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| {{NSFL|discussion of a career-ending motor racing accident/disturbing visuals}}
| | #REDIRECT [[IndyCar (partially found footage of IndyCar races featuring fatal and/or serious accidents; 1916-1996)]] |
| {{InfoboxLost
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| |title=<center>1972 Michigan 200</center>
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| |image=1972michigan2001.jpg
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| |imagecaption=Program for the race.
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| |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
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| }}
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| 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.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1972 Michigan 200'' was the fourth running of the event, the annual race lasting 200 miles.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1972_Michigan_200/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> The only 1972 USAC Championship Car Season race to occur at Michigan International Speedway,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1972/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1972 USAC Championship Car Season schedule.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.eurosport.com/indycar/michigan-dropped_sto1251022/story.shtml ''Eurosport'' reporting on the Michigan International Speedway being dropped from the IndyCar schedule.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref>
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| 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.<ref name="qualifying">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/16/archives/bobby-unser-sets-a-qualifying-record-his-car-clocked-at-199778-mph.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Unser winning the pole position.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref><ref name="results"/> Directly behind him were the McLaren-Offenhausers of Gordon Johncock and Gary Bettenhausen in second and third respectively.<ref name="qualifying"/><ref name="results"/> Joe Leonard started 11th, while Merle Bettenhausen qualified 18th out of 26 competitors in a King-Offenhauser.<ref name="results"/><ref name="qualifying"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1972 Michigan 200 commenced on 16th July.<ref name="results"/> Unser did maintain his lead on the opening lap, only for Gordon Johncock to pass him on lap 2, maintaining it for 15 laps.<ref name="results"/> Further down the field, on lap 3,<ref name="results"/> Bettenhausen lost control of his King while exiting Turn 2, slamming into the outside wall.<ref name="crash">[http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk/cpdb/crashphotos_view.php?page=view&editid1=4025 ''The Crash Photos Database'' detailing Bettenhausen's accident and providing photos of it.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref><ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/17/archives/leonard-victor-in-michigan-200-merle-bettenhausen-severs-arm-in.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Leonard winning the race and Bettenhausen's accident.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> The impact was severe enough for the vehicle to burst into flames, while still travelling at a fast speed down the back straight.<ref name="crash"/> Bettenhausen attempted to escape the burning car while it was still moving.<ref name="crash"/> As he starting pulling himself out, his right arm hit the fence, causing it to be severed completely.<ref name="crash"/><ref name="nyt"/> By the time the car finally rested, it was ablaze.<ref name="crash"/> Bettenhausen was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital, also suffering from third-degree burns to his face and pelvic lacerations.<ref name="crash"/><ref name="nyt"/> While he survived, his full-time racing career was over.<ref name="crash"/> He did however win a USAC National Midget Series race and also competed in a USAC Stock Car Series event, both occurring in 1973.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721055148/http://www.thevintageracer.com/articles/m_bettenhausen.htm Archived ''The Vintage Racer'' detailing Bettenhausen competing in races in 1973.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref><ref>[https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/merle-bettenhausen/ ''Driver Database'' page for Merle Bettenhausen.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref>
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| When the race resumed on lap 10, Johncock maintained his lead until lap 17 when Unser repassed him.<ref name="results"/> Unser then led the next 46 laps, only to retire because of an oil pressure failure.<ref name="results"/> 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.<ref name="results"/> Andretti's race would end five laps later, however, when a ring failure occurred.<ref name="results"/> Kenyon, therefore, inherited the lead, being 6-7 laps ahead of second-place Leonard, who had managed to move behind Kenyon on lap 80.<ref name="nyt"/> It looked as if Kenyon would claim victory, only for his car to run out of fuel with two laps remaining.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Therefore, Leonard gained the lead, holding on to claim victory and $17,892 in prize money.<ref name="results"/><ref name="nyt"/> Wally Dallenbach finished second in a Lola-Foyt, while Kenyon had done well enough to be classified third.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''IndyCar on TV'', the race received live flag-to-flag coverage from ABC.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1972/1972-michigan-200 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 15th May '22</ref> 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.
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Videos===
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| {{Video|perrow =3
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =Rd_LOp8smr8
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| |description1 =''Car and Track'' film of the race.
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| |service2 =youtube
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| |id2 =7O2D2nQOgxQ
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| |description2 =Amateur footage of the event.
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| |service3 =youtube
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| |id3 =c89tbN3umz0
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| |description3 =Silent amateur footage of Bettenhausen's crash.
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| }}
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| {{Video|perrow =1
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =IY2TffzYa-0
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| |description1 =''nascarman History'''s Top 10 Lost IndyCar Broadcasts detailing TVS Television Network's IndyCar broadcasts (0:20-0:59).
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| }}
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| ==See Also==
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| *[[1916-1922 Universal Film Trophy Races (lost footage of AAA races; 1916-1922)]]
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| *[[1962 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1962 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1963 Trenton 100 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1963 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1964 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1964 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1965 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1966 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1966 Trenton 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1967 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1967)]]
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| *[[1968 Tony Bettenhausen 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
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| *[[1968 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
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| *[[1969 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1969 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1969 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1970 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Rocky Mountain 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1971 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Marlboro 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Michigan 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1972 Best Western Motels 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Trenton Times 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1973 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1973 Texas 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1974 California 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Trentonian 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1975 Bricklin 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1976 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Trenton Times Auto Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1977 American Parts 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Michigan Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Texas Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1978 Coors 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Daily Express Indy Silverstone (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Daily Mail Indy Trophy (partially found CBS and BBC One footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; 1979)]]
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| *[[1979 California 500 (lost footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1979)]]
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| *[[1979 Gould Grand Prix (lost footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; 1979)]]
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| *[[1980 Miller High Life 150 (partially found footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1980 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1980 Primera Copa Mexico 150 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1980 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1981 Kraco Car Stereo 150 (lost CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1981)]]
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| *[[1981 Pocono 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1981)]]
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| *[[1996 Las Vegas 500K (partially lost footage of IRL Season race; 1996)]]
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| *[[Dan Wheldon (partially lost on-board footage of fatal IndyCar crash; 2011)]]
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| *[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
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| *[[Indianapolis 500 MCA closed-circuit broadcasts (partially lost racing footage; 1964-1970)]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
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| [[Category:Partially found media]]
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