1953 Indy 500^® Winner
Car# 14 "Fuel Injection Special"
Order Item#4553

For 1953, Bill Vukovich stayed with car owner Howard Keck, mechanics Jim Travers and Frank Coon, and the very same car with which they had dominated and nearly won the 1952 Indianapolis 500â . Late on the first day of qualifying, with thunder and dark clouds threatening, Vukovich qualified for the pole even though a downpour began as he rounded Turn Four on his fourth qualifying lap. His pole-winning speed was 138.392 mph, with a fast lap of 139.147 mph. The 1953 Indianapolis 500â was the hottest on record, with air temperatures over 90° F and a track temperature of 130° F. 

Vukovich led the first lap from Tony Bettenhausen, Manuel Ayulo, Freddie Agabashian and Sam Hanks by 3 seconds. While the race stayed under the green flag, Vukovich continued to extend his lead, lapping at 134 mph. Vukovich lost the lead only during his first pit stop, and led 195 of the 200 laps. Vukovich's crew changed all 4 tires and refueled him 3 times in a total of 2 minutes and 37 seconds, a new standard for pit stops. The hot weather caused relief drivers to be employed in 10 of the 23 cars that completed at least half the distance. When Vukovich took the checkered flag, second place Art Cross was 3 laps behind. Bill Vukovich won the 1953 Indianapolis 500â with a speed of 128.740 mph. Asked if the heat had bothered him, Vukovich answered, "You think this is hot? You should drive a tractor in Fresno in July."