1974 Pocono 500

Last updated

Flag of the United States.svg 1974 Pocono 500
Race details
8th round of the 1974 USAC Championship Car season
Pocono Raceway.svg
DateJune 30, 1974
Official name 1974 Schaefer 500
Location Long Pond, Pennsylvania
CoursePermanent racing facility
2.5 mi / 4.023 km
Distance200 laps
500 mi / 804.672 km
WeatherTemperatures up to 77 °F (25 °C); wind speeds up to 17 miles per hour (27 km/h) [1]
Pole position
Driver Bobby Unser  (All American Racers)
Time182.5 mph
Podium
First Johnny Rutherford  (McLaren)
Second Jimmy Caruthers  (Fletcher Racing)
Third Gordon Johncock  (Patrick Racing)

The 1974 Pocono 500, the 4th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 30, 1974. Branded as the 1974 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Johnny Rutherford, who one month earlier won the 1974 Indianapolis 500.

Contents

Background

1974 was the first year that the California 500 was held in March, making the Pocono 500 the final leg in IndyCar's Triple Crown of 500 mile races. Scoring the most points in the three races carried a $1000 prize and a ring presented at an awards ceremony. [2]

By 1974, several drivers criticized USAC over their lack of promotion for the Triple Crown. [3] Shortly after Secretariat won the similar prize in horse racing, it was lamented that auto racing's Triple Crown was not similarly embraced. After Pocono's General Manager, Bill Marvel, left his position, promotion of the Crown was reduced and USAC neglected to even mention Roger McCluskey won the 1973 Crown in their media guide.

"The Triple Crown was one man's dream," Mario Andretti said in June 1974. [3] "Since Bill Marvel isn't connected here anymore, the whole thing died. It has some definite meaning, but it has to be talked about."

"It is a good publicity thing," Mark Donohue said, [3] "but it has to be promoted. Right now everybody is just trying to win the race at hand." In June 1974, Philadelphia Daily News writer Bill Fleischman wrote, [3] "A few years ago, Joe Leonard was honored at a dinner in Philadelphia as the first Triple Crown Winner. Leonard said he hoped his sport's Triple Crown would soon be as prestigious as horse racing's established salute. It hasn't happened. And it won't until auto racing cares enough to promote what could be an exciting attention getter."

Bobby Unser won the California 500 in March. Johnny Rutherford won the Indianapolis 500. Two weeks later, Rutherford won again at the Milwaukee Mile. [4]

Peter Revson, polesitter for the 1973 Schaefer 500, was killed in a testing crash ahead of the 1974 South African Grand Prix in late March. [5]

Practice

Practice started Wednesday. Gordon Johncock was fastest at 181.847 mph, Johnny Rutherford was second at 181.781 mph. [6]

Thursday's practice was delayed three hours due to an overnight rain. Mario Andretti posted the fasted speed at 183.036 mph. AJ Foyt was second fastest at 182.897 mph. Billy Vukovich was the first driver to hit the wall when he spun in turn three. He strained his knee but returned to practice hours later in a backup car. [7]

Friday's practice began at 9 a.m. Dick Simon, Larry McCoy, and Sammy Sessions were the first three cars on track. Shortly after Simon posted a speed of 173.021 mph, it began to thunder and heavy rain fell. [8] The rain stopped at 11:30 and sun began to shine. Then a second storm came from the southwest and canceled practice for the day. [9]

Time Trials

Qualifying runs were a four-lap, ten-mile average speed. Bobby Unser won the pole at an average speed of 182.500 mph. Steve Krisiloff qualified second at 182.269 mph. Wally Dallenbach joined the front row at 182.020 mph. 28 cars posted qualifying speeds on day one. Rick Muther hit the wall in practice and the car was withdrawn. [10]

A. J. Foyt had won the pole at the California 500 and Indianapolis 500, and looked to be a favorite to repeat at Pocono. [11] No one had ever won the pole at all three 500 miles races in one year. On his first qualifying lap, Foyt's average speed was a blistering 185.759 mph. On his second lap, Foyt burned a piston, significantly slowed, and was waved back into the pits by his crew. His crew installed a new engine and Foyt went out for practice during a break in qualifying. Foyt hit a patch of oil on the track and spun in turn two which resulted in a broken universal joint, causing more repair time. With six minutes left in the qualifying session, the car driven by Tom Bigelow went out to attempt a qualifying run. After taking several warmup laps, the qualifying run started. After three slow laps, Bigelow's crew waived off the attempt, wasting several minutes. This aborted qualifying attempt angered Foyt greatly.

"That's really chicken shit. That's low life to go out there and use up that time, waste all those practice laps and then wave off after three qualifying laps. That's really chicken shit." [12]

Pancho Carter was the last car to go on track as the qualifying session ended at 6 p.m. Foyt was the next car in line. [13] "What does this mean? It means I'm going to have to start behind a bunch of idiots." [12]

Sunday's second round of qualifying was completely rained out. The final day of qualifying was rescheduled for Thursday. A.J. Foyt qualified for the race at an average speed of 181.415 mph. Because his run came on the final day of time trials, Foyt started the race 29th. Larry Cannon and Johnny Parsons Jr failed to qualify for the race. [14]

In 1973, USAC allowed 340 gallons of methanol fuel per car. For 1974, USAC rules allowed for only 280 gallons of fuel. Because of Pocono's long frontstretch, teams said their engines were running less efficiently than at Indianapolis. Teams estimated their car were getting 1.9 miles per gallon of fuel. Cars were forced to run less turbo boost pressure than allowed in order to improve the fuel economy to be able to make all 500 miles. [15]

Race

At the start of the race, third place starter, Wally Dallenbach, took the lead ahead of Bobby Unser. Unser repassed Dallenbach on lap four. Still looking for his first win at his home track, Mario Andretti took the lead on lap 10. [16]

By the time of his first pit stop, Johnny Rutherford was fighting a poor handling car and spent over a minute in the pits while his crew made adjustments. This put him over a lap behind Andretti. [16]

After climbing from 29th to 12th in 20 laps, defending Pocono 500 champion, AJ Foyt, brushed the wall in turn two and fell out of the race with a damaged suspension. On lap 25, third-place Al Unser ran out of fuel and a caution was thrown to tow him back to the pits. [17]

Andretti led 57 laps before a slow pit stop on lap 72 caused by a stalled engine cost him a lap. Leading the race on lap 78, Gordon Johncock ran out of fuel and brought out another caution to be towed in.

On lap 121, John Martin stalled on track and brought out a caution. Rutherford had yet to pit and was able to catch up to the leaders under caution. [18]

On lap 133, Bill Simpson blew an engine entering turn one and dropped oil on track. Following him was Mario Andretti, who spun in the oil, and hit the wall with the rear of the car. [19] [17]

On lap 155, Johnny Rutherford passed Bobby Unser to lead for the first time. One lap later, rookie Tom Sneva hit the turn one wall and brought out the sixth and final caution. Unser retook the lead when Rutherford pitted under caution. Unser had led a race high 74 laps, but was forced to run a low powered fuel setting to make the finish on the USAC limit of 280 gallons. Unser finished fifth, three laps behind the race winner. [20]

Shortly after the restart, Wally Dallenbach passed Unser for the lead and appeared in control of the race. With 13 laps remaining, Dallenbach fell out of the race with a blown engine and handed the lead to Rutherford. [21]

Johnny Rutherford beat Jimmy Caruthers by over a lap to win his first Pocono 500. Caruthers' second-place finish tied his best career finish. Rutherford won $92,700 in prize money. The average speed of the race was 156.701 mph, a race record that stood until 1989. Rutherford became the first driver to win Indianapolis and Pocono in the same year. [21]

By finishing fifth, Bobby Unser scored enough points to win the USAC Triple Crown points title. [17]

Broadcasting

For the second straight year, the Schaefer 500 was broadcast by ABC Wide World of Sports on July 6. Keith Jackson and Chris Economaki served as broadcasters. ABC paired the race telecast with Cliff Diving Championships from Acapulco. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Indianapolis 500</span> 58th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 58th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 26, 1974. Johnny Rutherford, in his eleventh attempt, won the race from the 25th starting position, the farthest back since Louis Meyer in 1936. It was the first of his three Indy victories, and started a three-year stretch where he finished 1st-2nd-1st.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Indianapolis 500</span> 59th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 59th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 25, 1975. A. J. Foyt started on the pole position and Bobby Unser won his second Indianapolis 500. Dan Gurney, one of the founders of All American Racers, who finished second as a driver himself in 1968–1969, won his first and only Indy 500 as a car owner. Gurney's Eagle chassis itself scored its third "500" win. The race was part of the 1975 USAC National Championship Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Indianapolis 500</span> 64th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 64th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 25, 1980. Johnny Rutherford won the pole position, led 118 laps, and won the race by a commanding 29.92 second margin. After failing to finish the race the year before, Jim Hall's radical new Chaparral 2K ground effects chassis was a heavy favorite entering the month, and drove a flawless race. Rutherford, the winner in 1974 and 1976, became the sixth driver to win the Indy 500 three times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pocono 500 (IndyCar)</span> IndyCar race at Pocono

The Pocono 500 was an IndyCar Series race held at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, located in the Pocono Mountains. The first Indy car race at Pocono was held in 1971. It was the first major event held at the track, shortly after its completion. The race was sanctioned by USAC from 1971 to 1981, and then by CART from 1982 to 1989, and was known as the Pocono 500. The race was removed from the CART calendar following the 1989 running, due to poor track conditions, as well as poor revenue for the promoter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1976 Pocono 500, the 6th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 27, 1976. Branded as the 1976 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, it was won by Al Unser. The race is notable as Janet Guthrie became the first woman to start a 500 mile Indy car race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1972 Pocono 500, the 2nd running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 29, 1972. Branded as the 1972 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Joe Leonard. The race is notable for its impact by Hurricane Agnes and the confrontation between the track and USAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1973 Pocono 500, the 3rd running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 1, 1973. Branded as the 1973 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by A. J. Foyt who passed Roger McCluskey on the last lap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1975 Pocono 500, the 5th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 29, 1975. Branded as the 1975 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, A. J. Foyt became the first driver to win the Pocono 500 twice, with a rain-shortened victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1977 Pocono 500, the 7th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 26, 1977. Branded as the 1977 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was Tom Sneva's first victory in a 500-mile race and the first 1-2 finish for Team Penske in Indy car racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1978 Pocono 500, the 8th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 25, 1978. Branded as the 1978 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Al Unser who one month earlier had won the Indianapolis 500. Two months later, Unser won the California 500 to become the only driver to win all three of IndyCar's Triple Crown of 500 mile races in the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Pocono 500</span> IndyCar motor race, held in 1980

The 1980 Pocono 500 was an IndyCar Series motor race held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday June 22, 1980. Branded as the 1980 True Value 500 for sponsorship reasons, it was the tenth running of the event. Bobby Unser won the race driving for Team Penske. It was Unser's first Pocono 500 win and the third for Penske.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1982 Pocono 500, the 12th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 15, 1982. Branded as the 1982 Domino's Pizza Pocono 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Rick Mears, his first Pocono 500 win.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1985 Pocono 500, the 15th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 18, 1985. Branded as the 1985 Domino's Pizza 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Rick Mears, his first victory since suffering severe leg injuries in a September 1984 crash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Pocono 500</span> Motor car race

The 1986 Pocono 500, the 16th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 17, 1986. Branded as the 1986 Domino's Pizza 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Mario Andretti in his 14th attempt to win the Pocono 500 at the track near his Pennsylvania home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981 Michigan 500</span> Motor car race

The 1981 Michigan 500, the inaugural running of the event, was held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, on Saturday, July 25, 1981. Branded as the 1981 Norton Michigan 500 for sponsorship reasons, the event was race number 5 of 11 in the 1981 CART PPG Indy Car World Series. The race was won by Pancho Carter - his first Indy Car victory. The race commenced a 20-year history of the Michigan 500 being a part of Indy car racing's Triple Crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 California 500</span> Motor car race

The 1973 California 500, the fourth running of the event, was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, on Sunday, September 2, 1973. The event was race number 11 of 16 in the 1973 USAC Championship Car season. The race was won by Wally Dallenbach Sr., his only 500-mile Indy Car victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 California 500</span> Motor car race

The 1975 California 500, the sixth running of the event, was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, on Sunday, March 9, 1975. The event was race number 3 of 13 in the 1975 USAC Championship Car season. The race was won by A. J. Foyt, his first California 500 victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 California 500</span> Motor car race

The 1976 California 500, the seventh running of the event, was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, on Sunday, September 5, 1976. The event was race number 10 of 13 in the 1976 USAC Championship Car season. The race was won by Bobby Unser, becoming the first man to win the California 500 twice. The race was also the first Indy Car race for Rick Mears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 California 500</span> Motor car race

The 1977 California 500, the eighth running of the event, was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, on Sunday, September 4, 1977. The event was race number 12 of 14 in the 1977 USAC Championship Car season. The race was won by Al Unser, his first win in the California 500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 California 500</span> Motor car race

The 1978 California 500, the ninth running of the event, was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, on Sunday, September 3, 1978. The event was race number 13 of 18 in the 1978 USAC Championship Car season. The race was won by Al Unser, who became the only driver with win all three races in IndyCar's Triple Crown in one year.

References

  1. ↑ "1974 Pocono 500 weather information". Wunderground. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Schaefer 500 Rounds Out Unique Racing Triple Crown". Pocono Record. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. July 29, 1972. p. 10A.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Fleischman, Bill (June 25, 1974). "USAC Triple Crown Needs Polish". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  4. ↑ "1974 USAC Results and Schedule - Racing-Reference".
  5. ↑ "Fiery Crash Kills Revson". Herald Journal. (South Carolina). Associated Press. March 23, 1974. p. A6.
  6. ↑ "Pit Stops - Practice Speeds". Philadelphia Daily News. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 20, 1974. p. 48.
  7. ↑ "Pancho Carter's Problem is Fuel". Morning Call. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 21, 1974. p. 39.
  8. ↑ "Drivers Rip Foolproof 500 System". Philadelphia Enquirer. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 22, 1974. p. 4C.
  9. ↑ "Rain Halts Schaefer Practice, Time Trials Start Today". Pocono Record. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 22, 1974. p. 15.
  10. ↑ "Schaefer Qualifying Resumes Today". Morning Call. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 27, 1974. p. 48.
  11. ↑ "Foyt Heads Group for Schaefer Pole". Herald Journal. (South Carolina). Associated Press. June 22, 1974. p. B2.
  12. 1 2 "Foyt Blows His Engine, Then Top, Loses Pole". Daily News. (New York). Associated Press. June 24, 1974. p. 132.
  13. ↑ "Foyt, Rutherford Will Watch Each Other at Pocono". Philadelphia Inquirer. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 30, 1974. p. 50.
  14. ↑ "Foyt Settles for 29th Spot at Pocomo Race". Progress Bulletin. (California). Associated Press. June 28, 1974. p. 33.
  15. ↑ "Pocono Expects First 100,000 Crowd". Philadelphia Inquirer. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 30, 1974. p. 50.
  16. 1 2 "Rutherford Rallies to Win at Pocono". Philadelphia Inquirer. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. July 1, 1974. p. 20.
  17. 1 2 3 "Johnny Went Extra Lap". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. July 1, 1974. p. 22.
  18. ↑ "Rutherford Likes Winning Habit". Herald Journal. (South Carolina). Associated Press. July 1, 1974. p. B1.
  19. ↑ "Protest Unneeded as Rutherford Wins". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). Associated Press. July 1, 1974. p. 28.
  20. ↑ "Team McLaren Fuel Conservation Strategy Pays Again". Philadelphia Inquirer. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. July 1, 1974. p. 20.
  21. 1 2 "Race Results - Racing-Reference".
  22. ↑ "TV Listings". Dayton Daily News. (Ohio). Associated Press. July 6, 1974. p. 26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.