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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1980-present IndyCar races (partially found footage of USAC, CART, and IRL races; 1980-present)]] |
| |title=<center>1980 Miller High Life 150</center>
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| |image=1980millerhighlife1501.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 '''''1980 Miller High Life 150''''' (also known as the '''''1980 Phoenix 150''''') was the final race of the 1980 CART PPG IndyCar World Series. Occurring on 8th November at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Phoenix-Cosworth's Tom Sneva, after having led 95 of the 150 laps. The race is also famous for 1980 Champion Johnny Rutherford's crash, the resulting collision causing his Chaparral-Cosworth to go airborne and land directly upside down.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1980 Miller High Life 150'' was the 27th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1980_Miller_High_Life_150/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> The only 1980 CART PPG IndyCar World Series races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1980/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1980 CART PPG IndyCar World Series schedule.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> its program paid tribute to AAA driver Bobby Ball.<ref name="bobby">[http://www.midwestracingarchives.com/2019/01/the-bobby-ball-memorial.html ''Midwest Racing Archives'' detailing the origins of the Bobby Ball race.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> The race would have ties with Phoenix events like the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, before the Phoenix races were dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018 following low attendance.<ref>[https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/06/22/indycar-not-return-phoenix-2019/727625002/ ''IndyStar'' reporting on Phoenix races being dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Mario Andretti winning the pole position in a Penske-Cosworth with a speed of 142.891 mph.<ref name="results"/> Directly behind him was Johnny Rutherford, who despite setting the fastest times in practice, experienced issues in qualifying due to an engine issue.<ref name="track">[https://www.trackforum.org/forum/motorsports/eagle104-s-nostalgia/146878-1980-phoenix-150 ''Track Forum'' discussing the race and Rutherford's crash.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> Penske-Cosworth's Pancho Carter lined up third, while Sneva qualified sixth out of 25 competitors.<ref name="results"/> Sneva however would be forced to start at the back following a broken shifter.<ref name="track"/> Bobby Unser was forced to withdraw from the race after crashing his Penske-Cosworth, with the spare car already being used by Andretti.<ref name="track"/><ref name="results"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1980 Miller High Life 150 commenced on 8th November.<ref name="results"/> Rutherford shot into the lead on the opening lap, holding it for 37 laps before dropping it to Al Unser in a Longhorn-Cosworth.<ref name="results"/> Unser would remain in front before crashing out after 54 laps, handing the lead back to Sneva.<ref name="results"/>
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| On lap 71, Rutherford managed to briefly move past Sneva.<ref name="track"/> He attempted to lap Penske-Cosworth's Dennis Firestone, only for the latter to clip his right rear tyre.<ref name="track"/> Rutherford spun and hit the wall rear-first, the resulting impact causing his Chaparral's rear left tyre to go under the car, resulting in the vehicle going airborne and landing directly upside down.<ref name="crash">[http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk/cpdb/crashphotos_view.php?page=view&editid1=6559 ''The Crash Photos Database'' detailing Rutherford's accident.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref><ref name="twitter">[https://mobile.twitter.com/basso488/status/795948410146721792 Twitter post providing television coverage of Rutherford's crash as well as an interview.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref><ref name="track"/><ref name="results"/> First aid respondents arrived promptly and, after righting the car, were able to communicate with Rutherford regaining consciousness while still inside his wrecked vehicle.<ref name="track"/><ref name="twitter"/> He was airlifted to hospital, suffering magnesium flash burns around his eyes and a shortened finger.<ref name="track"/><ref name="twitter"/> In an interview discussing the crash, Rutherford revealed he could not remember the crash, but noted how fortunate he was to have escaped without further damage.<ref name="twitter"/> He showcased how his helmet suffered extensive damage, including scrape marks and a dent on one of its sides.<ref name="twitter"/> The crash also enabled Penske to develop its 1981 car, as Al Unser had tracked down a fan taking photos of the car's bottom, and obtained said photos that revealed the complexity of the vehicle's ground effect design.<ref>[https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2020/03/13/rutherford-yellow-submarine-were-match-made-in-horsepower-heaven-2020?keywords=legends&startrow=167 ''Indianapolis Motor Speedway'' detailing the story of Unser obtaining photos of Rutherford's wrecked car that would help with the 1981 Penske's development.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref>
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| Meanwhile, with the exception of Andretti leading lap 101, Sneva would hold onto the first position for a combined 95 laps, therefore claiming victory, his first since 1977, and $16,100 in prize money.<ref name="track"/><ref name="results"/> Andretti finished nine seconds behind in second, despite suffering a blown engine at the chequered flag, with Orbiter-Cosworth's Gary Bettenhausen four laps down in third.<ref name="track"/><ref name="results"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''IndyCar on TV'', 30 minutes of highlights were televised by NBC on 22nd November 1980, being billed as the Phoenix 150 and becoming part of its ''NBC Sportsworld'', alongside Legends of Bowling and Tokyo Sumo Wrestling.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/cart/1980-championship-racing-league/1980-miller-high-life-150 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the NBC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> It is known that 15 minutes of the coverage was uploaded to YouTube by MotorsportsHistoryTV, but the video has since been taken down.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/INDYCAR/comments/gow525/1980_miller_high_life_150_tv_broadcast/ r/INDYCAR discussing the missing NBC broadcast and the video by MotorsportsHistoryTV that has since been taken down.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> As of the present day, a few minutes of footage and some photos concerning Rutherford's can be found online.<ref name="twitter"/><ref name="crash"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Video===
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| {{Video|perrow =1
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =2KnbrLsl2l8
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| |description1 =Footage of Rutherford's crash.
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| }}
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| ==See Also==
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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 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 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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| *[[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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