1959 Indianapolis 500

Last updated
43rd Indianapolis 500
Indy500winningcar1959.JPG
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body USAC
DateMay 30, 1959
Winner Rodger Ward
Winning team Leader Cards
Average speed135.857 mph (218.641 km/h)
Pole position Johnny Thomson
Pole speed145.908 mph (234.816 km/h)
Most laps led Rodger Ward (130)
Pre-race ceremonies
Pace car Buick Electra 225
Pace car driver Sam Hanks
StarterBill Vanderwater [1]
Estimated attendance180,000 [2]
Chronology
PreviousNext
1958 1960

The 43rd International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1959. The event was part of the 1959 USAC National Championship Trail and was also race 2 of 9 in the 1959 World Championship of Drivers.

Contents

Rodger Ward earned the first of two career Indy 500 victories. A record sixteen cars completed the full 500 miles.

All cars were required to have roll bars for the first time. [3]

Practice and time trials

Two drivers, Jerry Unser and Bob Cortner, were killed in separate crashes during the month. On May 2, Unser lost control in Turn Four, spun, and flipped down the main stretch. The car caught fire and Unser suffered significant burns; he died from complications of his burns on May 17. On May 19, rookie Cortner crashed in turn three after being pushed by a wind gust. He was killed instantly of head injuries. [4]

On the morning of pole day, Tony Bettenhausen suffered a bad crash during a practice run. His car hit the outside wall and flipped over the inside guardrail. Bettenhausen escaped the crash with only minor injuries, and would qualify on the second weekend of time trials.

After three years of retirement, Duane Carter returned to the cockpit, and qualified for his ninth Indianapolis 500 start.

Time trials were scheduled for four days:

Starting grid

RowInsideMiddleOutside
13 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson 44 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Sachs 16 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann
273 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dick Rathmann 48 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bobby Grim  R 5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward
374 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Veith 19 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Johnson 88 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Hartley
49 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Branson  R 33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Boyd 37 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duane Carter
566 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Daywalt 24 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack Turner 1 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen
699 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Goldsmith 10 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg A. J. Foyt 64 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat Flaherty  W 
77 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson 6 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan  W 71 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Arnold  R 
88 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Len Sutton 89 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Herman 65 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Christie
915 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Freeland 87 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Red Amick  R 45 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Russo
1057 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Keller 47 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Weyant 53 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Cheesbourg
1177 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Magill 49 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ray Crawford 58 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim McWithey  R 
R Indianapolis 500 rookie
W Indianapolis 500 winner

Alternates

Failed to qualify

Box score

PosGridNoDriverConstructorQualRankLapsTime/RetiredPointsWDC Points
165 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward Watson-Offenhauser 144.0372003:40:49.201,0008
2316 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann Watson-Offenhauser 144.434200+ 0:23.288006
313 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson Lesovsky-Offenhauser 145.901200+ 0:50.647005 1
4151 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen Epperly-Offenhauser 142.7218200+ 1:47.096003
51699 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Goldsmith Epperly-Offenhauser 142.6719200+ 2:06.445002
61133 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Boyd Epperly-Offenhauser 142.8116200+ 3:16.98400 
71237 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Duane Carter Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 142.7917200+ 4:09.92300 
8819 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Johnson Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 144.009200+ 4:10.53250 
92745 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Russo Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 142.3822200+ 4:11.04200 
101710 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg A. J. Foyt Kuzma-Offenhauser 142.6420200+ 4:14.48150 
11988 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Hartley Kuzma-Offenhauser 143.5710200+ 5:42.48100 
12774 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Veith Moore-Offenhauser 144.028200+ 6:09.7350 
132389 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Herman Dunn-Offenhauser 141.9329200+ 6:40.40  
141366 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Daywalt Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 144.683200+ 6:41.54  
152171 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Arnold  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 142.1124200+ 8:19.86  
163358 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim McWithey  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 141.2133200+ 11:41.69  
17244 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Sachs Kuzma-Offenhauser 145.422182Spun off  
182857 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Keller Kuzma-Offenhauser 142.0527163Engine  
191864 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat Flaherty  W  Watson-Offenhauser 142.3921162Accident  
20473 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dick Rathmann Watson-Offenhauser 144.245150Fire  
213053 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Cheesbourg Kuzma-Offenhauser 141.7830147 Magneto   
222515 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Freeland Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 143.0514136Magneto  
233249 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ray Crawford Elder-Offenhauser 141.3432115Accident  
24109 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Branson  R  Phillips-Offenhauser 143.3112112Suspension  
252465 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Christie Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 143.2413109Engine  
26548 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bobby Grim  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 144.22685Magneto  
271424 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack Turner Christensen-Offenhauser 143.471147Fuel leak  
282947 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Weyant Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 141.952845Accident  
29197 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 142.292345Accident  
303177 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Magill Sutton-Offenhauser 141.483145Accident  
312687 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Red Amick  R  Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser 142.921545Accident  
32228 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Len Sutton Lesovsky-Offenhauser 142.102634Accident  
33206 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan  W  Epperly-Offenhauser 142.11251Engine  

 W  Former Indianapolis 500 winner

 R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized Firestone tires.

Notes

Race statistics

Race notes

World Drivers' Championship

1959 Indianapolis 500
Race 2 of 9 in the 1959 Formula One season
←  Previous race Next race  →
Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1909-1956.svg
Race details
Date May 30, 1959 (1959-05-30)
Location Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Speedway, Indiana
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 4.023 km (2.500 miles)
Distance 200 laps, 804.672 km (500.000 miles)

Background

The Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Championship of Drivers from 1950 through 1960. The race was sanctioned by AAA through 1955, and then by USAC beginning in 1956. At the time the new world championship was announced and first organized by the CSI, the United States did not yet have a Grand Prix. Indianapolis Motor Speedway vice president and general manager Theodore E. "Pop" Meyers lobbied that the Indianapolis 500 be selected as the race to represent the country and to pay points towards the world championship. [12] [13]

Drivers competing at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 through 1960 were credited with participation in and earned points towards the World Championship of Drivers. [14] However, the machines competing at Indianapolis were not necessarily run to Formula One specifications and regulations. [15] The drivers also earned separate points (on a different scale) towards the respective AAA or USAC national championships. No points, however, were awarded by the FIA towards the World Constructors' Championship.

Summary

The 1959 Indianapolis 500 was round 2 of 9 on the 1959 World Championship. The event, however, failed to attract interest from any of the regular competitors on the Grand Prix circuit, particularly since it was held only one day prior to the Dutch Grand Prix. Race winner Rodger Ward earned 8 points towards the World Championship. Ward also competed in the U.S. Grand Prix at Sebring. He finished tenth in the final season standings.

World Drivers' Championship standings after the race

PosDriverPoints
1rightarrow blue.svg 1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham 9
1uparrow green.svg 232 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward 8
1downarrow red.svg 13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Brooks 6
1uparrow green.svg 214 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann 6
1uparrow green.svg 205 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson 5
Source: [16]
  • Notes: Only the top five positions are included.

Broadcasting

Radio

The race was carried live on the IMS Radio Network. Sid Collins served as chief announcer. Fred Agabashian joined the crew for the first time as "driver expert." The broadcast reached 385 affiliates, including Fairbanks, Alaska. [17]

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
Booth AnnouncersTurn Reporters Pit/garage reporters

Chief Announcer: Sid Collins
Driver expert: Fred Agabashian
Statistician: Charlie Brockman

Turn 1: Bill Frosh
Turn 2: John Peterson
Backstretch: Bernie Herman
Turn 3: Lou Palmer
Turn 4: Jim Shelton

Greg Smith (north)
Jack Shapiro (center)
Luke Walton (south)

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References

  1. ↑ Fox, Jack C. (1994). The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 (4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22. ISBN   0-915088-05-3.
  2. ↑ Stranahan, Bob (May 31, 1959). "Good Race Day Time Had By All". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 2, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 3, 2010. WFNI.
  4. ↑ "Fatalities - May 1959". The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 14, 2004
  6. ↑ "1959 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  7. ↑ Barnet, Bob (May 31, 1959). "He Dodged Flying Iron to Win Fastest "500" (Part 1)". The Star Press. p. 21. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  8. ↑ Barnet, Bob (May 31, 1959). "He Dodged Flying Iron to Win Fastest "500" (Part 2)". The Star Press. p. 22. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  9. ↑ Claus, Jimmy (May 31, 1959). "Sporting Around (Part 1)". The Star Press. p. 43. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  10. ↑ Claus, Jimmy (May 31, 1959). "Sporting Around (Part 2)". The Star Press. p. 44. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley – 1070-AM WIBC, May 9, 2007
  12. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley . May 23, 2007. 1070 WIBC-AM.
  13. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley . May 19, 2016. WFNI.
  14. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley . May 5, 2012. WFNI.
  15. ↑ Capps, Don; Cameron Argetsinger (October 25, 2000). "Where Upon Our Scribe, Sherman, & Mr. Peabody Once Again Crank Up The Way-Back Machine for 1961." AtlasF1. Rear View Mirror. 6 (43). Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Indianapolis 1959 - Championship • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  17. ↑ "Alaska Joins '500' Hookup". The Indianapolis News. May 29, 1959. p. 44. Retrieved March 6, 2018– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
Previous race:
1959 Monaco Grand Prix 		FIA Formula One World Championship
1959 season 		Next race:
1959 Dutch Grand Prix
Previous race:
1958 Indianapolis 500
Jimmy Bryan 		1959 Indianapolis 500
Rodger Ward 		Next race:
1960 Indianapolis 500
Jim Rathmann
Preceded by
135.601 mph
(1957 Indianapolis 500)
 Record for the Indianapolis 500 fastest average speed
135.875 mph		Succeeded by
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