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Driver
Jim Rathmann and Crew Chief Smokey Yunick renewed their
association at the 1962 Indy 500® for the third consecutive year.
Rathmann's first qualifying attempt on the second day of
qualifying, Sunday May 13, was too slow, and the crew waved him
off. On Wednesday May 16, Rathmann took to the track with an  inverted
wing mounted to his car. Yunick had had crew member Bruce Crower
prepare the wing in an effort to increase downforce and speed.
This was the first wing ever seen at the Speedway, and one of the
first on any racing car.
Rathmann and
Yunick were subjected to the jibes of other drivers and crew about
the "sunshade." In practice, the wing enabled Rathmann
to be clocked in the corners at 146 mph, at the time the fastest
cornering speed ever at the Brickyard® . But the increased drag
prevented the car from going much faster than 146 on the
straights. There was no time to fabricate another wing with less
drag. Rathmann qualified in 23rd spot at 146.610 mph on
the third day of qualifying, Saturday May 19, without the wing. In
the 1962 Indy 500®, Rathmann moved up steadily through the field
to be in 10th place at the 150-mile mark. Although
Rathmann held onto the group of cars behind the lead pack and
advanced as high as 7th in the order, he was unable to
challenge the leaders. Jim Rathmann finished 9th in the
1962 Indianapolis 500® , which was won by Rodger Ward at a record
speed of 140.292 mph. The following year, the USAC rules
prohibited wings, and despite aerodynamic experiments in other
forms of racing, the ban at the Speedway would not be lifted until
1972.
Model
Details
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