On this IMS Memory Lane flashback, we relive the full race broadcast of the 1968 Indianapolis 500, which was won by Bobby Unser.
For the second consecutive year, a gas turbine-powered car dropped out while leading in the final laps. This time it was former motorcycle champion Joe Leonard who was stranded, the Pratt & Whitney rear-mounted engine in his wedge-shaped Lotus suffering a “flameout” only nine laps from the finish.
Into the lead swept Unser, on his way to the first of his three “500” victories as well as to the first ever for an engine outfitted with a turbocharger. Unser, who battled for much of the distance with pole-sitter Leonard and perennial “hard luck” driver Lloyd Ruby, had to overcome a major obstacle in the second half. Having lost all but top gear, he demonstrated extraordinary skill on his final two pit stops by being able to pull out and get up to speed without stalling.
Dan Gurney, whose company built the Eagle chassis driven to the win by Unser, finished second in an Eagle of his own, this one powered by a “stock-block” Ford engine utilizing a Weslake head. Ever the innovator, Gurney was also debuting the very first full-face helmet to be used here, while, at the other extreme, the early exit by Jim Hurtubise marked the final appearance for a front-engined car in an Indianapolis 500.
3 апр 2023
