1953 Indianapolis 500 No roll bars and shorty helmets.....trees 20 feet from the track, no wall between pits and race course......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aojtFbRURo

Asianorama
For many years it was presumed that this was the hottest '500' on record.But a few years ago historian Donald Davidson said that 1937 was actually warmer by a degree or two.Although it isn't related on this video Carl Scarborough tragically died of heat prostration after being pulled from his car.But Bill Vukovich wasn't affected.He completely routed the competition...leading an astounding 195 of 200 laps and scorning a relief driver the entire way.The Borg Warner Corporation continued to fly in Hollywood starlets for Victory Lane and 1953 featured the most adorable they ever had in Jane Greer (in my opinion). She can clearly be seen at the 24:30 mark to Vuky's right.What a doll.
[TABLE="class: footer-button-bar"]
[TR]
[TD="class: mod-button"][/TD]
[TD="class: mod-button"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Will Pitts
Jeez, these guys expected every crash to be fatal back then, huh?