1952 Indianapolis 500

Championship standings

Piero Taruffi leads the Drivers’ Championship with 9 points after his victory at the opening round in Switzerland. Rudi Fischer is second on 6, Jean Behra third on 4.

Previous race

At Bremgarten, Taruffi drove steadily after polesitter Nino Farina retired with magneto failure to take his first World Championship win. Rudi Fischer came through to finish second in his private Ferrari, with Behra third on debut for Gordini. Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin both retired their HWMs.

Entrants

Ferrari have entered Alberto Ascari, who skipped Switzerland to focus on this race, driving a Ferrari 375 Indianapolis. It is the first time a European-based driver seriously competing for the World Championship has come to Indianapolis to race in the 500.

The event runs under AAA regulations rather than the Formula Two rules applied to the European championship rounds. Pole position was taken by Fred Agabashian’s Cummins Diesel Special — the first entry in Indianapolis 500 history powered by a turbocharged engine. Time trials were scheduled over four days but rain extended qualifying to a fifth day.