1950 Record-breaker races with a new vision

In May 1950, the Cummins Diesel Special #61 raced in the Indy 500. Later that year, the “Green Hornet” went on to set six US and international speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This spring, the car – now fully restored to its original specifications – returns to the Indy 500, reminding audiences of the spirit of innovation that continues to drive Cummins Inc.’s leadership in power technology engineering.

“At Cummins, innovation is part of our DNA,” says Jonathan Wood, Cummins’ Chief Technical Officer, “This company was built on invention, and finding new ways to apply and improve power technology across a wide range of applications.”

Starting in 1919, when Indiana inventor Clessie Cummins started experimenting with how to make diesel engines commercially viable in the U.S., Cummins has continued to push the boundaries of possibility. The company now operates around the world, with engineering, manufacturing, and distribution in 190 countries. 

One of the key factors in building a culture of innovation at Cummins was the company’s early investment in bringing diesel engines to racing. Cummins engineers used the rapid test-and-learn environment of racing to accelerate development in performance and fuel economy, which could then be applied to higher horsepower applications. 

In the early days of the company, Cummins racing not only served as an innovation incubator, but also as a platform to increase awareness of the technology breakthroughs Cummins was making in multiple fields of industry. When spectators saw the record-breaking Cummins Diesel Special race in 1950, they saw Cummins’ commitment to excellence in action.
While Cummins no longer fields new racecars, the animating spirit of the track still characterizes the company’s work. 

“Today, our R&D teams are looking at alternative fuels and advanced delivery systems that balance innovation with reliability,” Wood says. “We may not be running the laps on Race Day, but we’re still working on the crucial factors – like performance and efficiency – that are helping the world imagine a future of smarter, cleaner power.”

This Race Day morning, as the Cummins Diesel Special takes its rightful place in the heritage laps opening the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, fans won’t only see a reminder of past breakthroughs, but also a glimpse of greatness yet to come.