1973 Indianapolis 500
Encyclopedia
The 57th Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis
on Wednesday, May 30, 1973. The race was held over three days due to rain and 2 major accidents. After 133 laps (332.5 miles), rain halted the race, and Gordon Johncock
was declared the winner.
Miserable weather plagued the track throughout the month, and delayed the race for two and a half days. Accidents during the month and during the race took the lives of three competitors (two drivers and one crew member), and injured several spectators. Due to the tragic circumstances, weather problems, rain-shortened finish, and overall glum mood during the month, the 1973 race is widely considered the worst year for the running of the Indianapolis 500
.
began allowing bolt-on wings
. The increased downforce
increased qualifying speeds nearly 30 miles per hour in just three years. The dramatic rise went from 170 mph in 1970, to flirting with the 200 mph barrier for 1973. Experts and officials agree that the safety features in the cars were not prepared for the speeds attained. In addition, engine development with the turbocharged version of the venerable four-cylinder Offenhauser had resulted in horsepower readings in high-boost qualifying trim in excess of 1,100 h.p. According to Mario Andretti, this was sufficient to induce rear wheelspin on the 1/8-mile "short chutes" between turns 1 and 2 and turns 3 and 4—an unnerving sensation for even the bravest, most skilled and experienced of drivers.
During practice on pole day, Art Pollard
was killed in a crash in turn 2.
Johnny Rutherford
won the pole position with a new 4-lap track record of 198.413 mph. His third lap of 199.071 mph was a one-lap track record, and was 0.21 seconds shy of breaking the elusive 200 mph barrier. Rutherford acknowledged later that the memory of Pollard's accident prevented him from making a truly concerted effort to break the 200 mph mark.
took effect, moving Memorial Day
from the fixed date of May 30 to the final Monday in May. For 1971-1972, the race was scheduled for the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The Speedway still maintained a policy of not holding the race on Sunday. For 1973, the race was scheduled for the Monday Memorial Day holiday itself.
On Monday, morning rain delayed the proceedings until 3 p.m. At the start, an 11-car accident stopped the race immediately. Salt Walther
's car climbed into the catch fence, sending burning fuel into the grandstand, injuring 11 spectators. Walther's car also significantly damaged portions of the fence. As the front of Walther's car dug into the fence, the front of the car was torn off and Walther's legs were exposed as the car spun, upside down and on fire, down the front straight, coming to rest near the pit exit. Walther suffered severe burns and injuries to his hands. The race was red-flagged, and the start was negated. Safety crews attended to the crash scene, and the fence. Before the repairs were completed, rain began to fall once more, and the race was washed out for the day. Officials rescheduled the start for 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.
The 32 remaining cars fired, and pulled away for the parade laps. On the second parade lap, rain began to fall, and the track was red-flagged. The cars were halted on the main stretch to wait out the shower. Rain continued to fall most of the day, and around 2:00 p.m., the race was postponed until Wednesday.
Fans began to leave the grounds, and after two days of revelry, the infield was overwhelmed with mud and garbage.
On the 57th lap, Swede Savage
made a pit stop. His car was filled with 70 gallons (500 lb.) of fuel and a new right rear tire. Two laps later, he lost control as he exited turn four. His car twitched back and forth, and then slid across to the inside of the track at nearly top speed. It hit the angled inside wall nearly head-on. The force of the impact, with the car carrying a full load of fuel, caused the car to explode in a plume of flame. The force of the fuel exploding was so great that some structural rivets were blown rearward out of the car. The engine and transaxle tumbled end-over-end to the pit lane entrance while Savage, still strapped in his seat, was thrown back across the circuit. Savage came to rest adjacent to the outer retaining wall, fully conscious and completely exposed while he lay in a pool of flaming methanol fuel. The other cars on the track quickly stopped in turn four and the red flag came out. The track was blocked with debris and fire.
The race was halted at 3:05 p.m., and track crew rushed to Savage's aid. Moments later, 22-year-old Armando Teran, a crew member of Graham McRae
's team (Savage's Patrick Racing teammate) stepped out into the pit lane and began running toward Savage's wreck. As he did, a fire truck driving 50-60 mph northbound in the pits, heading for the crash scene, struck Teran and threw him at least 50 feet. Teran died within minutes from his injuries. Savage was taken to the hospital with serious injures, but was in stable condition. Over an hour after the accident, the race was resumed.
After witnessing the crash, George Snider
decided to step out of the car, and turned it over to A. J. Foyt
, his car owner, who had retired earlier. Attrition had already taken quite a toll on the field. As the race passed the 101-lap mark, it became official. Only 11 cars were still running, with most many laps behind. Track officials began assembling victory lane, as dark skies were looming, and the race was not expected to go the entire distance.
On the 129th lap a light rain began to fall, and the yellow light came out with Gordon Johncock
, another of Savage's Patrick Racing/STP teammates, leading. Only ten cars were still on the track. After 133 laps, at about 5:30 p.m., the rain started to fall much harder, forcing the race to be stopped. A short time later, officials declared the race official, and the tragic race was over with Johncock the winner. The traditional victory banquet was canceled, and the victory celebration was muted. Johncock left the track soon after the race to visit Swede Savage
at the hospital. Later in the evening, the lowly day was summed up as a tired Johncock and crew had a "victory dinner" which consisted of a hamburger at Burger King
.
Sweeping changes would come about in Indycar racing at Indianapolis the following year, all in the interest of safety. Fuel capacity was drastically reduced (from 75 gallons to 40), the large wings used in 1972-1973 were cut back in size, and pop-off valves were introduced to the turbochargers to reduce horsepower. The changes were designed to slow the cars down. At the track, several changes were made. The angled inside wall at the northwest corner of the track (which had also played a role in the Dave MacDonald/Eddie Sachs double-fatality in 1964) was removed, and the pit entrance was widened. Retaining walls and catch fences were improved around the track. In addition, the spectator areas were moved back away from the track, and many rows of "trackside" seats were removed. There was not another on-track fatality at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until 1982.
Savage's death was the last race-day competitor fatality from a crash during an IMS race (not testing, practice, or qualifying) until the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix
for the USGPRU (600cc 4-stroke Moto2) motorcycles.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
on Wednesday, May 30, 1973. The race was held over three days due to rain and 2 major accidents. After 133 laps (332.5 miles), rain halted the race, and Gordon Johncock
Gordon Johncock
Gordon Johncock is a former racing driver, best known as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the 1976 USAC Marlboro Championship Trail champion. Johncock was most often simply referred to as "Gordy."...
was declared the winner.
Miserable weather plagued the track throughout the month, and delayed the race for two and a half days. Accidents during the month and during the race took the lives of three competitors (two drivers and one crew member), and injured several spectators. Due to the tragic circumstances, weather problems, rain-shortened finish, and overall glum mood during the month, the 1973 race is widely considered the worst year for the running of the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
.
Race schedule
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Practice and time trials
Just one year prior, USACUnited States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
began allowing bolt-on wings
Wing (automotive)
(for the panels around the wheels of a car see Fender (vehicle)A wing in this context is an aerodynamic device intended to generate downforce on an automobile. The first production car to feature a rear wing was the 1969 mercury cyclone spoiler, soon followed by the drastically larger Superbird and...
. The increased downforce
Downforce
Downforce is a downwards thrust created by the aerodynamic characteristics of a car. The purpose of downforce is to allow a car to travel faster through a corner by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more grip....
increased qualifying speeds nearly 30 miles per hour in just three years. The dramatic rise went from 170 mph in 1970, to flirting with the 200 mph barrier for 1973. Experts and officials agree that the safety features in the cars were not prepared for the speeds attained. In addition, engine development with the turbocharged version of the venerable four-cylinder Offenhauser had resulted in horsepower readings in high-boost qualifying trim in excess of 1,100 h.p. According to Mario Andretti, this was sufficient to induce rear wheelspin on the 1/8-mile "short chutes" between turns 1 and 2 and turns 3 and 4—an unnerving sensation for even the bravest, most skilled and experienced of drivers.
During practice on pole day, Art Pollard
Art Pollard
Art Pollard , was an American racecar driver.Born in Dragon, Utah, Pollard died in Indianapolis, Indiana as a result of injuries sustained in practice for the 1973 Indianapolis 500. The car clipped the wall coming out of turn one and did a half-spin as it headed to the grass on the inside of the...
was killed in a crash in turn 2.
Johnny Rutherford
Johnny Rutherford
For the Major League Baseball pitcher, see Johnny Rutherford . For other people with a similar name, see John RutherfordJohn Sherman Rutherford III , better known as Johnny Rutherford, and also known as "Lone Star JR" is a former U.S...
won the pole position with a new 4-lap track record of 198.413 mph. His third lap of 199.071 mph was a one-lap track record, and was 0.21 seconds shy of breaking the elusive 200 mph barrier. Rutherford acknowledged later that the memory of Pollard's accident prevented him from making a truly concerted effort to break the 200 mph mark.
Monday May 28
In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday ActUniform Monday Holiday Act
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act is an Act of Congress that amended the federal holiday provisions of the United States Code to establish the observance of certain holidays on Mondays. The Act was signed into law on June 28, 1968 and took effect on January 1, 1971.The Act moved Washington's...
took effect, moving Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
from the fixed date of May 30 to the final Monday in May. For 1971-1972, the race was scheduled for the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The Speedway still maintained a policy of not holding the race on Sunday. For 1973, the race was scheduled for the Monday Memorial Day holiday itself.
On Monday, morning rain delayed the proceedings until 3 p.m. At the start, an 11-car accident stopped the race immediately. Salt Walther
Salt Walther
David "Salt" Walther , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He also drove NASCAR stock cars, unlimited hydroplane boats, and was a car owner in USAC....
's car climbed into the catch fence, sending burning fuel into the grandstand, injuring 11 spectators. Walther's car also significantly damaged portions of the fence. As the front of Walther's car dug into the fence, the front of the car was torn off and Walther's legs were exposed as the car spun, upside down and on fire, down the front straight, coming to rest near the pit exit. Walther suffered severe burns and injuries to his hands. The race was red-flagged, and the start was negated. Safety crews attended to the crash scene, and the fence. Before the repairs were completed, rain began to fall once more, and the race was washed out for the day. Officials rescheduled the start for 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Tuesday May 29
On Tuesday May 29, rain fell in the morning, delaying the start until 10:15 a.m. All cars that were involved in the crash Monday were allowed to make repairs. Salt Walther, however, was seriously injured and withdrew.The 32 remaining cars fired, and pulled away for the parade laps. On the second parade lap, rain began to fall, and the track was red-flagged. The cars were halted on the main stretch to wait out the shower. Rain continued to fall most of the day, and around 2:00 p.m., the race was postponed until Wednesday.
Fans began to leave the grounds, and after two days of revelry, the infield was overwhelmed with mud and garbage.
Wednesday May 30
On Wednesday, morning rains threatened to wash the race out once again. Most fans had left entirely, and the mood around the garage area was glum. At midday, the sun finally came out for a few hours, the track dried, and the race was finally started at 2:10 p.m. The grandstands were only partially-full as the field took the green flag.On the 57th lap, Swede Savage
Swede Savage
David Earl "Swede" Savage, Jr. was an American race car driver.-Early life:Born in San Bernardino, California, Savage began Soap Box Derby racing at the age of five. He moved up to racing quarter midget cars then at age twelve to Go-Kart racing. By his mid-teens he was racing motorcycles...
made a pit stop. His car was filled with 70 gallons (500 lb.) of fuel and a new right rear tire. Two laps later, he lost control as he exited turn four. His car twitched back and forth, and then slid across to the inside of the track at nearly top speed. It hit the angled inside wall nearly head-on. The force of the impact, with the car carrying a full load of fuel, caused the car to explode in a plume of flame. The force of the fuel exploding was so great that some structural rivets were blown rearward out of the car. The engine and transaxle tumbled end-over-end to the pit lane entrance while Savage, still strapped in his seat, was thrown back across the circuit. Savage came to rest adjacent to the outer retaining wall, fully conscious and completely exposed while he lay in a pool of flaming methanol fuel. The other cars on the track quickly stopped in turn four and the red flag came out. The track was blocked with debris and fire.
The race was halted at 3:05 p.m., and track crew rushed to Savage's aid. Moments later, 22-year-old Armando Teran, a crew member of Graham McRae
Graham McRae
Graham McRae is a former racing driver from New Zealand.McRae's single outing in the Formula One World Championship was at the 1973 British Grand Prix on 14 July 1973, where he retired in the first lap...
's team (Savage's Patrick Racing teammate) stepped out into the pit lane and began running toward Savage's wreck. As he did, a fire truck driving 50-60 mph northbound in the pits, heading for the crash scene, struck Teran and threw him at least 50 feet. Teran died within minutes from his injuries. Savage was taken to the hospital with serious injures, but was in stable condition. Over an hour after the accident, the race was resumed.
After witnessing the crash, George Snider
George Snider
George "Ziggy" Snider is a retired American race car driver. A longtime driver in the United States Automobile Club Silver Crown series, Snider is also a 22-time starter of the Indianapolis 500, the most starts without winning the race. His best finish was eighth in the 1975 Indianapolis 500...
decided to step out of the car, and turned it over to A. J. Foyt
A. J. Foyt
Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr., or as he is universally known as in motorsports circles, A. J. Foyt , is a retired American automobile racing driver. He raced in numerous genres of motorsports. His open wheel racing includes USAC Champ cars and midget cars. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. He won...
, his car owner, who had retired earlier. Attrition had already taken quite a toll on the field. As the race passed the 101-lap mark, it became official. Only 11 cars were still running, with most many laps behind. Track officials began assembling victory lane, as dark skies were looming, and the race was not expected to go the entire distance.
On the 129th lap a light rain began to fall, and the yellow light came out with Gordon Johncock
Gordon Johncock
Gordon Johncock is a former racing driver, best known as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the 1976 USAC Marlboro Championship Trail champion. Johncock was most often simply referred to as "Gordy."...
, another of Savage's Patrick Racing/STP teammates, leading. Only ten cars were still on the track. After 133 laps, at about 5:30 p.m., the rain started to fall much harder, forcing the race to be stopped. A short time later, officials declared the race official, and the tragic race was over with Johncock the winner. The traditional victory banquet was canceled, and the victory celebration was muted. Johncock left the track soon after the race to visit Swede Savage
Swede Savage
David Earl "Swede" Savage, Jr. was an American race car driver.-Early life:Born in San Bernardino, California, Savage began Soap Box Derby racing at the age of five. He moved up to racing quarter midget cars then at age twelve to Go-Kart racing. By his mid-teens he was racing motorcycles...
at the hospital. Later in the evening, the lowly day was summed up as a tired Johncock and crew had a "victory dinner" which consisted of a hamburger at Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
.
Aftermath
On July 2, Savage died in the hospital from complications arising from his injuries and treatment. Savage contracted Hepatitis B from a transfusion, causing liver failure.Sweeping changes would come about in Indycar racing at Indianapolis the following year, all in the interest of safety. Fuel capacity was drastically reduced (from 75 gallons to 40), the large wings used in 1972-1973 were cut back in size, and pop-off valves were introduced to the turbochargers to reduce horsepower. The changes were designed to slow the cars down. At the track, several changes were made. The angled inside wall at the northwest corner of the track (which had also played a role in the Dave MacDonald/Eddie Sachs double-fatality in 1964) was removed, and the pit entrance was widened. Retaining walls and catch fences were improved around the track. In addition, the spectator areas were moved back away from the track, and many rows of "trackside" seats were removed. There was not another on-track fatality at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until 1982.
Savage's death was the last race-day competitor fatality from a crash during an IMS race (not testing, practice, or qualifying) until the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix
2010 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2010 Indianapolis Grand Prix was the eleventh round of the 2010 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of August 27–29, 2010 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:...
for the USGPRU (600cc 4-stroke Moto2) motorcycles.
Box score
| Finish | Start | No | Name | Qual | Rank | Laps | Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | 20 |  United States Gordon JohncockGordon Johncock Gordon Johncock is a former racing driver, best known as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the 1976 USAC Marlboro Championship Trail champion. Johncock was most often simply referred to as "Gordy."... |
192.555 | 13 | 133 | 64 | Running |
| 2 | 16 | 2 | United States Bill Vukovich II Bill Vukovich II William John Vukovich, Jr. , better known as Bill Vukovich II is a former driver in the championship car division of USAC and CART series.... |
191.103 | 20 | 133 | 0 | Running |
| 3 | 14 | 3 | United States Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
191.929 | 17 | 131 | 0 | Flagged |
| 4 | 19 | 19 | United States Mel Kenyon Mel Kenyon Mel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto... |
190.224 | 25 | 131 | 0 | Flagged |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | United States Gary Bettenhausen Gary Bettenhausen Gary Bettenhausen is a retired American auto racing driver. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, and currently resides in Monrovia, Indiana.-Racing family:... |
195.599 | 5 | 130 | 0 | Flagged |
| 6 | 7 | 24 | United States Steve Krisiloff Steve Krisiloff Steve Krisiloff , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1969–1979, 1981 and 1983 seasons, with 111 combined career starts, and started in the Indianapolis 500 all but 1969–1970... |
194.932 | 7 | 129 | 0 | Flagged |
| 7 | 25 | 16 | United States Lee Kunzman Lee Kunzman Lee Kunzman , is a former 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 1971-1972, 1977, and 1979 Indianapolis 500... |
193.092 | 11 | 127 | 0 | Flagged |
| 8 | 24 | 89 | United States John Martin John Martin (driver) John Martin , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1970-1977 and 1979-1980 seasons, with 52 career starts, including the 1972-1976 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 17 times, with his best finish in 5th position at Ontario Motor... |
194.385 | 9 | 124 | 0 | Flagged |
| 9 | 1 | 7 | United States Johnny Rutherford Johnny Rutherford For the Major League Baseball pitcher, see Johnny Rutherford . For other people with a similar name, see John RutherfordJohn Sherman Rutherford III , better known as Johnny Rutherford, and also known as "Lone Star JR" is a former U.S... |
198.413 | 1 | 124 | 0 | Flagged |
| 10 | 21 | 98 | United States Mike Mosley Mike Mosley Mike Mosley , was an American racecar driver.Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mosley died in an off-road vehicle accident near Riverside, California. His young son, Michael, was also riding in the van Mosley was driving, but was uninjured. He was a driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series... |
189.753 | 28 | 120 | 0 | Rod Bolt |
| 11 | 22 | 73 |  United Kingdom David Hobbs |
189.454 | 30 | 107 | 0 | Flagged |
| 12 | 30 | 84 | United States George Snider George Snider George "Ziggy" Snider is a retired American race car driver. A longtime driver in the United States Automobile Club Silver Crown series, Snider is also a 22-time starter of the Indianapolis 500, the most starts without winning the race. His best finish was eighth in the 1975 Indianapolis 500... (relieved by Foyt A. J. Foyt Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr., or as he is universally known as in motorsports circles, A. J. Foyt , is a retired American automobile racing driver. He raced in numerous genres of motorsports. His open wheel racing includes USAC Champ cars and midget cars. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. He won... ) |
190.355 | 23 | 101 | 0 | Gearbox |
| 13 | 2 | 8 | United States Bobby Unser Bobby Unser Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired U.S. automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser... |
198.183 | 2 | 100 | 39 | Blown Engine |
| 14 | 27 | 44 | United States Dick Simon Dick Simon Dick Simon is one of the oldest men to ever have raced in the Indianapolis 500. He was 55 years old during his final Indy 500 start in 1988. A multiple starter and top-ten finisher in the race, he also became a car owner, founding Dick Simon Racing helping to begin the IndyCar careers of Stéphan... |
191.276 | 19 | 100 | 0 | Piston |
| 15 | 3 | 66 | United States Mark Donohue Mark Donohue Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. , nicknamed "Captain Nice", was an American racecar driver known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victories. Donohue is probably best known as the driver of the 1500+ bhp “Can-Am Killer” Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the 1972... |
197.412 | 3 | 92 | 0 | Piston |
| 16 | 13 | 60 |  New Zealand Graham McRaeGraham McRae Graham McRae is a former racing driver from New Zealand.McRae's single outing in the Formula One World Championship was at the 1973 British Grand Prix on 14 July 1973, where he retired in the first lap... |
192.030 | 15 | 91 | 0 | Header |
| 17 | 26 | 6 | United States Mike Hiss Mike Hiss Mike Hiss is a former driver in the USAC Championship Car series. He raced in the 1972-1976 seasons, with 28 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1972-1975. He finished in the top ten 13 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1972 at Ontario... |
191.939 | 16 | 91 | 0 | Drive Train |
| 18 | 29 | 1 | United States Joe Leonard Joe Leonard Joe Leonard , is a retired American motorcycle racer and racecar driver.Leonard won the first A.M.A. Grand National Championship Series in 1954 and won it again in 1956 and 1957. His record totals 27 wins, including the 1957 and 1958 Daytona 200... |
189.953 | 27 | 91 | 0 | Wheel |
| 19 | 18 | 48 | United States Jerry Grant Jerry Grant Jerry Grant , is a former driver in the USAC Championship Car series. He raced in the 1965-1977 seasons, with 54 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1965-1968, 1970 and 1972-1976... |
190.235 | 24 | 77 | 0 | Blown Engine |
| 20 | 8 | 4 | United States Al Unser Al Unser Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr.... |
194.879 | 8 | 75 | 18 | Piston |
| 21 | 9 | 21 | United States Jimmy Caruthers Jimmy Caruthers Douglas "Jimmy" Caruthers was an American racecar driver from Anaheim, California. He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and IndyCars.-Midget car career:... |
194.217 | 10 | 73 | 0 | Suspension |
| 22 | 4 | 40 | United States Swede Savage Swede Savage David Earl "Swede" Savage, Jr. was an American race car driver.-Early life:Born in San Bernardino, California, Savage began Soap Box Derby racing at the age of five. He moved up to racing quarter midget cars then at age twelve to Go-Kart racing. By his mid-teens he was racing motorcycles... |
196.582 | 4 | 57 | 12 | Fatal Crash T4 |
| 23 | 33 | 35 | United States Jim McElreath Jim McElreath Jim McElreath , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series.-Racing career:He raced in the 1961-1983 seasons, with 178 combined career starts, including 15 in the Indianapolis 500 in 1962-1970, 1973–1974, and 1977-1980. He finished in the top ten 101 times, with five victories... |
188.640 | 33 | 54 | 0 | Blown Engine |
| 24 | 20 | 62 | United States Wally Dallenbach, Sr. Wally Dallenbach, Sr. Wally Dallenbach, Sr. is a former long-time open-wheeled race car driver in CART from East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. He drove in 180 Indy Car races between 1965 and 1979, winning five times. He is the father of NASCAR driver and commentator, Wally Dallenbach, Jr.-Biography:Dallenbach nearly... |
190.200 | 26 | 48 | 0 | Broken Rod |
| 25 | 23 | 14 | United States A.J. Foyt |
188.927 | 32 | 37 | 0 | Rod Bolt |
| 26 | 28 | 30 | United States Jerry Karl Jerry Karl Jerry Karl , was a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series... |
190.799 | 21 | 22 | 0 | Flagged |
| 27 | 15 | 18 | United States Lloyd Ruby Lloyd Ruby Lloyd Ruby was an American racecar driver.Ruby raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1958-1977 seasons, with 177 career starts, including every Indianapolis 500 race during 1960-1977. He finished in the top ten 88 times, with 7 victories. His best Indy finish was 3rd in 1964... |
191.622 | 18 | 21 | 0 | Piston |
| 28 | 32 | 9 | United States Sammy Sessions Sammy Sessions Allen Dale "Sammy" Sessions was an American racecar driver.Born in Nashville, Michigan, Sessions died in a snowmobile racing accident in Alexandria, Minnesota. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1965-1975 seasons with 62 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968-1973... |
188.986 | 31 | 17 | 0 | Out of Oil |
| 29 | 31 | 28 | United States Bob Harkey Bob Harkey Bob Harkey , is a former driver in the USAC Championship Car series. He raced in the 1963-1979 seasons, with 85 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1964, 1971 and 1973-1976... |
189.734 | 29 | 12 | 0 | Seized Engine |
| 30 | 6 | 11 | United States Mario Andretti Mario Andretti Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR... |
195.059 | 6 | 4 | 0 | Piston |
| 31 | 10 | 15 | United States Peter Revson Peter Revson Peter Jeffrey Revson was an American race car driver who had successes in Formula One and the Indianapolis 500.-Background:Peter Revson was born in New York City, the son of Julie and Martin Revson.... |
192.607 | 12 | 3 | 0 | Crash T4 |
| 32 | 12 | 12 | United States Bobby Allison Bobby Allison Robert Arthur Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. His two sons, Clifford Allison and Davey Allison followed him into racing, and both died within a year of each other.... |
192.308 | 14 | 1 | 0 | Rod |
| 33 | 17 | 77 | United States Salt Walther Salt Walther David "Salt" Walther , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He also drove NASCAR stock cars, unlimited hydroplane boats, and was a car owner in USAC.... |
190.739 | 22 | 0 | 0 | Crash FS |
See also
- 1973 USAC Championship Car season1973 USAC Championship Car seasonThe 1973 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 16 races, beginning in College Station, Texas on April 7 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 3. The USAC National Champion was Roger McCluskey and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Gordon Johncock....