Rodger Morris Ward (January 10, 1921 – July 5, 2004) was an American racing driver best known for his open-wheel career.

[3] After the war he was stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas when a quarter mile dirt track was built.

Ward drove Ken Brenn's Offy midget July 25, 1959 to beat the top expensive and exotic sports cars in a Formula Libre race at Lime Rock Park.

Ward's AAA Stock Car championship gave him an opportunity for a rookie test at the 1951 Indianapolis 500.

[4] In 1959 he joined the Leader Card Racers team with owner Bob Wilke and mechanic A. J. Watson; forming what was known as the "3 W's".

[4] His 1959 season ended by competing in the only United States Grand Prix held at Sebring Raceway.

Rathmann, also struggling with worn-out tires after such a furious pace, took the lead on lap 197 and the two drivers limped home in what is still regarded as one of the greatest duels for the win in Indianapolis 500 history.

But the night before the 1964 Indianapolis 500, Ward and Watson made a highly uncharacteristic strategic error.

The car was fast, but the jetting mistake left Ward having to pit every 20 laps for fuel.

In addition, the horrific second-lap accident, in which his friends Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs both perished in a fiery, gasoline-fueled wreck, left an indelible impression on Ward.

In 1966 Ward won the second race of the season at Trenton driving a supercharged Offy powered Lola.

[7][8] For his Indianapolis 500 effort Ward drove the same car but retired while running 15th with handling problems listed as the cause.

At the banquet, Ward stood at the podium and made a painful announcement to the crowd: "I always said I'd quit racing when it stopped being fun," he said.

From 1980-1985, he served as a driver expert for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, before retiring in Tustin, California.