IndyCar (partially found footage of IndyCar races featuring fatal and/or serious accidents; 1916-1996)

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This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its discussion of fatal and serious motor racing accidents/disturbing visuals.



1996lasvegas500k1.jpg

Program for the 1996 Las Vegas 500K.

Status: Partially Found

Under the operation of AAA, CART, IRL, and other organisations, there have been numerous IndyCar races that have featured fatal and/or serious accidents. This article documents such races, which are confirmed to have either been filmed or received live or tape-delayed television coverage, but have since become lost media. It should be noted that although the events' television broadcasts are lost, it does not necessarily mean the accident footage is missing as well.

1916-1922 Universal Film Trophy Races

The 1916-1922 Universal Film Trophy Races were an annual series of AAA-sanctioned events that commenced at the Uniontown Speedway in Hopwood, Pennsylvania. The races, whose trophy was sponsored by Universal Films' President Carl Laemmle, were also filmed by Universal and shown in theatres across the United States.

Background

The Uniontown Speedway was a wooden board track whose construction began following the banning of the Summit Mountain Hill Climbs.[1] Completed in 1916, it would host 23 AAA-sanctioned races between December 2nd, 1916 to June 17th, 1922.[2] Its first event would be the annual Universal Film Trophy Race, so-called because Carl Laemmle, the President of Universal Films, had donated the $3,000 silver trophy to the Speedway, equivalent to over $80,000 when adjusted for inflation.[3]

Laemmle, alongside Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, received a telegram regarding the construction of a new board track, with the trio conceptualising the annual Universal Film Trophy Race. Despite Laemmle claiming that a silversmith would be able to produce the trophy before the track was completed, this proved to not be the case, with the track's construction taking just two months.[4] As part of the sponsorship, and in an attempt to capitalise on the growing popularity of board track racing, Universal would film all seven Universal Film Trophy races, and showcase them to theatres across the United States.[5] The track's future was thwarted when then-Uniontown Speedway Association President Charlie Johnson disappeared to Cuba with the track proceeds in 1922.[3]

The 1916 Race

The first Union Trophy Race occurred on December 2nd, 1916, thus being the inaugural race at the Uniontown Speedway.[6][7][2] The event, a non-championship AAA race,[2] would be won by Louis Chevrolet in a Frontenac, beating out second-place Premier driver Dave Lewis by over two minutes, with Mercedes' Ralph DePalma taking third.[8][6][7] The event is known for being one of the deadliest in motor racing history.[7] During practice on 27th November, driver Charles Heist and his ride-on mechanic Frank Bush attempted a flying lap at around 60 mph when suddenly their car's front axle broke because of crystallisation.[9][10][7] The accident caused the deaths of both men, Heist aged 23 and Bush aged 26.[11][10][9][7]

During the race itself, after 62 laps, Hughey Hughes came across a slowing Pugh driven by Jim Meyer.[6] He had led the first 32 laps, and was in the lead when he was forced to take evasive action, crashing through the guardrail into the infield.[6] He then walked back to the pits, and was present at the press stand being interviewed by a reporter.[12][6] As he was talking, Frank Galvin approached the scene, but lost control of his Premier at around 100 mph.[6][12][7] He ended up crashing into the press stand, instantly killing Hughes and Galvin's mechanic Gaston Weigel.[6][12][7] Additionally, Galvin and several spectators suffered life-threatening injuries.[6][12][7] Ultimately, Hughes, Weigel, and Galvin all perished from their injuries.[6][12][7][10] It is unclear as to the fate of the spectators, as Motorsport Memorial states all survived, though other sources claim one or two were killed.[13][7][10]

The 1917-1922 Races

The 1917 race, held on 10th May, counted towards the AAA National Championship.[2] Following the fatal accidents of the previous year, the track underwent some safety modifications, including broadening of the safety apron, making turns higher and wider, and installing heavier guardrails.[14] Occurring in front of over 20,000,[14] It was won by William Taylor in a Stutz-Wisconsin, having completed the race at 1:15:38 89.25.[15] Joe Boyer finished second in a Frontenac, with Eddie Hearne taking third in a Duesenberg.[15]

For the 1918 edition, the main race would exclusively consist of the four winners of the Liberty Sweepstakes Heats, all of which occurred on May 16th.[16][2] The heats were won by the Duesenberg of Tommy Milton, and the Frontenacs of Ralph Mulford, Eddie Hearne, and Chevrolet.[17][18][19][20][16] In the 24-lap race, Mulford claimed victory by about 16-seconds from Hearne, with Milton taking third.[21] Chevrolet retired after 18 laps following a flat tyre and a failing engine.[16][21]

In 1919, the race, also known as the Victory Sweep, would be held on May 19th.[22][2] Milton was victorious in a Duesenberg, beating out the Frontenacs of Chevrolet and Mulford by over 20 seconds.[22] The 1920 race, a non-championship event that occurred on 19th June,[23][24][2] initially was controlled by Monroe drivers Gaston Chevrolet and Roscoe Sarles following the completion of the first 100 laps.[23] However, Chevrolet retired following a broken valve spring on lap 118, while Sarles lost ground after being forced to stop for engine adjustments.[23][24] The race, held in front of a packed 50,000, was also won by Milton, with him leading a Duesenberg 1-4 also consisting of Jimmy Murphy, Eddie O'Donnell, and I.P. Fetterman.[24] A few incidents occurred during the race.[23] This included Wade Morton's Meteor turning over into the infield on lap 180, which caused his mechanic, Arthur Kaempf, to be thrown free into the soil, the impact inflicting bruises and burns.[23][24] Milton and Ballot's Ralph DePalma also suffered cuts and sores, because the Uniontown track was breaking up, causing the wood to break free.[23] A resurfacing was therefore required for future races.[23]

The subsequent 1921 race on June 18th would again count towards the AAA Championship,[2] with Roscoe Sarles leading a Duesenberg 1-3, also consisting of Hearne and Eddie Miller in second and third respectively.[25][26] Despite being deemed the favourite to claim his third consecutive Union Trophy Race win, Milton finished ten laps down in eighth.[26][25] Finally, the 1922 race occurred on 17th June, with Murphy winning the pole position in a Duesenberg.[27][2] Milton shot into the lead at the early stages, but a wheel came loose on lap 72, resulting in his car crashing into a grandstand guardrail.[28][29] Murphy took over briefly until he was passed by Harry Hartz, the latter leading in a Duesenberg before being re-passed by Murphy on lap 114.[29] He retired after 165 laps following a broken oil line.[28][29] It therefore enabled Murphy to hold onto the first position for the remaining laps to claim victory, with Mulford taking second in a Frontenac, while Jerry Wonderlich finished third in a Duesenberg.[28][29] Murphy's average speed of 102.2 mph set a Uniontown Speedway record.[28]

1972 Michigan 200

The 1972 Michigan 200 (also known as the 1972 Michigan Twin 200's) was the fifth race of the 1972 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 16th July at the Michigan International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Joe Leonard in a Parnelli-Offenhauser, achieving victory when Eagle-Foyt driver Mel Kenyon ran out of fuel with two laps to go. However, the race is infamous for Merle Bettenhausen's career-ending accident that occurred on lap 3.

It was the fourth running of the event, the annual race lasting 200 miles.[30] The only 1972 USAC Championship Car Season race to occur at Michigan International Speedway,[31] the track would continue hosting IndyCar races until being dropped from the schedule from 2007 onwards after failing to reach a deal with IndyCar's organizers.[32]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in an Eagle‐Offenhauser with a record speed of 199.778 mph.[33][30] Directly behind him were the McLaren-Offenhausers of Gordon Johncock and Gary Bettenhausen in second and third respectively.[33][30] Joe Leonard started 11th, while Merle Bettenhausen qualified 18th out of 26 competitors in a King-Offenhauser.[30][33]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1972 Michigan 200 commenced on 16th July.[30] Unser did maintain his lead on the opening lap, only for Gordon Johncock to pass him on lap 2, maintaining it for 15 laps.[30] Further down the field, on lap 3,[30] Bettenhausen lost control of his King while exiting Turn 2, slamming into the outside wall.[34][35] The impact was severe enough for the vehicle to burst into flames, while still travelling at a fast speed down the back straight.[34] Bettenhausen attempted to escape the burning car while it was still moving.[34] As he starting pulling himself out, his right arm hit the fence, causing it to be severed completely.[34][35] By the time the car finally rested, it was ablaze.[34] Bettenhausen was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital, also suffering from third-degree burns to his face and pelvic lacerations.[34][35] While he survived, his full-time racing career was over.[34] He did. however. win a USAC National Midget Series race and also competed in a USAC Stock Car Series event, both occurring in 1973.[36][37]

When the race resumed on lap 10, Johncock maintained his lead until lap 17 when Unser repassed him.[30] Unser then led the next 46 laps, only to retire because of an oil pressure failure.[30] This enabled the Parnelli-Offenhauser of Mario Andretti to take over, where he engaged in a duel with Mel Kenyon, the latter achieving an overtake on lap 70, only to drop it back to Andretti on lap 75.[30] Andretti's race would end five laps later, however, when a ring failure occurred.[30] Kenyon, therefore, inherited the lead, being 6-7 laps ahead of second-place Leonard, who had managed to move behind Kenyon on lap 80.[35] It looked as if Kenyon would claim victory, only for his car to run out of fuel with two laps remaining.[35][30] Therefore, Leonard gained the lead, holding on to claim victory and $17,892 in prize money.[30][35] Wally Dallenbach finished second in a Lola-Foyt, while Kenyon had done well enough to be classified third.[35][30]

1974 California 500

The 1974 California 500 was the third race of the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 10th March at the Ontario Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be by won by Bobby Unser, after narrowly edging out brother and fellow Eagle-Offenhauser driver Al Unser by 58‐hundredths of a second. However, the event is also known for the career-ending injuries two-time champion Joe Leonard suffered in an accident on lap 152.

It was the fifth running of the event, with the annual race lasting 500 miles.[38] It was one of three 1974 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Ontario Motor Speedway;[39] the others were the Ontario Heats 1 and 2, which both occurred on 3rd March and helped decided the starting order.[40][41] The track itself was nicknamed the "Indianapolis of the West", and was also part of USAC's Triple Crown alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the Pocono 500.[42][43] However, the speedway closed in 1980 because of financial issues, and was demolished shortly afterwards.[42]

Prior to the race, two qualifying races were conducted on 3rd March to decide the order.[40][41] In race 1, Foyt won the pole position with a speed of 190.617 mph, and also led the entire 40-lap event to claim victory and $9,125 in prize money.[40] Bobby Unser took second, while Eagle-Offenhauser's Lloyd Ruby finished third.[17] In the second race, Rutherford won the pole position with a speed of 185.989 mph.[41] He ultimately won the event and $6,875, with the Eagle-Offenhausers of Jimmy Caruthers and Steve Krisiloff finishing second and third respectively.[41] Boasting both a greater pole and average speed compared to Rutherford's, it meant that Foyt qualified on pole position for the main race, with Rutherford second, and Unser lining up third out of 33 competitors.[38][40][41] Foyt was declared the pre-race favourite heading into the event.[44]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1974 California 500 commenced on 10th March.[38] Unser shot into the lead on the first lap, but Foyt regained it a lap later.[38] He led 21 laps before retiring following a broken oil line.[44][38] Unser regained the lead, holding it for the next 11 laps.[38] However, his brother Al was fast-closing, putting himself into the lead on lap 36.[38] Aside from a few brief leads from other drivers, including most notably Krisiloff, the race centred into a duel between the Unsers after Bobby passed Krisiloff for the first position on lap 93.[38][44] Meanwhile, Joe Leonard crashed his Eagle-Offenhauser into an inside wall on lap 152 when a tyre blew.[45][46][44][38] The impact caused the car's front end to collapse, resulting in Leonard suffering a compound fracture of the left leg and a crushed ankle joint.[44] The resulting injuries ended his career, he was unable to compete in the following year's California 500 upon failing a physical examination.[46][45] A two-time consecutive USAC champion between 1971-1972, Leonard also experienced success racing motorcycles in the 1950s.[46][45]

Leonard's accident forced a caution period that ended after lap 162.[44] By this point, Al led Bobby by 7.1 seconds thanks to five lapped cars being between them.[44][38] Nevertheless, Bobby persevered, eventually cutting the margin to 1.05 seconds by lap 170.[44] A lap later, he passed Al to move into the first position.[38][44] Following the final pitstops, Bobby remained in front, with a margin of 1.1 seconds with 17 laps remaining.[44][38] He increased this to 1.8 seconds with two laps to go, but Al attempted one last charge.[44] The younger Unser almost succeeded in regaining the lead, as he cut the gap to just 58‐hundredths of a second.[44] However, that 58‐hundredths of a second was enough for Bobby to remain in first, thus claiming victory and $88,758.[44][38] Eagle-Offenhauser's Jerry Grant finished a lap down in third.[38]

1975 Michigan 150

The 1975 Michigan 150 (also known as the 1975 Michigan Grand Prix) was the 11th race of the 1975 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 13th September at the Michigan International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Tom Sneva in a McLaren-Offenhauser, who controlled proceedings after Coyote-Foyt's A.J. Foyt and Wildcat-DGS' Gordon Johncock both ran out of fuel with a few laps remaining. Bobby Unser also suffered a serious leg injury, ending his season prematurely.

It was the third running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.[47] It was one of two 1975 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Michigan International Speedway, the other being the Norton 200,[48] which occurred on 20th July and was won by A.J. Foyt.[49]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Foyt winning the pole position with a speed of 201.117 mph.[47] Directly behind him was Johncock, with Johnny Rutherford lining up third in a McLaren-Offenhauser.[47] Sneva qualified seventh out of 22 competitors,[47] and was making a comeback after suffering burns at the 1975 Indianapolis 500.[50]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1975 Michigan 150 commenced on 13th September.[47] Johncock shot into the lead on the first lap, but Foyt regained it a lap later, leading the next 25 laps.[47] Johncock moved back into the first position on lap 27, but dropped it three laps later to Eagle-Offenhauser's Johnny Parsons.[47] Parsons would then be passed by Foyt two laps later, but Johncock would again regain the first position on lap 41.[47] On lap 49, Parsons crashed out, prompting a caution that lasted until lap 53.[47]

When the race resumed, Johncock still led, but Sneva was quickly making his way through the field.[47] On lap 69, he achieved what was ultimately the final lead change of the event.[47] With only a few laps to go, Foyt and Johncock both suddenly ran out of fuel on laps 71 and 72 respectively.[47] This enabled Sneva to control the remaining laps to claim his first USAC Championship victory and $11,821 in prize money.[50][47] Rutherford finished second,[47] despite colliding with Bobby Unser's Eagle-Offenhauser, the impact breaking Unser's leg and putting him out for the remainder of the season.[51][52] Nevertheless, although this occurred two laps before the finish, Unser had performed well enough to be classified third.[47] Jimmy Caruthers finished fourth in an Eagle-Offenhauser, marking his final race before he passed away on 26th October 1975 from cancer aged 30.[53][51]

1996 Las Vegas 500K

The 1996 Las Vegas 500K was the second race of the 1996–97 IRL Season. Occurring on 15th September at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Richie Hearn in a Reynard-Ford, his sole IndyCar victory. The race is also known for its large number of crashes, with three drivers suffering serious injuries.

It was the inaugural running of the event, with the race lasting 300 miles.[54] The 1996-97 IRL Season would also include the race's sequel, the 1997 Las Vegas 500K,[55] which occurred on 11th October and was won by Eliseo Salazar.[56] IndyCar has not raced at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway following Dan Wheldon's fatal accident in 2011, pending an evaluation on whether the series can safely continue running on high-banked ovals.[57]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Arie Luyendyk winning the pole position in a Reynard-Ford with a speed of 226.491 mph.[54] Directly behind him was Lola-Menard's Tony Stewart, with Reynard-Ford's Robby Gordon lining up third.[54] Richie Hearn qualified 8th out of 28 competitors.[54]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1996 Las Vegas 500K commenced on 15th September.[54] Luyendyk maintained his lead from the start, holding it until traffic enabled Gordon to catch-up and pass him on lap 26.[58][54] After being overtaken and then re-passing Luyendyk on lap 28, Gordon controlled proceedings until lap 58.[58][54] Beforehand, Brad Murphey suffered a serious crash in his Reynard-Ford, resulting in injuries to his right thighbone, pelvis and hip, which required surgery at the Methodist Hospital.[59][58][54] By lap 58, Gordon and the other front runners pitted during another caution, enabling John Paul Jr, who had already pitted in a Lola-Menard, to take the lead.[58][54] On lap 78, Lola-Menard's Tony Stewart crashed out on Turn 2, inflicting a broken left collarbone and neck ligament damage, which required treatment at the University Medical Center.[59][58][54] Paul pitted during the caution, giving Gordon back the lead.[58][54]

Meanwhile, Hearn began to close the gap towards the front runners, and after overtaking Luyendyk on lap 93, would take the lead from Gordon on lap 100 as the latter was saving fuel.[58][54] Six laps later, Luyendyk crashed out following a wheel bearing failure.[54] On lap 125, Stan Wattles crashed his Lola-Ford, losing consciousness following the accident, but ultimately recovered without suffering any injuries.[58][54] The same could not be said for Lola-Menard's Mark Dinsmore, who crashed out from sixth on lap 151, suffering pelvis and left hip socket fractures.[59][58][54] At the restart on lap 161, Gordon took the lead from Hearn, but the latter regained it on lap 169.[58][54] Ten laps later, Gordon retired following a wheel bearing failure.[58][54]

A 20-minute stoppage then occurred when Johnny O'Connell crashed out in a Reynard-Ford with 15 laps remaining, his car ending up upside down, although he escaped uninjured.[58][54] From there, Hearn fended off the Lola-Ford of Michel Jourdain Jr for the final laps to claim his sole IndyCar victory and $120,000 in prize money.[60][58][54] Jourdain Jr finished second, with Reynard-Ford's Mike Groff a lap down in third.[58][54]

Availability

While it is known that Universal Films filmed all seven races, no footage of these events is currently publicly available.[61] If they were included as part of Universal's silent film collection, they would have been deliberately destroyed alongside all other silent films Universal held in its vaults in 1948.[62] Nevertheless, various photos of the races have resurfaced.[63]

According to IndyCar on TV, the 1972 Michigan 200 received live flag-to-flag coverage from ABC.[64] Additionally, according to nascarman History's Top 10 Lost IndyCar Broadcasts, the race was also televised by the TVS Television Network. But of twelve IndyCar races to have been televised by TVS, none are currently publicly available, with the ABC version also missing. Nevertheless, a 13-minute Car and Track video remains viewable, while amateur footage and photos, including of Bettenhausen's crash, can also be accessed.[34] Additionally, the final 90 minutes of the 1974 California 500 would be televised live by ABC as part of its ABC Championship Auto Racing.[65] The broadcast has yet to resurface, although a silent fan recording and photos of the event can be found online.

IndyCar on TV also reported that 30 minutes of highlights from the 1975 Michigan 150 were televised by ABC on 8th November 1975 as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside the International Thoroughbred Horse Race and Hawaiian Masters Surfing Championships.[66] The program paid tribute to Caruthers once the event ended.[51][53] The broadcast has yet to resurface, however, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available.

Meanwhile, the 1996 Las Vegas 500K received live flag-to-flag coverage from ABC.[67] However, on the East Coast, ABC opted to leave its coverage of the race with around 68 laps remaining, instead focusing on local news reports.[68] The reason behind this decision was that 40% of the race was held under caution, resulting in the coverage going well beyond its allocated time.[68][58][54] However, the West Coast broadcast was unaffected.[68] As of the present day, only the East Coast version is currently publicly available.[68] Some of the race's final laps can be viewed online thanks to a local news broadcast, but most of the remaining 68 laps is inaccessible. During an r/INDYCAR discussion regarding the missing broadcast among other lost IndyCar media, a representative of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Racing Museum claimed they had found the complete broadcast.[68] Whether it will receive a wide public release remains unclear.

Gallery

Videos

Car and Track film of the 1972 Michigan 200.

Fan footage of the 1972 Michigan 200.

Silent amateur footage of Bettenhausen's crash at the 1972 Michigan 200.

Silent footage of the 1974 California 500.

ABC's East Coast broadcast of the 1996 Las Vegas 500K, also including a local report showcasing footage of the finish.

nascarman History's Top 10 Lost IndyCar Broadcasts detailing TVS Television Network's IndyCar broadcasts (0:20-0:59) and the 1996 Las Vegas 500K broadcasts (1:33-2:16).

References

  1. Union Town Speedway detailing the origins of the Uniontown Speedway. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 ChampCar Stats listing all Uniontown races sanctioned by AAA, including noting which Universal Film Trophy Races counted towards the AAA Championship. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  3. 3.0 3.1 First Super Speedway detailing the origins behind the Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  4. Vivian & The Board Track Boys detailing the construction of the Uniontown Speedway. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  5. Pennsylvania Heritage noting the Universal Film Trophy Races were filmed and showcased by Universal Films. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Auto Racing in the Shadow of the Great War detailing the 1916 Universal Film Trophy race and the second fatal crash. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Automotive History detailing the first Universal Film Trophy race and its fatal accidents. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  8. ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the 1916 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  9. 9.0 9.1 Motorsport Memorial page for Charles Heist, also detailing what caused Heist and Bush's fatal accident during practice for the 1916 Universal Film Trophy Race, as well as claiming no spectators died from the second fatal crash. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 The New York Times reporting on the fatal accident that claimed the lives of Heist and Bush. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  11. Motorsport Memorial page for Frank Bush. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 The New York Times reporting on the 1916 Universal Film Trophy Race crash that claimed the lives of Hughes, Galvin, Weigel, and at least two spectators. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  13. Auto Racing Comes of Age stating a spectator was killed in the 1916 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  14. 14.0 14.1 Auto Racing in the Shadow of the Great War summarising the second Universal Film Trophy Race and noting the track's safety changes. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  15. 15.0 15.1 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the 1917 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Auto Racing in the Shadow of the Great War detailing the Liberty Sweepstakes races that decided the 1918 winner. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  17. 17.0 17.1 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the first Liberty Sweepstakes Heat. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  18. ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the second Liberty Sweepstakes Heat. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  19. ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the third Liberty Sweepstakes Heat. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  20. ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the fourth Liberty Sweepstakes Heat. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  21. 21.0 21.1 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the main 1918 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  22. 22.0 22.1 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the 1919 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 Auto Racing in the Shadow of the Great War detailing the 1920 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the 1920 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  25. 25.0 25.1 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the 1921 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  26. 26.0 26.1 The Indianapolis Automobile Industry summarising the 1921 Universal Film Trophy Race and noting Milton was deemed the favourite to win it. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  27. Auto Sport World noting Murphy won the pole position for the 1922 Universal Film Trophy Race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 The New York Times reporting on Murphy winning the 1922 Universal Film Trophy race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 ChampCar Stats detailing the results of the 1922 race. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  30. 30.00 30.01 30.02 30.03 30.04 30.05 30.06 30.07 30.08 30.09 30.10 30.11 30.12 30.13 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1972 Michigan 200. Retrieved 15th May '22
  31. Racing-Reference detailing the 1972 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 15th May '22
  32. Eurosport reporting on the Michigan International Speedway being dropped from the IndyCar schedule. Retrieved 15th May '22
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 The New York Times reporting on Unser winning the pole position for the 1972 Michigan 200. Retrieved 15th May '22
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 The Crash Photos Database detailing Bettenhausen's accident at the 1972 Michigan 200 and providing photos of it. Retrieved 15th May '22
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 35.6 The New York Times reporting on Leonard winning the 1972 Michigan 200 and Bettenhausen's accident. Retrieved 15th May '22
  36. Archived The Vintage Racer detailing Bettenhausen competing in races in 1973. Retrieved 15th May '22
  37. Driver Database page for Merle Bettenhausen. Retrieved 15th May '22
  38. 38.00 38.01 38.02 38.03 38.04 38.05 38.06 38.07 38.08 38.09 38.10 38.11 38.12 38.13 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1974 California 500. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  39. Racing-Reference detailing the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1974 Ontario Heat 1. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1974 Ontario Heat 2. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  42. 42.0 42.1 Circuits of the Past detailing the history of the Ontario Motor Speedway. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  43. ESPN detailing USAC's Triple Crown. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  44. 44.00 44.01 44.02 44.03 44.04 44.05 44.06 44.07 44.08 44.09 44.10 44.11 44.12 The New York Times reporting on Unser winning the 1974 California 500. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 The New York Times reporting on Leonard's accident at the 1974 California 500 and his attempt to enter the following California 500. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 Speed Sport detailing Leonard's career and his career-ending injury at the 1974 California 500. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  47. 47.00 47.01 47.02 47.03 47.04 47.05 47.06 47.07 47.08 47.09 47.10 47.11 47.12 47.13 47.14 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1975 Michigan 150. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  48. Racing-Reference detailing the 1975 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  49. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1975 Norton 200. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  50. 50.0 50.1 The New York Times briefly reporting on Sneva winning the 1975 Michigan 150. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 Track Forum discussing Unser's crash at the 1975 Michigan 150 and noting this was Caruthers' final race. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  52. Track Forum noting Unser's accident at the 1975 Michigan 150 left him unable to compete in the remainder of the season. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  53. 53.0 53.1 The New York Times reporting on the death of Caruthers. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  54. 54.00 54.01 54.02 54.03 54.04 54.05 54.06 54.07 54.08 54.09 54.10 54.11 54.12 54.13 54.14 54.15 54.16 54.17 54.18 54.19 54.20 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1996 Las Vegas 500K/ Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  55. Racing-Reference detailing the 1996-97 IRL Season schedule. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  56. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1997 Las Vegas 500K. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  57. Archived USA Today reporting on IndyCar not returning to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway following the 2011 edition. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  58. 58.00 58.01 58.02 58.03 58.04 58.05 58.06 58.07 58.08 58.09 58.10 58.11 58.12 58.13 58.14 Archived IRL Trackside Report detailing the 1996 Las Vegas 500K highlights. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  59. 59.0 59.1 59.2 Archived IndyCar Racing Magazine reporting on Stewart, Dismore, and Murphey requiring hospital treatment for their injuries sustained at the 1996 Las Vegas 500K. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  60. Las Vegas Review-Journal noting the 1996 Las Vegas 500K was Hearn's only IndyCar win. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  61. Track Forum noting no footage of the Universal Film Trophy Races are currently publicly available. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  62. The Atlantic noting Universal destroyed its silent film collection in 1948. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  63. Uniontown Speedway Board Track providing photos of various Uniontown Speedway races. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  64. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1972 Michigan 200. Retrieved 15th May '22
  65. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1974 California 500. Retrieved 15 Jun '22
  66. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1975 Michigan 150. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  67. Ultimate Racing History summarising the ABC broadcast of the 1996 Las Vegas 500K and detailing the race results. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22
  68. 68.0 68.1 68.2 68.3 68.4 r/INDYCAR post discussing the partially lost ABC broadcast of the 1996 Las Vegas 500K and an Indianapolis Motor Speedway Racing Museum representative's claim that the Museum has a full copy of it. Retrieved 3rd Jul '22