1968 Indianapolis 500

1968 Indianapolis 500

The 52nd International 500 Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday May 30, 1968. For the second year in a row, Andy Granatelli's STP Turbine-powered machine dominates the race, but once again, fails within sight of victory.

On lap 174 Lloyd Ruby's engine misfires allowing Joe Leonard to take the lead in the Lotus 56 turbine. Leonard, however, suffers a flameout on the lap 190 restart, and rolls to a silent and shocking halt. Bobby Unser in the venerable piston-powered Offenhauser, inherits the lead, and despite gearbox trouble, goes on to win his first of three Indy 500 victories.

This was the final Indianapolis 500 to feature a front-engined car in the starting field. Of the 33 cars, 32 were rear-engined machines (including three turbines). Jim Hurtubise's entry, which drops out after nine laps, is the last front-engine car to race in the 500.

During the month, film crews were on hand to film various action shots and stock footage of the race proceedings to be used in the upcoming movie Winning, starring Paul Newman.

With 9.25 inches of precipitation in the Indianapolis area, the 1968 race featured the wettest month on record for the Indy 500. Rain hampers practice and qualifying, but does not affect race day.

Read more about 1968 Indianapolis 500:  Race Schedule, Practice and Time Trials, Box Score, Qualification Chronology, Race Notes, Gallery