1974 USAC Championship Car season

Last updated

1974 USAC Championship Car season
USAC National Championship Trail
Season
Races14
Start dateMarch 3
End dateNovember 2
Awards
National champion Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser
Indianapolis 500 winner Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford
  1973
1975  

The 1974 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 14 races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 3 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 2. The USAC National Champion was Bobby Unser and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford. Due to the events of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 significant improvements were made to the cars for safety concerns. Wings were reduced in size, and pop-off valves were added to the turbocharger plenums in order to reduce horsepower and curtail speeds.

Contents

Schedule and results

All races running on Oval/Speedway.

RndDateRace NameTrackLocationPole PositionWinning Driver
1March 3California 500 Qualification Heat 1 Ontario Motor Speedway Ontario, California Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt
2California 500 Qualification Heat 2 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford
3March 10 California 500 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser
4March 17 Phoenix 150 Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley
5April 7Trentonian 200 Trenton International Speedway Trenton, New Jersey Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser
6May 26 International 500 Mile Sweepstakes Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway, Indiana Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford
7June 9 Rex Mays Classic Wisconsin State Fair Park Speedway West Allis, Wisconsin Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford
8June 30 Schaefer 500 Pocono International Raceway Long Pond, Pennsylvania Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford
9July 21 Michigan 200 Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser
10August 11 Tony Bettenhausen 200 Wisconsin State Fair Park Speedway West Allis, Wisconsin Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock
11September 15 Norton 250 Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser
12September 22Trenton 300 Heat #1 Trenton International Speedway Trenton, New Jersey Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt
13Trenton 300 Heat #2 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser
14November 2 Bobby Ball 150 Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock

Final points standings

Note 1: Jim Hurtubise, Skip Barber, David Hobbs, Sam Posey and Evan Noyes are not eligible for points.

Note 2: Jerry Grant did not obtain a USAC license until after the Ontario event, making him ineligible for points for the first two races of the year.

PosDriver ONT

Q-H1
ONT

Q-H2
ONT

500
PHX1

150
TRE1

200
INDY

500
MIL1

150
POC

500
MIC1

200
MIL2

200
MIC2

250
TRE2

150
TRE3

150
PHX2

150
Pts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser 212122151432124870
2 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford 127761114594773650
3 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock 1426424163311411213050
4 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser 521810185222916552430
5 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Caruthers 24194232021113187982065
6 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Vukovich II 102183338510191861925
7 Flag of the United States.svg Lloyd Ruby 3598996DNQ721DNQ1580
8 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt 1303Wth15627132241441510
9 Flag of the United States.svg Wally Dallenbach Sr. 766133015106311311181445
10 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 324221142353221130
11 Flag of the United States.svg Pancho Carter  RY 71591229691040
12 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley 67172910218181517DNQ945
13 Flag of the United States.svg Jim McElreath 4151018672310700
14 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti 92559311717188103655
15 Flag of the United States.svg John Martin 69111612166600
16 Flag of the United States.svg Roger McCluskey 581616182816613101619555
17 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva 13121511201413101458824550
18 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Hiss 311474420
19 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Grant 13351013DNQDNP350
20 Flag of the United States.svg Bentley Warren 12131117DNQ717DNQ340
21 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Simon 8281333429211115270
22 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen 112014DNQ32231260
23 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Harkey 151714826250
24 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bigelow 91012DNQ192223240
25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Eldon Rasmussen DNQDNQ92022DNQ200
26 Flag of the United States.svg Al Loquasto 1812DNQ11141112160
27 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Murphy  R DNQ19232271315DNQ150
28 Flag of the United States.svg Karl Busson 8121321140
29 Flag of the United States.svg George Snider 101117282516130
30 Flag of the United States.svg Joe Leonard 419120
31 Flag of the United States.svg Salt Walther 8221217DNP20DNQ151020115
32 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Simpson 1414138181911105
33 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Karl 7291912321675
34 Flag of the United States.svg Larry McCoy 16DNQ12152017Wth50
35 Flag of the United States.svg Mel Kenyon DNQ1225
36 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Brayton 11DNSDNQ14DNS2020
37 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg John Cannon 1216DNS19DNQDNP10
- Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Hobbs 5DNP0
- Flag of the United States.svg Sam Posey 130
- Flag of the United States.svg John Hubbard 22DNQ191523DNQ140
- Flag of the United States.svg Sam Sessions DNQ30140
- Flag of the United States.svg Billy Scott  R 140
- Flag of the United States.svg Skip Barber  R 15320
- Flag of the United States.svg Max Dudley 150
- Flag of the United States.svg Benny Rapp  R DNQ160
- Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Parsons 3326DNQDNQ17170
- Flag of the United States.svg Mel Cornett  R 210
- Flag of the United States.svg Jan Opperman  R 2123330
- Flag of the United States.svg Rick Muther 2327DNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hurtubise DNQ25240
- Flag of the United States.svg Larry Rice  R DNQWth240
- Flag of the United States.svg Larry Cannon 24DNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Evan Noyes  R 250
- Flag of the United States.svg Jigger Sirois DNSDNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Denny Zimmerman DNSDNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Bud Tingelstad DNS0
- Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Jacobi DNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg John Mahler DNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Bill Puterbaugh DNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Brett Lunger DNQ0
- Flag of the United States.svg Steve Durst DNP0
PosDriver ONT

Q-H1
ONT

Q-H2
ONT

500
PHX1

150
TRE1

200
INDY

500
MIL1

150
POC

500
MIC1

200
MIL2

200
MIC2

250
TRE2

150
TRE3

150
PHX2

150
Pts
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th-10th place
Dark BlueFinished
(Outside Top 10)
PurpleDid not finish
(Ret)
RedDid not qualify
(DNQ)
BrownWithdrawn
(Wth)
BlackDisqualified
(DSQ)
WhiteDid not start
(DNS)
BlankDid not
participate
(DNP)
Not competing
In-line notation
Bold Pole position
ItalicsRan fastest race lap
*Led most race laps
 RY  Rookie of the Year
 R  Rookie

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Auto Club</span> Auto racing sanctioning body in the US

The United States Auto Club (USAC) is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500. USAC serves as the sanctioning body for a number of racing series, including the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Cars, National Midgets, Speed2 Midget Series, .25 Midget Series, Stadium Super Trucks, and Pirelli World Challenge. Seven-time USAC champion Levi Jones is USAC's Competition Director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American open-wheel car racing</span> Category of professional-level automobile racing in North America

American open-wheel car racing, generally known as Indy car racing, or more formally Indianapolis car racing, is a category of professional automobile racing in the United States. As of 2024, the top-level American open-wheel racing championship is sanctioned by IndyCar. Competitive events for professional-level, open-wheel race cars have been conducted under the auspices of various sanctioning bodies, tracing its roots as far back as 1902. A season-long, points-based, National Championship of drivers has been officially recognized in 1905, 1916, and each year since 1920. As such, for many years, the category of racing was known as Championship car racing. That name has fallen from use, and the term Indy car racing has become the preferred moniker.

The 1971 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Rafaela, Argentina on February 28 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on October 23. The USAC National Champion was Joe Leonard and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser. For 1971 it was decided that there should be three separate points championships, for paved ovals, dirt ovals, and road courses.

The 1972 USAC Championship Car season consisted of ten races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 18 and concluding at the same location on November 4. The USAC National Champion was Joe Leonard and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Mark Donohue. Jim Malloy was killed at Indianapolis in practice; he was 40 years old.

The 1973 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 16 races, beginning in College Station, Texas on April 7 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 3. The first race of the season, in Avondale, Arizona on March 17, was postponed by rain and eventually cancelled due to infrastructure damage caused by the rain and scheduling conflicts. Bob Criss was killed in a private test at Phoenix before he could enter another event. He was 35 years old. The USAC National Champion was Roger McCluskey and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Gordon Johncock.

The 1975 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 2 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 9. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Bobby Unser.

The 1976 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 14 and concluding at the same location on November 7. The USAC National Champion was Gordon Johncock and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford.

The 1977 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 14 races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 6 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on October 29. The USAC National Champion was Tom Sneva and the Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J. Foyt. The schedule included a road course for the first time since 1970.

The 1978 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning at Phoenix on March 18 and concluding at the same location on October 28. The USAC National Champion was Tom Sneva and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser. This was the last year before the first USAC/CART "Split". By winning the Indianapolis 500, Pocono 500, and California 500, Al Unser swept the Indy car "Triple Crown", the only driver in history to do so.

The 1979 USAC Championship Car season consisted of seven races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 25 and concluding in West Allis, Wisconsin on August 12. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Rick Mears. With the exception of the Indianapolis 500, most top drivers instead competed in races sanctioned by CART.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 USAC Championship Car season</span> Sports season

The 1980 USAC Championship Car season consisted of five races, beginning in Ontario, California on April 13 and concluding in Lexington, Ohio on July 13. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford.

The 1970 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 28 and concluding at the same location on November 21. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser. After this season, dirt courses did not reappear in the USAC Championship until 1981-82. Road courses after this season did not reappear in the USAC Championship until 1977. The Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb was the only non-championship event.

The 1956 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana, on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 12. There were also three non-championship events. The USAC National Champion was Jimmy Bryan and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Pat Flaherty. This was the first year that the National Championship was sanctioned by the USAC, after the withdrawal of the AAA from all forms of racing after the 1955 season.

The 1955 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 11 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 6. There was also one non-championship event in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Bob Sweikert. Manny Ayulo was killed at Indianapolis while practicing for the 1955 Indianapolis 500, and Bill Vukovich, the two-time defending winner, was killed in the race itself. Jack McGrath, the two-time champion, was killed in the final race at Phoenix on lap 85. This was the last year of the AAA National Championship; USAC sanctioned the series starting the next year.

The 1941 AAA Championship Car season consisted of three races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Syracuse, New York on September 1. There was also one non-championship event held at Langhorne, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion was Rex Mays and the Indianapolis 500 co-winners were Floyd Davis and Mauri Rose - the second such occasion in history. The National Championship was not held again until 1946, due to World War II.

The 1940 AAA Championship Car season consisted of three races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Syracuse, New York on September 2. There was also one non-championship event in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion was Rex Mays and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Wilbur Shaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1939 AAA Championship Car season</span>

The 1939 AAA Championship Car season consisted of three races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Syracuse, New York on September 2. There was also one non-championship event in Springfield, Illinois. The AAA National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Wilbur Shaw.

The 1938 AAA Championship Car season consisted of two races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Syracuse, New York on September 10. There were also two non-championship events. The AAA National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Floyd Roberts.

The 1954 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 14. There was also one non-championship event in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion was Jimmy Bryan, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Bill Vukovich. Bob Scott was killed in the Independence Day Sweepstakes race at Darlington.

The 1946 AAA Championship Car season was the first season of American Championship car racing following World War II. After four years without automobile racing in the United States, the AAA Contest Board was initially concerned about having enough races, enough entrants, and suitable equipment, to contest season on such short notice for 1946. Even the Indianapolis 500 was in doubt, as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had been fallen into a terrible state of neglect during the war years.

References

See also