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
Brickyardâ . 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 500â
, 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 500â ,
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.
started 23rd
finished 9th
