1973-1975 USAC Championship Car Seasons (partially found footage of IndyCar races; 1973-1975)

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1975bricklin1501.jpg

Program for the 1975 Bricklin 150.

Status: Partially Found

The 1973, 1974, and 1975 USAC Championship Car Seasons were respectively the 16th, 17th, and 18th seasons of USAC's top-level open-wheel championship. The 1973 season saw Roger McCluskey claim his sole USAC Championship, whereas 1974 had Bobby Unser earn his second title. Finally, the 1975 season saw A.J. Foyt earn his sixth of seven USAC Championships. Of the races televised during this time period, at least ten are deemed to be missing.

1973 Races

1973 Texas 200

The 1973 Texas 200 was the inaugural race of the 1973 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 7th April at the Texas World Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Al Unser in a Parnelli-Offenhauser, although he faced criticism for his tactics during the final restart on lap 99.

It was the first running of the event,[1] with the race lasting 200 miles.[2] It was one of two 1973 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Texas World Speedway, the other also being called the Texas 200,[3] which commenced on 6th October and was won by Gary Bettenhausen in a McLaren-Offenhauser.[4] Following an oil crisis that affected the 1974 season, USAC did not return to Texas until 1976, before the circuit was completely removed from the IndyCar schedule when the 1980 race was cancelled following the USAC-CART conflict.[1]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in an Eagle-Offenhauser with a speed of 212.766 mph.[5][2] Directly behind him was Bettenhausen, with Parnelli-Offenhauser's Mario Andretti lining up third.[2] Andretti is also known to have set a speed of 214.158 mph at some point during qualifying, which was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as having set the world closed course speed record.[1] Al Unser meanwhile qualified fourth out of 26 competitors.[2]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1973 Texas 200 commenced on 7th April.[2] Unser maintained his lead from the start, leading the first 29 laps before being forced to retire due to a broken piston.[5][2] As the drivers pulled in for their first pit stops, it enabled Bettenhausen to lead the next two laps, while Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Offenhauser led the next six.[5][2] Eagle-Offenhauser's Mike Mosley then passed Rutherford on lap 39, holding the lead for 22 laps before dropping it to fellow Eagle-Offenhauser driver Billy Vukovich, Jr..[2] Vukovich was only able to defend the first position for seven laps before Al Unser took over on lap 68, in what turned out to be the final lead change.[2][5]

Near the end of the race, a caution period commenced that lasted for five laps.[6][5] On lap 98, the race starter, Shim Malone, raised a finger to inform the drivers the green flag would drop on lap 99.[6] In preparation for this, Unser slowly led the field as his car's engine was suffering issues.[6][5] As he reached the back straight, however, he started accelerating away.[6][5] This proved to be a gamechanger, as Mosley was unable to keep up due to a problematic turbocharger, and Bettenhausen not allowed to pass him until he travelled past the green flag.[6][5] When it finally dropped, Unser held a lead of more than 100 yards over Mosley and Bettenhausen, with the latter overtaking the former on lap 99.[6][5] While Bettenhausen was able to reduce the gap to Unser by two tenths of a second, it was ultimately not enough, thus allowing Unser to claim victory and $18,651 in prize money.[6][5] Bettenhausen and Mosley finished second and third respectively.[5][2]

Despite the win, Unser faced criticism from both fans and other drivers, with him being booed at Victory Lane.[6][5] Bettenhausen deemed Unser's tactics to be unsporting, stating "He put on his brakes or at least slowed down in the second turn, then suddenly stood on it [the throttle]."[6] Rutherford deemed the moved a "dirty pool", claiming "Al was going a lot slower than the normal pace speed, and then he stomped on it."[6] Bettenhausen's car owner Roger Penske however accepted the situation and noted that Bettenhausen had lost time both early in the race and as a result of a slow tyre change during one pitstop.[6]

Meanwhile, Unser defended himself, stating "There was nothing dirty in what I did. There was no way I could have held him [Bettenhausen] off any more. He'd have passed me going into the first turn if there had been another lap. Let's face it, I didn't have the horses the other guys had, so I wanted to jump out as much as I could and hope could hold them off. I learned that lesson the hard way from A.J. Foyt. As for the fans’ booing, maybe they don't realize that once the leader sets the pace, it's up to the other guys to keep up."[6] Regardless of whether Unser's move could be considered unsporting, a USAC spokesman stated Unser did not violate any rules, as the leader is required to set the pace on the last lap of a caution, with all drivers conforming to said pace.[5][6]

1973 Schaefer 500

The 1973 Schaefer 500 was the sixth race of the 1973 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 1st July at the Pocono International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by A.J. Foyt in a Coyote-Foyt, capitalising in a race of attrition after Roger McCluskey's McLaren-Offenhauser ran out of fuel with a lap remaining.

It was the third running of the event, with the annual race lasting 500 miles.[7] The only 1973 USAC Championship Car Season race to commence at Pocono,[3] it was considered part of USAC's Triple Crown of 500-mile races that lasted between 1971-1980, also consisting of the Indianapolis 500 and California 500.[8] Pocono IndyCar events would be run on an on-and-off basis, before the track be dropped from the IndyCar schedule in 2020.[9]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Peter Revson winning the pole position in a McLaren-Offenhauser with a record speed of 190.648 mph.[10][11][12][13][7] Directly behind him were the Parnelli-Offenhausers of Al Unser and Mario Andretti, in second and third respectively.[10][12][7] A.J. Foyt qualified only 14th out of 33 competitors.[12][7] The race would notably become the first to be operate under new USAC regulations required nine inches to be cut off the cars' rear wings, following one fatal and two serious accidents that occurred at the 1973 Indianapolis three weeks previously.[10][11] Despite the change being enforced to slow the cars down, most competitors still exceeded the qualifying speeds of the previous Schaefer 500.[10][11] Meanwhile, Mel Kenyon qualified last in an Eagle-Foyt, with his car notably being sponsored by the Atlanta Falcons.[14][13][7]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1973 Schaefer 500 commenced on 1st July.[7] Andretti shot into the lead on the first lap, leading the first ten before dropping it to Jimmy Caruthers in an Eagle-Offenhauser.[7] On lap 8, Al Unser crashed heavily at Turn 1 in a Parnelli-Offenhauser.[15][16][7] While he escaped serious injury, he did suffer a neck sprain, a mild concussion, and abrasions to his knees.[15][16] Caruthers then led for 21 laps only for another Eagle-Offenhauser driver, Bobby Unser, to pass him on lap 32.[7] Unser only led four laps before Eagle-Offenhauser's Gordon Johncock took the lead on lap 36, maintaining it for 20 laps before Unser regained it.[7] From there, the battle for the lead became an open competition, with many of the 29 lead changes seldom lasting ten laps or more.[7]

The event also turned into a race of attrition, Caruthers retiring due to a piston failure after 124 laps, and Johncock crashing out after 136 following a blown tyre.[16][7][15] Unser meanwhile engaged in a duel with Roger McCluskey, ultimately losing the first position to the latter on lap 164.[7] Three laps later, Unser retired following a clutch failure.[16][7] On lap 174, Foyt passed McCluskey, but the latter regained the lead a lap later.[7] For the next 25 laps, McCluskey defended his lead, and it seemed likely that he would emerge victorious.[15][16][13][7] However, on the final lap, McCluskey ran out of fuel, which occurred because his crew miscalculated the car's fuel consumption.[15][16][13][7] Even if McCluskey had pitted, however, Foyt would likely have taken the lead, himself having pitted ten laps earlier.[15][13]

Foyt therefore took the first position on the final lap to claim victory and around $90,000 in prize money.[15][16][13][7] Post-race, he stated "I have said many times that it's the last lap that counts. I didn't think McCluskey could go the distance, since we had pitted together when he made his last stop. I was surprised that he went as far as he did."[16] McCluskey performed well enough to finish second, with Eagle-Offenhauser's Lloyd Ruby taking third.[15][16][13][7] Just seven of the 33 competitors finished the race.[15][7]

1974 Races

1974 California 500

Main article: 1974 California 500.

1974 Phoenix 150

The 1974 Phoenix 150 was the fourth race of the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 17th March at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Mike Mosley in an Eagle-Offenhauser, having barely even made the race after initially failing to qualify for it.

It was the 10th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.[17] The event was making its return to the calendar after not being run in 1973.[18] It was one of two 1974 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway, the other being also being called the Phoenix 150,[19] which commenced on 2nd November and was won by Gordon Johncock in an Eagle-Offenhauser.[20] The race would have ties with Phoenix events like the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, before Phoenix races were dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018 following low attendance.[21]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Al Unser winning the pole position in an Eagle-Offenhauser with a speed of 137.195 mph.[22][17] Directly behind him was McLaren-Offenhauser's Johnny Rutherford, with Eagle-Offenhauser driver Bobby Unser lining up third.[17] Mike Mosley originally failed to qualify for the event.[22] However, because the competing field was so small, he was permitted to compete, along with Mongoose-Foyt's John Cannon.[22][17] Mosley therefore lined up 19th out of 20 competitors.[17]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1974 Phoenix 150 commenced on 17th March.[17] Rutherford shot into the lead on the first lap, holding it for the first nine before Unser retook it on lap 10.[17] Unser then held the first position for 16 laps, eventually dropping it Coyote-Foyt's A.J. Foyt on lap 26.[17] Three laps later, he retired following a broken turbo hose.[22][17] Foyt only defended the lead for four laps before Johncock took over, leading another 19 laps, only for Foyt to regain it and then drop it to King-Offenhauser's Tom Sneva a lap later.[17] Sneva also only held the lead briefly, as Eagle-Offenhauser's Wally Dallenbach passed him on lap 51.[17]

Dallenbach held the first position for the longest uninterrupted duration of the race at 55 laps, ultimately losing it to Foyt on lap 106 and later dropping to a lap behind the leaders at the event's end.[17] Foyt led the next four laps,[17] but Mosley had successfully climbed the order following consistent driving and quick pit stops.[22] On lap 110, he completed the final lead change of the race.[17][22] Mosley therefore maintained the first position for the next 41 laps to claim victory and $9,555 in prize money.[22][17] Bobby Unser finished 15 seconds behind in second, with Foyt taking third.[17][22]

1974 Trentonian 200

The 1974 Trentonian 200 (also known as the 1974 Trenton 200) was the fifth race of the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 7th April at the Trenton Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Bobby Unser in an Eagle-Offenhauser. The race is known for its record high attrition rate, with only four of the 19 competitors finishing the event.

It was the 13th running of the event, with the annual race lasting just over 200 miles.[23] It was one of three 1974 USAC Championship Car Season races to occur at Trenton Speedway;[19] the others were Heats 1 and 2 of the Trenton 300, which both occurred on 22nd September and were won by Coyote-Foyt's A.J. Foyt and Bobby Unser respectively.[24][25] Trenton would host IndyCar races until 1979 before being dropped from the schedule, with the circuit being demolished in 1980.[26]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Mario Andretti winning the pole position in a new Parnelli-Offenhauser with a speed of 168.067 mph.[27][23] Directly behind him was King-Offenhauser's Tom Sneva, with Eagle-Offenhauser driver Al Unser lining up third.[23] Bobby Unser qualified fifth out of 19 competitors.[23] The event's attrition rate began even before the race commenced, as Foyt and Gary Bettenhausen were forced to withdraw after wrecking their cars during practice.[27][23]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1974 Trentonian 200 commenced on 7th April.[23] Andretti maintained his lead from the start, defending the first position for the first 33 laps before being passed by Eagle-Offenhauser's Gordon Johncock after he made his first pit stop.[27][23] Johncock led until he was passed by Unser.[23] During this time period, David "Salt" Walther made a pitstop in a McLaren-Offenhauser.[27] Suddenly, the fuel system collapsed, which ignited the car.[27][23] Walther was unable to escape by the time firefighters arrived.[27] While the usage of foam extinguishers put out the fire, foam ended up within Walther's helmet, leaving him unable to breathe.[27] Ultimately, he recovered from the incident.[27]

After 73 laps, Andretti retired following a piston failure, leaving just eight vehicles on track.[27][23] Three laps later, Johncock repassed Unser for first.[23] But after 104 laps, Johncock made his final pitstop, enabling Unser to retake the first position.[27][23] This turned out to be the final lead change of the race, as a crash from Johnny Rutherford's McLaren-Offenhauser brought out a caution on lap 112, leaving Unser's position secure as Johncock among others were forced to conform to pace car speed.[27][23] From there, Unser controlled proceedings, leading the final 31 laps to claim victory and $11,666 in prize money.[27][23] Johncock finished second, while fellow Eagle-Offenhauser driver Billy Vukovich, Jr. was a lap down in third.[23][27] Jimmy Caruthers, also driving an Eagle-Offenhauser, finished fourth, becoming the only other driver to finish the event.[23][27]

Post-race, Unser stated "It just happened to be one of those days, I didn't know where they all were. When I came out of the pits, I was upfront behind the pace car and when I looked behind me, there was no one there."[27] The New York Times noted that the race broke the highest attrition record for USAC events, with the previous record holder, the 1970 California 500, having eight finishers.[28][27]

1974 Schaefer 500

The 1974 Schaefer 500 was the eighth race of the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 30th June at the Pocono International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Offenhauser, following a duel which ended after Eagle-Offenhauser's Wally Dallenbach retired due to an engine failure. Rutherford was the first USAC driver to win two 500-mile events in one year, having also won the 1974 Indianapolis 500.

It was the fourth running of the event, with the annual race again lasting 500 miles.[29] It was the only 1974 USAC Championship Car Season race to commence at Pocono.[19]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in an Eagle-Offenhauser with a speed of 182.5 mph.[30][29] Directly behind him were fellow Eagle-Offenhauser drivers Steve Krisiloff and Dallenbach, in second and third respectively.[30][29] Indianapolis 500 winner Rutherford meanwhile qualified fifth.[29] The previous year's winner and Coyote-Foyt driver A.J. Foyt experienced issues qualifying for the event, as three days of rain previously had removed a significant amount of rubber from the course, while Foyt's engine blew as his started his second lap.[31][30] Ultimately, he earned a place in the field, albeit lining up 29th out of 33 competitors as the carryover session he competed in did not allow him to be bumped up the field.[31][29][30] Heading into the event, Foyt labelled many of the drivers ahead of him as "a bunch of idiots."[32]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1974 Schaefer 500 commenced on 30th June.[29] Dallenbach shot into the lead on the opening lap, maintaining it for three laps before Unser moved back into the first position on lap 4.[29] He was only able to defend it until lap 10, when Eagle-Offenhauser's Mario Andretti passed him.[29] Andretti led until Krisiloff took the first position on lap 24, only for Andretti to retake it a lap later.[29] Andretti then held first for 23 laps, with Krisiloff again passing him on lap 48.[29] But as the race reached lap 78, with Unser passing Eagle-Offenhauser's Gordon Johncock to take the first position, the race primarily turned into a three-way duel between Unser, Dallenbach, and the fast-closing Rutherford.[33][32][29] Unser led for 40 laps before Dallenbach achieved an overtake on lap 118, the pair overtaking each other a few times by lap 137.[29] On lap 133, Andretti attempted to pass fellow Eagle-Offenhauser driver Bill Simpson, but the latter's connecting rod failure leaked oil that Andretti spun on, causing him to crash out.[32][29]

On lap 163, Dallenbach again passed Unser for the first position.[29] Unser would ultimately drop out of lead contention, as he was forced to save fuel to complete the event.[34][32] Thus, the race became a duel between Dallenbach and Rutherford, with the latter briefly passing the former on lap 181.[29] Rutherford's race had proven eventful, as a pace car mistake meant he was ranked well below his actual position of third, forcing him to climb back through the order.[34][32] But during the final pitstops, it was Dallenbach who emerged in front, achieving a 15.8-second pitstop compared to Rutherford's 17.[32][29] Nevertheless, Rutherford remained only around six to eight car lengths behind, and it appeared the race would end with a close finish.[32] However, Dallenbach pulled into the pits after 188 laps due to engine issues caused by a broken piston.[34][33][32][29] This enabled Rutherford to control the final 12 laps, claiming victory and $92,625 in prize money.[32][34][33][29]

Rutherford's average speed of 154.701 mph set a track record, while he also became the first USAC driver to win two 500-mile races, and the first to win two of USAC's Triple Crown races in the in the same season.[35][34][32][29] Post-race, he stated "It's great, sort of like a dream come true. Winning two 500-mile championship events in a single season is even greater."[34] Eagle-Offenhauser's Jimmy Caruthers finished a lap down in second, with Johncock taking third.[32][34][29]

1975 Races

1975 Bricklin 150

The 1975 Bricklin 150 (also known as the 1975 Phoenix 150) was the fourth race of the 1975 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 16th March at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Offenhauser, dominating the event after having led 97 of the 150 laps.

It was the 11th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.[36] It was one of two 1975 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway, the other also being referred to as the Phoenix 150,[37] which occurred on 9th November and was won by A.J. Foyt in a Coyote-Ford.[38] The race was named after the Bricklin cars,[39]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Gordon Johncock winning the pole position in an Eagle-Offenhauser with a speed of 141.343 mph.[40][41][36] Directly behind him was Johnny Rutherford, with Foyt lining up third out of 19 competitors.[36][41]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1975 Bricklin 150 commenced on 16th March.[36] Rutherford shot into the lead on the first lap, holding it for 34 laps before Eagle-Offenhauser's Pancho Carter moved into the first position on lap 35 during a caution period that prompted many to pit.[41][36] Carter defended his lead for 13 laps, before Johncock moved back in front on lap 48, leading until lap 80.[36] However, debris prompted a caution between laps 78 to 84.[41][36] When it resumed on lap 85, Rutherford was ultimately able to secure a pass on lap 89.[41][36]

This proved to be the final lead change of the race, where although spins from McLaren-Offenhauser's Tom Sneva and Finley-Offenhauser's Johnny Parsons on laps 98 and 140 respectively resulted in cautions, Rutherford was able to re-build a sizable gap ahead of Johncock.[41][36] He therefore claimed victory and $9,282 in prize money.[41][36] Johncock finished ten seconds behind in second, while Foyt finished a lap down to take third.[41][36]

1975 Trentonian 200

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.

It was the 14th running of the event, with the annual race lasting just over 200 miles.[42] It was one of two 1975 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Trenton Speedway, the other being the Trenton Times Twin 200,[37] which occurred on 21st September and was won by Gordon Johncock in a Wildcat-DGS.[43]

Prior to the race, no qualifying commenced because of high wind speeds.[44][42] Instead, the starting order was decided by the drawing of lots.[27] 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.[42] A.J. Foyt would start 10th out of only 15 competitors, being deemed a pre-race favourite, including by Johncock.[45][44][42] During practice, Al Loquasto experienced a heavy crash in his McLaren-Offenhauser, after it took off due to the high wind.[44][42] It landed on the concrete wall at Turn 3, with Loquasto escaping serious injury and only requiring five stitches to his right knee.[44] Some drivers refused to take part in practice, but ultimately decided to compete in a race held at nine degrees and with 30 mph wind speeds.[44]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1975 Trentonian 200 commenced on 6th April.[42] The race's first five laps were held under caution so that the racers' tyres could be sufficiently warmed up.[42][44] When it properly began, Sneva maintained his lead for the next 15 laps, but was ultimately passed by a charging Foyt on lap 21.[42] He led 24 laps before Sneva again took over when Foyt made a pitstop.[44][42] 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.[42]

Foyt again controlled proceedings, leading the next 37 laps.[44][42] 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.[44][42] Foyt regained the lead just two laps later.[42] This proved to be the final lead change of the race, with Foyt remaining generally unchallenged for the remaining 39 laps.[44][42] He therefore claimed his 12th Trenton victory and $11,937 in prize money.[44][42] This also was his record 50th USAC Championship victory, with his average speed of 154.625 mph also setting a Trenton record.[44][42] 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."[44] Foyt would win another 17 Championship victories, and remains the driver with the most wins in the series at 67.[46] Rutherford, who experienced oil issues early in the race, finished second, with Mosley a lap down in third.[44][42]

1975 Michigan 150

Main article: 1975 Michigan 150.

Availability

According to IndyCar on TV, one hour of footage was televised live by ABC on 7th April 1973 as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside an interview with Muhammed Ali.[47] The broadcast has yet to resurface, but an 8mm film, a fan recording, and photos of the event can be found online. Additionally, ABC aired 45 minutes of highlights from the 1973 Schaefer 500 on 7th July 1973, alongside wrestling between the USA and USSR.[48] The broadcast has yet to resurface, although an Associated Press newsreel containing race highlights is publicly available. Photos and newspaper clippings can also be found online.[13]

ABC provided live flag-to-flag coverage of the 1974 Phoenix 150 and the 1974 Trentonian 200 as part of its ABC Championship Auto Racing.[49][50] Neither broadcast has resurfaced, but highlights from Car and Track and a silent fan recording of the 1974 Phoenix 150, as well as silent fan-recorded footage of the 1974 Trentonian 200, can be found online.

IndyCar on TV claims 45 minutes of highlights from the 1974 Schaefer 500 were televised by ABC on 6th July 1974 as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside the Expo '74 gymnastics exhibition.[51] The broadcast has yet to resurface, however, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some qualifying footage and a commercial for the event can be viewed online. Additionally, some photos and newspaper clippings of the race have also publicly resurfaced.[33]

As for the 1975 Bricklin 150, the final 90 minutes of the race was intended to be televised live by ABC as part of its ABC Championship Auto Racing.[52] However, a golf tournament overran, resulting in the race broadcast being reduced to 45 minutes.[52] The coverage received criticism, particularly because the commentators, Jim McKay and Roger Penske, seldom discussed the race itself.[52] Additionally, the cameras primarily focused on Rutherford and failed to cover the other racers.[52] The broadcast has yet to resurface, and no race footage is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some photos of the event can be found online. In contrast, the the 1975 Trentonian 200 did receive live flag-to-flag coverage from ABC as part of its ABC Championship Auto Racing.[53] Ultimately, no event footage has publicly resurfaced.

Gallery

Videos

Silent 8mm film footage of the 1973 Texas 200.

Fan footage of the 1973 Texas 200.

Associated Press newsreel of the 1973 Schaefer 500.

Car and Vision highlights of the 1974 Phoenix 150.

Fan footage of the 1974 Phoenix 150 (starts from 9:13).

Silent footage of the 1974 Trentonian 200.

Associated Press newsreel of the 1974 Schaefer 500.

Commercial promoting the 1974 Schaefer 500.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Racing Circuits detailing the history of the Texas World Speedway. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1973 Texas 200. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  3. 3.0 3.1 Racing-Reference detailing the 1973 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  4. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the October Texas 200. Retrieved 5 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 The New York Times reporting on Unser winning the 1973 Texas 200. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 The New York Times reporting on criticism surrounding Unser's tactics at the 1973 Texas 200. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1973 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  8. ESPN detailing USAC's Triple Crown. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  9. Autosport reporting on Pocono being dropped from the 2020 IndyCar schedule. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 The New York Times reporting on Revson winning the pole position for the 1973 Schaefer 500 and the new rear wing regulations. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Spartanburg Herald reporting on Revson winning the pole position for the 1973 Schaefer 500 (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 The New York Times listing the 1973 Schaefer 500's starting order. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 Bench-Racing summarising the 1973 Schaefer 500 and providing photos and newspaper clippings of it. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  14. Observer-Reporter reporting on Kenyon's Atlanta Falcons-backed bid to qualify for the 1973 Schaefer 500 (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 The New York Times reporting on Foyt winning the 1973 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8 Reading Eagle reporting on Foyt winning the 1973 Schaefer 500. (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  17. 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1974 Phoenix 150. Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  18. IndyCar on TV noting the Phoenix 150 was not run in 1973 Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Racing-Reference detailing the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  20. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the November 1974 Phoenix 150. Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  21. IndyStar reporting on Phoenix races being dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018. Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 The New York Times reporting on Mosley winning the 1974 Phoenix 150. Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  23. 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1974 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  24. Racing-Reference detailing the results of Heat 1 of the 1974 Trenton 300. Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  25. Racing-Reference detailing the results of Heat 2 of the 1974 Trenton 300. Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  26. Racing Circuits detailing the history of the Trenton Speedway. Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  27. 27.00 27.01 27.02 27.03 27.04 27.05 27.06 27.07 27.08 27.09 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 27.15 27.16 The New York Times reporting on Unser winning the 1974 Trentonian 200, and the event's high attrition rate. Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  28. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1970 California 500 Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  29. 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 29.12 29.13 29.14 29.15 29.16 29.17 29.18 29.19 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1974 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Lawrence Journal World reporting on Unser winning the pole position for the 1974 Schaefer 500 (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  31. 31.0 31.1 The New York Times reporting on Foyt qualifying for the 1974 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  32. 32.00 32.01 32.02 32.03 32.04 32.05 32.06 32.07 32.08 32.09 32.10 The New York Times reporting on Rutherford winning the 1974 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Bench-Racing detailing the 1974 Schaefer 500 and providing photos and newspaper clippings of it. Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 Spartanburg Herald reporting on Rutherford winning the 1974 Schaefer 500 (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  35. Unique Car and Parts noting Rutherford became the first USAC driver to win two 500-mile races in one year. Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  36. 36.00 36.01 36.02 36.03 36.04 36.05 36.06 36.07 36.08 36.09 36.10 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1975 Bricklin 150. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  37. 37.0 37.1 Racing-Reference detailing the 1975 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  38. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the November 1975 Phoenix 150. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  39. Kevin Triplett's Racing History noting the Phoenix 150 being renamed to the Bricklin 150. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  40. The New York Times reporting on Johncock winning the pole position for the 1975 Bricklin 150. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 41.7 The New York Times reporting on Rutherford winning the 1975 Bricklin 150. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  42. 42.00 42.01 42.02 42.03 42.04 42.05 42.06 42.07 42.08 42.09 42.10 42.11 42.12 42.13 42.14 42.15 42.16 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1975 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  43. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1975 Trenton Times Twin 200. Retrieved 16th 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 44.13 The New York Times reporting on Foyt winning the 1975 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  45. The New York Times reporting on Johncock deeming Foyt a favourite to win the 1975 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  46. ChampCar Stats noting Foyt holds the record for the most Championship victories at 67. Retrieved 16th Jun '22
  47. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1973 Texas 200. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  48. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1973 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 5 Jun '22
  49. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1974 Phoenix 150. Retrieved 9th Jun '22
  50. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1974 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 10th Jun '22
  51. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1974 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 10 Jun '22
  52. 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1975 Bricklin 150. Retrieved 15th Jun '22
  53. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1975 Trentonian 200 Retrieved 16th Jun '22