View source for 1919 Indianapolis 500

{{short description|Seventh running of the Indianapolis 500}}
{{Infobox Indy500 1911to1941
| race_name      = 7th Indianapolis 500
| race_logo      = 1919 Indianapolis 500 program cover.jpg
| sanction       = [[AAA Contest Board|AAA]]
| date           = May 31, 1919
| winner         = [[Howdy Wilcox]]
| team           = [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|I.M.S. Corp.]]
| mph            = {{convert|88.050|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
| pole           = [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]]
| pole_speed     = {{convert|104.780|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
| leader         = Howdy Wilcox (98)
| pace_car       = [[Packard]] V12 (Twin Six)
| pace_driver    = [[Jesse G. Vincent]]
| starter        = E. C. Patterson<ref name="Illustrated">{{cite book|last=Fox|first=Jack C.|title =The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994|publisher =Carl Hungness Publishing|edition=4th|date=1994|pages=22|language=en|isbn=0-915088-05-3}}</ref>
| honorary       = [[Eddie Rickenbacker]]<ref name="Illustrated"/>
| attendance     = 120,000<ref>{{cite news|title=120,000 See The Speedway Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2775220/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_may_31_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1919|access-date=June 3, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
| previous       = [[1916 Indianapolis 500|1916]]
| next           = [[1920 Indianapolis 500|1920]]
}}
The '''7th Liberty 500-Mile Sweepstakes''' was held at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] on Saturday, May 31, 1919.

After a two-year hiatus due to [[World War I]], the [[Indianapolis 500]] returned to competition in 1919. [[Howdy Wilcox]] won, accompanied by [[riding mechanic]] Leo Banks. More than half the field (19 of 33 cars) consisted of rookie drivers, tied for the most ever, excluding the [[1911 Indianapolis 500|inaugural race]] where all 40 cars were considered "rookies." [[Ralph DePalma]], the [[1915 Indianapolis 500|1915 winner]], and the driver who suffered a defeat in [[1912 Indianapolis 500|1912]], again put in a strong performance. DePalma led 93 of the first 102 laps, and drove the first half at record-breaking speed. Tire problems, however, necessitated a long pit stop, and DePalma finished in 6th place.

Rain was a factor during practice, limiting available track time in the days immediately leading up to time trials. Since most teams did not arrive until later in the month, some cars had very limited preparation time. Qualifying was supposed to be held on just one day, but officials decided to add two additional days due to the lost track time.

The first half of the race was marred by three fatalities. Driver [[Arthur Thurman]] died in a crash on lap 45. On lap 96, [[Louis LeCocq]] and his riding mechanic Robert Bandini wrecked in turn two, and both were burned to death.

==Race background==
Over two years had gone by since the last competitive events had been held at the Speedway. The [[1916 Indianapolis 500|1916 race]] was followed by the [[Harvest Auto Racing Classic]], at which point the track was closed due to the escalation of [[World War I]]. When the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|Armistice]] was signed in November 1918, the Speedway management was anxious to begin planning for the resumption of the 500-mile race for 1919. Some early rumors circulated that the race may change dates to [[Independence Day (United States)|July 4]], or even expand to 1,000 miles. These rumors were briefly entertained when the [[AAA Contest Board]] announced that both May 30 and July 4 were being set aside on the calendar for the event.<ref name="News12-04-1919">{{cite news|title=Racing Dates for Local Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2342450/1919_indianapolis_500_article_about/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=18|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 4, 1918|access-date=May 3, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

On December 6, 1918, Speedway business manager T.E. "Pop" Myers announced that the 1919 Indianapolis 500 would be scheduled for Friday, May 30. It was decided to keep the traditional date, and likewise return the race to a distance of 500 miles. The 1916 race had been scheduled for 300 miles (a decision that management later mostly regretted), the only such time which the race was scheduled for less than 500 miles.<ref name="News12-07-1918">{{cite news|title=Sixth 500 Mile Race Here May 30|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2342528/1919_indianapolis_500_announcement/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 7, 1919|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[AAA Contest Board|AAA]] would return as the sanctioning body. An [[editorial]] the following day in the ''[[Indianapolis News]]'', however, sharply criticized the choice of [[Memorial Day]]. It was going to be the first [[Memorial Day|"Decoration Day"]] holiday following the end of the [[World War I|"Great War"]], and they believed that the holiday should be left alone to properly honor the many thousands of war casualties.<ref name="News12-09-1918">{{cite news|title=Memorial Day (Editorial)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2342778/1919_indianapolis_500_memorial_day/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=6|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 9, 1918|access-date=May 3, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> About a week later, Speedway management announced that they would change the date to Saturday May 31. The race was deliberately moved off [[Memorial Day]] (Friday May 30) and pushed to Saturday so as not to detract from the holiday.<ref name="News12-16-1918">{{cite news|title=Speedway Race Date is Changed to May 31|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2342644/1919_indianapolis_500_announcements/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|last=Sturm|first=William F.|page=17|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 16, 1918|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

The race was given a new name for 1919, the '''Liberty Sweepstakes''' as a gesture to the peacetime brought on by victory and the end of the war. The new title was used for only one year. Without hesitation, [[Cliff Durant]] submitted the first entry on December 16.<ref name="News12-19-1918">{{cite news|title=Cliff Durant First Speedway Race Entry|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2342927/1919_indianapolis_500_first_entry/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=28|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 19, 1918|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

==Race schedule==
{|
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|- valign="top"
!colspan=7|Race schedule – May 1919
|-
!scope="col" width="70"|Sun
!scope="col" width="70"|Mon
!scope="col" width="70"|Tue
!scope="col" width="70"|Wed
!scope="col" width="70"|Thu
!scope="col" width="70"|Fri
!scope="col" width="70"|Sat
|-
| 
| 
| 
| 
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 1 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 2 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 3 <br> <small> Practice </small>
|-
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 4 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 5 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 6 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 7 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 8 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 9 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 10 <br> <small> Practice </small>
|-
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 11 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 12 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 13 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 14 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 15 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 16 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 17 <br> <small> Practice </small>
|-
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 18 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 19 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 20 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 21 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 22 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 23 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 24 <br> <small> Practice </small>
|-
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 25 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 26 <br> <small> Practice </small>
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 27 <br> <small> Time Trials </small>
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 28 <br> <small> Time Trials </small>
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 29 <br> <small> Time Trials </small>
| 30 <br> <small> Memorial Day </small>
| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| 31 <br> <small> Indy 500 </small>
|}
|valign="top"|
{|
|
{| style="margin-right:0; font-size:85%; text-align:center;" class="wikitable"
! Color
! Notes
|- style="background:#DFFFDF;"
| Green
| Track Available for Practice
|- style="background:#CFCFFF;"
| Dark Blue
| Time trials
|- style="background:#DFDFDF;"
| Silver
| Race day
|- style="background:#FFCFCF;"
| Red
| Rained out<nowiki>*</nowiki>
|-
| Blank
| No track activity
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> <small>Includes days where track activity<br />was significantly limited due to rain</small>
|}
|}

==Practice==
The deadline for entries to be submitted was midnight on Thursday May 1.<ref name="Star05-01-1919-p1">{{cite news|title=Entries Close For Big Race At 12 Tonight (part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374113/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_1/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 1, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-01-1919-p2">{{cite news|title=Entries Close For Big Race At 12 Tonight (part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374134/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may_1/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=15|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 1, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> A total of 43 cars were entered, including three entries by the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]].<ref name="Star05-02-1919p1">{{cite news|title=Entries Close For 500-Mile Liberty Event|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374157/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may_2/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 2, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-02-1919p2">{{cite news|title=Entries Close For 500-Mile Liberty Event|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374159/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=15|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 2, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The [[AAA Contest Board]] confirmed that the maximum starting field rule of 33 cars would apply.<ref name="Star05-03-1919">{{cite news|title=Three Trials To Be Given For Position|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374190/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_3/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=13|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 3, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

*'''Thursday May 1''': [[Omar Toft]] arrived in Indianapolis after a nine-day drive from [[Los Angeles]]. He arrived in just enough time to deliver his entry to the Speedway headquarters. Three other last-minute entries also arrived.<ref name="News05-01-1919">{{cite news|title=Liberty Entries No Number Thirty-Six|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502222/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_1/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=28|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 1, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Friday May 2''': [[Jean Chassagne]] arrived in town from [[Wolverhampton, England]] along with his chief mechanic Thomas Harrison.<ref name="News05-02-1919">{{cite news|title=Forty-Two Cars Are Entered in Liberty|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502262/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_2/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=32|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 2, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Saturday May 3''': [[Howdy Wilcox]] was seen perusing the track, in search of a ride. He was rumored to be in line to drive one of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|I.M.S.]] entries.<ref name="Star05-04-1919">{{cite news|title=Wilcox Wants to Drive Local Car in Big Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374222/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_4/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=27|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 4, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Sunday May 4''': [[Jean Chassagne]] made his first visit to the Speedway. The [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company|Sunbeam]] cars of Chassagne and [[Dario Resta]] had reportedly arrived in New York from England. The cars were expected to arrive at the Speedway soon.<ref name="Star05-05-1919">{{cite news|title=Jean Chassagne|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374247/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_5/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 5, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Monday May 5''': The [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company|Sunbeam]] cars of Chassagne and Resta arrived in Indianapolis. They were immediately being unpacked and readied for testing on the Speedway.<ref name="News05-05-1919">{{cite news|title=Sunbeam Team Here to test Race Cars|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502322/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_5/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=18|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 5, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Tuesday May 6''': [[Howdy Wilcox]] became the first driver to take to the track for the month. Wilcox drove one of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|I.M.S.]] [[Premier Motor Manufacturing Company|Premier]] entries for several laps over 100&nbsp;mph. Among those on hand to observe were [[Arthur Chevrolet]], [[Jules Goux]], and [[Jean Chassagne]]. Goux's car was being overhauled, while Chassagne's car was expected to arrive at any time.<ref name="Star05-07-1919">{{cite news|title=Wilcox First to Tune Up at the Speedway Track|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2374286/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_7/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=28|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 7, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Wednesday May 7''': [[Eddie Rickenbacker]] was named the honorary referee.<ref name="Star05-08-1919">{{cite news|title=Speedway Expects Many Out-of-Town Visitors|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2376852/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_8/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=8|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 8, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="News05-03-1919">{{cite news|title=Ace of Aces Selected Referee at Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502293/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_3/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 3, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Thursday May 8''': The [[1916 Indianapolis 500|1916 winner]] and [[1916 AAA Championship Car season|1916 National Champion]] [[Dario Resta]] arrived at the Speedway for the [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company|Sunbeam]] entry. He was expected to take the track for preparation soon.<ref name="Star05-09-1919">{{cite news|title=Another Auto Racer Arrived For Big Event|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2376887/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_9/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 9, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> Much fanfare was being made that four [[List of Indianapolis 500 winners|former winners]] (Resta, [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]], [[Ralph DePalma]], [[Jules Goux]]) were expected to attempt to qualify.<ref name="News05-08-1919">{{cite news|title=Indianapolis Speedway Champions To Decide Supremacy In Liberty Sweepstakes Event to Be Staged Here May 31
|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502381/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_8/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=18|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 8, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

*'''Friday May 9''': As the first full week of track availability was coming to an end, still only two non-local teams had arrived at the Speedway. The Ballot team out of France, and the Sunbeam team out of England. Poised to be spirited rivals, both were at the track with their full complement of drivers.<ref name="Star05-10-1919">{{cite news|title=Sunbeam and Ballot Cars Real Rivals in Big Classic|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2376963/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_10/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 10, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The only Americans at the track thus far were [[Howdy Wilcox]], and [[Elmer T. Shannon]].<ref name="News05-09-1919">{{cite news|title=Famous French Pilots Arrive for Big Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502426/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_9/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=30|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 9, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="News05-10-1919">{{cite news|title=Europe Determined to Win 500-Mile Classic|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502447/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_10/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=8|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 10, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Saturday May 10''': Visiting the Speedway was [[Barney Oldfield]], in town for his tire company. Oldfield was planning to return later in the month to start his preparations.<ref name="Star05-11-1919">{{cite news|title=Rush 4 Cars For Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377000/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_11/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 11, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Sunday May 11''': No track activity on Sunday. The prevailing topics of discussion for the week focused on the number of foreign entries and foreign drivers vying for the field.<ref name="News05-12-1919">{{cite news|title=Foreign Drivers and Americans Compared|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2502471/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_12/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=16|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 12, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Monday May 12''': Greek driver George Buzane was mentioned as a possible driver for one of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|I.M.S.]] [[Premier Motor Manufacturing Company|Premier]] entries.<ref name="Star05-13-1919">{{cite news|title=Greek Racing Star May Pilot Car in Big Event|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377037/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_13/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=11|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 13, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[Louis Wagner (racing driver)|Louis Wagner]] and [[Eddie Pullen]] were among drivers mentioned as possible qualifiers.<ref name="News05-13-1919">{{cite news|title=Six Road Racing Kings To Start in Liberty|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2672010/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_13/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=18|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 13, 1919|access-date=June 23, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Tuesday May 13''': [[Dario Resta]] took practice laps for the first time during the month. [[Carl G. Fisher]] and [[James A. Allison]] were among those watching in attendance.<ref name="Star05-14-1919">{{cite news|title=Resta Tunes Up for Race at Indianapolis Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1018044//|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=15|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 14, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[J. J. McCoy (racing driver)|J. J. McCoy]] arrived at the track, and was expected to start taking laps as soon as his McCoy Special was unpacked.<ref name="News05-14b-1919">{{cite news|title=M'Coy Latest Entry To Join Speed Kings|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2672095/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_14/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 14, 1919|access-date=June 23, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> With the prestigious [[French Grand Prix]] still not yet revived after the war, Indianapolis was being ranked as the biggest motor race of the year.<ref name="News05-14a-1919">{{cite news|title=Only International Event For This Year|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2672077/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_14/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=16|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 14, 1919|access-date=June 23, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Wednesday May 14''': Predictions were being made of record speeds during the race.<ref name="Star05-15-1919">{{cite news|title=DePalma Will Be Forced to Great Speed to Win|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377080/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_15/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 15, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Thursday May 15''': [[Dario Resta]] was practicing his Ballot entry, but nearly crashed. The shock absorbers were not affixed properly, and when the car hit a bump in turn one, it became airborne. The car jumped a foot off the ground, but Resta was able to slow the car down and keep it from crashing over the embankment. Resta and his crew made repairs, and he was soon back out on the track running several hot laps. [[Art Klein]], [[Arthur Thurman]], and J. M. Reynolds arrived at the Speedway.<ref name="Star05-16-1919">{{cite news|title=Thomas Narrowly Escapes Disaster While Tuning Up|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377111/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_16/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 16, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The expectations were that practice would begin to pick up by Saturday and Sunday.<ref name="News05-16-1919">{{cite news|title=Flyers At Speedway To Begin Practice|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756249/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_16/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 16, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Friday May 16''': Of discussion was the budding rivalry between the American and European entries. The 7th 500 would be the [[wiktionary:rubber match|"rubber match"]] between the two factions, each of whom had won the race three times apiece.<ref name="News05-17-1919">{{cite news|title=500-Mile Classic To be Rubber Contest|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756273/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_17/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 17, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Saturday May 17''': [[René Thomas (racing driver)|Rene Thomas]] was clocked with a lap of 1 minute and 32 seconds, for an average speed of 97&nbsp;mph.<ref name="Star05-18-1919">{{cite news|title=Thomas Sets Speedy Clip at Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377200/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_18/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 18, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[Louis Disbrow]] took the Detroit Special for a few laps around the track.<ref name="News05-19-1919">{{cite news|title=Racing Stars Arrive for 500-Mile Classic|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756322/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_19/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=16|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 19, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Sunday May 18''': More drivers arrived from Europe, including [[André Boillot]], [[Paul Bablot]], and [[Louis Wagner (racing driver)|Louis Wagner]]. Also arriving in town was [[Ralph DePalma]].<ref name="Star05-19-1919-p1">{{cite news|title=Three Foreign Pilots Arrive (part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377245/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_19/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 19, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-19-1919-p2">{{cite news|title=Three Foreign Pilots Arrive (part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377241/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_19//|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 19, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The track was open for practice, but closed to the public on Sunday. About four or five cars took to the track including [[Dario Resta]] and [[Jean Chassagne]] in the [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company|Sunbeam]] cars. Resta took some hot laps, while Chassagne took his time. [[René Thomas (racing driver)|Rene Thomas]] in the Ballot was observed opening up the throttle down the backstretch, but "loafing" in the turns. George Buzane took some hot laps in one of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|I.M.S.]] [[Premier Motor Manufacturing Company|Premier]]s late Sunday afternoon, leading some to think he may attempt to qualify.<ref name="News05-19-1919"/>
*'''Monday May 19''': [[Howdy Wilcox]] was officially named to an [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|I.M.S.]] entry as a teammate to [[Jules Goux]].<ref name="Star05-20-1919">{{cite news|title=Wilcox Will Team With Goux in Speedway Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377301/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_20/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|last=Sturm|first=William F.|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 20, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The ''[[Indianapolis Star]]'' published a photograph, purported to be the first-ever picture of the track taken from an airplane.<ref name="Star05-20-1919-pl">{{cite news|title=First Picture of Speedway From Plan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377288/indianapolis_motor_speedway_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=13|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 20, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> Several drivers, including [[Tommy Milton]], were at [[Uniontown Speedway]] for another race, and were expected to arrive at Indianapolis soon.<ref name="News05-20-1919">{{cite news|title=Practice Expected Tp Pick Up At Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756419/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_20/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=20|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 20, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Tuesday May 20''': The [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company|Sunbeam]] cars for [[Jean Chassagne]] and [[Dario Resta]] were ruled ineligible after it was discovered their engines were oversized.<ref name="Star05-21-1919">{{cite news|title=Sunbeam Cars Ineligible in Motor Classic|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377354/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_21/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 21, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> Chief engineer Louis Coatalen discovered the infraction, and informed speedway officials that the team was withdrawing from the event. [[Tom Alley]] and [[Al Cotey|A. E. Cotey]] arrived at the Speedway on Tuesday.<ref name="News05-21-1919">{{cite news|title=Sunbeam Cars Out Of 500-Mile Classic|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756448/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_21/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=18|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 21, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Wednesday May 21''': Many drivers and teams were arriving at the Speedway, but rain and foggy weather was limiting available track time.<ref name="Star05-22-1919">{{cite news|title=Many Drivers Arriving for the 500-Mile Classic|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377366/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_22/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 22, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[Charles Kirkpatrick]] was named to the Detroit Special.<ref name="News05-22-1919">{{cite news|title=Drivers Prepare For Elimination Trials|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756472/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_22/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=24|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 22, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Thursday May 22''': Rain kept cars off the track.<ref name="Star05-23-1919">{{cite news|title=DePalma's Car In Shape For Liberty Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377394/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_23/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 23, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> After losing his ride with the withdrawn Sunbeam team, [[Dario Resta]] joined the Ballot team, possibly to serve as a relief driver on race day.<ref name="News05-00-1919">{{cite news|title=Resta Casts Lot With French Ballot Team
|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2756525/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_23/
|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=33|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 23, 1919|access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

*'''Friday May 23''': [[Jesse G. Vincent]] was named the driver of the pace car.<ref name="Star05-24-1919">{{cite news|title=DePalma Ready To Make Record|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377428/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_24/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 24, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> Two entries were scratched, the Jay-Bee Special for P.W. Monaghan, and the Hudson for C.W. Johnson.<ref name="News05-24-1919">{{cite news|title=Elimination Trials To Be Started Tuesday|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377580/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 24, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Saturday May 24''': The fastest practice lap was made by [[Ralph DePalma]] at 98&nbsp;mph. After many days of rainy weather,<ref name="News05-24-1919"/> sunny conditions saw heavy track activity, including many drivers taking their first laps of the month.<ref name="Star05-25-1919-p1">{{cite news|title=Pilots Takes Advantage of Fair Weather|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377461/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_25/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 25, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-25-1919-p2">{{cite news|title=DePalma Makes 98-Mile Average in Fastest Lap|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377466/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_25/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=26|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 25, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Sunday May 25''': George Buzane crashed and flipped over in the south turns. Buzane and his riding mechanic Carl Weinbrecht were not seriously injured.<ref name="News05-26-1919">{{cite news|title=Drivers Prepare For Elimination Trials|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377548/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=16|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 26, 1919|access-date=May 2, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The track was closed to the public on Sunday.<ref name="Star05-19-1919-p2"/>
*'''Monday May 26''': [[Denny Hickey]] blew a tire coming out of turn 2, spun the car around three times, and backed into the inside wall on the backstretch. The car suffered only minor damage. During the afternoon, [[Howdy Wilcox]] and [[Jules Goux]] took to the track together for many laps over the 90&nbsp;mph range. [[Ira Hall]] was also out on the track. Monday was the final full day of practice available before elimination trials began.<ref name="Star05-27a-1919">{{cite news|title=Another Car Cuts Capers At Speedway (part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377479/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_27/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 27, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-27b-1919">{{cite news|title=Another Car Cuts Capers At Speedway (part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2377499/1919_indianapolis_500_practice_may_27/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=15|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 27, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="News05-27-1919"/>

==Time trials==
Time trials were scheduled for three days, May 27–29. Elimination trials consisted of one timed lap. This would be the final time single-lap qualifying runs were used at Indianapolis. In 1920, four-lap time trial runs would be introduced. For the first time, qualifiers would line up in the grid by speed based on the day they qualified. All cars that qualified on the first day would line up by speed rank first, with the fastest qualifier starting on the pole position. The remaining cars that qualified on subsequent days would line up by speed rank behind the first day qualifiers. The cars from the second and third days, however, were merged on the grid. This format was adopted in order to encourage more drivers to qualify early on, instead of waiting until the last minute.

Originally it was planned for all elimination trials to be held on Tuesday, but due to inclement weather, the schedule was expanded to allow Wednesday and Thursday as well.<ref name="News05-27-1919">{{cite news|title=Elimination Trials Are Started At Speedway|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2355287/1919_indianapolis_time_trials_may_27/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=20|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 27, 1919|access-date=May 5, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The minimum speed to qualify was set at 80&nbsp;mph, and the field was set at a maximum of 33 cars. Based on the entries prepared at the track, the expectation was that about six cars would fail to qualify.

In an effort to foil the "bootleg" programs that were being printed and sold in and around the Speedway, car numbers were not assigned until race morning.

===Tuesday May 27===
The first day of time trials was held Tuesday May 27 starting at 10:00&nbsp;a.m. [[Ralph DePalma]] (98.2&nbsp;mph) was the first car in the field. Former winner [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]] shattered the track record with a lap of 104.7&nbsp;mph to secure the pole position. Thomas went out late in the afternoon, deciding to wait out windy conditions. A total of eleven cars completed runs, all over 90&nbsp;mph. [[Howdy Wilcox]] went out after Thomas, and qualified second with a speed of 100.0&nbsp;mph.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|- align="center"
! {{abbr|Pos|Position}} !! Name !! Average Speed<br>(mph)
|-
|1 || {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''104.7'''
|-
|2 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Howdy Wilcox]] ||align="center"| '''100.0'''
|-
|3 || {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Albert Guyot]] ||align="center"| '''98.3'''
|-
|4 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ralph DePalma]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''98.2'''
|-
|5 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Eddie O'Donnell]] ||align="center"| '''97.3'''
|-
|6 || {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Paul Bablot]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''94.9'''
|-
|7 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Art Klein]] ||align="center"| '''94.9'''
|-
|8 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Eddie Hearne]] ||align="center"| '''94.5'''
|-
|9 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Earl Cooper]] ||align="center"| '''94.2'''
|-
|10 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ira Vail]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''94.1'''
|-
|11 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Charles Kirkpatrick]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''90.0'''
|}

*Note: Car numbers not assigned until race morning.

<small>Sources: ''The Indianapolis Star'',<ref name="Star05-28-1919-p1">{{cite news|title=Thomas Reels Of 104-Mile Record Pace (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2351777/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 28, 1919|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-28-1919-p2">{{cite news|title=Thomas Reels Of 104-Mile Record Pace (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2351789/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=5|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 28, 1919|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> ''The Indianapolis News''<ref name="News05-28-1919">{{cite news|title=Sensational Driving In Speedway Eliminations|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2354765/1919_indianapolis_time_trials_may_28/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=20|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 28, 1919|access-date=May 5, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref></small>

===Wednesday May 28===
The second day of time trials was held Wednesday May 28. The qualifiers on the second and third day would line up behind the qualifiers from the first day. [[Louis Chevrolet]] drove a Frontenac at a speed of 103.1&nbsp;mph to be the fastest car of the day. [[Tommy Milton]] was on his way to qualifying over 101&nbsp;mph, but his car slowed, and he managed a lap of only 89.9&nbsp;mph.

During a practice run, [[Omar Toft]] spun in the south turns, but avoided contact and was able to continue around. Two cars, [[Al Cotey]] and [[Dave Lewis (racing driver)|Dave Lewis]], made an attempt but failed to qualify. Cotey was too slow (below the 80&nbsp;mph minimum) and Lewis suffered engine failure. Both drivers were eligible to try again on Thursday.

A total of 13 cars completed qualifying runs Wednesday, filling the field to 24 cars. The final starting positions, however, for those 13 cars would not be finalized until qualifying was completed on Thursday.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|- align="center"
! {{abbr|Pos|Grid Position}} !! Name !! Average Speed<br>(mph) !! Notes
|-
|12 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Louis Chevrolet]] ||align="center"| '''103.1''' || 
|-
|13 || {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Louis Wagner (racing driver)|Louis Wagner]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''101.7''' || 
|-
|14 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Joe Boyer]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''100.9''' || 
|-
|15 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ralph Mulford]] ||align="center"| '''100.5''' || 
|-
|16 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Gaston Chevrolet]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''100.4''' || 
|-
|18 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Arthur Thurman]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''  ||align="center"| '''98.0''' || 
|-
|20 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Cliff Durant]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''96.5''' || 
|-
|23 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Wilbur D'Alene]] ||align="center"| '''94.2''' || 
|-
|25 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Louis LeCocq]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''92.9''' || 
|-
|27 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Denny Hickey]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''92.5''' ||
|-
|29 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Elmer T. Shannon]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''91.7''' ||
|-
|31 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tommy Milton]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''89.9''' ||
|-
|32 || {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[André Boillot]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| '''89.5''' ||
|-
|&nbsp;—&nbsp;|| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Al Cotey]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 74.6  || Below 80&nbsp;mph minimum
|-
|&nbsp;—&nbsp;|| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Dave Lewis (racing driver)|Dave Lewis]] ||align="center"| Incomplete || Engine failure
|}
*Note: Car numbers not assigned until race morning.

<small>Sources: ''The Indianapolis Star'',<ref name="Star05-29-1919">{{cite news|title=Frontenacs Average More Than 100 Miles in Tests|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2354940/1919_indianapolis_time_trials_may_29/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 29, 1919|access-date=May 5, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> ''The Indianapolis News''<ref name="News05-29-1919">{{cite news|title=Racing Officials To Select Thirty-Three|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2351756/1919_indianapolis_500_time_trials_may/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|last=Eiler|first=Herbert|page=12|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 29, 1919|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref></small>

===Thursday May 29===
The third and final day of time trials was held Thursday May 29. The day opened with nine spots available in the field.

The [[1913 Indianapolis 500|1913 winner]] [[Jules Goux]] was the final car to qualify. During a practice run on Thursday, he suffered a broken piston and broken connecting rod, which blew a hole in the [[Peugeot]]'s engine block. The [[Premier Motor Manufacturing Company|Premier]] team offered him a spare engine, and Goux spent the entire day working to install it. Late in the day, just minutes before sundown, Goux took the car to the track. After one single warm-up lap, he signaled to officials to start the run. His lap of 95&nbsp;mph bumped James Reynolds, and Goux surprisingly made the field. Not as lucky was [[Dave Lewis (racing driver)|Dave Lewis]]. A day after suffering engine problems, Evans was on his qualifying lap, running over 100&nbsp;mph. Two-thirds of the way through the lap, the [[Main bearing|bearings]] in the engine burned out, and broke the [[crankcase]].

During an exhibition run, [[Ralph DePalma]] attempted to set track records in a 950-c.i.d. car, the same car he set records in at [[Daytona Beach and Road Course|Daytona]]. He failed to break [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]]'s one-lap record from Tuesday, but he did set 5-mile and 10-mile distance speed records.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|- align="center"
! {{abbr|Pos|Grid Position}} !! Name !! Average Speed<br>(mph) !! Notes
|-
|17 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[W. W. Brown]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 99.8 ||
|-
|19 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Roscoe Sarles]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 97.75 ||
|-
|21 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ray Howard]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 95.0 ||
|-
|22 || {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Jules Goux]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 95.0 ||
|-
|24 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Kurt Hitke]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 93.5 ||
|-
|26 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ora Haibe]] ||align="center"| 92.8 ||
|-
|28 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tom Alley]] ||align="center"| 92.2 ||
|-
|30 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Omar Toft]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 91.5 ||
|-
|33 || {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[J. J. McCoy (racing driver)|J. J. McCoy]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 86.5 ||
|-
|&nbsp;—&nbsp;|| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} James M. Reynolds '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 83.5 || Bumped by Goux
|-
|&nbsp;—&nbsp;|| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Al Cotey]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ||align="center"| 82.9 || Too slow
|-
|&nbsp;—&nbsp;|| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Dave Lewis (racing driver)|Dave Lewis]] ||align="center"| Incomplete || Connecting rod 
|}
*Note: Car numbers not assigned until race morning.

<small>Sources: ''The Indianapolis Star'',<ref name="Star05-30-1919-p1">{{cite news|title=33 Qualify For Speedway Race (part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2355033/1919_indianapolis_time_trials_may_30/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 30, 1919|access-date=May 5, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star05-30-1919-p2">{{cite news|title=33 Qualify For Speedway Race (part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2355041/1919_indianapolis_time_trials_may_30/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=3|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 30, 1919|access-date=May 5, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> ''The Indianapolis News''<ref name="News05-30-1919">{{cite news|title=Elimination Trials Statistics|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2355085/1919_indianapolis_time_trials_may_30/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=20|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 30, 1919|access-date=May 5, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref></small>

==Starting grid==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!Row
!Inside 
!Inside Center
!Outside Center
!Outside
|-
! 1
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Howdy Wilcox]]
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Albert Guyot]]
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ralph DePalma]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|-
! 2
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Eddie O'Donnell]]
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Paul Bablot]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Art Klein]]
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Eddie Hearne]]
|-
! 3
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Earl Cooper]]
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ira Vail]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Charles Kirkpatrick]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Louis Chevrolet]]
|-
! 4
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Louis Wagner (racing driver)|Louis Wagner]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Joe Boyer]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ralph Mulford]]
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Gaston Chevrolet]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|-
! 5
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[W. W. Brown]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Arthur Thurman]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Roscoe Sarles]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Cliff Durant]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|-
! 6
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ray Howard]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Jules Goux]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Wilbur D'Alene]]
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Kurt Hitke]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|-
! 7
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Louis LeCocq]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ora Haibe]]
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Denny Hickey]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tom Alley]]
|-
! 8
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Elmer T. Shannon]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Omar Toft]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tommy Milton]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} [[André Boillot]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|-
! 9
| {{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[J. J. McCoy (racing driver)|J. J. McCoy]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|}

===Alternates===
*First alternate: James M. Reynolds<ref>''[[Donald Davidson (historian)|The Talk of Gasoline Alley]]'' - [[WIBC (FM)|1070-AM WIBC]], May 14, 2004</ref>

===Failed to qualify===
*[[Al Cotey]] – Too slow
*[[Dave Lewis (racing driver)|Dave Lewis]] – Incomplete attempt
*[[P.W. Monaghan]] – Withdrew (engine failure)
*[[H.C. Simmons]] – Withdrew (engine failure)
*[[George Buzane]] – practice crash

<!--
==Race recap==
===First half===

===Second half===
-->

==Race recap==
The start of the race was scheduled for Saturday May 31 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. local time.<ref name="News05-30-1919b">{{cite news|title=Records Expected To Fall In Big Race (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2775162/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_30_may_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=26|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 30, 1919|access-date=July 9, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> The facility was closed to the public on Friday, but participants were allowed a brief period of practice time on Friday morning for last-minute preparations. The rest of the day was spent prepping the track by scrubbing the brick surface of oil and debris.<ref name="News05-30-1919a">{{cite news|title=Records Expected To Fall In Big Race (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2775156/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_may_30_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 30, 1919|access-date=July 9, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

Maurice Becker, the [[riding mechanic]] for [[Howdy Wilcox]] during the month, was disallowed by his family from participating in the race. He was replaced for the race by Leo Banks just hours before the start.<ref>{{cite episode|series=The Talk of Gasoline Alley|series-link=Donald Davidson (historian)|station=[[WFNI]]|airdate=May 14, 2018}}</ref>

A crowd estimated at 120,000 arrived at the Speedway on a hot and sunny Saturday morning. At 8 a.m., the [[Purdue University|Purdue]] [[Purdue All-American Marching Band|Band]] entertained fans.<ref name="News05-31-1919c">{{cite news|title=120,000 See The Speedway Race (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2775257/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_may_31_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1919|access-date=July 9, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref> Pace car driver [[Jesse G. Vincent]], with passenger [[Eddie Rickenbacker]], took the field around for one unscored warm-up lap. At a speed of about 80&nbsp;mph, the field was released for the start. [[André Boillot]]'s car initially failed to pull away, but eventually got started, and sprinted to catch up to the rest of the field.

===First half===
The first half of the race belonged to [[1915 Indianapolis 500|1915]] winner [[Ralph DePalma]]. Depalma led the first 65 laps, and raced at a record pace. With an average speed of over 92&nbsp;mph, DePalma was shattering existing track records. Though the pace was incredible, his lead was not large. His closest contenders stayed within reach. [[Louis Chevrolet]] took the lead for lap 66–74, before giving it back to DePalma. Also in the top five were [[Earl Cooper]], [[Howdy Wilcox]], and [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]].<ref name="News05-31-1919a">{{cite news
|title=Many Thrills For Big Crowd At Speedway & 120,000 See The Speedway Race (Part 1)
|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2775220/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_may_31_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1919|access-date=July 9, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="News05-31-1919b">{{cite news|title=Many Thrills For Big Crowd At Speedway (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2775272/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_may_31_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1919|access-date=July 9, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref>

Two [[List of fatalities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway|fatal accidents]], taking the lives of three competitors, marred the first half of the race. On lap 45, [[Arthur Thurman]] lost control at about 90&nbsp;mph, swerved to the inside wall on the backstretch, then flipped over three times. Thurman was thrown from the car, and landed about twenty-five feet away. He died about ten minutes later as he was being taken to the hospital.<ref name="News05-31-1919c 20150824">{{cite news|title=Two Men Lose Lives Under Flaming Racer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3079833/1919_indianapolis_500_recaps_may_31_1919/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 31, 1919|access-date=August 24, 2015}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name=NYT1>{{cite news|title=3 die in auto race at Indianapolis|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/06/01/97089594.pdf|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 1, 1919|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627011256/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/06/01/97089594.pdf|archive-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> His riding mechanic Nicholas Molinaro suffered a fractured skull, but survived.<ref>[http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/howdy-wilcox-1919-indianapolis-500 Howdy Wilcox - 1919 Indianapolis 500] at firstsuperspeedway.com</ref>

On the 96th lap, [[Louis LeCocq]] and his riding mechanic Robert Bandini lost control and turned over in the exit of turn two. The fuel tank ruptured and burst into flames. Both LeCocq and Bandini were pinned underneath the car, doused with gasoline, and burned to death at the scene.<ref name="News05-31-1919c 20150824"/><ref name=NYT1/> With other cars whizzing by, flaming gasoline was spread in all directions, as crews attempted to extinguish the flames.

===Second half===
[[Image:Indy500winningcar1919.jpg|thumb|The 1919 winning car]]
After dominating most of the first half, [[Ralph DePalma]] gave up the lead on lap 103 to make a pit stop. DePalma was experiencing tire trouble, and was forced to make long stop to make repairs. DePalma lost about ten laps in the pits, and fell out of contention.

[[Howdy Wilcox]] took the lead on lap 103, and led the rest of the way. After major crashes and high attrition in the first half, the second half of the race settled down into a steady pace. Only three cars dropped out in the second half, leaving 14 cars running to complete 500 miles. Wilcox made a pit stop for tires and fuel at some point after the 400 mile mark. He came out of the pits with a two-lap lead over [[Eddie Hearne]], and cruised the rest of the way.

Late in the race, [[Louis Chevrolet]] reportedly came into the pits on three wheels. He made repairs, and finished in 7th place. After losing much time in the pits, [[Ralph DePalma]] worked his way back up to finish 6th. DePalma nipped Chevrolet at the scoring line by a fraction of a second in the battle for 6th-7th. DePalma led 93 laps, bringing his career total so far to 425 [[List of Indianapolis 500 lap leaders|laps led]] - by far the most of any driver during that era. (DePalma would lead 613 laps in his career).

==Box score==
{| class="wikitable"
!Finish
!Start
!No
!Name
!Entrant
!Chassis
!Engine
!Qual
!Rank
!Laps
!Status
|-
!1
|2
|3
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Howdy Wilcox]]
|Indianapolis Motor Speedway
|[[Peugeot]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|100.010
|7
|200
|Running
|-
!2
|8
|14
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Eddie Hearne]]
|[[Cliff Durant|R. Cliff Durant]]
|[[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
|[[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
|94.500
|19
|200
|Running
|-
!3
|22
|6
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Jules Goux]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|Indianapolis Motor Speedway
|[[Peugeot]]
|[[Premier Motor Manufacturing Company|Premier]]
|95.000
|15
|200
|Running
|-
!4
|3
|32
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Albert Guyot]]
|Ernest Ballot
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|98.300
|9
|200
|Running
|-
!5
|28
|26
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tom Alley]]
|Ahlberg Bearing Company
|Bender
|Bender
|92.200
|27
|200
|Running
|-
!6
|4
|4
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ralph DePalma]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|[[Packard|Packard Motor Car Company]]
|[[Packard]]
|[[Packard]]
|98.200
|10
|200
|Running
|-
!7
|12
|7
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Louis Chevrolet]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac Motors]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|103.100
|2
|200
|Running
|-
!8
|10
|27
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ira Vail]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company]]
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company|Hudson]]
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company|Hudson]]
|94.100
|22
|200
|Running
|-
!9
|27
|21
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Denny Hickey]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|A. C. Stickle
|Hoskins
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company|Hudson]]
|92.500
|26
|200
|Running
|-
!10
|16
|41
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Gaston Chevrolet]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac Motors]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|100.400
|6
|200
|Running
|-
!11
|1
|31
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[René Thomas (racing driver)|René Thomas]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|Ernest Ballot
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|104.700
|1
|200
|Running
|-
!12
|9
|8
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Earl Cooper]]<br/><small>(Reeves Dutton)</small>
|[[Earl Cooper]]
|[[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
|[[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
|94.250
|20
|200
|Running
|-
!13
|29
|23
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Elmer T. Shannon]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''<br/><small>(Ken Rawlings)</small>
|[[Elmer T. Shannon]]
|Shannon
|[[Duesenberg]]
|91.700
|28
|200
|Running
|-
!14
|26
|17
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ora Haibe]]
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company]]
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company|Hudson]]
|[[Hudson Motor Car Company|Hudson]]
|92.800
|25
|200
|Running
|-
!15
|32
|37
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[André Boillot]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Jules Goux]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|89.500
|32
|195
|Crash BS
|-
!16
|21
|48
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ray Howard]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|A. G. Kaufman
|[[Peugeot]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|95.000
|16
|130
|Oil pressure
|-
!17
|23
|22
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Wilbur D'Alene]]
|[[Duesenberg|Duesenberg Brothers]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|94.200
|21
|120
|Axle
|-
!18
|25
|15
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Louis LeCocq]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ✝
|[[Roscoe Sarles]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|92.900
|24
|96
|Died in crash at T2
|-
!19
|7
|29
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Art Klein]]
|[[Art Klein|Arthur H. Klein]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|94.900
|18
|70
|Oil line
|-
!20
|11
|19
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Charles Kirkpatrick]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|Frank P. Book
|[[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]]
|[[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]]
|90.000
|30
|69
|Rod
|-
!21
|6
|33
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Paul Bablot]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''<br/><small>([[Jean Chassagne]])</small>
|Ernest Ballot
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|94.900
|17
|63
|Crash
|-
!22
|5
|10
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Eddie O'Donnell]]
|[[Duesenberg|Duesenberg Brothers]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|97.300
|13
|60
|Piston
|-
!23
|24
|12
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Kurt Hitke]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Roscoe Sarles]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|93.500
|23
|56
|Rod bearing
|-
!24
|20
|1
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Cliff Durant]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Cliff Durant|R. Cliff Durant]]
|[[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
|[[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
|96.500
|14
|54
|Steering
|-
!25
|31
|9
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tommy Milton]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Duesenberg|Duesenberg Brothers]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|89.900
|31
|50
|Rod
|-
!26
|13
|34
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Louis Wagner (racing driver)|Louis Wagner]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|Ernest Ballot
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|[[Ballot (automobile)|Ballot]]
|101.700
|3
|44
|Broken wheel
|-
!27
|18
|18
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Arthur Thurman]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' ✝
|[[Arthur Thurman]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|[[Duesenberg]]
|98.000
|11
|44
|Died in crash at T3
|-
!28
|30
|43
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Omar Toft]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Omar Toft]]
|[[Harry Miller (auto racing)|Miller]]
|[[Harry Miller (auto racing)|Miller]]
|91.500
|29
|44
|Rod
|-
!29
|15
|2
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ralph Mulford]]
|[[Ralph Mulford]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|100.500
|5
|37
|Driveshaft
|-
!30
|33
|36
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[J. J. McCoy (racing driver)|J. J. McCoy]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[J. J. McCoy (racing driver)|J. J. McCoy]]
|McCoy
| ''unknown''
|86.500
|33
|36
|Oil line
|-
!31
|14
|39
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Joe Boyer]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac Motors]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|[[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]]
|100.900
|4
|30
|Rear axle
|-
!32
|17
|5
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[W. W. Brown]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|C. L. Richards
|Brown
|Hudson-Brett
|99.800
|8
|14
|Rod
|-
!33
|19
|28
|{{Flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Roscoe Sarles]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|[[Barney Oldfield]]
|[[Harry Miller (auto racing)|Miller]]
|[[Harry Miller (auto racing)|Miller]]
|97.700
|12
|8
|Rocker arm
|-
|colspan=11 style="text-align:center"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Indianapolis 500 1919 |url=http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=19994 |work=Ultimate Racing History |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205142849/http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=19994 |archive-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Indianapolis 500 Chronicle|publisher=Publications International, Ltd.|first1=Rick|last1=Popely|first2=L. Spencer|last2=Riggs|date=1998|ISBN=0-7853-2798-3|location=[[Lincolnwood, Illinois]]}}</ref>
|}

'''Note''': Relief drivers in parentheses<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.champcarstats.com/races/191904.htm|title=Liberty 500 Mile Sweepstakes – May 31, 1919|publisher=ChampCarStats.com}}</ref>

'''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' Former Indianapolis 500 winner

'''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' Indianapolis 500 Rookie

===Race statistics===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=30%}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Lap Leaders
|-
! Laps
! Leader
|-
|1–65 || [[Ralph DePalma]]
|-
|66–74 || [[Louis Chevrolet]]
|-
|75–102 || [[Ralph DePalma]]
|-
|103–200 || [[Howdy Wilcox]]
|}
{{col-break|width=70%}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Total laps led
|-
! Laps
! Leader
|-
| [[Howdy Wilcox]] || 98
|-
| [[Ralph DePalma]] || 93
|-
| [[Louis Chevrolet]] || 9
|}
{{col-end}}

==Race details==
*For 1919, [[riding mechanic]]s were required.<ref name="Riding Mechanics">{{cite book
|last=Blazier, John E.  |author2=Rollings, Tom
|title=Forgotten Heroes of the Speedways: The Riding Mechanics
|date=1994}}</ref>
*It is written that a band played the song "[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]" as [[Crawfordsville, Indiana]] native [[Howdy Wilcox]] led in the final stages of the race, eventually to become not only the first Indiana native, but first American, to win since [[Joe Dawson (racing driver)|Joe Dawson]] in [[1912 Indianapolis 500|1912]], the year before European cars and drivers had begun entering the race in earnest.<ref>"The Talk of Gasoline Alley" - WIBC-AM, May 20, 2002</ref> It is believed that this the first time the song was performed at the race, which would later become a [[Indianapolis 500 traditions#"Back Home Again in Indiana"|traditional]] fixture of the pre-race ceremonies.
*[[Howdy Wilcox]] would be the last Indianapolis 500 winner to use [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] tires until [[A. J. Foyt]] in [[1967 Indianapolis 500|1967]].

==Notes==

===See also===
*[[AAA Contest Board]]

===Works cited===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034346/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/race-stats/race-results/1919 Indianapolis 500 Historical Stats: 1919]
*[http://www.champcarstats.com/races/191904.htm ChampCarStats.com - 1919 Liberty 500 Mile Sweepstakes]

===References===
{{reflist|2}}

{{
Indy 500 Walker|
Previous_race = 1916|
Previous_winner = [[Dario Resta]]|
This_race = 1919|
This_winner = Howdy Wilcox|
Next_race = 1920|
Next_winner = [[Gaston Chevrolet]]|
Note=The Indianapolis 500 was not run in 1917 or 1918 due to [[World War I]].
}}
{{Indy 500}}

[[Category:Indianapolis 500 races]]
[[Category:1919 in motorsport|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:1919 in sports in Indiana|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:1919 in American motorsport]]
[[Category:May 1919 sports events]]