When talking about Formula One, the name Kurtis Kraft might not immediately spring to mind. This American racing constructor has a peculiar but significant place in F1 history, thanks to a curious chapter when the Indianapolis 500 was part of the Formula One World Championship of Drivers’ from 1950 to 1960.
Founded by Frank Kurtis, Kurtis Kraft made its name in American oval racing. Lightweight, nimble, and built with a low centre of gravity, these fibreglass cars were born for the high-speed banks of Indianapolis, not the twisting road courses of Europe. But because of the Indy 500’s inclusion in the F1 championship for a full decade, Kurtis Kraft racked up 99 World Championship starts—without ever leaving the U.S. (Well, almost never.)
Their cars were dominant in American motorsport circles. Between 1949 and 1955, Kurtis Kraft produced thousands of race-ready machines, including over 550 complete midget cars, 600 kits (usually fitted with the legendary Offenhauser engine), and no fewer than 120 Indianapolis 500 cars. And not just any cars—five of them won the 500, making the Kurtis-Offenhauser combo “virtually unbeatable for over twenty years,” as many enthusiasts rightly claim.
Because the Indy 500 counted toward the Formula One World Championship back then, each of those five wins is officially recorded as an F1 victory. This makes Kurtis Kraft one of only a handful of constructors to win multiple F1 races—without ever seriously contesting the championship in the traditional sense.
Their only F1 foray outside the Indy 500 came in 1959, when Rodger Ward entered a Kurtis Kraft car at the 1959 United States Grand Prix at Sebring. It was an ambitious attempt, but the car—designed for ovals, not chicanes—struggled to adapt to the twists and turns of a purpose-built road circuit. It would be the marque’s lone Grand Prix entry in the more familiar sense of F1.
So while Kurtis Kraft might be a bit of an outlier in F1 lore, its impact is far from negligible. The brand’s success at Indianapolis meant that, for a time, it was among the more successful constructors on the F1 grid—without ever setting foot in Monaco, Monza, or Silverstone. A true oddity in motorsport history, and a brilliant one at that.
Kurtis Kraft Formula One World Championship Race Wins
| Win Number | Event | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1950 Indianapolis 500 | Johnnie Parsons |
| 2 | 1951 Indianapolis 500 | Lee Wallard |
| 3 | 1953 Indianapolis 500 | Bill Vukovich |
| 4 | 1954 Indianapolis 500 | Bill Vukovich |
| 5 | 1955 Indianapolis 500 | Bob Sweikert |
Notable Team Members and Drivers of Kurtis Kraft
Frank Kurtis
Founder & Chief Designer
- The mastermind behind Kurtis Kraft. Frank was a former fabricator and body man who turned his passion into performance, designing some of the most iconic oval-racing machines of his era.
- Pioneered lightweight, low-slung designs with fibreglass bodies and independent suspensions—innovative at the time.
Joe Quinn
Head Mechanic / Team Manager
- Instrumental in preparing and tuning many of the Kurtis Kraft Indy 500 entries.
- Worked closely with drivers and engine builders to optimize race-day performance.
Bill Vukovich
- Indy 500 Winner (1953, 1954) — both in Kurtis Kraft cars.
- Known for his fierce determination and incredible speed.
- Tragically died in 1955 while chasing a third consecutive Indy 500 victory, again driving a Kurtis Kraft chassis.
Bob Sweikert
- Indy 500 Winner (1955) in a Kurtis Kraft.
- Claimed the Triple Crown of American racing that year: winning the Indy 500, the national championship, and the AAA Midwest sprint title.
Johnnie Parsons
- Indy 500 Winner (1950) driving a Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser.
- His victory was the first by a Kurtis Kraft car in a race that counted for the Formula One World Championship.
Lee Wallard
- Indy 500 Winner (1951) in a Kurtis Kraft.
- Overcame injury and mechanical adversity to claim his sole Indy victory.
Rodger Ward
- Drove a Kurtis Kraft in the 1959 United States Grand Prix at Sebring, the only time the marque competed in a Formula One-style road race.
- Two-time Indy 500 winner (1959 and 1962), although not in Kurtis Kraft cars.
- A versatile and technically savvy driver respected for his adaptability.
Troy Ruttman
- Youngest ever Indy 500 winner at age 22 (1952), driving a Kuzma chassis, but drove Kurtis Kraft cars during various stages of his career.
- One of the era’s most promising talents.
Tony Bettenhausen
- Drove several Kurtis Kraft cars throughout the 1950s.
- Never won the Indy 500, but was a consistent front-runner and national champion.
