The 1950-1960 Indy 500 races were part of the Formula One World Driving Championship and were sanctioned by the American Automobile Association (1950-1955) and the United States Auto Club (1956-1960). The fastest four-lap average speed posted on the first day of qualifying guaranteed the Pole Position, regardless of any faster runs recorded during the subsequent sessions, or the fastest single-lap speed. In this summary, the fastest single-lap speed is noted as fastest qualifying lap and the fastest four-lap qualifier is noted separately. At least until 1959 only a lap completed by the current race leader was timed individually, then measurements were taken on how far behind the other cars were. Conceivably, a driver running further back in the field could have had the actual fastest lap of the race. In 1950 the race was stopped early due to rain after 138 laps, all the remaining races were run for 200 laps.
Indy 500 Drivers World Championship Summary