1955 Indianapolis 500® Winner                        
Driver: #6 Bob Sweikert 
"John Zink Special"
Order Item# 4501

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Bob Sweikert's first start at Indianapolis was in 1952. In the 1955 Indianapolis 500 race he drove a Kurtis Kraft Roadster for car owner John Zink, with A.J. Watson as his chief mechanic. Sweikert had already used two of his three qualifying attempts when he qualified 14th fastest at 139.996 mph on the 3rd day of qualifying. Early in the race, Bill Vukovich and Jack McGrath, both in KK500C's, staged a thrilling duel for the lead. Sweikert moved up to 3rd place by lap 35. McGrath went out with engine trouble on the 55th lap. Leading Sweikert on Lap 57, Vukovich rounded Turn 2 and ran into a three-car accident. Vukovich was fatally injured in the crash. The field ran under yellow for nearly half an hour while the track was cleared. When racing resumed, Jimmy Bryan led, with Sweikert in pursuit. Bryan's engine failed after 89 laps, leaving the lead to Sweikert. 

While Sweikert made his final pit stop on Lap 133, Art Cross and Don Freeland moved into 1st and 2nd place. Sweikert resumed the lead when they pitted. Trying to catch Sweikert, Cross blew an engine. Sweikert led with half a lap over Freeland, until Lap 178 when Freeland's transmission failed. Pat O'Connor and Tony Bettenhausen raced for 2nd place until O'Connor had a 4-1/2 minute pit stop, dropping him to 8th place. Sweikert cruised to victory, finishing more than a lap ahead of Bettenhausen. Sweikert's winning speed in the 1955 Indianapolis 500 was 128.209 mph. for nearly half an hour while the track was cleared. When racing resumed, Jimmy Bryan led, with Sweikert in pursuit. Bryan's engine failed after 89 laps, leaving the lead to Sweikert. While Sweikert made his final pit stop on Lap 133, Art Cross and Don Freeland moved into 1st and 2nd place. Sweikert resumed the lead when they pitted. Trying to catch Sweikert, Cross blew an engine. Sweikert led with half a lap over Freeland, until Lap 178 when Freeland's transmission failed. Pat O'Connor and Tony Bettenhausen raced for 2nd place until O'Connor had a 4-1/2 minute pit stop, dropping him to 8th place. Sweikert cruised to victory, finishing more than a lap ahead of Bettenhausen. Sweikert's winning speed in the 1955 Indianapolis 500 was 128.209 mph.