1947 Indianapolis 500 Official Program and Scorecard: Primary Documentation of a Controversial Team Finish and Race Fatality

1947. Official printed program and original scorecard from the 1947 Indianapolis 500, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, representing primary documentation of one of the most debated finishes in the early history of American open-wheel racing. The offering includes the complete official race program together with a contemporary scorecard, preserving both the pre-race structure and the recorded progress of the event. The 1947 race is particularly notable for a widely discussed team-order controversy involving drivers Mauri Rose and Bill Holland of Lou Moore's team. During the closing stages, pit signals reportedly instructed Holland to reduce speed to preserve his position to the finish. Rose, disregarding the signal, accelerated to overtake Holland in the final laps. Holland, believing he maintained a lap advantage, did not contest the pass, allowing Rose to assume the lead and secure victory. The incident has since been cited in racing historiography as an early and influential example of team communication ambiguity affecting race outcomes.

The race was further marked by a fatal accident involving driver Shorty Cantlon, situating the event within the broader context of mid-20th-century motorsport risk and safety conditions. Mauri Rose's finishing time of 4:17:52.17 ranked among the fastest Indianapolis 500 results recorded to that date, underscoring both the competitive intensity and mechanical capabilities of the period. The program provides structured information on entrants, drivers, and race organization, while the accompanying scorecard reflects real-time engagement with the event as experienced by a contemporary spectator. Together, they document not only the race itself but also the practices of attendance, record-keeping, and spectator participation associated with major American sporting events in the immediate postwar period. Condition is very good. Program complete with no tears; minor staining to cover. Scorecard well preserved with expected light handling.