1977 Indianapolis 500

61st running of the Indianapolis 500

The 61st 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 29, 1977. Considered one of the most historically significant editions of the Indianapolis 500, several sidebar stories complemented the unprecedented accomplishment of race winner A. J. Foyt. Foyt became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. As of 2023, Foyt's record has been tied by Al Unser Sr., Rick Mears and Hélio Castroneves, but still stands as an Indy 500 record. Foyt's victory is also the last time the winning car (both chassis and engine) was built entirely within the United States. The race was sanctioned by USAC, and was part of the 1977 USAC National Championship Trail. After rain shortened races in three of the past four years (1973, 1975, 1976), the 1977 race was run the full distance under hot and sunny conditions. Two major stories headlined qualifying. During time trials, Tom Sneva won the pole position with a new track record. He became the first driver to break the 200 mph barrier at the Speedway. On the final day of time trials, Janet Guthrie broke the gender barrier by becoming the first female driver to qualify for the Indy 500. During the summer of 1976, the entire track was repaved in asphalt. It marked the first time since the original brick surface was laid in the fall of 1909 that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was repaved in its entirety. The surface was allowed to cure over the winter, and during a tire test in March, Gordon Johncock ran a lap of 200.401 mph, an unofficial track record. This would be the final Indy 500 for track owner Tony Hulman, who would die of heart failure on October 27, 1977. IMS Radio Network anchor Sid Collins did not call the race for the first time since 1951. Collins committed suicide on May 2, just five days before opening day, after being diagnosed with ALS. Collins was replaced by new "Voice of the 500" Paul Page. Then less than a year later, eight USAC officials would be killed in a plane crash. Other historical milestones during the month included the first grandson of a former driver entering (Teddy Pilette) and the first father and son combination attempting to qualify for the same race (Jim and James McElreath Jr.). However, neither Pilette (grandson of 1913 competitor Théodore Pilette) nor McElreath Jr. succeeded in making the field.

During the first week of practice, several drivers flirted with the elusive 200 mph barrier. Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, and Johnny Rutherford all ran unofficial practice laps over 200 mph. All three became immediate favorites for the pole position. Going into the month, the official one lap track record was still 199.071 mph, set by Johnny Rutherford back in 1973. Pole day was sunny and warm, and an estimated 200,000 spectators arrived anticipating a record setting day. No drivers broke the 200 mph barrier during practice on the morning of pole day, but participants and observers expected the record to fall during official time trials. At 11:00 a. m., A. J. Foyt was the first driver to make an attempt. His four lap speed of 193.465 mph was far short of the record. About a half hour later, Al Unser Sr. (195.950 mph) went faster and knocked Foyt off of the top spot. At 11:51 a. m., Tom Sneva took to the track. He set new all time one lap and four lap track records. He became the first driver to break the 200 mph barrier at Indianapolis. Lap 1 – 44.91 seconds, 200.401 mph (new 1 lap track record)
Lap 2 – 44.88 seconds, 200.535 mph (new 1 lap track record)
Lap 3 – 45.54 seconds, 197.628 mph
Lap 4 – 45.68 seconds, 197.032 mph
Total – 3:01.01, 198.884 mph (new 4 lap track record)
Though his last two laps dropped off, Sneva's four lap average was fast enough to secure the pole position. Sneva was rewarded by having 200 silver dollars poured into his helmet. The symbolic gesture, performed by Phil Hedback of Bryant Heating and Cooling Company,

About an hour later, USAC officials retracted A. J. Foyt's qualifying time. During post inspection, they discovered that his pop off valve was fractured and malfunctioned. Since the infraction was not Foyt's fault, he was allowed to re qualify. Foyt's speed of 194.563 mph was faster than his previous attempt, and he would line up 4th. Bobby Unser (197.618 mph) put himself in the middle of the front row, bumping his brother Al to the outside. Johnny Rutherford, an early favorite for the front row, waved off his first run, then stalled on his second run. The day ended with the field filled to 16 cars, with Rutherford among those not qualified. Sneva was the only driver to run any laps over 200 mph all afternoon.

Johnny Rutherford (197.325 mph) put in the third fastest speed in the field, but as a second day qualifier, he was forced to line up behind the first day qualifiers in 17th position. Five cars completed runs, filling the field to 21 cars. Clay Regazzoni wrecked during his attempt, but was not seriously injured. Regazzoni was planning on running both Indy and the Monaco Grand Prix, but the crash complicated his travel schedule.

Clay Regazzoni started the day in Monte Carlo, but rain washed out his chance to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix. Car owner Teddy Yip made plans to fly him back to Indy and attempt to qualify for the 500. Mario Andretti, who put in a safe qualifying time at Indy the weekend before, remained in Monaco to compete in the race, he would finish 5th. Qualifying was sparse during the early parts of the day, with at least 12 cars taking to the track, but only two attempts run to completion. At the end of the day, the field was filled to 27 cars. Clay Regazzoni did not make it to the Speedway in enough time, and he would have to wait until Sunday.

The final day of time trials became a historic milestone in auto racing history. Janet Guthrie was the first car to take the track, and she became the first female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Her four lap average of 188.403 mph put her safely in the field, and she was the fastest car of the afternoon. Like he did for Tom Sneva a week earlier, Phil Hedback poured 188 silver dollars in her helmet,

After a hectic travel burden, Clay Regazzoni finally put a car in the field. At about 3:30 p. m., Salt Walther (184.549 mph) completed a run, followed later by Bubby Jones (184.938 mph), and the field was filled to 33 cars. Cliff Hucul (187.198 mph) bumped out Walther. With about an hour to go, Eldon Rasmussen bumped out Vern Schuppan, and John Mahler bumped out Joe Saldana. The final hour of qualifying saw several drivers try, but fail, to bump their way in. Young rookie Rick Mears was too slow on his two attempts, and he failed to qualify. Jim Hurtubise once again was the center of attention for a few minutes, as he rolled out his Mallard/Offy to the qualifying line. After one slow lap he waved off, and it was the final qualifying attempt ever made by a front engined car at Indy. As the 6 o'clock gun fired, James McElreath, Jr. was the final car on the track, but his speed was too slow to make the field. Jim and James, Jr. were trying to become the first father and son to qualify for the same Indy 500. James, Jr. fell short, however, and would die in a sprint car crash later in the year, never having a chance to race together.

After qualifying closed, the team of Salt Walther purchased the qualified car of Bill Puterbaugh from owner Lee Elkins. Salt's father George and brother Jeff were responsible for the purchase, and paid a reported $60,000 for the entry, and subsequently fired Puterbaugh from the ride. Salt Walther was named the new driver for the car, and it was repainted in his livery. According to the rules, the car would have to move to the rear of the field on race day. Almost immediately, the situation received significant negative criticism. A day later, Puterbaugh was reinstated to the ride, therefore Puterbaugh was reinstated to his 28th starting position. The final practice day saw Johnny Rutherford (194.533 mph) set the fastest lap. Mike Mosley was the only incident of the day, suffering a broken piston. Later in the afternoon, Jim McElreath's #73 Carrillo team won the first annual Miller Pit Stop Contest.

RowInsideMiddleOutside18 Tom SnevaNorton SpiritPenske RacingMcLaren, Cosworth DFX6 Bobby Unser Cobre Tire/ClaytonFletcher RacingLightning, Offenhauser21 Al Unser American Racing WheelsVel's Parnelli Jones RacingParnelli, Cosworth DFX214 A. J. Foyt Gilmore RacingA. J. Foyt EnterprisesCoyote, Foyt V 820 Gordon Johncock STP Double Oil FilterPatrick RacingWildcat, DGS9 Mario Andretti CAM2 Motor OilPenske RacingMcLaren, Cosworth DFX325 Danny Ongais Interscope RacingInterscope RacingParnelli, Cosworth DFX48 Pancho CarterJorgensen SteelAll American RacersEagle, Offenhauser5 Mike MosleySugaripe PruneJerry O'ConnellLightning, Offenhauser440 Wally Dallenbach Sr. STP Oil TreatmentPatrick RacingWildcat, DGS60 Johnny ParsonsSTP/GoodyearPatrick RacingWildcat, DGS97 Sheldon KinserGenesee BeerGrant KingDragon, Offenhauser518 George SniderMel SimonBobby HillinWildcat, DGS78 Bobby Olivero Alex FoodsAlex MoralesLightning, Offenhauser86 Al LoquastoFrostie Root BeerAl LoquastoMcLaren, Offenhauser636 Jerry Sneva 21st AmendmentSpirit of America RacersMcLaren, Offenhauser2 Johnny Rutherford 1st National City Travelers ChecksMcLaren RacingMcLaren, Cosworth DFX11 Roger McCluskey1st National City Travelers ChecksLindsey HopkinsLightning, Offenhauser710 Lloyd Ruby1st National City Travelers ChecksLindsey HopkinsLightning, Offenhauser73 Jim McElreathCarilloCarrillo IndustriesEagle, AMC98 Gary BettenhausenAgajanian KnievelGrant KingKing, Offenhauser824 Tom BigelowThermo KingRalph WilkeEagle, Offenhauser84 Bill Vukovich IIGilmore RacingA. J. Foyt EnterprisesCoyote, Foyt V 865 Lee KunzmanCity of SyracusePatrick SantelloEagle, Offenhauser992 Steve KrisiloffDave McIntire ChevyTassi VatisEagle, Offenhauser27 Janet Guthrie Bryant Air ConditioningRolla VollstedtLightning, Offenhauser29 Cliff Hucul Team CanadaHucul/Hunter/ArndtMcLaren, Offenhauser1016 Bill PuterbaughDayton WaltherGeorge WaltherEagle, Offenhauser38 Clay Regazzoni Theodore RacingTeddy YipMcLaren, Offenhauser17 Dick SimonBryant Air ConditioningRolla VollstedtVollstedt, Offenhauser1142 John Mahler20th CenturyDon MergardEagle, Offenhauser58 Eldon RasmussenRent A RacerEldon RasmussenRascar, Foyt V 872 Bubby Jones Bruce Cogle FordBobby HillinEagle, OffenhauserSources:

After Janet Guthrie became the first female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, controversy began to surround the famous starting command, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" Speedway management did not want to alter the traditional phrase. During the week before the race, the management announced that they would not change the wording of the command, but numerous suggestions were being offered by various promoters and members of the media around the country. Looking for an excuse, the management insisted that the cars were actually started by male crew members with an electric hand held starter from behind the car. Guthrie and her crew were quite displeased by the stubbornness of the Speedway management, considering her unprecedented accomplishment. The crew reacted by assigning Kay Bignotti

At the start, Al Unser swept from the outside of the front row, and led into turn one. Polesitter Tom Sneva grabbed second. Bobby Unser settled into third. Johnny Rutherford over revved the engine, and dropped out with gearbox failure. Janet Guthrie was in the pits early with engine trouble. She would suffer a long day of numerous frustrating pits stops. Gordon Johncock took the lead for the first time on lap 18. After Johncock pitted, A. J. Foyt led laps 27–51. Lloyd Ruby crashed in turn two and brought out the yellow on lap 49. It would be Ruby's final Indy 500. During the sequence of pit stops, Gordon Johncock came to the lead, and led most of the laps to the midpoint. Eldon Rasmussen brought out the yellow for a spin on lap 69. He was able to continue. It was only the second, and would be the last, on track incident of the race. At the halfway point, attrition had taken its toll during the hot day. Only 17 cars were still running.

RankDriverPointsDifferencePositionChange1 A. J. Foyt 1640 Leader +22 Al Unser 1400 240 03 Wally Dallenbach 1325 315 24 Tom Sneva 1260 380 +35 Tom Bigelow 840 800 +36 Gordon Johncock 715 925 17 Roger McCluskey 660 980 +28 Johnny Rutherford 640 1000 59 Mike Mosley 600 1040 310 Johnny Parsons 500 1140 Unranked