Tuesday 30th May 1961
A.J. Foyt, in his fourth 500, looked set for a win, leading Eddie Sachs, until his crew signal that Foyt’s last pit stop didn’t get enough fuel in car. Foyt gave up the lead on lap 184 for a splash-and-go. Sachs led by 25 seconds until the warning tread showed through on his rear tyre and Sachs decided to play safe. Foyt returned to the lead when Sachs stopped on lap 197 for tyres and won (on the first of four occasions) by 8.28 seconds.