Indianapolis 500

Round 2 · Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, USA

1959-05-30

Winner: Rodger Ward (Watson)

Rodger Ward

Watson

Rodger Ward

Watson · 3:40:49.200

Jim Rathmann

Watson · +23.280

Who won the 1959 Indianapolis 500?

The 1959 Indianapolis 500 was won by Rodger Ward driving for Watson, starting from 6th on the grid. Rodger Ward finished second, 3:40:49.200 behind, with Jim Rathmann completing the podium. It was an attrition-heavy race with 34 retirements, many due to mechanical issues. This was Round 2 of the 1959 Formula 1 World Championship, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, USA. Paul Russo was the biggest mover of the race, gaining 18 positions from P27 to finish P9.

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Race Results

Pos	Driver	Team	Grid	+/-	Time	Status	Pts
1	Rodger Ward	Watson	6	▲5	3:40:49.200	Finished	8
1	Rodger Ward	Watson	6	▲5	3:40:49.200	Finished	8
2	Jim Rathmann	Watson	3	▲1	+23.280	Finished	6
2	Jim Rathmann	Watson	3	▲1	+23.280	Finished	6
3	Johnny Thomson	Lesovsky	1	▼2	+50.640	Finished	5
3	Johnny Thomson	Lesovsky	1	▼2	+50.640	Finished	5
4	Tony Bettenhausen	Epperly	15	▲11	+1:47.090	Finished	3
4	Tony Bettenhausen	Epperly	15	▲11	+1:47.090	Finished	3
5	Paul Goldsmith	Epperly	16	▲11	+2:06.440	Finished	2
5	Paul Goldsmith	Epperly	16	▲11	+2:06.440	Finished	2
6	Johnny Boyd	Epperly	11	▲5	+3:16.980	Finished	0
6	Johnny Boyd	Epperly	11	▲5	+3:16.980	Finished	0
7	Duane Carter	Kurtis Kraft	12	▲5	+4:09.920	Finished	0
7	Duane Carter	Kurtis Kraft	12	▲5	+4:09.920	Finished	0
8	Eddie Johnson	Kurtis Kraft	8	—	+4:10.530	Finished	0
8	Eddie Johnson	Kurtis Kraft	8	—	+4:10.530	Finished	0
9	Paul Russo	Kurtis Kraft	27	▲18	+4:11.040	Finished	0
9	Paul Russo	Kurtis Kraft	27	▲18	+4:11.040	Finished	0
10	Anthony Foyt	Kuzma	17	▲7	+4:14.480	Finished	0
10	Anthony Foyt	Kuzma	17	▲7	+4:14.480	Finished	0
11	Gene Hartley	Kuzma	9	▼2	+5:42.480	Finished	0
11	Gene Hartley	Kuzma	9	▼2	+5:42.480	Finished	0
12	Bob Veith	Moore	7	▼5	+6:09.730	Finished	0
12	Bob Veith	Moore	7	▼5	+6:09.730	Finished	0
13	Al Herman	Dunn	23	▲10	+6:40.400	Finished	0
13	Al Herman	Dunn	23	▲10	+6:40.400	Finished	0
14	Jimmy Daywalt	Kurtis Kraft	13	▼1	+6:41.540	Finished	0
14	Jimmy Daywalt	Kurtis Kraft	13	▼1	+6:41.540	Finished	0
15	Chuck Arnold	Kurtis Kraft	21	▲6	+8:19.860	Finished	0
15	Chuck Arnold	Kurtis Kraft	21	▲6	+8:19.860	Finished	0
16	Jim McWithey	Kurtis Kraft	33	▲17	+11:41.690	Finished	0
16	Jim McWithey	Kurtis Kraft	33	▲17	+11:41.690	Finished	0
R	Jimmy Bryan	Epperly	20	—	—	Engine	0
R	Eddie Sachs	Kuzma	2	—	—	Spun off	0
R	Jimmy Bryan	Epperly	20	—	—	Engine	0
R	Eddie Sachs	Kuzma	2	—	—	Spun off	0
R	Al Keller	Kuzma	28	—	—	Engine	0
R	Pat Flaherty	Watson	18	—	—	Accident	0
R	Dick Rathmann	Watson	4	—	—	Heat shield fire	0
R	Bill Cheesbourg	Kuzma	30	—	—	Magneto	0
R	Don Freeland	Kurtis Kraft	25	—	—	Magneto	0
R	Ray Crawford	Elder	32	—	—	Accident	0
R	Don Branson	Phillips	10	—	—	Suspension	0
R	Bob Christie	Kurtis Kraft	24	—	—	Engine	0
R	Bobby Grim	Kurtis Kraft	5	—	—	Magneto	0
R	Jack Turner	Christensen	14	—	—	Fuel leak	0
R	Chuck Weyant	Kurtis Kraft	29	—	—	Accident	0
R	Jud Larson	Kurtis Kraft	19	—	—	Accident	0
R	Mike Magill	Sutton	31	—	—	Accident	0
R	Red Amick	Kurtis Kraft	26	—	—	Accident	0
R	Len Sutton	Lesovsky	22	—	—	Accident	0
R	Pat Flaherty	Watson	18	—	—	Accident	0
R	Al Keller	Kuzma	28	—	—	Engine	0
R	Dick Rathmann	Watson	4	—	—	Heat shield fire	0
R	Bill Cheesbourg	Kuzma	30	—	—	Magneto	0
R	Don Freeland	Kurtis Kraft	25	—	—	Magneto	0
R	Ray Crawford	Elder	32	—	—	Accident	0
R	Don Branson	Phillips	10	—	—	Suspension	0
R	Bob Christie	Kurtis Kraft	24	—	—	Engine	0
R	Bobby Grim	Kurtis Kraft	5	—	—	Magneto	0
R	Jack Turner	Christensen	14	—	—	Fuel leak	0
R	Chuck Weyant	Kurtis Kraft	29	—	—	Accident	0
R	Jud Larson	Kurtis Kraft	19	—	—	Accident	0
R	Mike Magill	Sutton	31	—	—	Accident	0
R	Red Amick	Kurtis Kraft	26	—	—	Accident	0
R	Len Sutton	Lesovsky	22	—	—	Accident	0

1959 Indianapolis 500 — FAQ

Who won the 1959 Indianapolis 500?+

Rodger Ward (Watson) won the 1959 Indianapolis 500 on 1959-05-30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Who finished P1, P2 and P3 at the 1959 Indianapolis 500?+

P1: Rodger Ward (Watson). P2: Rodger Ward (Watson), 3:40:49.200 behind. P3: Jim Rathmann (Watson), +23.280 behind.

Who was on pole position for the 1959 Indianapolis 500?+

Johnny Thomson took pole position for the 1959 Indianapolis 500.

Which team won the 1959 Indianapolis 500?+

Watson won the 1959 Indianapolis 500 with Rodger Ward taking victory.