr Hudson Hudson 111.053 23 125 Engine
22 31 7 United States Ernie Triplett William S. White Miller Miller 114.935 3 125 Clutch
23 30 1 United States Louis Schneider  W 
(Bill Cummings Laps 110–118) 		B. L. Schneider Stevens Miller 110.681 26 125 Frame
24 21 41 United States Joe Russo George A. Henry Rigling Duesenberg 108.791 35 107 Rod
25 1 8 United States Lou Moore M. J. Boyle Miller Miller 117.363 1 79 Timing gear
26 36 14 Argentina Juan Gaudino  R 
(Joseph Bonadeo Laps 65–69) 		Juan Gaudino Chrysler Chrysler 107.466 39 71 Clutch
27 18 29 United States Al Miller  R  R. G. "Buddy" Marr Hudson Hudson 110.129 30 66 Engine
28 39 42 United States Doc MacKenzie  R  Ray T. Brady Studebaker Studebaker 108.154 37 65 Engine
29 13 32 United States Frank Brisko F. Brisko & D. Atkinson Stevens Miller 111.149 21 61 Clutch
30 34 72 United States Ray Campbell  R  E. D. Stairs, Jr. Graham Graham 108.969 33 60 Crankshaft
31 2 5 United States Billy Arnold  W  Harry Hartz Summers Miller 116.290 2 59 Crash T3
32 3 27 United States Bryan Saulpaugh  R  William S. White Miller Miller 114.369 4 55 Oil line
33 7 16 United States Louis Meyer  W  Alden Sampson II Stevens Miller 112.471 12 50 Crankshaft
34 23 21 United States Al Aspen G. Nardi & Ray Brady Duesenberg Studebaker 108.008 38 31 Rod
35 33 49 United States Johnny Krieger  R  Fred P. Duesenberg Duesenberg Duesenberg 109.276 32 30 Rod
36 16 48 United States Wesley Crawford M. J. Boyle Miller Duesenberg 110.396 28 28 Crankshaft
37 8 17 United States Paul Bost Paul B. Bost Cooper Miller 111.885 14 18 Crankshaft
38 24 58 United States Bob McDonogh Four Wheel Drive Auto Company Miller Miller 113.276 10 17 Oil line
39 28 45 United States Gus Schrader  R  William Burden Miller Miller 112.003 13 7 Crash T4
40 37 26 United States Al Gordon  R  G. D. Harrison Miller Miller 111.290 17 3 Crash T4
[52][53]

Note: Relief drivers in parentheses[54]

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

Statistics[edit]

Notes[edit]

See also[edit]

Works cited[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Fox, Jack C. (1994). The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 (4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0-915088-05-3.
  2. ^ a b Sturm, William F. (April 7, 1932). "Speedway Is Taking on Race Atmosphere". The Indianapolis News. p. 22. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ Sturm, William F. (April 13, 1932). "Foreign Champion To Enter Speedway Race". The Indianapolis News. p. 21. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ "Hearty Greetings From "Gasoline Alley"". The Indianapolis News. April 23, 1932. p. 11. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ^ "Joe Russo Cracks Up Racer On Speedway". The Indianapolis News. April 19, 1932. p. 20. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  6. ^ "Four Auto Jockeys Arrive At Speedway". The Indianapolis News. April 21, 1932. p. 25. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. ^ Sturm, William F. (April 27, 1932). "Auto Factories Expected To Come Out In Open At Speedway". The Indianapolis News. p. 17. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  8. ^ "Babe Stapp Cracks Up At Legion Ascot". The Indianapolis News. April 28, 1932. p. 22. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  9. ^ Sturm, William F. (April 29, 1932). "Things Are Beginning to Hum at Speedway Track". The Indianapolis News. p. 31. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  10. ^ Sturm, William F. (April 30, 1932). "Forty Racing Cars Entered in 500-Mile Race Ar Speedway And More Are Coming". The Indianapolis News. p. 12. Retrieved April 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  11. ^ a b Sturm, William F. (May 2, 1932). "More Than 100 M.P.H. Guess on Speed in 500-Mile Race". The Indianapolis News. p. 17. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  12. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 3, 1932). "28 More Race Cars Added to Entry List at Speedway". The Indianapolis News. p. 16. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  13. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 3, 1932). "Form Three-Car Team in Speedway Race". The Indianapolis News. p. 17. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  14. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 4, 1932). "Speedway Entry List Goes to Seventy-One". The Indianapolis News. p. 20. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  15. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 5, 1932). "Juan Guadino Burned When Torch Explodes". The Indianapolis News. p. 27. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
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  17. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 9, 1932). "Speedway Gossip". The Indianapolis News. p. 9. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  18. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 10, 1932). "Racing Car Costs". The Indianapolis News. p. 17. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  19. ^ "Billy Arnold Brings New Fan, His Bride, To Speedway Race". The Indianapolis News. May 16, 1932. p. 13. Retrieved April 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  20. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 11, 1932). "Seconds Valuable In Big Race". The Indianapolis News. p. 8. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  21. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 12, 1932). "Leon Duray Comes Tp Town". The Indianapolis News. p. 23. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
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  23. ^ "It's In the Book". The Indianapolis News. May 13, 1932. p. 36. Retrieved April 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  24. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 14, 1932). "Two Unknown Quantities Listed in 500-Mile Race". The Indianapolis News. p. 11. Retrieved April 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  25. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 16, 1932). "Drivers Hustle for First Qualifications Saturday". The Indianapolis News. p. 9. Retrieved April 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  26. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 17, 1932). "Wilbur Shaw, Hometown Racing Product, Due In City This Week". The Indianapolis News. p. 17. Retrieved April 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  27. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 18, 1932). "Elimination Trials Start Saturday - Last for a Week". The Indianapolis News. p. 16. Retrieved April 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  28. ^ "Gar Wood To Wave Pilots On Their Way". The Indianapolis News. May 18, 1932. p. 16. Retrieved April 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  29. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 19, 1932). "Stock Cars Increase Under New Rules at Speedway". The Indianapolis News. p. 22. Retrieved April 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  30. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 20, 1932). "Pilots and Fast Car Await First Qualifying Trials". The Indianapolis News. p. 16. Retrieved April 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  31. ^ a b c d Sturm, William F. (May 21, 1932). "Race Drivers Compete for Places in 500-Mile Lineup". The Indianapolis News. p. 10. Retrieved April 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  32. ^ "Time Trials Begin For 500-Mile Race (Part 1)". The Indianapolis News. May 21, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  33. ^ "Time Trials Begin For 500-Mile Race (Part 2)". The Indianapolis News. May 21, 1932. p. 21. Retrieved April 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  34. ^ a b Sturm, William F. (May 23, 1932). "Qualification Trials to Continue Through Week". The Indianapolis News. p. 15. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  35. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 24, 1932). "Many Fast Cars Remain in List Yet to Qualilfy for Race". The Indianapolis News. p. 16. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  36. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 25, 1932). "Race Pilots Slowly Fill Gaps in Starting Lineup". The Indianapolis News. p. 16. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  37. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 26, 1932). "Tardy Drivers May Have to Scramble for Places". The Indianapolis News. p. 22. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  38. ^ "First Speedway Tragedy of 1932 Kills One In Same Car In Which Death Rode Last Year". The Indianapolis News. May 26, 1932. p. 11. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  39. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 27, 1932). "Deadline Approaches as Tardy Drivers Urge Cars". The Indianapolis News. p. 28. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  40. ^ "Injuries Fatal To Race Driver". The Elwood Call Leader. May 28, 1932. p. 6. Retrieved April 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  41. ^ "Racers Injured Cars Damaged". The Indianapolis News. May 27, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved April 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  42. ^ a b "Track Is Ahum With Last Qualifying Rush". The Indianapolis News. May 28, 1932. p. 10. Retrieved April 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  43. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 28, 1932). "Jones Also Dies of Speedway Injuries Second In Two Days To Crash At Southeast Track Turn". The Indianapolis News. p. 10. Retrieved April 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  44. ^ "Racers Injured Cars Damaged". The Indianapolis Star. May 28, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved March 18, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  45. ^ "Track Daredevils Await Classic's Starting GunWinners To Get $100,000". The Sandusky Register. May 29, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  46. ^ "40 Will Start; Five Roar Over Wire Last Day". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved March 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  47. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
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  49. ^ "Frame's 34, Wilcox's 6, Bergere's 22 Winners (Part 1)". The Indianapolis News. May 30, 1932. p. 25. Retrieved May 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  50. ^ "Frame's 34, Wilcox's 6, Bergere's 22 Winners (Part 2)". The Indianapolis News. May 30, 1932. p. 28. Retrieved May 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  51. ^ Sturm, William F. (May 31, 1932). "Story of Best and Fastest Race in 21 Years of 500-Mile Racing at Speedway". The Indianapolis News. p. 16. Retrieved May 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
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  53. ^ Popely, Rick; Riggs, L. Spencer (1998). The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd. ISBN 0-7853-2798-3.
  54. ^ "International 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 30, 1932". ChampCarStats.com.
  55. ^ Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.


1931 Indianapolis 500
Louis Schneider 		1932 Indianapolis 500
Fred Frame 		1933 Indianapolis 500
Louis Meyer
Preceded by
101.127 mph
(1925 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the fastest average speed
104.144 mph 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1932_Indianapolis_500&oldid=1221078864"