View source for 1969 USAC Championship Car Season (lost footage of IndyCar races; 1969)

{{InfoboxLost 
|title=<center>1969 USAC Championship Car Season</center> 
|image=1969rexmaysclassic1.jpg
|imagecaption=Program for the 1969 Rex Mays Classic.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> 
}}
The '''''1969 USAC Championship Car Season''''' was the 12th season of USAC's top-level open-wheel championship. The season saw Mario Andretti claim his third title, following on from 1965 and 1966 accomplishments. Of the races televised that year, at least three are deemed missing.

==1969 Rex Mays Classic==
The '''''1969 Rex Mays Classic''''' (also known as the '''''1969 Milwaukee 150''''') was the 4th race of the 1969 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 8th June at the Milwaukee Mile, the race would ultimately be won by Art Pollard in a Gerhardt-Offenhauser, following a ten-car crash that occurred on the opening lap that forced him to take the car driven by Greg Weld. It was also the first USAC race to be shown by the TVS Television Network.

It was the 20th running of the race, the annual event being held in honour of Rex Mays, a two-time AAA champion who saved fellow racer Duke Dinsmore's life during the 1948 Milwaukee 100.<ref>[https://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/rex-mays.html ''Motorsports Hall of Fame'' detailing how the Milwaukee 100 was renamed in honour of Rex Mays.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref> It was one of two 1969 USAC Championship Car Season races to be held at the Milwaukee Mile,<ref name="calendar1969">[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1969/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1969 USAC Championship Car Season schedule.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref> the other being the 1969 Tony Bettenhausen 200, which occurred on 17th August and was won by Al Unser in a Lola-Ford.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1969_Tony_Bettenhausen_200/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1969 Tony Bettenhausen 200.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref> Lasting 150 miles,<ref name="resultsrex">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1969_Rex_Mays_Classic/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1969 Rex Mays Classic.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref> the Rex May Classic would commence on an annual basis until it was renamed from 1988 onwards.<ref>[https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/milwaukee-mile_rex-mays-classic-150.27745/ ''Race Department'' noting the Rex May Classic name lasted from 1950 to 1987.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref>

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Mario Andretti winning the pole position in a Brawner-Ford with a speed of 119.126 mph.<ref name="nytrex">[https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/09/archives/pollard-in-borrowed-car-wins-after-starting-11auto-pileup.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Pollard winning the 1969 Rex Mays Classic and the opening lap crash.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref><ref name="resultsrex"/> Directly behind him was Lola-Ford's Jim Malloy, with Coyote-Ford's A.J. Foyt lining up third.<ref name="resultsrex"/> Greg Weld started 13th, while Art Pollard also entered his own car, a Gerhardt-Offenhauser, lining up fifth out of 24 competitors.<ref name="resultsrex"/>

===The Race===
With the starting order decided, the 1969 Rex Mays Classic commenced on 8th June.<ref name="resultsrex"/> As Andretti led the field on the first lap, a major crash occurred that took out ten drivers, including Pollard, who was deemed to have caused the accident following a suspension failure.<ref name="nytrex"/><ref name="resultsrex"/> Most of the involved cars were wrecked, with only four passing an inspection that allowed them to compete for the restart.<ref name="nytrex"/> No one was seriously injured in the crash, although Gary Bettenhausen was seriously shaken and proved fortunate to escape injury after his Gerhardt-Offenhauser smashed through the inside rail and ended up slamming into the infield mud.<ref name="nytrex"/>

Meanwhile, Pollard's team elected to replace Weld with Pollard on the restart.<ref name="nytrex"/><ref name="resultsrex"/> Andretti would lead the first 89 laps, before Pollard made what was ultimately the only lead change on lap 90 after Andretti pitted.<ref name="resultsrex"/><ref name="nytrex"/> With Andretti falling out of contention, Pollard maintained his lead for the remaining 61 laps, although did face constant competition from Malloy.<ref name="nytrex"/><ref name="resultsrex"/> Ultimately, he crossed the line to claim victory and $17,362 in prize money.<ref name="resultsrex"/><ref name="nytrex"/> Malloy finished second, being the only other driver on the lead lap, while Foyt took third, two laps down from Pollard.<ref name="resultsrex"/><ref name="nytrex"/>

==1969 Langhorne 150==
The '''''1969 Langhorne 150''''' was the fifth race of the 1969 USAC Championship Car Season. Originally occurring on 15th June and then being resumed on 22nd June at the Langhorne Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Bobby Unser in an Eagle-Offenhauser, controlling proceedings after overtaking Brawner-Ford's Mario Andretti on lap 89. 

It was the 14th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting 150 miles.<ref name="resultslanghorne">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1969_Langhorne_150/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1969 Langhorne 150.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> The only 1969 USAC Championship Car Season race to occur at Langhorne Speedway,<ref name="calendar1969"/> the event's final running occurred in 1970, with a 1971 race being cancelled over safety concerns.<ref name="closure">[https://www.nytimes.com/1971/06/09/archives/langhorne-150miler-canceled-when-drivers-shun-old-track.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on the cancellation of the 1971 Langhorne 150 over safety concerns, and the track being converted into a shopping centre.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> Following this, the track itself was converted into a shopping centre, with it retroactively being considered one of the fastest tracks, but also one of the most dangerous.<ref>[https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/langhorne-speedway.html ''Racing Circuits'' detailing the Langhorne Speedway and its reputation.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref><ref name="closure"/>

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Mario Andretti winning the pole position with a speed of 124.649 mph.<ref name="resultslanghorne"/> Directly behind him was Unser, with Eagle-Offenhauser driver Wally Dallenbach lining up third out of 24 competitors.<ref name="resultslanghorne"/>

===The Race===
With the starting order decided, the 1969 Langhorne 150 commenced on 15th June.<ref name="resultslanghorne"/> Unser shot into the lead at the start, holding onto it until rain forced the race to be postponed after 27 laps.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/16/archives/langhorne-race-postponed.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on the 1969 Langhorne 150 being postponed because of rain.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref><ref name="nytlanghorne">[https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/23/archives/bobby-unser-wins-race-at-langhorne.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Unser winning the 1969 Langhorne 150 and how it was postponed for a week because of rain.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> The race resumed a week later, and Unser maintained the lead until Andretti regained it on the backstretch during the 39th lap.<ref name="nytlanghorne"/><ref name="resultslanghorne"/> Unser and Andretti then traded the lead on lap 41 and 42 respectively, before the former eventually regained it on lap 88.<ref name="nytlanghorne"/><ref name="resultslanghorne"/> Andretti ultimately fell down the order, enabling Unser to control the remaining 62 laps to claim victory and $15,000 in prize money.<ref name="nytlanghorne"/><ref name="resultslanghorne"/> Art Pollard finished second in a Gerhardt-Offenhauser, with Dallenbach third and a lap down from Unser.<ref name="nytlanghorne"/><ref name="resultslanghorne"/> Andretti finished fifth, three laps down from the leader.<ref name="resultslanghorne"/>

==1969 Trenton 200==
The '''''1969 Trenton 200''''' was the ninth race of the 1969 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 19th July at the Trenton Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by polesitter Mario Andretti in a Brawner-Ford, achieving a comeback from 12th after suffering a puncture early in the race.

It was the eighth running of the event, with the annual race being expanded to run for 200 miles.<ref name="resultstrenton">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1969_Trenton_200/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1969 Trenton 200.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref> It was one of two 1969 USAC Championship Car Season races to occur at Trenton Speedway,<ref name="calendar1969"/> the other being the Trenton 300, which occurred on 21st September and was won by Mario Andretti.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1969_Trenton_300/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1969 Trenton 300.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref> Trenton would continue hosting IndyCar races until 1979 before it was dropped from the schedule and demolished in 1980.<ref>[https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/trenton-speedway.html ''Racing Circuits'' detailing the history of the Trenton Speedway.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref>

The race was originally scheduled to run in late-April.<ref name="soft">[https://www.nytimes.com/1969/04/26/archives/spongy-track-puts-off-trenton-title-auto-race.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on the 1969 Trenton 200's first delay because of soft spots.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref> However, rainfall resulted in soft spots being generated on the track, which was recently paved over.<ref name="soft"/> Thus, the USAC decided to postpone the race for a week on safety grounds.<ref name="soft"/> But while subsequent tests performed by Wally Dallenbach revealed optimism for the new track, which was expected to be "one of the finest tracks on the circuit", the USAC further delayed the race until 20th July, as the organisation believed that not enough competitors would be present to produce a full grid.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1969/05/01/archives/auto-race-at-trenton-is-put-off-till-july-20.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on the 1969 Trenton 200's second delay because of schedule issues.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref> The race, however, would be run on 19th July.<ref name="resultstrenton"/>

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Andretti winning the pole position with a speed of 153.044 mph.<ref name="nyttrenton">[https://www.nytimes.com/1969/07/20/archives/andretti-overcomes-dallenbachs-lead-to-take-trenton-200-by-six.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Andretti winning the 1969 Trenton 200.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref><ref name="resultstrenton"/> Directly behind him was Al Unser in a Lola-Ford, with Eagle-Offenhauser's Bobby Unser lining up third out of 26 competitors.<ref name="resultstrenton"/>

===The Race===
With the starting order decided, the 1969 Trenton 200 commenced on 19th July.<ref name="resultstrenton"/> A commitment with ABC led to the race being delayed until 4:40pm.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> When it finally did start, Al Unser moved into the lead on the first lap after passing Andretti on the first turn, only for Andretti to re-take it a lap later.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> Unser would then retire after 22 laps because of a broken turbocharger.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> Andretti maintained his lead for the next 36 laps, but he suddenly suffered a right rear tyre puncture that necessitated a pitstop.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> Thus, Dallenbach moved into the first position, maintaining position until A.J. Foyt in a Coyote-Ford briefly passed him on lap 98.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> Dallenbach retook the lead a lap later however, with Foyt retiring after 119 laps as his turbocharger failed.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/>

After his unplanned pitstop, Andretti re-joined the race in 12th place.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> But over the next 114 miles, Andretti moved his way up the field, eventually challenging for the lead.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> Dallenbach pitted on lap 98 for fuel, but was now at a disadvantage, as Andretti had far less fuel on-board having pitted earlier for the aforementioned tyre pitstop.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> Thus, Andretti was able to close the gap by about a second a lap, eventually achieving the final lead change on lap 112.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> By the end, Andretti held a six-second lead, but almost ran out of fuel by doing so, as he estimated that by the time he crossed the line to claim victory, he had just one gallon of fuel left.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> By winning this race, he claimed $13,400 in prize money.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> Dallenbach finished second, with Mike Mosley taking third in a Watson-Offenhauser, a lap down from Andretti.<ref name="resultstrenton"/><ref name="nyttrenton"/>

==Availability==
According to ''IndyCar on TV'', the 1969 Rex Mays Classic was the first USAC-sanctioned event to be broadcast by the TVS Television Network.<ref name="indycarrex">[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1969/1969-rex-mays-classic ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the TVS Television Network broadcast of the 1969 Rex Mays Classic.] Retrieved 12th May '22</ref> It was televised live for two hours in colour, with the network syndicating sports programs to 185 television stations.<ref name="indycarrex"/> Additionally, ''nascarman History'''s Top 10 Lost IndyCar Broadcasts notes the 1969 Langhorne 150 was also televised by TVS. But of twelve IndyCar races to have been televised by TVS, none are currently publicly available. Nevertheless, audio from the original 1969 Rex Mays Classic broadcast can be listened to online.

Finally, ''IndyCar on TV'' claims that the 1969 Trenton 200 received live flag-to-flag coverage by ABC as part of its ''Wide World of Sports''.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1969/1969-trenton-200 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1969 Trenton 200.] Retrieved 28th May '22</ref> The broadcast has yet to resurface, however, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some photos of the event can be viewed online.

==Gallery==
===Video===
{{Video|perrow  =1
  |service1     =youtube
  |id1          =IY2TffzYa-0
  |description1 =''nascarman History'''s Top 10 Lost IndyCar Broadcasts detailing the TVS Television Network's IndyCar broadcasts (0:20-0:59).
}}

==References== 
{{reflist}} 

[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Historic]]