This film “The Fantastic 500” presents the 1954 Indianapolis 500. The Indy 500 is held annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway over Memorial Day weekend. The first race was in 1911. Many drivers turned to the race car track initially to put food on the table following the Great Depression. It is presented by Perfect Circle Corp (:11). Film which is narrated by Russ Hodges (:30), a prominent sportscaster. It was produced by Dynamic Films (:33). Stock cars roll out from the garages (1:08). Jack McGrath (1:11) and his mechanics appear. Jack would be known as the fastest overall qualifier of the Roadster era and raced in the Indy 500 eight times during his career. He perished on the road at Bobby Ball Memorial Hall. Auto engineers ready the car (1:25). He straps himself into the seat (1:37). The Perfect Circle logo is pictured on the car (1:42). The green flag signal is waved (1:55) and Jack enters the straightaway at 180 mph (1:58). He sets records at 141 mph (2:08) and 287 mph (2:21). The audience stands and applauds (2:23) as he breaks all qualification records. Sam Hanks (3:02) qualifies his car. Hanks was entered into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1981. Gary Stevens smiles (3:11). Hank’s wife Alice appears (3:13). Chuck Stevenson (3:12) zips by. He won the AAA Championship of 1952. Jimmy Bryan flies by (3:26). Mechanics show off the 340 horsepower Meyer Drake 4 cylinder engine (4:00). Bill Vukovich (5:26) perished while leading the 1955 Indy 500. He won the previous race here in 1953. Vukovich’s car is refueled (6:33). Manny Ayulo (7:24) awaits his turn (7:24). Manny spins out at 139 miles per hour (7:46). A Dodge Emergency truck rushes (7:54). Mechanic Harry Stevens (9:03) pushes for three Bardahl cars to qualify (9:08). In the garage area (10:11). McGrath interview (10:26). He shows off his Perfect Circle piston ring set (13:26). Final checks (13:38). Mechanics Dinner (14:04). McGrath gets a trophy (14:08). Carnival floats move down the roadway (14:23). Fans ready themselves in the early morning hours of race day (14:55). Some build their own grand stands (15:03) another shaves his face awaiting the start (15:08). The cars head for the start (16:26). A marching band (16:53). Art Cross (17:41) gets a close shot. McGrath puts on his dark goggles (17:44). Troy Ruttman (17:46) won the 1952 race making him the youngest winner thus far. Marie Wilson sits in a sleek white dress and wide hat (17:49). Wilson was best known as the title character in ‘My Friend Irma’. Multicolored balloons fill the air (17:56). Wilson smiles from below (18:02). A great shot of the racers lined up behind the Dodge pace car is captured at (18:23). Mechanics scurry back to the pits (18:34). Wilbur Shaw (18:39) rides the Dodge pace car driven by William C. Newberg. Newberg was a short-lived President of Chrysler Corp. Cars jack up speeds as the race begins (19:49). McGrath begins to make his move (20:04) pushing out the lead. Ruttman sits in 27th (20:31). A little girl holds her ears in red against the blaring engines (20:36). The speed hits 138 mph (20:49). Sam Hanks (21:02) holds his position. Vukovich moves up to sixth (21:29). Bob Scott (21:31) stands by. Marshall Teague (22:29) awaits opportunity for a ride (22:30). Vukovich passes on the inside turn (22:53). Ruttman spins out (23:15). Vukovich moves to third (23:29). Sam Hanks in the lead (23:56). Vukovich’s face is blackened with oil (24:03). Johnnie Parsons (24:44) peels out from his pit. McGrath and Vukovich race a split second apart (25:27). Vukovich takes the lead (25:38). Bryan sits in 9th (25:45). McGrath’s car stalls (26:20). Fires erupt in the pits (27:19). Pat Flaherty skids out (27:38). The warning signal is waved (27:43). McGrath moves up to third (27:56). Vukovich holds first (28:22). Sam Hanks drops out (28:26). Jim Rathmann spins out (30:13). The trophy; Wilson moves for Victory Lane with Vukovich still in the lead (30:31). Vukovich’s wife sets up in the lane (30:48). The checkered flag waves (31:01) as Vukovich wins (31:08). Bryan takes second and McGrath takes third. Drivers and press fill Victory Lane (31:17). Vukovich takes a victory lap (31:30). He mops sweat from his head (31:47). Wilson and Vukovich smooch (32:05). An ad for Perfect Circle (32:17) concludes the film.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com