Pole Day Time Trials

Pole Day time trials were held on Saturday, May 14, under gusty winds and the constant threat of rain. Concerned about the unfavorable conditions, many of the competitors reached a gentlemen's agreement in the garage area to postpone their qualifying attempts until the following day.

With only twenty minutes remaining in the session, however, Jerry Hoyt took to the track. Reportedly unaware of any such agreement, Hoyt completed a four-lap run at 140.045 mph, becoming the only driver to successfully qualify that day and earning the provisional pole position. Moments later, Tony Bettenhausen made an attempt of his own, but a strong gust of wind hampered his run, leaving him qualified in second. Sam Hanks and Pat O'Connor also prepared to make attempts, but neither was able to complete a qualifying run before the session ended.

When Pole Day concluded, it was Jerry Hoyt and Tony Bettenhausen alone atop the qualifying charts.

Second Day Time Trials

Qualifying resumed on Sunday under much improved conditions, and most of the drivers who had remained off the track the previous day made their attempts. Jack McGrath proved to be the fastest qualifier of the weekend, posting a four-lap average of 142.580 mph, but because of the qualifying rules in effect, he could do no better than the outside of the front row. Jerry Hoyt's 140.045 mph run from Saturday held up for the pole position despite ranking only eighth-fastest overall—a record for the slowest pole-winning speed relative to the rest of the field.

Late in the day, tragedy struck when Manny Ayulo crashed during a qualifying attempt, reportedly due to a steering failure. He suffered severe injuries and died the following day.

Third Day Time Trials

Paul Russo, attempting to qualify the No. 18 Novi for Troy Ruttman, suffered a broken gearbox and was unable to complete his qualifying run. The attempt marked the final appearance of a front-wheel-drive car at the Indianapolis 500.