1979 SCCA/CART Indy Car Series

Last updated
1979 CART season
SCCA/CART Indy Car Series
CART logo (1979-1991).svg
1979 IndyCar season
Season
Races14
Start dateMarch 11
End dateOctober 20
Awards
Drivers' champion Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears
Constructors' Cup Flag of the United States.svg Penske PC-6
Flag of the United States.svg Penske PC-7
Manufacturers' Cup Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cosworth DFX
Nations' Cup Flag of the United States.svg United States
Rookie of the Year Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup
Indianapolis 500 winner Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears
  1978 (USAC)
1980  

The 1979 SCCA/CART Indy Car Series was the inaugural Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) American open wheel racing championship series. The season consisted of 14 races. Rick Mears was the national champion, and the rookie of the year was Bill Alsup. The 1979 Indianapolis 500 was sanctioned by USAC, but counted towards the CART points championship. Rick Mears won the Indy 500, his first of four victories in the event.

Contents

Controversy

The 1979 season was filled with controversy on and off the track. During the offseason, several Indy car owners broke off from USAC, and formed Championship Auto Racing Teams, a new sanctioning body to govern the sport of open wheel Indy car racing. USAC continued to sanction their Gold Crown Championship, resulting in two parallel national championships for 1979. The controversy over the first "split" in Indy car racing came to its first climax at the 1979 Indianapolis 500, when USAC rejected entries by certain CART owners. The owners won a court injunction to be allowed to race, and later, another controversy erupted, this time involving illegal wastegate exhaust pipes.

The 1979 CART season was held through an arrangement such that it fell under the sanctioning umbrella of SCCA. This one-year, temporary arrangement was such that it would be formally recognized by ACCUS.

With three wins, two poles, and 14 top tens (no finish worse than 7th), Rick Mears ran away with the inaugural CART championship title. Mears took a large points lead after winning the Indy 500, and never relinquished the top spot through the remainder of the season. Bobby Unser won six races, and finished second in points.

USAC/CART "Split"

For more information, see 1979 Indianapolis 500 § Controversies

Confirmed entries

The following teams and drivers competed for the 1979 CART World Series.

Team/Car OwnerChassisEngineNoDriversRaces
Flag of the United States.svg Alex Morales Co. Lightning Mk1/77 Offenhauser 10 Flag of the United States.svg Pancho Carter All
15 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Harkey 11 [N 1]
Flag of the United States.svg All American Racers Eagle 78 MkII Cosworth 36 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley All
Flag of the United States.svg Beith Racing Eagle 72 Offenhauser 28 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Scott 4, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Cannon Racing Team Wildcat Mk. I DGS 95 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Cannon 4, 7–8, 10–14
Flag of the United States.svg Chaparral Racing Chaparral 2K
Lola T500 [N 2]
Cosworth 2 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser All
Flag of the United States.svg Conqueste Racing Parnelli VPJ6CT Cosworth 21 [N 3] Flag of the United States.svg Lee Kunzman 1–8, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Fletcher Racing Lightning Mk1/77 Cosworth 7 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 1–10
55 Flag of the United States.svg Spike Gehlhausen 11–14
Flag of the United States.svg Frantz Auto Body Wildcat Mk. I DGS 18 [N 4] Flag of the United States.svg Tom Frantz 1–4, 7-12
Flag of the United States.svg Bill Henderson 5–6
Flag of the United States.svg Gehlhausen-Reath Racing Eagle 74
Wildcat Mk. I [N 5]
Offenhauser
Cosworth
19 [N 6] Flag of the United States.svg Spike Gehlhausen 1–10
Flag of the United States.svg Bob Harkey 4
Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup 4
Flag of the United States.svg Phil Caliva 11
39 Flag of the United States.svg Al Loquasto 4, 7–8
Flag of the United States.svg Hoffman Auto Racing Lightning Mk1/77 Offenhauser 59 Flag of the United States.svg George Snider 4
Flag of the United States.svg Joe Saldana 7–8, 11
Eagle
Lightning Mk1/77 [N 7]
691–6, 9–10, 12
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Richmond 7–8
Flag of the United States.svg Al Loquasto 11
Spyder Eagle 79 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson 7–8
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cliff Hucul 11 [N 1]
Flag of the United States.svg Joe Saldana 13–14
Flag of the United States.svg Intercomp Racing Eagle 72 Offenhauser 92 Flag of the United States.svg John Mahler 1–9
Flag of the United States.svg Interscope Racing Parnelli VPJ6CT
Parnelli VPJ6B [N 8]
Cosworth 25 Flag of the United States.svg Danny Ongais All
Flag of the United States.svg Jerry O'Connell Racing McLaren M24 Cosworth 1 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva All
McLaren M24B 32 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Parsons 11 [N 1]
Flag of the United States.svg Longhorn Racing Penske PC-6/78 Cosworth 11 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bagley All
71 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 11
Flag of the United States.svg Mergard Racing [N 9] Eagle 72 Offenhauser 42 Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson 13–14
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Racing Penske PC-6/78
Wildcat Mk. V [N 10]
Cosworth 20 [N 11] Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock All
40 [N 12] Flag of the United States.svg Wally Dallenbach All
60 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Mears 11 [N 1]
Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 12
Flag of the United States.svg Penske Racing Penske PC-7/79
Penske PC-6/78 [N 13]
Cosworth 9 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears All
12 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser All
68 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup 4 [N 14]
99 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti 11–12
Flag of the United States.svg Sanett Racing Penske PC-6/78 Cosworth 23 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson 11, 14
Lola T500 86 [N 15] Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone 11 [N 1]
Flag of the United States.svg S&M Electric Lightning Mk1/77 Offenhauser 35 [N 16] Flag of the United States.svg Larry Rice 1–6
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Richmond 9–11, 14
Flag of the United States.svg Team McLaren McLaren M24B
McLaren M24 [N 17]
Cosworth 4 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford All
Flag of the United States.svg Walmotor Penske PC-6/78
McLaren M24 [N 18]
Cosworth 77 Flag of the United States.svg Salt Walther 1–4, 7–8, 11–12
Flag of the United States.svg WASP Racing McLaren M16C/D Offenhauser 41 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup All [N 19]
Flag of the United States.svg Whittington Bros. Racing McLaren M24 Cosworth 94 [N 20] Flag of the United States.svg Don Whittington 11 [N 21]
Parnelli VPJ6CT 98 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Whittington 11 [N 21]
Flag of the United States.svg Wysard Motor Co. Wildcat Mk. II DGS 34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan 1–4, 7–12, 14
USAC-registered teams
Flag of the United States.svg Agajanian-King RacersKingfish 73 Chevrolet 97 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Threshie 4
98 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen 4
Flag of the United States.svg AMI Racing Lola T500B Cosworth 44 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bigelow 4
45 Flag of the United States.svg Janet Guthrie 4
Wildcat Mk. II DGS 46 Flag of the United States.svg Howdy Holmes 4
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg B/M EnterprisesAntares 72 Offenhauser 50 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Frank Weiss 4, 13
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Eldon Rasmussen 4
Flag of the United States.svg Beaudoin Racing Wildcat Mk. II DGS 83 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Engelhart 4
Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Crower Eagle 74 Chevrolet 57 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Sneva 4 [N 22]
Flag of the United States.svg Gibson Racing Eagle 74 DGS 75 Flag of the United States.svg Todd Gibson 4
Flag of the United States.svg Gilmore Racing Parnelli VPJ6CT Cosworth 14 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt 4
Flag of the United States.svg Hodgdon RacingSpirit 78 AMC 73 Flag of the United States.svg Neil Bonnett 4
Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Sneva 4
McLaren M24 Cosworth 7211 [N 23]
Flag of the United States.svg Roger McCluskey 4
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Hucul Racing McLaren M16E Offenhauser 29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cliff Hucul 4
Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hurtubise Mallard 71 Offenhauser 56 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hurtubise 4
Flag of the United States.svg Leader Card Watson 77 Offenhauser 22 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Vukovich II 4
Watson 78 24 Flag of the United States.svg Sheldon Kinser 4
Watson 79 40 Flag of the United States.svg George Snider 4 [N 24]
Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Hopkins Lightning X-15 Offenhauser 15 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Parsons 4
Lightning Mk1/79 51 Flag of the United States.svg Hurley Haywood 4
Flag of the United States.svg McElreath Racing Penske PC-6/78 Cosworth 23 Flag of the United States.svg Jim McElreath 4
Flag of the United States.svg Medlin RacingCicada Mk.IV Offenhauser 35 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Puterbaugh 4
Flag of the United States.svg Polak Racing Penske PC-5/77 Cosworth 80 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Dickson 4
Flag of the United States.svg Rager Racing Eagle 68 Chevrolet 66 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Rager 4
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rasmussen Racing Rascar 72 Foyt 58 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Eldon Rasmussen 4 [N 25]
Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Reimer March 73A Chevrolet 93 Flag of the United States.svg Larry McCoy 4
Flag of the United States.svg Rhoades Competition McLaren M16E Offenhauser 20 [N 26] Flag of the United States.svg John Martin 4, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Thunder Racing McLaren M16C/D Offenhauser 30 Flag of the United States.svg Dana Carter 4
Flag of the United States.svg Vollstedt RacingVollstedt 77 Offenhauser 17 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Simon 4
Flag of the United States.svg Wayne Woodward Eagle 74 Offenhauser 81 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson [N 27] 4
Flag of the United States.svg William R. Compton McLaren M16C/D Offenhauser 38 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Karl 4

Season Summary

Schedule

RdDateNameCircuitLocation
1March 11 Arizona Republic/Jimmy Bryan 150  O  Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona
2April 22 Gould Twin Dixie 125  O  Atlanta Motor Speedway Hampton, Georgia
3
4May 27 Indianapolis 500  O  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Indianapolis, Indiana
5June 10 Trenton Twin Indy  O  Trenton Speedway Trenton, New Jersey
6
7July 15 Norton Twin 125  O  Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan
8
July 29Cancelled R  Mosport International Raceway Bowmanville, Ontario
9August 5 Kent Oil 150  R  Watkins Glen International Watkins Glen, New York
10August 19 Ditzler 150  O  Trenton Speedway Trenton, New Jersey
August 26Cancelled O  North Carolina Motor Speedway Rockingham, North Carolina
11September 2 California 500  O  Ontario Motor Speedway Ontario, California
12September 15 Gould Grand Prix  O  Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan
13September 30 Rich's Atlanta Classic  O  Atlanta Motor Speedway Hampton, Georgia
14October 20 Miller High Life 150  O  Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona

The California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway was originally scheduled as a USAC race for September 2, but was switched mid-season to a CART series race. Additional races at Mosport and Rockingham were ultimately cancelled. [1]

 O  Oval/Speedway  R  Dedicated road course

Race summaries

Race 1: Arizona Republic/Jimmy Bryan 150

Bobby Unser won the first pole in the new series history and dominated the race leading the most laps (86). However Unser had tire issues forcing an extra stop and history would show Gordon Johncock as the series first ever winner with Rick Mears second, and Johnny Rutherford in third.

Races 2 and 3: Gould Twin Dixie 125's

Johnny Rutherford would win the pole race 1. Race 1 would see Rutherford and Gordon Johncock dominate with Johncock leading the most laps (32) but would see Rutherford winning after a late race duel with Lee Kumzman who would hold on for second. Tom Sneva would take third while Johncock would take fourth.

Race 2 would see Rutherford again lead the field to the green flag (Race 2 lineup set by Race 1 finishing order). This time Rutherford would lead the most laps (61) and win. Rick Mears took second. Placing third was Al Unser Sr after he ran out of fuel on the final lap.

Also during this race weekend the CART teams that planned on entering the Indianapolis 500 were informed in a telegram from USAC that their board of directors voted unanimously to reject the entries of six key CART teams of Penske, Patrick, McLaren, Fletcher, Chaparral, and Gurney as they stated these six teams (19 cars) were alleged to be "harmful to racing" and "not in good standing with USAC."

Race 4: Indianapolis 500

After the rejected six filed an emergency injunction to be allowed to qualify and compete in the race, the injunction was granted. Race Day came around following the qualifying controversy and Rick Mears won his first of six Indy 500 poles. Both Bobby and Al Unser combined to lead 174 laps. But on lap 103 Al Unsers Day came to an end with a failed transmission. Bobby Unser was then in firm control until lap 181 when he slowed with gearbox troubles. Rick Mears would lead the remainder of the race for his first of four Indy 500 wins. A J. Foyt would finish second after losing his engine on the final lap. Mike Mosely would finish third, Danny Ongais would take fourth, Bobby Unser nursed his car to a fifth place finish with an ailing gearbox.

Races 5 and 6: Trenton Twin Indy

Race 1 would see Gordon Johncock take pole. He would lead the first 44 laps (most laps led) then lose the lead on the next lap as he had to pit, then he would spin 2 laps later losing more spots. That opened the door for Bobby Unser to win with brother Al Unser Sr taking second, and Johncock would recover for third.

Starting order for race 2 was set by race 1 finishing order so Bobby Unser started first and would finish first after leading the most laps (62). Wally Dallenbach would finish second, Johnny Rutherford finished third.

Races 7 and 8: Norton Twin 125s

In the first race, Bobby Unser won the pole, followed by Al Unser, Gordon Johncock, Wally Dallenbach, and Rick Mears. Johncock jumped out to lead the first three laps, but Bobby Unser fought back and led until the first caution flew on lap 11 for Spike Gehlhausen's stalled car. Lee Kunzman stayed out under the caution and took the lead, while Bobby Unser's engine blew on lap 21. [2] Al Unser would pick up the lead after the caution flew for Danny Ongais spinning, but he miscalculated fuel mileage and ran out of fuel with 17 laps to go. [2] This allowed Gordon Johncock to take the lead and win. Mike Mosley finished second, Johnny Rutherford third, Rick Mears fourth and Wally Dallenbach fifth. 11 laps into the race, Tom Sneva encountered a fire in his pits, but no one was hurt.

Before the second race, Bobby Unser's crew installed a new engine. [3] Mike Mosley led the first lap, but he had fuel pump problems the next lap and dropped out. Throughout the next 25 laps, Johnny Rutherford and Rick Mears would trade the lead, before Unser charged to the front on lap 28 and never looked back, winning the race. Rick Mears finished second on track, but he was penalized for passing cars under the yellow, dropping him to fifth. [4] Tom Sneva moved to second, Al Unser to third, and Gordon Johncock to fourth. Two cautions flew, the first for John Mahler's stalled car on lap 23 and the second for a crash involving Danny Ongais on lap 40.

Following the second of the two races, Rick Mears was leading the points with a 460 point lead over Gordon Johncock. Bobby Unser was third, 470 points back, Johnny Rutherford fourth, 925 points back, and Mike Mosley rounded out the top 5, 960 points back.

Race 9: Kent Oil 150

Al Unser won the pole, with Bobby Unser, Danny Ongais, Rick Mears and Gordon Johncock making up the rest of the top five. In the race, Al and Bobby Unser dominated, the two brothers being the only ones to lead laps throughout the day. Bobby Unser took the lead for good after Al had transmission problems on lap 48, [5] and led the rest of the race to win over Rick Mears. Gordon Johncock finished third, Danny Ongais fourth, and Al Unser fell to fifth.

With his win, Bobby Unser rose to second in points, 410 points behind Rick Mears. Gordon Johncock fell to third, 490 points back, Johnny Rutherford was in fourth, 1157 points back after dropping out with a blown engine, and Mike Mosley remained in fifth, falling to 1185 points behind after dropping out with a broken gearbox.

Race 10: Ditzler 150

Bobby Unser won the pole, with Gordon Johncock, Tom Sneva, Danny Ongais, and Rick Mears making up the rest of the top five.

The race was postponed over a week due to rain. When the race did run, except for one lap led by Bill Alsup, Unser, Sneva, and Mears were the only ones to lead the race. Bobby Unser led the first 20 laps, before giving the lead to Mears. Tom Sneva then led at lap 57, followed by Unser regaining the lead on lap 69. Unser made a pit stop with 14 laps to go, giving the lead back to Sneva. [6] Rick Mears gambled on pit strategy, [7] and passed Tom Sneva with just 3 laps to go to win the final ever IndyCar race at Trenton. Bobby Unser also passed him, taking advantage of Sneva's fading tires to finish second. [6] Sneva fell to third, Wally Dallenbach finished fourth after running as high as second before an extended pit stop, [6] and Johnny Rutherford finished fifth. Two cautions slowed the race, both for crashes. One was by Gordon Johncock on lap 5, and the other by Mike Mosley on lap 36.

Rick Mears extended his point lead to 470 points over Bobby Unser. Gordon Johncock remained in third, 782 points back, Johnny Rutherford stayed in fourth, 1307 points back, and Al Unser rose to fifth in points, 1450 points behind.

Race 11: California 500

Rick Mears qualified on the pole, followed by Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, in a one-off appearance for Penske, and Tom Sneva.

In the race, Al Unser led most of the first half of the race, but lost three laps due to a broken front-spoiler bracket. [8] For the remainder of the race, Bobby Unser and Rick Mears traded the lead, While leading on lap 164, Rick Mears killed the engine on his pit stop, causing him to lose 12 seconds to Bobby Unser. [8] This allowed Unser to lead most of the remaining laps, and won over Rick Mears. Mario Andretti claimed third despite running out of gas at the end, Johnny Rutherford finished fourth, and Al Unser ended up in fifth.

His win allowed Unser to close up to 270 points behind Mears, with Johnny Rutherford rising to third in points, Gordon Johncock falling to fourth, and Al Unser remaining in fifth. Apart from Unser, all other drivers were mathematically eliminated from the championship.

Race 12: Gould Grand Prix

Bobby Unser claimed the pole, his fourth of the season, with Rick Mears starting second, Gordon Johncock starting third, Johnny Rutherford starting fourth, and Al Unser rounding out the top five.

In the race, Gordon Johncock dominated the early stages of the race, before his engine blew while leading on the 36th lap. [9] This allowed Bobby Unser to take the lead, and hold it the rest of the way to win over Tom Sneva. Rick Mears was third despite running out of gas on the final lap, Johnny Rutherford finished fourth, and Tom Bagley was fifth. The win was the fifth straight for Team Penske.

Bobby Unser was now just 180 points behind Mears in the fight, followed by Rutherford, Johncock, and Al Unser.

Race 13: Rich's Atlanta Classic

Bobby Unser claimed his fifth pole of the year, followed by Rick Mears, Al Unser, Danny Ongais, and Johnny Rutherford.

In the race, Unser dominated the first half of the race, but while leading on lap 55 suffered a blown tire [10] handing the lead to Johnny Rutherford. But with 25 laps remaining in the race, Rutherford's engine blew, which allowed Rick Mears to cruise to an easy victory. Gordon Johncock placed second, despite running out of gas on the final lap, Bobby Unser wound up third, Wally Dallenbach finished fourth, and Al Unser, who had tire problems of his own, [10] finished fifth. The win was Penske's sixth straight.

The win gave Rick Mears a near-insurmountable 270 point lead in the points, which meant that he would win the championship as long as he finished 11th or better in the final round.

Race 14: Miller High Life 150

For the last race of the year, Bobby Unser won another pole, his sixth of the year. Al Unser started second, Wally Dallenbach in third, Rick Mears in fourth, and Tom Sneva in fifth.

In the race, Al Unser jumped out to the lead on the first lap. He would eventually dominate the race, leading 138 of the 150 laps and only giving up the lead for a pair of pit stops. [11] There were two late-race cautions, one when Wally Dallenbach spun with 9 laps to go, and one when Pancho Carter lost a wheel, which led to a two-lap shootout [12] but Unser pulled away en route to his first and only win of the year, snapping a six-race Penske streak. Bobby Unser claimed second, Rick Mears third, Gordon Johncock fourth, and Tom Sneva fifth.

Mears's third was enough for him to claim the inaugural CART championship, winning by 240 points over Bobby Unser. Gordon Johncock finished third in points, with Johnny Rutherford in fourth and Al Unser in fifth.

Race results

RdRacePole PositionWinning driverWinning teamRace TimeReport
1 Arizona Republic/Jimmy Bryan 150 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Patrick Racing 1:15:23 Report
2 Gould Twin Dixie 125 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Team McLaren 0:47:28 Report
3Set by field finish in race 1 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Team McLaren 0:45:40
4 Indianapolis 500 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 3:08:27 Report
5 Trenton Twin Indy Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 0:46:30 Report
6Set by field finish in race 1 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 0:40:46
7 Norton Twin 125 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Patrick Racing 0:44:13 Report
8Set by field finish in race 1 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 0:48:40 Report
9 Kent Oil 150 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 1:14:42 Report
10 Ditzler 150 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 1:09:20 Report
11 California 500 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 3:24:22 Report
12 Gould Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 0:51:22 Report
13 Rich's Atlanta Classic Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 0:50:09 Report
14 Miller High Life 150 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Chaparral Cars 1:13:03 Report

Final driver standings

PosDriver PHX1
Flag of the United States.svg
ATL
1&2

Flag of the United States.svg
INDY
Flag of the United States.svg
TRT
1&2

Flag of the United States.svg
MIC
1&2

Flag of the United States.svg
WGL
Flag of the United States.svg
TRT3
Flag of the United States.svg
ONT
Flag of the United States.svg
MIC3
Flag of the United States.svg
ATL3
Flag of the United States.svg
PHX2
Flag of the United States.svg
Pts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears 252157452123134,060
2 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser 5745111911211323,820
3 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock 149635143161513242,211
4 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford 31118153311155441162,163
5 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser 4632221213356510512,085
6 Flag of the United States.svg Danny Ongais 1514647618124136DNS15171,473
7 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva 173515615212103172851,360
8 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bagley 8879846667325Wth91,208
9 Flag of the United States.svg Wally Dallenbach 711827425101442464121,149
10 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley 61717313DNS220121434DNS14101,126
11 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti 3Wth700
12 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Kunzman 92183014DNS14179490
13 Flag of the United States.svg Pancho Carter 209112010871416DNS288137452
14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan 2112122116DNS7DNS71614449
15 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup  RY 111615DNQ1299139102291011400
16 Flag of the United States.svg Joe Saldana 1313131617161081383017618368
17 Flag of the United States.svg Spike Gehlhausen 181816101813222117112511168343
18 Flag of the United States.svg Salt Walther 12101012872012314
19 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 1615DNS11914171818DNS236279
20 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Frantz 14WthDNQ11161191114236
21 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Sneva 3110155
22 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Richmond  R 23DNS8122615112
23 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Rice 10DNQ14191610105
24 Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson 71398
25 Flag of the United States.svg John Mahler 19Wth2511111215Wth74
26 Flag of the United States.svg Al Loquasto DNQ2092170
27 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Cannon DNQWth151415121656
28 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson DNQ151916Wth35
29 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Scott DNQ1920
30 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Caliva  R 2710
- Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt 2-
- Flag of the United States.svg Howdy Holmes  R 7-
- Flag of the United States.svg Bill Vukovich II 8-
- Flag of the United States.svg Don Whittington  R 8-
- Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Frank Weiss Wth9-
- Flag of the United States.svg Bill Whittington  R 12-
- Flag of the United States.svg Roger Mears 13-
- Flag of the United States.svg Roger McCluskey 13-
- Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bigelow 14-
- Flag of the United States.svg Phil Threshie 17-
- Flag of the United States.svg John Martin DNQ18-
- Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Eldon Rasmussen 23-
- Flag of the United States.svg Larry Dickson 24-
- Flag of the United States.svg Dick Simon 26-
- Flag of the United States.svg Sheldon Kinser 28-
- Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cliff Hucul 2935-
- Flag of the United States.svg Bob Harkey Wth29-
- Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone  R 31-
- Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Parsons 3233-
- Flag of the United States.svg George Snider 33-
- Flag of the United States.svg Janet Guthrie 34-
- Flag of the United States.svg Jim McElreath 35-
- Flag of the United States.svg Bill Puterbaugh DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Billy Engelhart DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Dana Carter DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Hurley Haywood DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Karl DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hurtubise DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Larry McCoy DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Roger Rager DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Todd Gibson DNQ-
- Flag of the United States.svg Neil Bonnett Wth-
- Flag of the United States.svg Bill Henderson Wth-
PosDriver PHX1
Flag of the United States.svg
ATL
1&2

Flag of the United States.svg
INDY
Flag of the United States.svg
TRT
1&2

Flag of the United States.svg
MIC
1&2

Flag of the United States.svg
WGL
Flag of the United States.svg
TRT3
Flag of the United States.svg
ONT
Flag of the United States.svg
MIC3
Flag of the United States.svg
ATL3
Flag of the United States.svg
PHX2
Flag of the United States.svg
Pts
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th-10th place
Dark BlueFinished
(Outside Top 10)
PurpleDid not finish
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

Driver breakdown

PosDriverTeam/Car OwnerStartsWinsPodiumsTop 5sTop 10sPolesPoints
1 Flag of the United States.svg Mears Flag of the United States.svg Team Penske 1439131424,060
2 Flag of the United States.svg B. Unser Flag of the United States.svg Team Penske 1469121373,820
3 Flag of the United States.svg Johncock Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Racing 142591122,211
4 Flag of the United States.svg Rutherford Flag of the United States.svg Team McLaren 14258922,163
5 Flag of the United States.svg A. Unser Flag of the United States.svg Chaparral Cars 141481012,085
6 Flag of the United States.svg Ongais Flag of the United States.svg Interscope Racing 13002601,473
7 Flag of the United States.svg T. Sneva Flag of the United States.svg Jerry O'Connell Racing 14026801,360
8 Flag of the United States.svg Bagley Flag of the United States.svg Longhorn Racing 130021201,208
9 Flag of the United States.svg Wally Dallenbach Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Racing 14015801,149
10 Flag of the United States.svg Mosley Flag of the United States.svg All American Racers 12022301,126
11 Flag of the United States.svg Andretti Flag of the United States.svg Team Penske 101110700
12 Flag of the United States.svg Kunzman Flag of the United States.svg Conqueste Racing Team 801130490
13 Flag of the United States.svg Carter Flag of the United States.svg Morales Motorsports 1300060452
14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Schuppan Flag of the United States.svg Wysard Racing 800020449
15 Flag of the United States.svg Alsup  R  Flag of the United States.svg WASP Racing/Team Penske/Gehlhausen Racing 1300060400
16 Flag of the United States.svg Saldana Flag of the United States.svg Hoffman Racing 1300040368
17 Flag of the United States.svg Gehlhausen Flag of the United States.svg Gehlhausen Racing/Bob Fletcher Racing 1400020343
18 Flag of the United States.svg Walther Flag of the United States.svg Walmotor 800040314
19 Flag of the United States.svg Krisiloff Flag of the United States.svg Bob Fletcher Racing/Patrick Racing/Longhorn Racing 1000020279
20 Flag of the United States.svg Frantz Flag of the United States.svg Frantz Racing 700010236
21 Flag of the United States.svg J. Sneva Flag of the United States.svg Hodgdon Racing 200000155
22 Flag of the United States.svg Richmond Flag of the United States.svg Mach 1 Racing/S&M Electric 500010112
23 Flag of the United States.svg Rice Flag of the United States.svg S&M Electric 500020105
24 Flag of the United States.svg Johnson Flag of the United States.svg Mergard Racing 20001098
25 Flag of the United States.svg Mahler Flag of the United States.svg Intercomp 60000074
26 Flag of the United States.svg Loquasto Flag of the United States.svg Gehlhausen Racing 30001070
27 Flag of the United States.svg Cannon Flag of the United States.svg Canon Racing 40000056
28 Flag of the United States.svg Ferguson Flag of the United States.svg Hoffman Racing 30000035
29 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Flag of the United States.svg Wheel Center 10000020
30 Flag of the United States.svg Caliva Flag of the United States.svg Gehlhausen Racing 10000010

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References

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Ineligible to score points: driver affiliated to USAC.
  2. Used at the Phoenix spring race, the Atlanta Twin 125 and the Trenton 150.
  3. Raced as #89 at the Indianapolis 500
  4. Raced as #16 at the Indianapolis 500
  5. Car loaned by Patrick Racing at the Indy 500 for Gehlhausen.
  6. Gehlhausen was bumped from the Indy 500 field and loaned the #90 car from Patrick Racing, which he qualified. Later, the #19 was allowed to requalify in a special session, but it also failed to qualify with other drivers. For race day, the #90 was renumbered as #19.
  7. Used at the Trenton Twin and the Michigan Grand Prix.
  8. Used at Watkins Glen and the Trenton 150.
  9. Switched USAC allegiance for CART membership during the year.
  10. Used by Dallenbach at the Phoenix spring race, the Atlanta Twin and Watkins Glen.
  11. Raced as #3 at the Indianapolis 500.
  12. Raced as #6 at the Indianapolis 500.
  13. Used by Mears at the Indy 500, the Trenton Twin and Watkins Glen.
  14. Alsup switched to Gehlhausen-Reath at the special qualifying session for bumped cars at the Indy 500, after his Penske ride was disqualified for a technical infringement.
  15. Car fielded in conjunction with Chaparral Racing.
  16. Raced as #31 at the Indianapolis 500.
  17. Used at Watkins Glen.
  18. Used at the Phoenix spring race and the Trenton Twin.
  19. Alsup switched to a Penske Racing back-up car for Bump Day at the Indy 500.
  20. Car fielded in conjunction with Team McLaren.
  21. 1 2 Ineligible to score points: team not affiliated with CART.
  22. Jerry Sneva switched to Hodgdon Racing for the second weekend of Indy 500 time trials.
  23. Eligible to score points after Hodgdon Racing switched allegiances to CART.
  24. Snider switched to Hoffman Auto Racing for a special qualifying session for bumped cars at the Indy 500, after the #40 was withdrawn due to a blown engine.
  25. Rasmussen switched to B/M Enterprises after a crash during Indy 500 practice.
  26. Raced as #30 at the California 500.
  27. Jan Opperman took some laps for his refresher test at the Indy 500.

References

  1. Miller, Robin (January 7, 1979). "CART Announces New 8-Race Schedule". The Indianapolis Star. p. 28. Retrieved July 3, 2019 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. 1 2 "Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph Archives, Jul 16, 1979, p. 17". NewspaperArchive.com. 1979-07-16. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  3. "The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee on July 16, 1979 · Page 39". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  4. "Fort Walton Beach Playground Daily News Archives, Jul 16, 1979, p. 10". NewspaperArchive.com. 1979-07-16. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  5. "Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi on August 6, 1979 · Page 56". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  6. 1 2 3 "The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana on August 20, 1979 · Page 23". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  7. "Mears Triumphs In Kitzler 150" . Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  8. 1 2 "Bobby Unser Wins in California" . Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  9. "The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky on September 16, 1979 · Page 57". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  10. 1 2 "Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan on October 1, 1979 · Page 24". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  11. "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York on October 21, 1979 · Page 87". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  12. "Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona on October 21, 1979 · Page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-10-04.