Sam Hanks won the 1957 Indianapolis 500 on his 13th attempt, becoming the first driver to earn a $100,000 single-race purse.
Key Facts
- Winner
- Sam Hanks (13th attempt)
- Winner's purse
- 103,844 USD
- Total race purse
- Over 300,000 USD
- Race edition
- 41st International 500-Mile Sweepstakes
- Winning car
- George Salih's 'Lay-down Offy'
- Back-to-back chassis wins
- Same chassis won again in 1958 with Jimmy Bryan
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
George Salih engineered an innovative 'lay-down' Offenhauser-powered car with its engine mounted on its side and shifted off-center, lowering the center of gravity, reducing frontal area, and counterbalancing body roll in turns. This mechanical advantage gave Sam Hanks a competitive edge entering the 1957 race after twelve previous failed attempts at Indianapolis.
On May 30, 1957, Sam Hanks drove the Salih 'Lay-down Offy' to victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 41st running of the 500-mile race, part of both the USAC National Championship Trail and the 1957 World Championship of Drivers. Hanks announced his retirement from Indy competition from victory lane upon winning.
Hanks became the first driver to earn a $100,000 single-race purse, collecting a record $103,844, while the total race purse exceeded $300,000 for the first time. The winning Salih chassis went on to win a second consecutive Indianapolis 500 in 1958, driven by Jimmy Bryan, cementing the innovative lay-down design's impact on open-wheel racing.