Formula 1 historical archive

Bob Sweikert won the 1955 Indianapolis 500

Bob Sweikert won the 1955 Indianapolis 500 for Kurtis Kraft, ahead of Tony Bettenhausen and Paul Russo at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Browse the full classification, related season, driver, team, circuit, and championship history.

Race recap

Winner
Bob Sweikert
Team
Kurtis Kraft
Top listed
Bob Sweikert, Tony Bettenhausen, and Paul Russo
Race date
May 30, 1955
Pole
Jerry Hoyt
Fastest lap
Bill Vukovich
Classified drivers
35
Circuit
Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The decisive result

Bob Sweikert finished first for Kurtis Kraft. Tony Bettenhausen is listed 2 for Kurtis Kraft, with Paul Russo 2 for Kurtis Kraft.

Grid to finish

Johnny Thomson from P33 to P4 (+29), Eddie Johnson from P32 to P13 (+19), and Bob Sweikert from P14 to P1 (+13) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Jerry Hoyt started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 12 Finished, 4 Accident, 3 Engine, 3 Transmission, and 2 +4 laps. Bill Vukovich holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:03.670 on lap 27. It records the result without speculating about incidents or strategy.

This summary sticks to the classification and does not speculate about incidents, strategy, weather, or causes. Source: F1DB (CC BY 4.0) · updated Jul 26, 2026.

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Race classification
PosDriverConstructorTime / statusPoints
1Bob SweikertKurtis Kraft3:53:59.5308
2Tony BettenhausenKurtis Kraft3:56:43.0903
2Paul RussoKurtis KraftFinished3
3Jimmy DaviesKurtis Kraft3:57:31.8904
4Johnny ThomsonKuzma3:57:38.4403
5Walt FaulknerKurtis Kraft3:59:16.7001
5Bill HomeierKurtis KraftFinished1
6Andy LindenKurtis Kraft3:59:57.4700
7Al HermanKurtis Kraft4:00:23.7700
8Pat O'ConnorKurtis Kraft4:00:41.1300
9Jimmy DaywaltKurtis Kraft4:01:09.3400
10Pat FlahertyKurtis Kraft4:01:46.0700
11Duane CarterKuzma+3 laps0
12Chuck WeyantKurtis Kraft+4 laps0
13Eddie JohnsonTrevis+4 laps0
14Jim RathmannEpperly+9 laps0
15Don FreelandPhillipsTransmission0
16Cal NidayKurtis KraftAccident0
17Art CrossKurtis KraftEngine0
18Shorty TemplemanTrevisTransmission0