1975 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)

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Program for the race.

Status: Lost

The 1975 Trentonian 200 (also known as the 1975 Trenton 200) was the fifth race of the 1975 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 6th April at the Trenton Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by A.J. Foyt in a Coyote-Foyt, achieving a record 50th USAC Championship victory.

Background

The 1975 Trentonian 200 was the 14th running of the event, with the annual race lasting just over 200 miles.[1] It was one of two 1975 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Trenton Speedway, the other being the Trenton Times Twin 200,[2] which occurred on 21st September and was won by Gordon Johncock in a Wildcat-DGS.[3] Trenton would host IndyCar races until 1979 before being dropped from the schedule, with the circuit being demolished in 1980.[4]

Prior to the race, no qualifying commenced because of high wind speeds.[5][1] Instead, the starting order was decided by the drawing of lots.[5] Tom Sneva in a McLaren-Offenhauser drew the first position, with Eagle-Offenhauser's Mike Mosley qualifying second, and Finley-Offenhauser's Johnny Parsons lining up third.[1] A.J. Foyt would start 10th out of only 15 competitors, being deemed a pre-race favourite, including by Johncock.[6][5][1] During practice, Al Loquasto experienced a heavy crash in his McLaren-Offenhauser, after it took off due to the high wind.[5][1] It landed on the concrete wall at Turn 3, with Loquasto escaping serious injury and only requiring five stitches to his right knee.[5] Some drivers refused to take part in practice, but ultimately decided to compete in a race held at 9 degrees and with 30 mph wind speeds.[5]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1975 Trentonian 200 commenced on 6th April.[1] The race's first five laps were held under caution so that the racers' tyres could be sufficiently warmed up.[1][5] When it properly began, Sneva maintained his lead for the next 15 laps, but was ultimately passed by a charging Foyt on lap 21.[1] He led 24 laps before Sneva again took over when Foyt made a pitstop.[5][1] Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Offenhauser moved into the first position two laps later, but he would only maintain it for another ten before Foyt moved back into first on lap 57.[1]

Foyt again controlled proceedings, leading the next 37 laps.[5][1] Rutherford took the lead on lap 94 when Foyt pitted, the latter also requiring a rubdown to relieve neck pain caused by a heavy helmet.[5][1] Foyt regained the lead just two laps later.[1] This proved to be the final lead change of the race, with Foyt remaining generally unchallenged for the remaining 39 laps.[5][1] He therefore claimed his 12th Trenton victory and $11,937 in prize money.[5][1] This also was his record 50th USAC Championship victory, with his average speed of 154.625 mph also setting a Trenton record.[5][1] Post-race, Foyt played down his achievements, stating "Them's just numbers. It may look easy sitting up in the stands, but there ain't no race that's easy."[5] Foyt would win another 17 Championship victories, and remains the driver with the most wins in the series at 67.[7] Rutherford, who experienced oil issues early in the race, finished second, with Mosley a lap down in third.[5][1]

Availability

According to IndyCar on TV, the race received live flag-to-flag coverage from ABC as part of its ABC Championship Auto Racing.[8] The broadcast has yet to resurface however, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the event. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  2. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the 1975 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  3. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1975 Trenton Times Twin 200. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  4. ↑ Racing Circuits detailing the history of the Trenton Speedway. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 The New York Times reporting on Foyt winning the race. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  6. ↑ The New York Times reporting on Johncock deeming Foyt a favourite to win the event. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  7. ↑ ChampCar Stats noting Foyt holds the record for the most Championship victories at 67. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  8. ↑ IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the race. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
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