A brash young midget car race driver lives in the shadow of his famous father, a drunken womanizer, who was killed in an accident years earlier.A brash young midget car race driver lives in the shadow of his famous father, a drunken womanizer, who was killed in an accident years earlier.A brash young midget car race driver lives in the shadow of his famous father, a drunken womanizer, who was killed in an accident years earlier.
- Minnie
- (as Hattie McDaniels)
- Reno Riley
- (as Dick Lane)
- Announcer
- (as Jack Colin)
- Indy 500 Spectator
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the 33rd running of the Indianapolis 500 in 1949, Wilbur Shaw, the President of the Speedway, actually did drive the pace car, as the movie announcer had noted.
- GoofsEarly in the film, Billy crashes his car. A radio announcer is giving a play-by-play description of his rescue. A man and a woman listening to the radio smile and show relief - before the announcer says that Billy has been pulled from the wreckage unhurt.
- Quotes
Red Stanley: The way I figure it, another thousand dollars and she'll be ready for Indianapolis.
Reno Riley: I wouldn't give you another buck and a half.
Red Stanley: But Reno, this is the fastest iron in the business!
Reno Riley: How many years have you been takin' this pile of junk to the race, Red? Six? Seven?
Red Stanley: Eight.
Reno Riley: And you never even qualified.
- Crazy creditsThe film opens with the following written acknowledgements: "Grateful acknowledgement for their invaluable assistance is made to the AAA, the URA, the Racing Drivers of America, the Indianapolis Speedway and Mr. Wilbur Shaw."
- ConnectionsEdited into Your Afternoon Movie: Big Wheel (2023)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Thundering Wheels
- Filming locations
- Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California, USA(Culver City Stadium Speedway scenes)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $900,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1