Bittersweet

For many fans of Indy 500 history, the 1955 running of the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes will be remembered for the accident that took the life of Bill Vukovich. “Vukie” was an Indy phenom. He won the 1953 and 1954 races and appeared to be on his way to a third consecutive victory when an accident in the 57th lap vaulted his Offenhauser-powered roadster over the backstretch wall, killing him upon impact.

- Drew Hardin

That grim milestone was in the future, though, when this publicity photo was taken of that race’s pace car, a red and white Bel Air convertible. Behind the wheel is Chevrolet’s General Manager Thomas Keating, who would drive the pace car for the race. The checkered flag is in the hands of Speedway owner Tony Hulman.