RodgerWard

Rodger Morris Ward, born on January 10, 1921, in Beloit, Kansas, and passing on July 5, 2004, in Anaheim, California, stands as one of American motor racing's most distinguished figures. Renowned for his prowess in open-wheel competition, Ward earned a reputation as one of the finest drivers of his generation, securing two National Championships and two iconic Indianapolis 500 victories in both 1959 and 1962. His diverse talent was also evident in his 1951 AAA National Stock Car Championship title.

Early Career and Foundations

Ward's journey into motorsports began against a backdrop of mechanical aptitude and wartime service. The son of Ralph and Geneva Ward, his family relocated to California by 1930. At a mere 14 years old, Ward demonstrated an early affinity for engineering, constructing his own Ford hot rod, a skill perhaps nurtured by his father's auto wrecking business in Los Angeles. During World War II, Ward served as a P-38 Lightning fighter pilot, and his passion for aviation was so profound that he initially considered a career in flying, even becoming an instructor for B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1946, Ward transitioned to midget car racing. His initial outings were challenging, but his skills rapidly developed, culminating in a victory at the San Diego Grand Prix in 1948. The following year, driving an Offenhauser, he secured several more wins. Ward made a significant impact on the midget car racing scene in 1950, notably breaking the dominant Offenhauser motor's winning streak at Gilmore Stadium. He achieved this feat using Vic Edelbrock's Ford 60 "shaker" motor, an innovative design that was among the first to utilize nitromethane as fuel. This technical edge allowed Ward and Edelbrock to secure another victory at the Orange Show Stadium the very next night. His versatility was further highlighted in 1959 when he piloted Ken Brenn's Offy midget to triumph in a Formula Libre race at Lime Rock Park, an event that defied the conventional wisdom that midget cars were competitive only on oval tracks. Beyond open-wheel midgets, Ward also excelled in stock car racing. He competed in both the AAA and later USAC Stock Car divisions, participating in no less than 66 races. During this period, he amassed seven victories and secured top-five finishes in 29 events, ultimately clinching the AAA National Stock Car title in 1951.

Formula 1 Context and Indianapolis Formative Years

Ward's AAA Stock Car championship provided him the opportunity for a rookie test at the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in 1951. He successfully qualified, but his race ended prematurely after 34 laps due to a broken oil line. Subsequent attempts in the early 1950s also saw mechanical issues curtail his efforts, with oil pressure failure in 1952, an end after 170 laps in 1953, and a stalled car in 1954. It wasn't until 1956 that Ward completed all laps of the Indianapolis 500, finishing eighth. It is important to note that from 1950 to 1960, the AAA/USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Drivers' Championship. This meant that drivers competing at Indy during these years were credited with World Drivers' Championship points and participation. Ward participated in ten such World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. His direct involvement in FIA-sanctioned World Drivers' Championship events outside of Indianapolis was limited to two United States Grand Prix entries. In 1959, he entered the US Grand Prix at Sebring Raceway with his midget car, under the mistaken belief that its agility would offer a significant advantage through turns. This proved incorrect during practice, and he retired from the race after twenty laps due to mechanical failure. He also participated in the 1963 United States Grand Prix. Over his World Drivers' Championship career, Ward secured one victory (the 1959 Indianapolis 500), achieved two top-three finishes, and accumulated a total of 14 World Drivers' Championship points.

Peak Years and Defining Victories

The year 1959 marked a pivotal moment in Ward's career as he joined the Leader Card Racers team, forming a formidable partnership with owner Bob Wilke and mechanic A. J. Watson, collectively known as the "3 W's." This collaboration immediately bore fruit, as Ward secured his first Indianapolis 500 victory. That same year, he also claimed the USAC National Championship, adding wins at Milwaukee, DuQuoin, and the Indy Fairgrounds to his tally. The 1960 Indianapolis 500 delivered one of the race's most legendary duels, with Ward battling Jim Rathmann for the lead. The two drivers exchanged the lead an astounding 14 times. Ward, nursing a frayed right front tire, was forced to slow on lap 197, allowing Rathmann, who was also struggling with worn tires, to take the lead and ultimately the win. This contest remains celebrated as one of the greatest head-to-head battles in Indianapolis 500 history. Ward's second Indianapolis 500 triumph came in 1962, where he took the lead on lap 126 and maintained it for the remainder of the race. This dominant performance also contributed to his second USAC National Championship title that year. The 1964 Indianapolis 500 presented a different challenge. Amidst the growing influence of rear-engined cars like the Lotus-Ford, A. J. Watson constructed the first rear-engined Watson, powered by a four-cam Ford engine. However, a critical strategic misstep occurred the night before the race. Ward and Watson, against strong recommendations from Ford, opted to use gasoline fuel instead of the cooler-burning, more powerful methanol/gasoline blend. While the car demonstrated speed, this jetting error necessitated frequent pit stops for fuel, approximately every 20 laps. Ward later calculated that despite spending two minutes less on track than winner A. J. Foyt, he ultimately lost the race by only about one minute, underscoring the impact of the fuel strategy. That same year, the horrific second-lap accident at Indianapolis, which tragically claimed the lives of his friends Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs in a fiery, gasoline-fueled wreck, left a profound and lasting impression on Ward. The following year, 1965, proved difficult, culminating in the embarrassment of failing to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Mid-season, Ward departed the Leader Card team and joined John W. Mecom Jr.'s Mecom Racing team. In 1966, he secured a victory in the second race of the season at Trenton, driving a supercharged Offy-powered Lola. For the 1966 Indianapolis 500, Ward competed in the same car but retired from 15th position due to handling problems. He later reflected that late-race attrition had reduced the field to only five cars, meaning he would have achieved a strong finish had he continued, and he had been faster than the eventual winner. Ward made the difficult decision to park a running car 74 laps into the race, signaling a period of introspection about his future in the sport.

Championships, Statistics, and Retirement

Rodger Ward's distinguished career spanned from 1950 to 1966, during which he accumulated 26 victories across 150 starts. A testament to his consistent performance, he finished in the top ten in more than half of his races. His remarkable consistency at the Indianapolis 500 is highlighted by his five-race finishing streaks from 1959 to 1963 and 1960 to 1964, which rank as the best and second-best in the event's history. Ward's retirement announcement at the post-race banquet was a poignant moment. With tears in his eyes, he delivered a heartfelt statement: "I always said I'd quit racing when it stopped being fun. Today it wasn't fun anymore." This candid declaration underscored the immense emotional and physical toll the sport could take, particularly in an era marked by significant risks.

Legacy and Post-Racing Contributions

Following his retirement from active competition, Ward remained deeply involved in motorsports. From 1965 to 1970, he served as a commentator for ABC's Wide World of Sports, covering both NASCAR and Indycars, lending his expert insight to a broader audience. Later, from 1980 to 1985, he contributed as a driver expert for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. Ward also played a significant role in track design, notably assisting the Mattioli Family in developing Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. He conceived the track's distinctive triangle shape by incorporating elements from five corners he particularly enjoyed racing at, drawing inspiration from Trenton, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee – a design that remains popular today. In his later years, Ward held the position of public relations director for the new Ontario Motor Speedway and subsequently managed the Circus Circus unlimited hydroplane team, showcasing his continued engagement with various facets of racing. He even made a television appearance on the show "To Tell the Truth" in 1962. Rodger Ward passed away on July 5, 2004, at the age of 83, leaving behind a rich legacy. His contributions to motorsports have been recognized through numerous inductions into prestigious halls of fame, including the Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1981), the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1992), the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1995), the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1995), and the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame (2003).