| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | AAA | ||||
| Date | May 30, 1938 | ||||
| Winner | Floyd Roberts | ||||
| Winning Entrant | Lou Moore | ||||
| Average speed | 117.200 mph | ||||
| Pole position | Floyd Roberts | ||||
| Pole speed | 125.681 mph | ||||
| Most laps led | Floyd Roberts and Jimmy Snyder (92 laps each) | ||||
| Pre-race | |||||
| Pace car | Hudson 112 | ||||
| Pace car driver | Stu Baits | ||||
| Starter | Seth Klein[1] | ||||
| Honorary referee | Harvey S. Firestone[1] | ||||
| Estimated attendance | 150,000[2] | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
| |||||
The 26th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1938. For 1938, riding mechanics were made optional; however, no teams utilized them in the race.[3] In addition, after seven years, the engine specifications were changed again. The 1930 "Junk" formula was eliminated. Normally aspirated engines were allowed 4.5 liters (down from 6.0 L), and superchargers would be permitted again, with a maximum displacement of 3.0 liters. Any fuel was allowed, which directly affected the race.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Roberts Is Winner; Sets Track Record; Spectator Is Killed". The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 31, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Blazier, John E.; Rollings, Tom (1994). Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics.
