Despite witnessing the tragic events in front of him on the opening lap of the 1964 Indianapolis 500 that claimed the lives of Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald, Wente charged from his 32nd starting spot to take ninth place at the checkers in his number 68, Trevis/Offenhauser. Wente attempted to qualify the next two seasons in 1965 and 1966, but failed to make the field.