Graham Hill’s Indianapolis 500 success in 1966 is well-known, but the victory could so easily have fallen to his Mecom/Lola team-mate Jackie Stewart.
Stewart qualified on row four – one ahead of Hill – and, like Hill, avoided the massive early multi-car accident. Several car failures and incidents, including ’65 winner Jim Clark twice spinning his Lotus, allowed Stewart and Hill to move forward.
Stewart overtook Clark, but had to rely on Lloyd Ruby’s flying Eagle to hit trouble before taking the lead. Once there, however, he pulled away.
“Then, when it seemed almost certain that Stewart would win Indy at his first attempt, his oil pressure vanished and he coasted to a standstill,” said Autosport.
Hill thus took a famous victory, with Stewart sixth.
Stewart returned the following year and…
