The 1956 Indianapolis 500 was in danger of being postponed due to rains that inundated the track in the days leading up to the race. Parts of the track were actually under water at one point. But a great effort by Clarence Cagle and the grounds crew got the track ready in time for the scheduled start.

For the second year in a row a John Zink car won the Indianapolis 500. Pat Flaherty - in a car built by crew chief A J Watson - won the pole position and dominated the race. The luck of the Irish was riding with Flaherty that day as after taking the checkered flag his car broke it's throttle linkage and Flaherty coasted to victory lane.