Formula 1 historical archive

Jim Rathmann won the 1960 Indianapolis 500

Jim Rathmann won the 1960 Indianapolis 500 for Watson, ahead of Rodger Ward and Paul Goldsmith at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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

Race recap

Winner
Jim Rathmann
Team
Watson
Top listed
Jim Rathmann, Rodger Ward, and Paul Goldsmith
Race date
May 30, 1960
Pole
Eddie Sachs
Fastest lap
Jim Rathmann
Classified drivers
33
Circuit
Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The decisive result

Jim Rathmann finished first for Watson. Rodger Ward is listed 2 for Watson, with Paul Goldsmith 3 for Epperly.

Grid to finish

Paul Goldsmith from P26 to P3 (+23), Bud Tingelstad from P28 to P9 (+19), and Bill Homeier from P31 to P13 (+18) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Eddie Sachs started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 13 Finished, 4 Engine, 3 Brakes, 3 Magneto, and 2 +4 laps. Jim Rathmann holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:01.590 on lap 197. 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
1Jim RathmannWatson3:36:11.3608
2Rodger WardWatson3:36:24.1096
3Paul GoldsmithEpperly3:39:18.6604
4Don BransonPhillips3:39:19.3393
5Johnny ThomsonLesovsky3:39:22.7102
6Eddie JohnsonTrevis3:40:21.9691
7Lloyd RubyWatson3:40:36.9500
8Bob VeithMeskowski3:41:28.8390
9Bud TingelstadTrevis3:44:31.2690
10Bob ChristieKurtis Kraft3:44:51.6390
11Red AmickEpperly3:47:21.9400
12Duane CarterKuzma3:47:28.5590
13Bill HomeierKuzma3:48:22.0700
14Gene HartleyKurtis Kraft+4 laps0
15Chuck StevensonWatson+4 laps0
16Bobby GrimMeskowski+6 laps0
17Shorty TemplemanKurtis Kraft+9 laps0
18Jim HurtubiseChristensenEngine0
19Jimmy BryanEpperlyFuel system0
20Troy RuttmanWatsonAxle0