The Brickyard looks placid in this long-range shot from 1955, but the race is remembered for a fatal accident. Bill Vukovich, seeking to become the first driver to win three straight Indy 500s, was leading after 56 laps when he came upon a three-car accident on the backstretch. Swerving to avoid the wreckage, Vukovich's Hopkins Special clipped John Boyd's car and went tumbling over the rail; it landed upside down and burst into flames, trapping Vukovich underneath. Bob Sweikert would take the checkered flag for his only 500 victory.

photograph by Hy Peskin

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