1978 USAC Mini-Indy Series season

Last updated

The 1978 USAC Mini Indy Series season was the second season of the USAC sanctioned Formula Super Vee championship.

Contents

Race calendar and results

RoundCircuitLocationDatePole positionFastest lapWinnerHeadline event
1 [1] Phoenix International Raceway Flag of the United States.svg Avondale, Arizona 18 March Flag of the United States.svg Fred Phillips Flag of the United States.svg Tim Richmond Jimmy Bryan 150
2 [2] Trenton International Speedway Flag of the United States.svg Trenton, New Jersey 12 April Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup Flag of the United States.svg John Wood Gabriel 200
3 [3] Mosport International Raceway Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bowmanville, Ontario 11 June Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup Molson Diamond Indy
4 [4] The Milwaukee Mile Flag of the United States.svg West Allis, Wisconsin 18 June Flag of the United States.svg William Henderson Flag of the United States.svg William Henderson Rex Mays 150
5 [5] Texas World Speedway Flag of the United States.svg College Station, Texas 6 August Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Harry MacDonald Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Harry MacDonald Texas Grand Prix
6 [6] The Milwaukee Mile Flag of the United States.svg West Allis, Wisconsin 20 August Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone Tony Bettenhausen 200
7 [7] Ontario Motor Speedway Flag of the United States.svg Ontario, California 2 September Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup California 500
8 [8] Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Thompson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone
9 [9] Trenton International Speedway Flag of the United States.svg Trenton, New Jersey 23 September Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham Machinist Union 150
10 [10] Phoenix International Raceway Flag of the United States.svg Avondale, Arizona 28 October Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan Miller High Life Bobby Ball 150

Teams and drivers

No.DriverOwnerCarEngineNote
2 Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson Austin Johnson Lola Volkswagen
3 Flag of the United States.svg Fred Phillips Citation Engineering Zink Volkswagen
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone Crosslé Cars Pacific March Volkswagen
12 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson Race Research Inc. Volkswagen
19 Flag of the United States.svg John Kalagian Beth Ardisana Lynx Volkswagen
29 Flag of the United States.svg Pete Halsmer Simpson Racers Lola Volkswagen
37 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy James Citation Engineering Zink Volkswagen
38 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Desiré Wilson Citation Engineering Zink Volkswagen
39 Flag of the United States.svg Richard Tallon Richard Tallon Lola Volkswagen
41 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup William Alsup Jr. Argo Volkswagen
42 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Harry MacDonald HCM Racing Ralt Volkswagen
43 Flag of the United States.svg John Wood Bill Scott Racing Volkswagen
45 Flag of the United States.svg William Henderson Bertil Racing Engines Lola Volkswagen
46 Flag of the United States.svg Stuart Moore Janet Moore Lola Volkswagen
48 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Park WREP Industries Volkswagen
50 Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Thompson Black American Racers Lola Volkswagen Thompson died from injuries sustained in a crash in the ninth round of the championship
55 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham David Psachie Ralt Volkswagen
60 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Cicconi Lou Cicconi Lola Volkswagen
70 Flag of the United States.svg Syd Demovsky Syd Demovsky Lola Volkswagen
77 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Johnson Fitzpatrick Racing Enterprises Volkswagen
82 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan Ralt American Ltd. Ralt Volkswagen
94 Flag of the United States.svg John Sisk Aspen Racing Wheeler Volkswagen
97 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen American Eagle Racing Lola Volkswagen
98 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Richmond Sale Chevrolet Lola Volkswagen
99 Flag of the United States.svg Dave Bruns Linne Enterprises Volkswagen

Death of Tommy Thompson

African-American racing driver Tommy Thompson participated in the ninth round of the championship at Trenton International Speedway. On the final lap of the 42-lap race one of the other competitor slowed down. John Barringer had to swerve to avoid contact. However Thompson hit Barringer. Thompson's left front wheel and Barringer's right rear wheel became locked. Both cars hit the wall head-on. Thompsons car was launched over the wall. Both Barringer and Thompson were transported to St. Francis Medical Center. Thompson succumbed to his injuries on 28 September. [11]

Final standings

ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th–10th place
Dark Blue11th place or lower
PurpleDid not finish
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
BrownWithdrawn (Wth)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
BlankDid not participate (DNP)
Driver replacement (Rpl)
Injured (Inj)
No race held (NH)
Pos.Driver Flag of the United States.svg
PIR1
Flag of the United States.svg
TRE1
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
MOS
Flag of the United States.svg
MIL1
Flag of the United States.svg
TEX
Flag of the United States.svg
MIL2
Flag of the United States.svg
ONT1
Flag of the United States.svg
ONT2
Flag of the United States.svg
TRE2
Flag of the United States.svg
PIR2
Points
1 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup 212123210124121046
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone 52432261241162894
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Harry MacDonald DNS204312623237831
4 Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson 1651427552235773
5 Flag of the United States.svg John Wood 115243935269674
6 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Cicconi 2521105276141924506
7 Flag of the United States.svg David Bruns 264183504
8 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen 31742279286453
9 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Richmond 12216794428
10 Flag of the United States.svg Ken Nichols 474185404
11 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan 31340
12 Flag of the United States.svg Pete Halsmer 49621241510101923318
13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham 1261290
13 Flag of the United States.svg Fred Phillips 24132225290
15 Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Thompson 8799814245
16 Flag of the United States.svg William Henderson 11181224
17 Flag of the United States.svg Syd Demovsky 8519188208
18 Flag of the United States.svg Stuart Moore 221163
19 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bagley 3140
20 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Park 1368135
21 Flag of the United States.svg George Dyer 5111621128
22 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Giffin 121028613127
23 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Yoder 7715115
24 Flag of the United States.svg John Kalagian 27102072199
25 Flag of the United States.svg Joe Gimpel Jr. 15111114990
26 Flag of the United States.svg Ted Field 131619825231189
27 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Cruse 680
27 Flag of the United States.svg Eddie Miller 680
29 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Johnson 2624257201676
30 Flag of the United States.svg John Sisk 1281823171875
31 Flag of the United States.svg Richard Tallon 121192872
32 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Simon 141282069
33 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Follmer 760
34 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Heinz Snizek 850
35 Flag of the United States.svg G. Scott Ovel 91445
36 Flag of the United States.svg Butch Meyer 182816171712122741
37 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson 2413251040
37 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Skipsey 111140
39 Flag of the United States.svg Rich Vogler 221033
39 Flag of the United States.svg Benny Scott 1620171133
41 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Simpson 1030
41 Flag of the United States.svg Domenick Billera 1030
43 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Passon 13DNS15122028
44 Flag of the United States.svg Doug Clark 142713t 15241525
45 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Frangkiser 111924
46 Flag of the United States.svg Roy Kischell 172828171617
47 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Caliva 15211313
47 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Jr. 2219202613
49 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy James 251212
49 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Larson 19142412
51 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Mears 26221510
52 Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Blackwell 1823289
52 Flag of the United States.svg Ron Banks 2921199
54 Flag of the United States.svg Bert Busby 23158
55 Flag of the United States.svg Bubby Jones DNS176
55 Flag of the United States.svg Tom D'Eath 23226
57 Flag of the United States.svg John Barringer 135
57 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Thelander 135
57 Flag of the United States.svg Gene Romero 145
57 Flag of the United States.svg Don Schoeny 145
57 Flag of the United States.svg Greg Atwell 165
57 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Noble 27245
63 Flag of the United States.svg Rich Amick 174
63 Flag of the United States.svg Jan Slesinski 174
63 Flag of the United States.svg Hank Chapman 184
63 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Bighouse 204
67 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Hessert 213
67 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Hillin Jr. 233
69 Flag of the United States.svg Lou Gigliotti 252
69 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Olivero 252
69 Flag of the United States.svg Elliott Forbes-Robinson 262
69 Flag of the United States.svg Allan Turner 262
69 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Desiré Wilson 262
69 Flag of the United States.svg Howdy Holmes 272
69 Flag of the United States.svg Denny Moothart 272
Flag of the United States.svg Mike Randol

References

  1. "Round 1". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  2. "Round 2". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  3. "Round 3". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  4. "Round 4". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  5. "Round 5". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  6. "Round 6". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  7. "Round 7". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  8. "Round 8". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  9. "Round 9". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  10. "Round 10". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  11. "Race driver succumbs to N.J. crash injuries". Baltimore Afro-American. Retrieved July 25, 2015.