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1973 California 500
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. Background Ontario Motor Speedway was built using public bonds and the bond-owners were represented by the non-profit Ontario Motor Speedway Corporation. The track was then leased to a promoter group called Ontario Motor Speedway Incorporated. It was estimated that through large crowds, several races, and deals for television rights, a promoter group could make around $3.96 million annually and turn a profit on the $2 million due in rent. The group fell short in all areas. Shortly after the 1972 California 500, OMS Inc. found themselves $9.7 million in debt and informed OMS Corp. that they would default on their $1,065,000 rent payment due in December. The track closed whil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
California 500 (IndyCar)
The California 500 was a USAC, and later CART, race held at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. The event represented a continuous lineage of open wheel oval racing in Southern California that dates back to 1970. History Open wheel oval racing in southern California dated back to the USAC California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, held from 1970 to 1978. The race was part of IndyCar racing's "triple crown," and at its inception, was held in high prestige. The inaugural running was considered a huge success, with 187,000 in attendance. However, it became a CART A cart or dray (Australia and New Zealand) is a vehicle designed for transport, using two wheels and normally pulled by draught animals such as horses, donkeys, mules and oxen, or even smaller animals such as goats or large dogs. A handcart ... event in 1979 and the track fell into financial troubles in 1980, closing at the end of that year. Subsequent runnings were never able to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1973 Indianapolis 500
The 57th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Wednesday, May 30, 1973. The race was held over three days because of rain and two major accidents. Three competitors—two drivers and one pit crew member—died from injuries suffered as a result of accidents that occurred during the month, another driver was critically injured, and over a dozen spectators suffered injuries and/or burns. After 133 of 200 laps were completed (), rain halted the race, and Gordon Johncock was declared the winner, the first of his two Indy triumphs (1973, 1982). Going into the month, the mood was bright and excitement was high for record speeds. Competitors, media, and fans were eagerly anticipating the possibility of breaking the elusive and daunting barrier during time trials. The month took a tragic turn, however, when driver Art Pollard died in a crash during a practice session on May 12. Later that same day, Johnny Rutherford set ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Johnny Rutherford
John Sherman Rutherford III (born March 12, 1938), also known as "Lone Star JR", is an American former automobile racing driver. During an Indy Car career that spanned more than three decades, he scored 27 wins and 23 pole positions in 314 starts. He became one of six drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 at least three times, winning in 1974, 1976, and 1980. He also won the CART championship in 1980. Rutherford began racing modified stock cars in 1959 and he also dabbled in stock car racing, making 35 NASCAR Cup Series starts from 1963 to 1988. Rutherford won in his first start, at Daytona International Speedway driving for Smokey Yunick. This made him one of the youngest drivers ever to win a NASCAR points-paying race, as well as only the sixth racer in history to win in their NASCAR debut race, a distinction not again achieved until SuperCars racer Shane van Gisbergen won in his NASCAR debut in 2023. Racing career In 1959, Rutherford started driving modified stock car ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bobby Unser
Robert William Unser (February 20, 1934 – May 2, 2021) was an American automobile racer. At his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994, he had the fourth most IndyCar Series wins at 35 (behind his brother Al Unser, Al, A. J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti). Unser won the 1968 and 1974 United States Automobile Club (USAC) national championships. He won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb overall title 10 times (13 times when class wins are included). He was the nephew of Louis Unser, brother of Al, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser and the uncle of Al Unser Jr. and Johnny Unser. The Unser family has won the Indianapolis 500 a record nine times, with Bobby and Al Unser Sr. being the only set of brothers to win in the race's history. Bobby Unser was one of ten drivers to have won the 500 three or more times and the first of two (followed by Rick Mears) to have won in three decades (1968, 1975, 1981). Early life Unser was born in Colorado ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Johnny Parsons
John Wayne Parsons1975 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (May 25, 1975) (born August 26, 1944 in Van Nuys, California) is an American race car driver. He is the son of 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner Johnnie Parsons. He drove Indy cars in the USAC National Championship, and also drove USAC championship dirt cars. Parsons made twelve starts at the Indianapolis 500, with a best finish of 5th in 1977 and 1985. Racing career Parsons started twelve Indianapolis 500 races. His last Indy 500 start was the 1996 race. Parsons finished second in the 1977 USAC National points. Parsons has also twice finished second in the USAC championship dirt cars. Parsons won 29 midget car features (as of 1994), including major wins at: the 4-Crown Nationals midget car feature twice, the 1979 Hut Hundred, and the 1986 Copper World Classic midget feature. He has won two Silver Crown and five sprint car features. When Davey Hamilton decided to come out of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lloyd Ruby
Richard Lloyd Ruby (January 12, 1928 – March 23, 2009) was an American racecar driver who raced in the USAC Championship Car series for 20 years, achieving 7 victories and 88 top-ten finishes. He also had success in endurance racing, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona twice, the 1966 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1966 World Sportscar Championship. Racing career Ruby raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1958–1977 seasons, with 177 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 from 1960 to 1977. He achieved 88 top-ten finishes, and seven victories. His best finish at Indy was third, in 1964. In 1966, he led the Indy 500 for 68 laps. Ruby also had two endurance racing victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona (1965–1966), both times partnering with Ken Miles. Ruby and Miles teamed up to win the 1966 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1966 World Sportscar Championship. Ruby was scheduled to drive in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, however he was forced to withdraw due to spinal inj ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mark Donohue
Mark Neary Donohue Jr. (March 18, 1937 – August 19, 1975), nicknamed "Captain Nice," was an American race car driver and engineer known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victory. Donohue is probably best known as the developer and driver of the 1500+ Horsepower#Brake horsepower, bhp "Can-Am Killer" Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1972 Indianapolis 500, 1972. Cars that Donohue raced include: AMC Javelin, AMC Matador, Chevrolet Camaro, Eagle-Offenhauser, Offy, Elva (car manufacturer), Elva Courier, Ford GT40 MK IV, Ferrari 250LM, Ferrari 512, Lola Cars, Lola T70, Lola Cars, Lola T330, Lotus 20, McLaren M16, Porsche 911, Porsche 917/10, Porsche 917/30, Shelby Cobra, and Shelby Mustang GT350R. Early life Born in Haddon Township, New Jersey, Donohue grew up in Summit, New Jersey, Summit, graduated from the Pingry School in Hillside, New Jersey, Hillside, and entered Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Providen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jimmy Caruthers
Douglas James Caruthers (January 18, 1945 – October 26, 1975) was an American racecar driver from Anaheim, California. He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and Indy cars. Midget car career Caruthers won the 1970 USAC National Midget Series championship. His championship was the closest in USAC midget history, as he beat Dave Strickland by 12.48 points. He finished second to his brother Danny Caruthers in 1971. Jimmy won 21 USAC midget car features between 1967 and 1975.Jimmy Caruther's Biography at the Sprint car career He competed in the ARDC while stationed on the[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lee Kunzman
Lee Kunzman (November 29, 1944 – February 27, 2025) was an American driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1969, 1972–1973 and 1975-1980 seasons, with 48 combined career starts, including the 1971-1973, 1977, and 1979 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 21 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1979 at Atlanta. Early in his career, he was the 1967 IMCA sprint car Rookie of the Year. Severe injuries from two accidents limited his driving in the early 1970s. In June 1970, Kunzman suffered an accident driving a sprint car at I-70 Speedway that left him with 3rd degree burns over 40% of his body, including severe burns to his nose, eyelids and lips, as well as a broken neck and right arm. Kunzman took 11 months to recover, returning to racing in April 1971, but suffered permanent scaring from the burns. Kunzman suffered a second major crash in December 1973 driving an IndyCar at Ontario Motor Speedway for a tire test. The accid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jerry Karl
Jerry Karl (April 29, 1941, Jamaica, Queens, New York - February 16, 2008, Baltimore, Maryland), was an American driver in the United States Automobile Club, USAC and Champ Car, CART Championship Car series. Biography Starting out in midget car racing and sprint car racing, Karl made his Champ Car debut in 1969 and qualified for his first Indy 500 in 1973 Indianapolis 500, 1973 driving an All American Racers, Eagle chassis powered by a twin-turbo Chevrolet V8 engine fielded by legendary car owner Smokey Yunick.Zautke, SteveJerry Karl 1941-2008, racingnation.com, February 19, 2008 He raced for another team in 1974, but returned to drive for Yunick in 1974 and finished 13th at Indy. In 1980, Karl entered the CART series and began modifying his own McLaren (racing), McLaren chassis that he dubbed the McLaren-Karl. In the final race of the 1980 season at Phoenix International Raceway, Karl and his chassis ran at the front of the field in second place until engine trouble dropped him ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1970 California 500
The 1970 California 500, the inaugural running of the event, was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, on Sunday, September 6, 1970. The event was race number 12 of 18 in the 1970 USAC Championship Car season. The race was won by Jim McElreath, his final Indy Car victory. The race commenced an 11-year history of the California 500 being a part of IndyCar racing's Triple Crown. Background Plans for Ontario Motor Speedway were announced on February 16, 1966. Its primary financial backers were the Stolte Construction Company and Filmways Inc., a film production company that produced television shows such as ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', ''Petticoat Junction'', ''Green Acres'', and ''The Addams Family''. Upon the announcement, USAC agreed to sanction a pair of 500-mile races for Indy cars and stock cars. The inaugural race was scheduled for December 1, 1968. Advertised as the "Indianapolis of the West", the track was similar in design to the Indianapolis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1973 Pocono 500
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. Background At the 1973 Indianapolis 500, several violent crashes marred on-track activities. Art Pollard was killed in qualifications. Salt Walther was seriously burned in a start crash. At the time of the Pocono 500, Swede Savage remained in critical condition from a lap 57 crash. In the aftermath of Indianapolis, USAC moved quickly to improve safety before Pocono. At Indianapolis, cars were permitted to hold 75 gallons of fuel and an additional 275 gallons in a pit road tank. For Pocono, fuel capacity was decreased to 40 gallons and fuel cells were only permitted on the left side of the car. Furthermore, teams were allowed 300 gallons in the tank on pit road. Rear wings were reduced from 64 to 55 inches. It ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
