Click image for larger view
1959 saw the powerhouse team of Wilke, Watson and Ward reign supreme. Car owner Bob Wilke, mechanic and car designer AJ Watson, and driver Rodger ward started what would become an incredible finishing record over six years: 1959 - 1st, 1960 - 2nd, 1961 - 3rd, 1962 - 1st, 1963 - 4th, 1964 - 2nd.
For the first half of the race, a great battle was waged between Ward, Jim Rathmann, Johnny Thompson and Pat Flaherty, but on lap 85, Ward took the lead and led the reamining 115 laps finishing 22 seconds ahead of runner up Jim Rathmann. The following year, Ward and Rathmann would again take the top two spots, with Rathmann getting the victory in one of the greatest 500’s ever!
