Since its inception in 1911, The Indianapolis 500 car race has been equal parts driving skill, technological marvel, and sheer luck. There have been a total of 66 people killed during this annual Hoosier race in its century-long history—over 40 drivers, and dozens of mechanics, spectators, and 1 innocent child playing in his yard nearby. And while fatal tragedies are never hoped for, the high speed, risky maneuvers and crowds of over 300,000 people have always been a dangerous, thrilling combination at the Indianapolis 500. In the race’s early years, like any other sport, safety was not the utmost concern and wreck fatalities were higher. As technology, race regulations (including less flammable fuel), and conditions have improved, deaths have decreased significantly. But, crashes are inevitable in this high stakes, high speed competition. And we marvel at those spectacular crashes when the drivers survive! Here are the most memorable crashes in Indianapolis 500 history, where the drivers lived to race another day.
Long before seatbelts and high-tech helmets were conceived, Indy 500 drivers tempted fate at speeds of over 100 miles an hour in open-air vehicles. Mel Marquette wrecked his McFarlan model racing car at the 1912 Indianapolis 500, but managed to finish 19th in the race, two spots ahead of other racers.
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Norm Houser, Indianapolis, drives at a speed of more than 100 miles on the grass in order to avoid the flames of burning gas and oil from the wreckage of Duke Nalon. Both Houser and Nalon dodged death in this race.
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Parnelli Jones, defending 500 mile race champion, dives sideways out of his flaming racer when it caught fire in the pits and eliminated him from the 48th annual race in Indianapolis on May 30, 1964. He suffered burns and was hospitalized but was not seriously hurt.
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Masten Gregory walks away from his car after hitting the wall on the backstretch on May 7, 1964 during a practice run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The car’s rear engine caught fire but Gregory walked away unscathed, missing only his shoes and his pride.
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In May 30, 1969, Jim McElreath leaps for his life, after bringing his burning racer to a stop on lap 30 during the 53rd running of the Indianapolis 500. Even with his mishap and spectacular end, he finished 28 out 33.
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The car of Salt Walther (77) comes to a rest upside down with Walther's legs exposed after an 11-car accident at the start of the 57th Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 28, 1973. Walther suffered burns and serious injuries to his hands, but thanks to luck and other drivers avoiding him post-accident, his legs were completely unharmed. A separate, tragic accident 57 laps later caused Swede Savage’s car to burst into flames, taking his life after a month of medical complications caused by flame inhalation.
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Take a deep breath and remember this guy not only miraculously survived but went on to race in the Indy 500 eight more times! After leading the race after lap 63, Hawaiian native Danny Ongais encountered complications during a pit stop. Trying to make up the lost time, to passes a car too late, clipped it, and crashed against the wall of turn three on the 65th lap of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24, 1981. He suffered multiple bone fractures, a concussion, and diaphragm injury.
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The race car of Dan Drinan slides through the short chute between turns one and two after slamming into the wall during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday May 18, 1996. Drinan was taken by ambulance to Methodist Hospital for surgery on a broken hip. Drinana went on to compete in the sprint car and midget racing circuits.
Rodney Margisun/AP
The car driven by Buddy Rice catches fire as it slams into the wall in the second turn during practice for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Thursday on May 11, 2006. Rice walked away from this fiery inferno, and went on to finish 18th on race day—with a new car.
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Mike Conway, of England, crashes in the third turn in the closing laps of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 30, 2010. Conway was out for three months, healing a severely broken leg and back injury. But like any true adrenaline junkie loaded with talent for racing, he is back in the game as an Indy car driver once again.
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The car driven by Simona De Silvestro crashes in the third turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Thursday, May 19, 2011. After a visit to the nearby hospital to treat burns on her hands, De Silvestro hopped back into the race in her backup car. Starting in 24th place pole position, she finished 28 out of 33 drivers on race day.
AP
Will Power of Australia drives under Mike Conway of England, after they made contact in the first turn during the Indianapolis 500. After Conway’s car lost grip and slid into the wall, Power collided into him with now way to avoid Power’s car. Both drivers’ cars were taken out of the race but they both made it out of the tangle of rubber and metal alive and well. Power ranked 28 out of 33 drivers, and Conway finished in 29th position.
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