Frank Lockhart was only supposed to be a relief driver for Peter Kreis, but Kreis fell ill and Lockhart took over primary driver duties. It took three attempts for Lockhart to make the field - doing so at nearly 16mph slower than the pole speed and started 20th! But on race day, Lockhart took charge quickly - he was up to fifth place by lap four, second by lap 32 and was leading when the race was interrupted by rain at lap 72. The race resumed and Lockhart continued to control the pace and was leading by two laps when rain halted the race at 400 miles. This was the first Indianapolis 500 shortened by rain and Lockhart was the first rookie winner since 1914.