The 41st International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 30, 1957. The event was part of the 1957 USAC National Championship Trail and it was the third race of the eight-race 1957 World Championship of Drivers.

Sam Hanks won the Indianapolis 500 in his thirteenth attempt, the most such by any 500 winner. He retired from competition at Indy in victory lane. Contrary to popular belief, Hanks did not completely retire from racing until the end of the year. He skipped the Race of Two Worlds when his entrant withdrew, but competed in USAC Stock Car events later in the year, winning the event at Trenton, and finished third in points championships for 1957.

Hanks received a record $103,844 purse, the first driver to win a $100,000 single-race payday. The total race purse was also a record, over $300,000 for the first time.

Hanks won the race in George Salih's "Lay-down Offy". The Offenhauser engine was mounted on its side and shifted off-center. This was done in order to lower the center of gravity, reduce frontal area, and counterbalance the body roll in the turns. The car that Hanks drove for the win in 1957 would win back-to-back Indy 500s, with Jimmy Bryan piloting the very same chassis to victory again in 1958.

Track improvements For 1957, the Speedway introduced a new state-of-the-art pit lane and brand new Master Control Tower to house broadcasting as well as timing and scoring. For the first time, the pit area was separated from the mainstretch by an inside wall. The pit lane was paved in concrete (the mainstretch remained brick), while a grass strip went the length of the pit road to accommodate pit crew sign board men. Flagging duties would be done from a station on the grass strip at the start/finish line, and eventually a small wooden platform would be constructed for the flagman to stand atop. USAC officials also stationed themselves on the new grass parapet (which would be removed after the 1993 race when the parapet was narrowed and paved with concrete, and pit road become asphalt except for the pit boxes).

For the 1957 race, the field lined up in the pit area single-file, rather than the traditional eleven rows of three on the racing surface. On the pace lap, the field assembled into position, and was aligned for the green flag. By 1957, the field was now being taken around for two warm-up laps (one "parade" lap, and one "pace" lap), an increase over the single lap used previously. This single-file grid practice would eventually lead to confusion, and was utilized for only two years.

Practice and time trials Time trials was scheduled for four days, but the second day was rained out. Rain affected practice days as well.

Giuseppe Farina was the only European driver on the entry list for the race, however, he did not attempt to qualify. Farina had difficulty getting his car up to speed, and had experienced handling problems. On May 15, his teammate Keith Andrews stepped into his car for a test run, but crashed. Down the frontstretch, Andrews began to slide, and when he attempted to correct, the car backed into the inside wall separating the pit area. Andrews was crushed to death between the cowl and the fuel tank, but no fire broke out. Farina withdrew after Andrews was killed, with no backup car to use.

Saturday May 18 – Pole Day time trials

Pat O'Connor qualified for the pole position. Showers delayed qualifying for nearly four hours, and at other points during the afternoon. A total of only nine cars completed runs.

O'Connor's speed of 143.948 mph was not a track record. Troy Ruttman was on the track, and after a lap of over 144 mph, rain forced him to abort the attempt. He was able to get back out to the track, but had to settle for a speed of only 142.772 mph.

The first rookie to make the field was Elmer George, the husband of Mari Hulman George, and son-in-law of Speedway president Tony Hulman.

Sunday May 19 – Second day time trials

The second day scheduled for qualifying was rained out.

Saturday May 25 – Third day time trials

Paul Russo (144.817 mph) was the fastest driver of the day, in one of the Novi Specials. Russo was the fastest qualifier in the field, as his speed was faster than the pole position time from the previous weekend.

Sunday May 26 – Fourth day time trials

Rain and winds plagued the final day of time trials. Twenty three cars entered the day looking to fill the final 11 positions. A total of 43 attempts were made, with 9 cars bumped.

Tony Bettenhausen (142.439 mph) was the fastest driver of the day, driving one of the 500 hp Novi Specials. Bill Cheesbourg needed two cars to make the field. His first attempt was too slow. But late in the day, he got in Cliff Griffith's car, and at a speed of 141.565 mph, bumped Johnnie Parsons from the lineup.

Qualifying results Grid RowInsideMiddleOutside112 Pat O'ConnorSumar SpecialChapman RootKurtis 500G, Offenhauser88 Eddie Sachs Peter Schmidt SpecialPeter SchmidtKuzma, Offenhauser52Troy Ruttman John Zink SpecialJohn ZinkWatson, Offenhauser214 Fred AgabashianBowes Seal Fast SpecialGeorge BignottiKurtis 500G, Offenhauser6 Johnny BoydBowes Seal Fast SpecialGeorge BignottiKurtis 500G, Offenhauser5Jimmy ReeceHoyt Machine SpecialFred SommerKurtis 500C, Offenhauser383 Ed ElisianMcNamara SpecialLee ElkinsKurtis 500C, Offenhauser16 Al KellerBardahl/Clancy SpecialPat ClancyKurtis 500G, Offenhauser23 Elmer George Travelon Trailer SpecialErnest RuizKurtis 500B, Offenhauser454Paul RussoNovi Auto Air Conditioner SpecialNovi Racing CorpKurtis 500F, Novi SC10 Johnny ThomsonD-A Lubricant SpecialRacing AssociatesKuzma, Offenhauser73 Andy LindenMcNamara/Veedol SpecialLee ElkinsKurtis 500G, Offenhauser59 Sam HanksBelond Exhaust SpecialGeorge SalihSalih, Offenhauser22 Gene HartleyMassaglia Hotels SpecialHart FullertonLesovsky, Offenhauser1 Jimmy BryanDean Van Lines SpecialAl DeanKuzma R, Offenhauser67 Bob VeithBob Estes SpecialBob EstesPhillips, Offenhauser18 Johnnie Parsons Sumar SpecialChapman RootKurtis 500G, Offenhauser77 Mike Magill Dayton Steel Foundry SpecialGeorge WaltherKurtis 500G, Offenhauser719 Jack TurnerBardahl SpecialPat ClancyKurtis 500G, Offenhauser43 Eddie JohnsonChapman SpecialHarry Allen ChapmanKurtis 500G, Offenhauser3 Don FreelandAnsted RotaryAnsted-Thompson RacingKurtis 500D, Offenhauser827 Tony BettenhausenNovi Auto Air Conditioner Special Novi Racing Corp.Kurtis 500F, Novi SC31 Bill Cheesbourg Schildmeier Seal Line SpecialJ.S. DonaldsonKurtis 500G, Offenhauser8 Rodger WardWolcott Fuel Injection SpecialRoger WolcottLesovsky, Offenhauser SC982 Chuck WeyantCentral Excavating SpecialPete SalemiKurtis 500C, Offenhauser55 Eddie RussoSclavi & Amos SpecialFred SclaviKurtis 500C, Offenhauser92 Don Edmunds McKay SpecialRoy McKayKurtis 500G, Offenhauser1048 Marshall TeagueSumar SpecialChapman RootKurtis 500C, Offenhauser57 Jimmy DaywaltHelse SpecialH.H. JohnsonKurtis 500C, Offenhauser89 Al HermanDunn Engineering SpecialHarry DunnDunn, Offenhauser1128 Johnnie TolanGreenman-Casale SpecialLysle GreenmanKuzma, Offenhauser26 Jim RathmannChiropractic SpecialLindsey HopkinsEpperly, Offenhauser95 Bob ChristieJones & Maley SpecialJones & MaleyKurtis 500C, OffenhauserSources:

First alternate #33 - Billy GarrettFederal Engineering SpecialKurtis 500E, OffenhauserThe Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004

Failed to qualify #4 - George Amick Federal Engineering SpecialSnowberger, OffenhauserToo slow #62 - Keith AndrewsFarina SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserFatal accident #82 - Johnny Baldwin Central Excavating SpecialKurtis 500C, OffenhauserDid not qualify #45 - Bill CheesbourgLas Vegas Club SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserToo slow, Qualified #31 #15 - Tony Bonadies Ray Brady SpecialKurtis 500C, OffenhauserPractice accident #81 - Tony Bonadies Central Excavating SpecialKuzma D, OffenhauserToo slow #59 - Bud Clemons Chiropractic SpecialShilala OffenhauserToo slow #49 - Ray CrawfordMeguiar Mirror Glaze SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserToo slow #32 - Jimmy DaviesAnderson SpecialKurtis 500D, OffenhauserToo slow #62 - Giuseppe Farina Farina SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserCrashed by K. Andrews #71 - Johnny Fedricks Gdula SpecialKurtis 500C, OffenhauserDid not qualify #64 - Gene ForceShannon Brothers SpecialWatts, OffenhauserToo slow #58 - Andy Furci Ray Brady SpecialSchroder D, OffenhauserDid not qualify #31 - Cliff GriffithSeal Line SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserDid not qualify #43 - Van Johnson Chapman SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserDid not qualify #72 - Danny KladisMorgan Engineering SpecialMaserati, Maserati SCToo slow #84 - Danny KladisSafety Auto Glass SpecialMercedes, JaguarToo slow #25 - Jud Larson John Zink SpecialWatson, OffenhauserToo slow #34 - Jim McWithey Federal Engineering SpecialKurtis 500D, OffenhauserQualifying accident #32 - Cal NidayTrio Brass Foundry SpecialKurtis 500D, OffenhauserDid not qualify #98 - Johnnie Parsons Agajanian SpecialKuzma, OffenhauserToo slow #92 - Leroy Warriner McKay SpecialKurtis 500G, OffenhauserDid not qualify #42 - Dempsey Wilson Martin SpecialCurtis, OffenhauserToo slow = Indianapolis 500 rookie = Former Indianapolis 500 winner

Race summary

First half On the backstretch during the pace lap, Elmer George hit the back of Eddie Russo's car, putting both cars out of the race before the start. Only 31 cars took the green flag.

Polesitter Pat O'Connor took the lead at the start and led the first four laps. Troy Ruttman led laps 5–6. O'Connor re-took the lead for laps 7–9, but Ruttman led laps 10–11, until blowing the engine. Paul Russo took the lead on lap 12, and in the first twelve laps there had already been four lead changes between three drivers.

Second half Sam Hanks took the lead for the final time on lap 135.

Box score FinishGridNo.DriverChassisEngineLapsStatusPoints 1 13 9 Sam Hanks Salih Offenhauser 200 135.601 mph 1000 8 2 32 26 Jim Rathmann Epperly Offenhauser 200 +21.46 800 7 3 15 1 Jimmy Bryan Kuzma R Offenhauser 200 +2:13.97 700 4 4 10 54 Paul Russo Kurtis 500F Novi SC 200 +2:56.86 600 3 5 12 73 Andy Linden Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 200 +3:14.27 500 2 6 5 6 Johnny Boyd Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 200 +4:35.27 400 7 28 48 Marshall Teague Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 200 +4:45.58 300 8 1 12 Pat O'Connor Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 200 +5:33.15 250 9 16 7 Bob Veith Phillips Offenhauser 200 +6:17.11 200 10 14 22 Gene Hartley Lesovsky Offenhauser 200 +7:10.12 150 11 19 19 Jack Turner Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 200 +7:56.07 100 12 11 10 Johnny Thomson Kuzma Offenhauser 199 -1 Lap 50 13 33 95 Bob Christie Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 197 -3 Laps 14 25 82 Chuck Weyant Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 196 -4 Laps 15 22 27 Tony Bettenhausen Kurtis 500F Novi SC 195 -5 Laps 16 17 18 Johnnie Parsons Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 195 -5 Laps 17 21 3 Don Freeland Kurtis 500D Offenhauser 192 -8 Laps 18 6 5 Jimmy Reece Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 182 Throttle 19 27 92 Don Edmunds Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 170 Spun Off 20 31 28 Johnnie Tolan Kuzma Offenhauser 138 Clutch 21 30 89 Al Herman Dunn Offenhauser 111 Accident 22 4 14 Fred Agabashian Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 107 Fuel Leak 23 2 88 Eddie Sachs Kuzma Offenhauser 105 Fuel Leak 24 18 77 Mike Magill Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 101 Accident 25 20 43 Eddie Johnson Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 93 Wheel Bearing 26 23 31 Bill Cheesbourg Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 81 Fuel Leak 27 8 16 Al Keller Kurtis 500G Offenhauser 75 Accident 28 29 57 Jimmy Daywalt Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 53 Accident 29 7 83 Ed Elisian Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 51 Timing gear 30 24 8 Rodger Ward Lesovsky Offenhauser SC 27 Supercharger 31 3 52 Troy Ruttman Watson Offenhauser 13 Oil leak 32 26 55 Eddie Russo Kurtis 500C Offenhauser 0 Accident 33 9 23 Elmer George Kurtis 500B Offenhauser 0 Accident Sources:

Former Indianapolis 500 winner

Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.

– Includes 1 point for fastest lead lap.

Race statistics