Bob Sweikert's first start at Indianapolis was in 1952. In the 1955 Indianapolis 500 race he drove a Kurtis Kraft Roadster, for car owner John Zink, with A.J. Watson as his chief mechanic. Sweikert had already used two of his three qualifying attempts, when he qualified 14th fastest at 139.996 mph on the 3rd day of qualifying. Early in the race, Bill Vukovich and Jack McGrath, both in KK500C's, staged a thrilling duel for the lead. Sweikert moved up to 3rd place by lap 35.