1959 Indianapolis 500

Previous race

At Monaco, Jack Brabham won his first Formula One Grand Prix, driving for the works Cooper team. Tony Brooks finished second for Ferrari, with Maurice Trintignant third in the Rob Walker Cooper. Brabham also set the fastest lap, taking a maximum nine points to open the championship.

Championship standings

Brabham leads the Drivers’ Championship with nine points. Brooks holds second with six, Trintignant third with four.

Practice

Two drivers were killed during the month of practice. On 2 May, Jerry Unser lost control in Turn Four, spun, and flipped down the main stretch; his car caught fire and he died from burn complications on 17 May. On 19 May, rookie Bob Cortner crashed in Turn Three after a wind gust and was killed instantly of head injuries.

Tony Bettenhausen suffered a heavy crash during a practice run on pole day, hitting the outside wall and flipping over the inside guardrail. He escaped with minor injuries and qualified on the second weekend of time trials.

Entrants

No regular Formula One competitors are entered. The event is held one day before the Dutch Grand Prix, making attendance by Grand Prix drivers effectively impossible. Rodger Ward, who won the 1952 and 1953 USAC championships, is among the leading contenders.

After three years away, Duane Carter returns to qualify for his ninth Indianapolis 500 start.

All cars are required to run roll bars for the first time.