Updated

RACE: 33rd Indianapolis 500

DATE: May 30, 1949

WINNER: Bill Holland

AVERAGE SPEED: 121.327 mph

WHAT HAPPENED: Holland finally broke through after consecutive runner-up finishes and won his first Indianapolis 500. He gave team owner Lou Moore his third straight Indy 500 win. Holland would finish second again in 1950.

NOTABLE: George Metzler was killed attempting to qualify for the race. Trying to get his car into the field on the final day of qualifying, Metzler drove into the wall on turn one and was pronounced dead six days later.