1959 Indianapolis 500
The 43rd International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1959. The event was part of the 1959 USAC National Championship Trail and was also race 2 of 9 in the 1959 World Championship of Drivers.
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | USAC | ||||
| Date | May 30, 1959 | ||||
| Winner | Rodger Ward | ||||
| Winning team | Leader Cards | ||||
| Average speed | 135.857 mph (218.641 km/h) | ||||
| Pole position | Johnny Thomson | ||||
| Pole speed | 145.908 mph (234.816 km/h) | ||||
| Most laps led | Rodger Ward (130) | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| Pace car | Buick Electra 225 | ||||
| Pace car driver | Sam Hanks | ||||
| Starter | Bill Vanderwater | ||||
| Estimated attendance | 180,000 | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
| |||||
Rodger Ward earned the first of two career Indy 500 victories. A record sixteen cars completed the full 500 miles.
All cars were required to have roll bars for the first time.
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