Conversation so far:
What was his first race on the Indy Circuit?
In 1962 Thompson entered three John Crosthwaite designed cars in the Indianapolis 500.
How did he do?
Unusually, they used a stock V8 Buick engine and it was in the rear unlike the front engined, race tuned, Offenhauser powered cars used by most competitors.
It.
How did  the change in design affect the performance?
Thompson's crew, led by Fritz Voigt, were young, smart and hard working.
Working 12-14 hour days, the car was designed and built in 120 days.
Did the car place in the Race?
qualified eighth and was in ninth place until a leaking oil seal seized the gearbox and ended his race on lap 94.
He was placed 20th out of 33.
What year was this race?
CANNOTANSWER.
Did he win any awards?
CANNOTANSWER.
Where did he race next?
For the 1963 Indianapolis 500 Crosthwaite designed the innovative Harvey Aluminium Special "roller skate car" with the then pioneering smaller profile.
How did the car do?
Al Miller II raced one of the modified 1962 cars to ninth place despite only qualifying in 31st position.

Question: Did the car have any issues?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Mickey Thompson's car have any issues in the 1963 Indianapolis 500 Crosthwaite??