Made for Mobil as a promotional piece, THE INDIANAPOLIS 500 was produced by Dynamic Films, directed by Lester S. Becker, with narration by Ralph Camargo. The film shows the 1960 Indianapolis 500, one of the most exciting in history. Defending champion Rodger Ward and challenger Jim Rathmann dueled right down to the last lap. The cars and drivers in this race included Troy Ruttman, Red Amick, A.J. Foyt, Johnny Boyd, Chuck Stevenson, Eddie Sachs, Bob Veith, Johnny Thomson, Len Sutton, Shorty Templeman and Don Freeland. Many other drivers and racing personalities are shown throughout the film, such as Paul Goldsmith, George Bignotti, Ward, Rathmann, Sachs, Duane Carter, A.J. Watson, Foyt, Don Branson, Tommy Milton, Larry Bisceglia, Boyd, Dempsey Wilson, Smokey Yunick, Chuck Hulse, Bob Wilkie, Tom Binford, Ray Harroun and Bill Vandewater.
The 44th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1960. The event was part of the 1960 USAC National Championship Trail, and was included in the 1960 World Drivers Championship. It would be the final time World Championship points would be awarded at the Indy 500.
Often regarded as the greatest two-man duel in Indianapolis 500 history, the 1960 race saw a then-record 29 lead changes (a record that stood until 2012). Jim Rathmann and Rodger Ward battled out nearly the entire second half. Rathmann took the lead for good on lap 197 after Ward was forced to slow down with a worn out tire. Rathmann’s margin of victory of 12.75 seconds was the second-closest finish in Indy history at the time.
In the second half, Ward had caught up to Rathmann, with Johnny Thomson close behind in third. Rathmann and Ward swapped the lead several times, but meanwhile Ward was hoping that the pace would slow down, in order to save his tires to the end. After stalling in the pits earlier, the hard charge Ward made to get back to the front was a concern, as he was afraid he had worn out his tires prematurely. Ward was aware of Rathmann’s tendencies as a driver, and allowed Rathmann to pass him for the lead. Rathmann was known for charging hard to take the lead, but once he was in the lead, would often back the pace down. Ward’s prediction came true, but it was at the expense of losing ground to third place. Johnny Thomson was now catching up.
With Thomson closing in on the leaders, Ward and Rathmann started charging again, racing each other hard, swapping the lead between themselves. Meanwhile Thomson’s engine lost power, and he slowed to a 5th place finish. Inside ten laps to go, Rodger Ward seemed to have the faster car, and took the lead on lap 194. A few laps later though, Ward saw the cords in his right front tire showing, and he let off the pace. Jim Rathmann took the lead on lap 197, and pulled away for victory. Due to Ward’s experience as a tire tester, he was able to nurse his car to the finish without pitting to change the bad tire, and held on to second place. Despite winning twice (1959 and 1962), Rodger Ward often considered this race his personal best.
Paul Goldsmith charged from 26th starting position to finish 3rd, holding off 4th place Don Branson by about a car length.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
