First alternate: Eddie Johnson — Johnson drove relief during the race
Failed to qualify
Henry Banks - Retired
Wally Campbell ' - Failed rookie test
Bob Christie '
George Connor - Retired
Jimmy Davies
Billy Devore
Duke Dinsmore
Walt Faulkner
Pat Flaherty
George Fonder
Potsy Goacher '
Cliff Griffith
Al Herman '
Bill Holland
Frank Mundy '
Duke Nalon
Danny Oakes '
Eddie Russo '
Eddie Sachs '
Bob Scott
Joe Sostilio '
Marshall Teague
George Tichenor '
Johnnie Tolan '
Lee Wallard - Retired
Leroy Warriner - Withdrew, injured
Chuck Weyant '
Race summary
had to work much harder in this race due to his car was now 2 years old and the team had trouble getting it up to speed leading to a 19th place starting spot inside of row 7 for the race. Vukovich did not see the lead until lap 61 when he led 1 lap. He then after losing positions during pitstops worked his way forward, seeing the lead again on lap 92 leading for the next 38 laps until falling back due to another round of pitstops. Then Vukovich took the lead for good on 150 to win his second consecutive 500, setting a record 130.840 mph average race speed. The record would stand until the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Sadly Vukovich died the following year attempting to win his third consecutive Indy 500. The race reportedly went 110 laps before the first yellow light.
The race was carried live flag-to-flag on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. It was the second time the race was carried in its entirety. The broadcast was anchored by Sid Collins, his third as chief announcer, and seventh year overall with the crew. Charlie Brockman served as booth analyst and statistician, and also reported from victory lane. Of note, the network expanded its coverage to include four qualifying wrap-up shows during time trials weekends. The network expanded to include four qualifying wrap-up shows, and the number of affiliate stations increased to 210. All five major radio stations in Indianapolis carried the broadcast. The 1954 broadcast is notable in that it featured for the first time the famous phrase "Stay tuned for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Due to the increased number of affiliates at the time, the network needed a scripted "out-cue" to alert producers when to manually insert local commercials. A young WIBC marketing staff member named Alice Greene is credited with inventing the phrase, and chief announcer Sid Collins coined it on-air. It has been used ever since, with all of the chief announcers proudly reciting it during their respective tenures.
