1964 Indianapolis 500

	Email		Print
	Bookmark		Link

1964 Indianapolis 500

The 1964 Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500 race.It has existed since 1909, and is the original "Speedway," the first racing facility historically to incorporate the word....
on Saturday, May 30 1964. It was won by A.J. Foyt, but is best known for a fiery second-lap accident that resulted in the deaths of Eddie Sachs

Eddie Sachs

Edmund Sachs was a United States Auto Club driver who was known as the "Caped Crusader of Auto Racing" and "Clown Prince of Auto Racing" for his personality at the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race....
and Dave MacDonald

Dave MacDonald

Dave MacDonald was a Corvette and Shelby Cobra sports car driver in the early 1960s. He was one of two drivers killed during the 1964 Indianapolis 500 in a fiery crash that directly led to a change in fuel type from gasoline to methanol....
, involving a total of seven cars. It is also the last race won by a front-engined "roadster", as all subsequent races have been won by rear-engined cars.

onald was driving a car owned and designed by Mickey Thompson

Mickey Thompson

Discussion

Ask a question about '1964 Indianapolis 500'

Start a new discussion about '1964 Indianapolis 500'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Encyclopedia

The 1964 Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Eddie Sachs

Dave MacDonald

Sachs-MacDonald Crash

MacDonald was driving a car owned and designed by Mickey Thompson

Mickey Thompson

Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an United States off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group ....
, the #83 "Sears-Allstate Special". It was a rear-engined car that first raced in 1963, updated with a streamlined body for 1964. The fuel was housed within rubber bladders inside of an enclosed tank that ran between the tires on the left side. The car also featured Sears "Allstate" tires, manufactured by Armstrong Tire and Rubber Co. It was far ahead of its time, but was badly designed, poorly built and difficult to drive. It handled badly, a condition made worse when the body was modified to accommodate the USAC

USAC

The acronym USAC can refer to the following:* The Undergraduate Student Association Council, a branch of Associated Students UCLA.* Universal Service Administrative Company...
-mandated tires. Graham Hill

Graham Hill

Norman Graham Hill was a United Kingdom racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He was born in Hampstead, London.Graham Hill is the only driver to win the so-called Triple Crown of Motorsport....
tested the vehicle before Indy, but refused to drive it in 1963. Masten Gregory

Masten Gregory

Masten Gregory was a racing driver from USA. He raced in Formula One between and , participating in 43 World Championship races, and numerous non-Championship races....
crashed earlier in the month due to aerodynamic lift. Other drivers took the advice of Gregory, and stayed away from the Thompson cars. Jim Clark told MacDonald on Carb Day, "Get out of that car mate, just walk away." The ride also offered to Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

Mario Gabriele Andretti is an Italian American former automobile auto racing driver, and one of the most successful United States in the history of the sport....
, who turned it down due Andretti's concerns over his lack of experience and the fact that the ride was only for Indy. According to long-time motor sports journalist Chris Economaki

Chris Economaki

Christopher "Chris" Constantine Economaki is a legendary United States motorsports commentator, pit road reporter, and journalist. Chris Economaki has been given the title "The Dean of American Motorsports." Microsoft chose Economaki to author the auto racing history portion of its Encarta Encyclopedia....
, MacDonald never practiced with a full load of fuel due to Thompson's focus on high speeds.

In the first lap of his first Indy 500 race in 1964, MacDonald passed at least 5 other cars. As MacDonald passed Johnny Rutherford

Johnny Rutherford

John Sherman Rutherford, III is a retired United States of America automobile racer.The Texas-raised "Lonestar J.R." is one of eight drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 mile race at least three times: in 1974 Indianapolis 500, 1976 Indianapolis 500, and 1980 Indianapolis 500....
and Sachs, Rutherford noticed that MacDonald's car was very loose, even throwing grass and dirt up from the edge of the track. Rutherford later said that, watching the behavior of MacDonald's car, he thought, "Whoa, he's either gonna win this thing or crash."

On the second lap, MacDonald lost control coming off the fourth turn. As the car began to slide, he came across the track and hit the inside wall, igniting the gasoline in his fuel tanks (approximately 70-100 gallon

Gallon

A gallon is a measure of volume of approximately four litres. Historically it has had many different definitions, but there are three definitions in current use....
s) which caused a massive fire. His car then slid back across the track, causing seven more cars to be involved. Ronnie Duman

Ronnie Duman

Ronnie Duman , was an American racecar driver.Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Duman died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during a fatal crash in the ABC Supply Company A.J....
crashed, spun in flames and hit the pit lane wall, and was burned. Bobby Unser

Bobby Unser

Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired United States automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser and Jerry Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr....
hit another car, and Johnny Rutherford's car on its left rear tire, and crashed into the outside wall. Chuck Stevenson

Chuck Stevenson

Chuck Stevenson was an United States racecar driver.He drove in the American Automobile Association and United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1949-1954, 1960-1961 and 1963-1965 seasons with 54 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1951-1954, 1960-1961, and 1963-1965....
and Norm Hall

Norm Hall

Norm Hall , was an American racecar driver.Born in San Francisco, California, Hall died in Pittsboro, Indiana. He drove in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1961, 1964, and 1965 seasons, with 17 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1961 and 1964....
also crashed.

Sachs, blinded by the smoke, hit MacDonald's burning car, and died in the fire before he could be freed. According to eye-witnesses, he was burned alive. His car, including his body, was covered by a tarp before being towed away during the cleanup. A lemon that had been on a string around Sachs' neck was found inside of Rutherford's car after the crash.

MacDonald was pulled from the wreck and taken into the infield hospital, burned beyond recognition. His lungs were seared from flame inhalation, causing acute pulmonary oedema. He died at 1:20 in the afternoon.

The crash was well-documented in film and still images, and shown worldwide. For the first time in its history, a red flag stopped the Indy 500. Partially in response to media pressure, USAC mandated that cars carry less fuel, a change that also led every team to switch from gasoline to methanol prior to the next year's Indy 500.

Finish	Start	No	Name	Qual	Rank	Laps	Led	Status
1	5	1		154.672	6	200	146	Running
2	3	2	Rodger Ward Rodger Ward Rodger Ward was an United States racecar driver who won the 1959 and 1962 Indianapolis 500. He also was the 1959 and 1962 USAC Championship Car champion....	156.406	3	200	0	Running
3	7	18	Lloyd Ruby Lloyd Ruby Lloyd Ruby is a retired American racecar driver.Ruby raced in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series in the 1958-1977 seasons, with 177 career starts, including every Indianapolis 500 race during 1960-1977....	153.932	8	200	0	Running
4	21	99	Johnny White Johnny White Johnny White , was an American racecar driver.Born in Warren, Michigan, White died in Indianapolis, Indiana. He drove in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1963 and 1964 seasons, with 11 career starts, including the 1964 Indianapolis 500....	150.893	28	200	0	Running
5	13	88	Johnny Boyd Johnny Boyd Johnny Boyd was an American racecar driver.Born in Fresno, California, Boyd drove in the American Automobile Association and United States Automobile Club Championship Car series from 1954 to 1966 with 56 starts....	151.835	18	200	0	Running
6	19	15	Bud Tingelstad Bud Tingelstad Bud Tingelstad was an American racecar driver.Born in Frazee, Minnesota, Tingelstad died of a heart attack in Indianapolis, Indiana. He drove in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1960-1971 seasons with 120 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in each year except 1961 and 1970....	151.210	26	198	0	Flagged
7	12	23	Dick Rathmann Dick Rathmann Dick Rathmann was an United States racecar driver.He drove in the American Automobile Association Championship Car series in the 1949 and 1950 seasons with 4 starts, including the 1950 Indianapolis 500....	151.860	17	197	0	Flagged
8	27	4	Bob Harkey Bob Harkey Bob Harkey , is a former driver in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series. He raced in the 1963-1979 seasons, with 85 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1964, 1971 and 1973-1976....	151.573	19	197	0	Flagged
9	32	68	Bob Wente Bob Wente Bob Wente, was an American racecar driver.Midget carHe started racing midget car racing in 1953 at the St. Louis Auto Racing Association....	149.869	31	197	0	Flagged
10	20	16	Bobby Grim Bobby Grim Robert "Bobby" Grim was an American racecar driver.Born in Coal City, Indiana, Grim died of cancer in Indianapolis, Indiana. He drove in the and United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1958-1969 seasons with 66 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races each year from 1959-1968 except 1965....	151.038	27	196	0	Flagged
11	30	3	Art Malone Art Malone Art Malone is a retired American racecar driver.Malone is known primarily as a drag racer and was the 1963 American Hot Rod Association Top Fuel World champion....	151.222	25	194	0	Flagged
12	9	5	Don Branson Don Branson Don Branson was an American racecar driver.Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Branson was killed in a racing crash at Ascot Park in Gardena, California....	152.672	12	187	0	Clutch
13	10	53	Walt Hansgen Walt Hansgen Walt Hansgen was a racecar driver driver from the United States. A four time SCCA Road Racing Champ, he participated in 2 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on October 8, 1961....	152.581	13	176	0	Flagged
14	11	56	Jim Hurtubise Jim Hurtubise Jim Hurtubise was an American race car driver who raced in United States Automobile Club American Championship Car Racing , as well as Sprint car racing and stock cars ....	152.542	14	141	0	Oil Pressure
15	8	66	Len Sutton Len Sutton Len Sutton was an United States racecar driver. He is best known for finishing second at the 1962 Indianapolis 500....	153.813	9	140	0	Magneto
16	33	62	Bill Cheesbourg Bill Cheesbourg Bill Cheesbourg was an American racecar driver.Cheesbourg started racing jalopies in Tucson and successfully moved into midgets racing all over Arizona after World War II....	148.711	33	131	0	Engine
17	6	12	Dan Gurney Dan Gurney Daniel Sexton Gurney is an American racing driver, race car constructor, and team owner.The son of a Metropolitan Opera star, he was born in Port Jefferson, New York, but moved to California as a teenager....	154.487	7	110	0	Tire wear
18	18	14	Troy Ruttman Troy Ruttman Troy Ruttman was an American race car driver. He was the older brother of NASCAR driver Joe Ruttman.Ruttman won the Indianapolis 500 in 1952 Indianapolis 500, and , he is the youngest winner of the race....	151.292	24	99	0	Spun T3
19	23	54	Bob Veith Bob Veith Bob Veith was an American racecar driver.Veith drove in the American Automobile Association and United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing from 1955 to 1968 with 63 starts....	153.381	10	88	0	Piston
20	25	52	Jack Brabham Jack Brabham Sir John Arthur "Jack" Brabham, Order of Australia, Officer of the Order of the British Empire is an Australian former racing driver who was Formula One champion in 1959, 1960 and 1966....	152.504	15	77	0	Fuel Tank
21	26	28	Jim McElreath Jim McElreath Jim McElreath , is a former driver in the United States Automobile Club and Champ Car Championship Car series....	152.381	16	77	0	Filter system
22	28	77	Bob Mathouser Bob Mathouser Bob Mathouser , was an American racecar driver.Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Mathouser died in Los Angeles, California. He drove in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1961-1966 seasons, with 30 career starts, including the 1964 Indianapolis 500....	151.451	21	77	0	Brakes
23	4	98	Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indianapolis 500 Indy 500 in a turbine car....	155.099	4	55	7	Pit fire
24	1	6	Jim Clark Jim Clark Jim Clark Officer of the Order of the British Empire was a Scotland Formula One Auto racing.He was the dominant driver of his era, winning two List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions, in 1963 and 1965....	158.828	1	47	14	Suspension
25	2	51	Bobby Marshman Bobby Marshman Bobby Marshman , was an American racecar driver.Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Marshman died in San Antonio, Texas from injuries sustained in a tire test in Phoenix, Arizona....	157.857	2	39	33	Oil Plug
26	24	84	Eddie Johnson Eddie Johnson (auto racer) Eddie Johnson was an American racecar driver.Born in Richmond, Virginia, Johnson died in a plane crash near Cleveland, Ohio. He drove in the American Automobile Association and United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1950-1952 and 1955-1966 seasons with 33 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in all of...	152.905	11	6	0	Fuel Pump
27	15	86	Johnny Rutherford Johnny Rutherford John Sherman Rutherford, III is a retired United States of America automobile racer.The Texas-raised "Lonestar J.R." is one of eight drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 mile race at least three times: in 1974 Indianapolis 500, 1976 Indianapolis 500, and 1980 Indianapolis 500....	151.400	23	2	0	Crash FS
28	29	95	Chuck Stevenson Chuck Stevenson Chuck Stevenson was an United States racecar driver.He drove in the American Automobile Association and United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1949-1954, 1960-1961 and 1963-1965 seasons with 54 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1951-1954, 1960-1961, and 1963-1965....	150.830	29	2	0	Crash FS
29	14	83	Dave MacDonald Dave MacDonald Dave MacDonald was a Corvette and Shelby Cobra sports car driver in the early 1960s. He was one of two drivers killed during the 1964 Indianapolis 500 in a fiery crash that directly led to a change in fuel type from gasoline to methanol....	151.464	20	1	0	Crash FS (fatal)
30	17	25	Eddie Sachs Eddie Sachs Edmund Sachs was a United States Auto Club driver who was known as the "Caped Crusader of Auto Racing" and "Clown Prince of Auto Racing" for his personality at the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race....	151.439	22	1	0	Crash FS (fatal)
31	16	64	Ronnie Duman Ronnie Duman Ronnie Duman , was an American racecar driver.Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Duman died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during a fatal crash in the ABC Supply Company A.J....	149.744	32	1	0	Crash FS
32	22	9	Bobby Unser Bobby Unser Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired United States automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser and Jerry Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr....	154.865	5	1	0	Crash FS
33	31	26	Norm Hall Norm Hall Norm Hall , was an American racecar driver.Born in San Francisco, California, Hall died in Pittsboro, Indiana. He drove in the United States Automobile Club Championship Car series, racing in the 1961, 1964, and 1965 seasons, with 17 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1961 and 1964....	150.094	30	1	0	Crash T4