1966 Indianapolis 500

1966 Indianapolis 500

The 50th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1966.

Eleven of the 33 starters, a whole third of the field, was eliminated in a first-lap accident right after receiving the green flag on the mainstretch. No drivers are injured, except for A. J. Foyt, who hurts his hand scaling the catch fence trying to escape the wreck scene. Only seven cars, the fewest finishers ever, are still running by the end of the race.

First-time starter Jackie Stewart leads by over a lap late in the race in John Mecom's Lola T90-Ford. However, inside ten laps to go, his oil pressure drops too low due to a broken scavenge pump. Stewart parked the car, and walked back to the pits. Fellow "rookie" Graham Hill inherits the lead and led a total of 10 laps to win, the first rookie winner since 1927.

Defending race winner Jimmy Clark spun twice during the race, and finished second.