United States 1975 Pocono 500
Race details
8th round of the 1975 USAC Championship Car season
DateJune 29, 1975
Official name1975 Schaefer 500
LocationLong Pond, Pennsylvania
CoursePermanent racing facility
2.5 mi / 4.023 km
Distance170 laps
425 mi / 683.971 km
WeatherTemperatures up to 84 °F (29 °C); wind speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h)[1]
Pole position
DriverGordon Johncock (Patrick Racing)
Time183.281 mph
Podium
FirstA. J. Foyt (A. J. Foyt Racing)
SecondWally Dallenbach Sr. (Patrick Racing)
ThirdBill Vukovich II (Fletcher Racing)

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.

Background

Beginning in 1975, Olsonite sponsored the Triple Crown award, given to the driver who scored the most points in Indy car's three 500 mile races. The award carried a $1,500 prize, a diamond ring, and an annual trophy.[2]

A.J. Foyt won the California 500 in March. In late May, Bobby Unser won the 1975 Indianapolis 500. Two weeks after Indianapolis, Foyt won a 150-mile race at the Milwaukee Mile.[3]

Practice

Practice started Wednesday, June 18. Windy conditions slowed speeds. Bobby Unser posted the fastest lap at 179.2 mph.[4]

On Thursday, Gordon Johncock was fastest in practice at 182.038 mph. The session was interrupted by rain at 12:30 p.m. but re-opened for track activity at 3:24 p.m.[5]

In Friday's practice, Gordon Johncock posted the fastest speed at 182.741 mph. Bobby Unser was second fastest at 182.334 mph.[6]

Time Trials

Saturday's qualifying runs were a four-lap, ten-mile average speed. Bobby Unser posted a fast speed early with an average speed of 181.708 mph, and held the pole for several hours. Gordon Johncock waited until late afternoon to make his run and knocked Unser off the pole with average speed of 183.281 mph.[7] A.J. Foyt came up just short in his attempt to sweep 500 mile race poles. Foyt was the second fastest qualifier at 182.778 mph. Jerry Grant was the third fastest qualifier at 181.864 mph.[8]

Race

Massive crowds estimated at over 110,000 spectators created a traffic jam entering the track. A.J. Foyt was forced to abandon his car, call for help on a CB radio, and take a helicopter from a nearby parking lot and fly into the track's garage area.[9][10]

Prior to the race, 27 year-old paramentalist, The Astonishing Neal, attempted to set a world record for fastest speed while driving blindfolded. The Astonishing Neal had previously correctly predicted that Gordon Johncock would win the pole and Tom Bigelow would be the 33rd qualifier. Neal covered his eyes with play-doh, cotton wrap, surgical tape, a blindfold, and a black hood before walking to the pace car, which had been parked where he could not see it. He was joined in the car by Chris Economaki and Associated Press photographer Dave Parker who took pictures of the speedometer from the back seat. The Astonishing Neal successfully completed a lap around the track, reaching a speed of 100 mph. At the last minute, Guinness World Records backed out of verifying the record out of fear it would inspire others to attempt driving blindfolded.[11]

Best-selling author James A. Michener, researching his 1976 book, Sports in America, was introduced to the crowd before the race.[9] The grand marshal of the race was Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter Bob Seagren. Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman gave the command to start engines for the fifth year in a row.[12]

The race was delayed two hours by rain.[9] When the track dried, polesitter Gordon Johncock led the first 12 laps. Coming back from a violent crash at Indianapolis, Tom Sneva climbed from the 12th starting position to sixth after two laps. A.J. Foyt took the lead on lap 13, and held it for the next 11 laps.[13]

After leading two laps, Mario Andretti's quest to win at his home track ended on lap 79 with a burned piston. Pancho Carter led for 12 laps before falling out with gearbox problems on lap 84.

By the halfway point, it became a two-car battle between Foyt and Johncock, with each taking turns in the lead.[14]

Running second on lap 140, Johncock spun in turn two and hit the wall with the rear of the car. Johncock had led 29 laps and finished 20th.[15]

With rain approaching the track, Foyt increased the turbocharger boost on his car to build his lead.[16]

Foyt held a 15-second lead over Wally Dallenbach when rain brought out a caution on lap 168. A double rainbow in turn one gave way to a heavy rain that moved from turn two towards the frontstretch.[15] After two laps under yellow, the race was stopped and called official due to the wet conditions. Foyt became the first repeat winner at Pocono. One month earlier, the Indianapolis 500 was also shortened by rain. Foyt led 115 laps and earned $83,250 for the victory.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "1975 Pocono 500 weather information". Wunderground. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ LeMasters, Ron (January 19, 1975). "USAC Specs for 1976 Include Pop-Offs". The Star Press. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  3. ↑ "1975 USAC Schedule and Results".
  4. ↑ "Wind Keeps Speeds Low at Schaefer". Scranton Tribune. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 19, 1975. p. 13.
  5. ↑ "Foyt Fails to Deliver But Isn't Concerned". Morning Call. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 20, 1975. p. 38.
  6. ↑ "Unser, Johncock Lead Practice for Qualifying". Herald Journal. (South Carolina). Associated Press. June 21, 1975. p. B2.
  7. ↑ "Pocono Pole to Johncock". Herald Journal. (South Carolina). Associated Press. June 22, 1975. p. B4.
  8. ↑ "Johncock Tops AJ For Pole". Indianapolis Star. (Indiana). Associated Press. June 22, 1975. p. 57.
  9. 1 2 3 "I'm Going to Write a Book Later: Foyt". Indianapolis News. (Indiana). Associated Press. June 30, 1975. p. 27.
  10. ↑ "Race Easier Than Getting to Track". Indianapolis Star. (Indiana). Associated Press. June 30, 1975. p. 22.
  11. ↑ "Blindfolded Driver Races at 100 MPH". Morning Call. June 30, 1975. p. 17. Retrieved November 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  12. ↑ "Big Race Could Top 120,000". Morning Call. June 29, 1975. p. 54. Retrieved November 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  13. ↑ "Race Results - Racing-Reference".
  14. ↑ "1975 Schaefer 500 Results".
  15. 1 2 "It's AJ's Turn to Sing in the Rain". Indianapolis Star. (Indiana). Associated Press. June 30, 1975. p. 22.
  16. 1 2 "Foyt's Pocono Victory is Short But Sweet". Philadelphia Inquirer. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. June 30, 1975. p. 23.
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