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1962 was a year of breakthrough and change at Indianapolis. After 50 years, the last of the brick racing surface was paved over with asphalt, with only one yard of bricks left remaining at the start finish line. Sophmore driver Parnelli Jones became the first driver to turn a lap at 150mph* en route to winning the pole position.
Parnelli Jones dominated early, but lost his brakes - and although he managed to continue, the only way he could make his pit stops was to rub the car against the pit wall and crash into a barrier of tires his crew put out for him! This time consuming endeavor cost Parnelli and shot at victory.
In the end, it was teammates Rodger Ward and Len Sutton sweeping the top two positions for Ward’s second win in 4 years - part of an incredible record that saw him finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st and 4th between 1959 and 1963.
*There are unconfirmed reports that in the 1958 Indianapolis 500 Pat Flaherty may have turned a 150mph lap in the John Zink #64.
