Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The 1968 Indianapolis 500 was the second and ultimately the final year of participation by the controversial STP Granatelli Turbine machines. For 1968, the Pratt & Whitney turbine engine was installed in the Lotus 56 chassis, often known colloquially as the "Wedge Turbine," and sometimes affectionately as the " Doorstop ."
The winner of the Indianapolis 500 is awarded a small replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy. The Indianapolis 500 (also called the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race) [a] [2] is an annual American open-wheel car race held on American Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), in Speedway, Indiana. [3]
The 1968 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 28 races, beginning in Hanford, California on March 17 and concluding in Riverside, California on December 7. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Bobby Unser. Mike Spence died in an accident while practicing for the 1968 Indianapolis 500.
Watson-built roadsters won the Indianapolis 500 in 1956, 1959, 1960, 1962, and 1964; and the 1961 and 1963 winners were closely resembled Watson-based designs. During this time (1950–1960), the Indy 500 awarded points towards the World Championship of Drivers. However, very few European entries even made an attempt to race at Indy.
Duman's final Indy 500 start came in 1968 race. On the final turn of the final lap, Duman's engine blew coming out of turn four, and he coasted across the finish line to finish 6th. [4] [5] The 1968 race would be his best result at Indianapolis, as just over a one-week later, Duman was killed in a crash at Milwaukee.
Unser won the Indy 500 in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987, and is the only driver in history to have both a sibling and a child also win one of the biggest races in the world.
The Lotus 56 was a gas turbine-powered four-wheel-driven racing car, designed by Maurice Philippe as Team Lotus's STP-backed entry in the 1968 Indianapolis 500.All three cars entered and retired from the race with Joe Leonard's car expiring while leading just eight laps from the finish.
Family said that Bill Vukovich Jr., who was the 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, died after catching pneumonia. Losing the last Bill Vukovich: Famed Fresno racer, who faced tragedy on ...