Hollywood Comes to Road America
Motion Picture "Winning" Filmed at Track
On Location at Road America
Paul Newman, who portrays Frank Capua in the movie Winning, stands in front of Road America pagoda during a break in filming, May 1968. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
For six days in May 1968, Road America became a Hollywood movie set. Filmmakers and movie stars descended upon Elkhart Lake to film scenes of Winning, a feature film centering on the fictional story of Frank Capua (Paul Newman), an up-and-coming race car driver who dreams of winning the Indianapolis 500.
Frank’s first big race win is Road America’s “Redburne 200” which sets him on a path towards Indianapolis. However, in his drive to win, Frank ignores his wife Elora (played by Joanne Woodward, Newmans’ real-life wife) who has an affair with his on-track rival Luther Erding (played by Robert Wagner). After catching the two in bed, Frank channels his bitterness into an obsession with winning on the racetrack.
The film was directed by James Goldstone, best known for fifteen-minute cliffhangers and his Star Trek episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before."
A car passes under a Redburne 200 banner as it barrels up the Road America straight, finishing a test lap. Redburne 200 was the fictional race in which Newman and Wagner’s characters competed on their way to the Indianapolis 500. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
Road America’s national reputation in racing, combined with its scenic beauty, were certainly reasons why makers of Winning selected it as a filming location. After plans for the film were announced, Dwight Pelkin, sports editor for the Sheboygan Press, wrote in the March 27th edition:
"Let's just hope spring comes early and brings out the foliage to show off this part of Wonderful Wisconsin. And Road America in particular. Considering RA and Indianapolis are the two headline courses in the film, the Elkhart Lake circuit's stature becomes pretty apparent, yes???"
Walter Worsley, Production Manager for Winning told the Sheboygan Press in May 29, 1968: “By the way, I'm not a racing buff, but that's the most beautiful track anywhere."
Stars Drive Racecars
Robert Wagner behind the wheel of car 83 which he drives in Winning. The 1966 Lola T70 MkII Spyder fitted with Ford 427 engine was driven by A.J. Foyt in the inaugural Can-Am race before being acquired by Bob Durant, who loaned it for filming. Photo by Su Kemper. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Actors Paul Newman and Robert Wagner performed all their driving and stunts seen in the film. Newman drove Ralph Salyer’s Cro-Sal McKee MK VII, normally driven by Charlie Hayes, while Wagner drove a Lola T70 MkII Spyder. Nearly a dozen Group 7 cars from the Can-Am series were also on hand for the event. Drivers were thrilled with the chance to race alongside Hollywood stars on the Road America track.
Charlie Hayes and mechanic give Paul Newman advice on driving the Cro-Sal McKee Mk 7/Mk 10 at Road America. The car itself has an interesting past. Originally built as a Mk 7, the bodywork was altered to make it wedge-shaped, and it was renamed the Mk 10. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
Both actors were trained and coached by legendary race car driver Bob Bondurant. In fact, Newman and Wagner were the third and fourth students to attend the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving in California. Bondurant served as technical advisor during filming. When not coaching the stars, he drove the camera car. Other race drivers, such as Charlie Hayes, were on hand to assist.
Bob Bondurant (center), Paul Newman, and others inspect a car at Road America during filming of Winning. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
Local Extras
Behind-the-scenes view of extras rushing the winners circle at Road America. Photo by Tom and Donna Clevenger. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Despite no advertising, a large crowd of local residents assembled for auditions to be extras. About 300 were hired. Extras braved elements of a cold Wisconsin spring. Holding back chattering teeth, extras disrobed from coats and, on cue, pretended to be cheering in summer heat. Fifty race officials from Chicago Region SCCA, along with deputies from the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Dept., were on hand to replicate the atmosphere and add authenticity.
Walter Worsley, the films’ production manager, praised the extras’ performance. He told the Sheboygan Press, "Satisfied with our extras. You bet we were! They were better than any I ever had; the nicest people. They seemed to like us, and we certainly liked them."
Robert Wagner gives a champagne bath to winning driver Paul Newman and Eileen Wesson, 'Miss Redburne,' after the race. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
Those not lucky enough to be extras were still able to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. A limited number of spectator tickets were issued through area Ford dealerships for people to watch the filming from the stands. Many hoped to catch a glimpse of the stars. Even while not in the film, spectators added to the atmosphere of recreating a Road America race.
Paul Newman and Robert Wagner take a break along Road America’s course. In the background are a limited number of spectators who watched filming from the stands. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
Paul Newman Introduced to Racing
Winning introduced Paul Newman to the world of racing and had a profound impact on his life. While filming at Road America, Newman showed a keen interest in cars. The Saturday before filming started, Newman took the camera car out for practice laps, and reached a top speed of 157 miles per hour. The film’s publicity director told the Sheboygan Press, “Paul loves speed and adapts very well.”
Paul Newman behind the wheel of the camera car A remote-controlled motion picture camera was mounted to the car frame to capture close-up driver shots. Invented by cameraman by Richard Moore and used for the first time at Road America, the camera could be operated either trackside or by a passenger in a trailing car. Tom and Donna Clevenger photo. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Newmans’ enthusiasm for racing was not shared by all the members of the Winning production crew. Some crewmembers complained their breaks were often cut short when Newman couldn’t wait to get back behind the wheel!
After Winning, Newman took up racing, entering Sports Car Club of America events professionally in 1972. He competed regularly under the pseudonym “P. L. Newman” and was a regular competitor at Road America. In 1983, he partnered with legendary driver Carl Haas (who earlier raced at Road America and imported Lola racecars like those used in Winning) to form Newman-Haas Racing. The team became one of the most successful Indy car teams of all time and had drivers like World Champions Mario Andretti and Nigel Mansell.
Movie Release
Paul Newman and director James Goldstone discuss the next shot on the Road America track at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Adding authenticity, Chicago Region SCCA officials (wearing stripped shirts in background) reenacted their actual race day roles for filming. Universal Studio photo. Courtesy Howard Rodman Papers, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.
Winning released to theaters across the U.S. on June 16, 1969, to mixed reviews. Many local extras rushed to area theaters to see if they had made it into the film. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the Road America filming actually made it into the film, mostly near the start. Even so, the experience of being part of a Hollywood movie was engaging and thrilling for everyone involved.
[Sources: Interviews with Road America staff Tim Kemmis, John Ewert, Fall 2023; Schultz, Tom. Road America: Five Decades of Racing at Elkhart Lake. Indianapolis, IN: Beeman Jorgensen Inc., 1999; Rodman, Howard. Howard Rodman Papers. Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, Madison, WI; Jarvis, Shirley. "700 Would-Be Extras Seek 'Winning' Roles." Sheboygan Press, May 14, 1968; "Paul Newman Here for Start of Film." Sheboygan Press, May 16, 1968; "Walton Ford Has Tickets for RA Area." Sheboygan Press, May 17, 1968; "Pointers from a Pro." Sheboygan Press, May 18, 1968; "Filming Underway On Elkhart Movie." Sheboygan Press, May 20, 1968; Jarvis, Shirley. "Hollywood Imports, Local Extras -- It's a 'Winning' Combination." Sheboygan Press, May 21,1968; Selk, James D. "Fast Cars Busy 'Stars' (Some Are Ours)." Wisconsin State Journal, May 26, 1968. "With the 'Winning' Team." Sheboygan Press, May 29, 1968; "'Winning' Back In town - On Film." Sheboygan Press, June 17, 1969. Jarvis, Shirley. "'Winning': Turbo Charged Cars, Stars." Sheboygan Press, June 19, 1969.]