The 1950 Indianapolis 500 was the first time the race counted toward the FIA World Drivers' Championship, making Johnnie Parsons the first American to win a World Championship event.
Key Facts
- Race running number
- 34th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes
- Laps completed (of 200)
- 138 laps (345 miles) due to rain
- Winner
- Johnnie Parsons
- Championship points scored
- 9 points
- Sanctioning body
- AAA; also counting toward FIA WDC
- Final championship standing
- 6th in 1950 World Drivers' Championship
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1950 Indianapolis 500 was scheduled as a 200-lap, 500-mile race sanctioned by the AAA and newly incorporated into the FIA World Drivers' Championship calendar. Rain threatened the event and ultimately forced officials to halt proceedings before the full distance was completed.
On May 30, 1950, Johnnie Parsons led the race and was declared the winner when rain stopped the contest after 138 laps. Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck were present at the track filming scenes for the movie To Please a Lady, with Stanwyck presenting the traditional victory lane kiss to Parsons.
Parsons scored 9 championship points, temporarily tying him with Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio atop the inaugural World Drivers' Championship standings. He became the first American to win a World Championship race and ultimately finished sixth in the 1950 title standings despite contesting only this one round.