1940 Indianapolis 500

The 28th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1940. The winner was Wilbur Shaw in the same Maserati 8CTF he had driven to victory in 1939. Shaw became the first driver in the history of the race to win in consecutive years. It also marked Shaw's third win in four years, making him the second three-time winner of the race. Shaw's average speed was 114.277 mph, slowed by rain which caused the last 50 laps to be run under caution. Shaw took home $31,875 in prize winnings, plus additional prizes that included a car and a refrigerator.

Fourth place finisher Ted Horn was flagged due to the rain shower, and was officially credited with completing only 199 laps - one lap short of the full distance. This marked the only blemish on his noteworthy record of nine consecutive races completing every lap. He eventually completed 1,799 out of a possible 1,800 laps from 1936 to 1948.

The top four starting positions finished in the top four places, albeit in shuffled order.

Starting grid
{{legend|orange|text=R|Indianapolis 500 rookie|border=solid 1px darkgray}} {{legend|gold|text=W|Indianapolis 500 winner|border=solid 1px darkgray}}

Alternates

 * First alternate: Tony Willman

Failed to qualify

 * George Bailey (#56) - Fatal accident
 * Henry Banks (#39)
 * Shorty Cantlon (#24) - Replaced by Babe Stapp
 * Wesley Crawford (#62)
 * Port DeFraties  (#51)
 * René Dreyfus  (#22) - drove two stints of relief for René Le Bègue during the race
 * Louis Durant  (#12)
 * Ira Hall (#47)
 * Bill Lipscomb  (#57)
 * Louis Unser  - Passed driver's test
 * Lou Webb  (#37)
 * Freddie Winnai (#59)

Box score
Note: Relief drivers in parentheses

 Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.