Indianapolis 500 1960 - Race Schedule and Countdown

The Indianapolis 500, counting toward the Formula 1 World Championship despite operating under entirely separate regulations, saw Jim Rathmann emerge victorious after one of the most intense battles in the race's storied history. Rathmann and Rodger Ward engaged in a spectacular wheel-to-wheel duel for much of the 500 miles, trading the lead repeatedly in a display of high-speed bravery that had the massive crowd on their feet. The two roadster pilots pushed their Watson-chassis machines to the absolute limit around the 2.5-mile oval, with Rathmann finally prevailing in a contest that showcased the unique skill set required for oval racing. The victory was a career highlight for Rathmann, who demonstrated both speed and tactical intelligence in managing fuel strategy and traffic throughout the grueling afternoon.

Ward settled for second place after his epic battle with the winner, while Paul Goldsmith completed the podium in his Epperly-chassis roadster. The race remained a curious anomaly in the Formula 1 championship structure, with none of the regular Grand Prix competitors making the journey to compete against the Indianapolis specialists. This disconnect meant that drivers like Rathmann scored world championship points despite never racing in a conventional Grand Prix, highlighting the increasingly awkward relationship between the oval specialists and road racing fraternity. The 1960 Indianapolis 500 would be remembered as a classic of American oval racing, even as its relevance to the European-centered Formula 1 championship became increasingly questionable. For the regular F1 competitors preparing for Zandvoort, the Indianapolis race was a distant curiosity in a parallel racing universe.