Winning (1969)

Winning movie storyline. While celebrating his victory in the Redburne 200, stock car driver Frank Capua (Paul Newman) persuades Avis representative Elora (Joanne Woodward) to accompany him on a drive. When Elora voices concern for her reputation, revealing that she is a divorcée with a teenaged son and suspicious mother, Capua suggests an idyll in California. Upon their return they marry, and Capua adopts Elora’s son, Charley (Richard Thomas).

In preparation for the Indianapolis 500 the racer embarks on a grueling training program, neglecting his wife. Arriving at Elora’s motel room, he discovers her in bed with his rival Luther Erding. Following a wordless confrontation Capua leaves Elora. Alarmed, Charley hitchhikes to Indianapolis and joins his stepfather, voicing the hope that Capua will best Erding in the upcoming race. Capua is victorious in the Indianapolis 500, after which he assaults his antagonist and pleads with Elora for a reconciliation.

Winning is a 1969 American Panavision action drama sports film directed by James Goldstone and starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and Robert Wagner. The film is about a racecar driver who aspires to win the Indianapolis 500. A number of racecar drivers and people associated with racing appear in the film, including Bobby Unser, Tony Hulman, Bobby Grim, Dan Gurney, Roger McCluskey, and Bruce Walkup. The film earned an estimated $6.2 million in rentals in North America. It was the 16th most popular film at the US box office that year.

During preparation for this film, Newman was trained for the motorsport by drivers Bob Sharp and Lake Underwood, at a race track high performance driving school—which sparked Newman’s enthusiasm for the sport and led to his participation as a competitor in sports car racing during the remainder of his life. He would eventually launch the much successful Newman/Haas Racing with his longtime racing competitor and friend Carl Haas, winning more than 100 races and 8 Driver’s Championships in IndyCar Series, although notably the team never won the 500.

The film includes footage taken at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the legendary 2.5 mile track. Most of the footage is from the 1968 race. The accident during the first green flag is from the 1966 race.

Directed by: James Goldstone
Starring: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Robert Wagner, Richard Thomas, David Sheiner, Clu Gulager, Barry Ford, Karen Arthur, Bobby Unser, Tony Hulman, John Bryant, Marianna Case, Toni Clayton
Screenplay by: Howard Rodman
Production Design by:
Cinematography by: Richard Moore
Film Editing by: Edward A. Biery, Richard C. Meyer
Costume Design by: Edith Head
Set Decoration by: John McCarthy Jr., George Milo
Music by: Dave Grusin
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 22, 1969 (New York City), June 16, 1969 (United States)