1957 Indianapolis 500: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Sam Hanks finally won the Indianapolis 500 in 1957, triumphing on his thirteenth attempt in George Salih’s distinctive low-profile car. Jim Rathmann chased him home in second as Hanks celebrated a long-awaited victory and announced the end of his Indianapolis driving career.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Pat O'Connor	Kurtis Kraft
Pole speed	143.948 mph (231.662 km/h)
Fastest lap	Jim Rathmann	Epperly
Fastest-lap time	1:02.750 on lap 127
First	Sam Hanks	Salih
Second	Jim Rathmann	Epperly
Third	Jimmy Bryan	Kuzma

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
May 1957; individual session dates vary	May practice	Start time unconfirmed
18 May 1957	Pole Day time trials	Start time unconfirmed
19 May 1957	Second-day time trials — cancelled	Start time unconfirmed
25 May 1957	Third-day time trials	Start time unconfirmed
26 May 1957	Final-day time trials	Start time unconfirmed
30 May 1957	Race	Start time unconfirmed

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Juan Manuel Fangio arrived at round 3 leading the 1957 F1 World Championship on 17 points, with Jean Behra on 6.

Race entries

Salih’s car mounted its Offenhauser engine on its side, lowering its profile and centre of gravity. The Speedway also introduced a separated pit lane and a new control tower. Farina entered again but withdrew after Keith Andrews suffered a fatal accident while testing his car. The field included newcomers Eddie Sachs, Mike Magill, Bill Cheesbourg, Elmer George and Don Edmunds.

May practice

Rain interrupted preparations during the month. Farina struggled with the handling and speed of his car, and Andrews took it out for a test before his fatal crash against the wall separating the new pit area. With no replacement car available, Farina withdrew. The accident overshadowed preparations for the two qualifying weekends.

Pole Day time trials

Showers delayed running for nearly four hours and interrupted the afternoon, leaving only nine completed qualifying runs. Pat O'Connor secured pole at 143.948 mph. Ruttman had a promising attempt stopped by rain and went slower when he returned, while Elmer George became the first rookie to qualify.

Second-day time trials — cancelled

Rain prevented qualifying altogether. Teams still seeking a place had to wait for the second weekend, increasing the importance of finding a reliable four-lap run during the remaining opportunities.

Third-day time trials

Paul Russo‘s Novi produced the fastest qualifying average of the entire meeting, 144.817 mph. That did not displace O’Connor from pole: Indianapolis gave priority to successful qualifiers from the first day. Russo therefore began in the next group of cars rather than at the head of the field.

Final-day time trials

Rain and wind complicated the contest for the final eleven places. Twenty-three cars were still in contention, and nine were bumped during a day of repeated attempts. Bettenhausen was quickest, while Cheesbourg switched cars after an unsuccessful run and eventually displaced Johnnie Parsons from the field.

Qualifying Classification

Indianapolis used four-lap averages and qualifying-day priority. The table reproduces the published starting grid; Dick Rathmann qualified car 18, but Johnnie Parsons replaced him for the race after Rathmann was assaulted the previous night.

Grid	No.	Driver	Car	Four-lap average (mph)
1	12	Pat O'Connor	Kurtis Kraft	143.948
2	88	Eddie Sachs	Kuzma	143.872
3	52	Troy Ruttman	Watson	142.772
4	14	Fred Agabashian	Kurtis Kraft	142.557
5	6	Johnny Boyd	Kurtis Kraft	142.102
6	5	Jimmy Reece	Kurtis Kraft	142.006
7	83	Ed Elisian	Kurtis Kraft	141.777
8	16	Al Keller	Kurtis Kraft	141.398
9	23	Elmer George	Kurtis Kraft	140.729
10	54	Paul Russo	Kurtis Kraft	144.817
11	10	Johnny Thomson	Kuzma	143.529
12	73	Andy Linden	Kurtis Kraft	143.244
13	9	Sam Hanks	Salih	142.812
14	22	Gene Hartley	Lesovsky	141.271
15	1	Jimmy Bryan	Kuzma	141.188
16	7	Bob Veith	Phillips	141.016
17	18	Johnnie Parsons	Kurtis Kraft	140.784
18	77	Mike Magill	Kurtis Kraft	140.411
19	19	Jack Turner	Kurtis Kraft	140.367
20	43	Eddie Johnson	Kurtis Kraft	140.171
21	3	Don Freeland	Kurtis Kraft	139.649
22	27	Tony Bettenhausen	Kurtis Kraft	142.439
23	31	Bill Cheesbourg	Kurtis Kraft	141.565
24	8	Rodger Ward	Lesovsky	141.321
25	82	Chuck Weyant	Kurtis Kraft	141.105
26	55	Eddie Russo	Kurtis Kraft	140.862
27	92	Don Edmunds	Kurtis Kraft	140.449
28	48	Marshall Teague	Kurtis Kraft	140.329
29	57	Jimmy Daywalt	Kurtis Kraft	140.203
30	89	Al Herman	Dunn	140.007
31	28	Johnnie Tolan	Kuzma	139.884
32	26	Jim Rathmann	Epperly	139.806
33	95	Bob Christie	Kurtis Kraft	139.779

Non-qualifying entries and alternates

This list includes unsuccessful entries, withdrawals and alternates; some drivers later qualified another car or drove relief. R denotes a rookie and W a previous Indianapolis winner.

Entry and recorded outcome
#33 – Billy Garrett — Federal Engineering Special — Kurtis 500E, Offenhauser
#4 – George Amick R — Federal Engineering Special — Snowberger, Offenhauser — Too slow
#62 – Keith Andrews — Farina Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Fatal accident
#82 – Johnny Baldwin R — Central Excavating Special — Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#45 – Bill Cheesbourg — Las Vegas Club Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Too slow, Qualified #31
#15 – Tony Bonadies R — Ray Brady Special — Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser — Practice accident
#81 – Tony Bonadies R — Central Excavating Special — Kuzma D, Offenhauser — Too slow
#59 – Bud Clemons R — Chiropractic Special — Shilala Offenhauser — Too slow
#49 – Ray Crawford — Meguiar Mirror Glaze Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Too slow
#32 – Jimmy Davies — Anderson Special — Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser — Too slow
#62 – Giuseppe Farina R — Farina Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Crashed by K. Andrews
#71 – Johnny Fedricks R — Gdula Special — Kurtis 500C, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#64 – Gene Force — Shannon Brothers Special — Watts, Offenhauser — Too slow
#58 – Andy Furci R — Ray Brady Special — Schroder D, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#31 – Cliff Griffith — Seal Line Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#43 – Van Johnson R — Chapman Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#72 – Danny Kladis — Morgan Engineering Special — Maserati, Maserati SC — Too slow
#84 – Danny Kladis — Safety Auto Glass Special — Mercedes, Jaguar — Too slow
#25 – Jud Larson R — John Zink Special — Watson, Offenhauser — Too slow
#34 – Jim McWithey R — Federal Engineering Special — Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser — Qualifying accident
#32 – Cal Niday — Trio Brass Foundry Special — Kurtis 500D, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#98 – Johnnie Parsons W — Agajanian Special — Kuzma, Offenhauser — Too slow
#92 – Leroy Warriner R — McKay Special — Kurtis 500G, Offenhauser — Did not qualify
#42 – Dempsey Wilson R — Martin Special — Curtis, Offenhauser — Too slow

What happened in the 1957 Indianapolis 500?

The field assembled single-file in the new pit lane before forming its rows on the circuit. Elmer George collided with Eddie Russo during the pace lap, putting both out before the start. O’Connor, Ruttman and Paul Russo exchanged the early lead, though Ruttman’s engine failed after a brief spell in front.

Hanks brought the low-profile Salih car into contention and took the lead for the final time on lap 135. Jim Rathmann remained his nearest challenger, but could not prevent the veteran from completing the victory that had eluded him for so long.

Hanks finished ahead of Rathmann, Jimmy Bryan, Paul Russo and Andy Linden. Rathmann earned the fastest-lap point. Hanks announced his retirement from Indianapolis competition in victory lane, although he continued racing elsewhere later in the year. His winning car would return to victory lane with Bryan the following season.

After the race, Juan Manuel Fangio headed the drivers’ standings with 17 points, followed by Sam Hanks on 8.

1957 Indianapolis 500 race results

The 1957 Indianapolis 500 was held on 30 May 1957.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	9	Sam Hanks	Salih	200	3:41:14.25	8
2	26	Jim Rathmann	Epperly	200	+21.46	7
3	1	Jimmy Bryan	Kuzma	200	+2:13.97	4
4	54	Paul Russo	Kurtis Kraft	200	+2:56.86	3
5	73	Andy Linden	Kurtis Kraft	200	+3:14.27	2
6	6	Johnny Boyd	Kurtis Kraft	200	+4:35.27	0
7	48	Marshall Teague	Kurtis Kraft	200	+4:45.58	0
8	12	Pat O'Connor	Kurtis Kraft	200	+5:33.15	0
9	7	Bob Veith	Phillips	200	+6:17.11	0
10	22	Gene Hartley	Lesovsky	200	+7:10.12	0
11	19	Jack Turner	Kurtis Kraft	200	+7:56.07	0
12	10	Johnny Thomson	Kuzma	199	-1 Lap	0
13	95	Bob Christie	Kurtis Kraft	197	-3 Laps	0
14	82	Chuck Weyant	Kurtis Kraft	196	-4 Laps	0
15	27	Tony Bettenhausen	Kurtis Kraft	195	-5 Laps	0
16	18	Johnnie Parsons	Kurtis Kraft	195	-5 Laps	0
17	3	Don Freeland	Kurtis Kraft	192	-8 Laps	0
18	5	Jimmy Reece	Kurtis Kraft	182	Throttle	0
19	92	Don Edmunds	Kurtis Kraft	170	Spun Off	0
20	28	Johnnie Tolan	Kuzma	138	Clutch	0
21	89	Al Herman	Dunn	111	Accident	0
22	14	Fred Agabashian	Kurtis Kraft	107	Fuel Leak	0
23	88	Eddie Sachs	Kuzma	105	Fuel Leak	0
24	77	Mike Magill	Kurtis Kraft	101	Accident	0
25	43	Eddie Johnson	Kurtis Kraft	93	Wheel Bearing	0
26	31	Bill Cheesbourg	Kurtis Kraft	81	Fuel Leak	0
27	16	Al Keller	Kurtis Kraft	75	Accident	0
28	57	Jimmy Daywalt	Kurtis Kraft	53	Accident	0
29	83	Ed Elisian	Kurtis Kraft	51	Timing gear	0
30	8	Rodger Ward	Lesovsky	27	Supercharger	0
31	52	Troy Ruttman	Watson	13	Oil leak	0
32	55	Eddie Russo	Kurtis Kraft	0	Accident	0
33	23	Elmer George	Kurtis Kraft	0	Accident	0

1957 Indianapolis 500 Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time
1	26	Jim Rathmann	Epperly	127	1:02.750

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. One championship point was awarded for fastest lap, divided equally when shared.

1957 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 1957 Indianapolis 500.

1957 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Juan Manuel Fangio	Argentine	Maserati	17
2	Sam Hanks	American	Epperly	8
3	Jim Rathmann	American	Epperly	7
4	Jean Behra	French	Maserati	6
5	Tony Brooks	British	Vanwall	6
6	Carlos Menditeguy	Argentine	Maserati	4
7	Masten Gregory	American	Maserati	4
8	Jimmy Bryan	American	Kuzma	4
9	Harry Schell	American	Maserati	3
10	Stuart Lewis-Evans	British	Connaught	3
11	Paul Russo	American	Kurtis Kraft	3
12	Maurice Trintignant	French	Ferrari	2
13	Andy Linden	American	Kurtis Kraft	2
14	José Froilán González	Argentine	Ferrari	1
15	Alfonso de Portago	Spanish	Ferrari	1
16	Stirling Moss	British	Maserati / Vanwall	1
—	Wolfgang von Trips	German	Ferrari	0
—	Peter Collins	British	Ferrari	0
—	Cesare Perdisa	Italian	Ferrari	0
—	Jack Brabham	Australian	Cooper	0
—	Johnny Boyd	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Jo Bonnier	Swedish	Maserati	0
—	Marshall Teague	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Pat O'Connor	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Alessandro de Tomaso	Argentine	Ferrari	0
—	Bob Veith	American	Phillips	0
—	Luigi Piotti	Italian	Maserati	0
—	Gene Hartley	American	Lesovsky	0
—	Jack Turner	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Johnny Thomson	American	Kuzma	0
—	Bob Christie	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Chuck Weyant	American	Kuzma	0
—	Tony Bettenhausen	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Johnnie Parsons	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Don Freeland	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Mike Hawthorn	British	Ferrari	0
—	Giorgio Scarlatti	Italian	Maserati	0
—	Ron Flockhart	British	BRM	0
—	Eugenio Castellotti	Italian	Ferrari	0
—	Ivor Bueb	British	Connaught	0
—	Luigi Musso	Italian	Ferrari	0
—	Horace Gould	British	Maserati	0
—	Jimmy Reece	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Don Edmunds	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Johnnie Tolan	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Al Herman	American	Dunn	0
—	Fred Agabashian	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Eddie Sachs	American	Kuzma	0
—	Mike Magill	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Eddie Johnson	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Bill Cheesbourg	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Al Keller	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Jimmy Daywalt	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Ed Elisian	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Rodger Ward	American	Lesovsky	0
—	Troy Ruttman	American	Watson	0
—	Eddie Russo	American	Kurtis Kraft	0
—	Elmer George	American	Kurtis Kraft	0

There was no constructors’ championship in this season; the manufacturers’ competition began in 1958.

Drivers counted their best 5 results. The first five places earned 8–6–4–3–2 points, with one further point for fastest lap, shared equally when necessary. Points from shared drives were divided between the eligible drivers; individual allocations are shown in driver order.

1957 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	1957 Argentine Grand Prix	Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, Buenos Aires	13 January
2	1957 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	19 May
3	1957 Indianapolis 500	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, Indiana	30 May
4	1957 French Grand Prix	Rouen-les-Essarts, Rouen	7 July
5	1957 British Grand Prix	Aintree Motor Racing Circuit, Liverpool	20 July
6	1957 German Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	4 August
7	1957 Pescara Grand Prix	Pescara Circuit, Pescara	18 August
8	1957 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	8 September