WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Back to the Brickyard: Joe Leonard and the 1968 Indy 500

Episode Date: September 6, 2025

The story of the 1968 Indianapolis 500.

Welcome to Back to the Brickyard, your spot for Indianapolis 500 History here at Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. I'm Christian Papu. In the aftermath of Parnelli Jones's near win in 1967, race officials limited the power of the Granitelli turbine cars for 1968. Even so, Joe Leonard still won the poll with the new record speed of 171.559 miles per hour. He was joined on the front row by Graham Hill, also in a turbine car, and Bobby Yonzer, who was driving. driving a traditional Offenhauser-powered vehicle. Leonard took the lead at the start and led the first seven laps before Unser passed him and controlled most of the first half of the race.

In the second half, Unser, Leonard, and Lloyd Ruby shuffled the lead with Unser holding the advantage. A bad pit stop in lap 166, however, allowed both Ruby and Leonard to overtake him. Leonard led with 19 laps to go and after a lengthy caution period it appeared he would win. At the green flag on lap 192, the turbine engines failed for the second year in a row as Leonard and teammate Art Pollard simultaneously experienced fuel pump failure. Unser regained the lead and won the race by nearly a full lap over second place Dan Gurney for his first of three Indy 500 wins.

Only three drivers led the race with Unser leading 127 laps, Ruby leading 42, and Leonard 31. 1968 was also the last year a front-engine car would compete at Indianapolis. Jim Herdeby's self-built car, called the Mallard, would qualify 30th, and drop out with engine failure after only nine laps, finishing 30th. You have been listening to Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. I'm Christian Papillon, and I'll catch you the next time we go back to the brick door.