|
1974
Indy 500® Winner
Johnny
Rutherford Car#3
"McLaren" Order Item
#4801
 
Click on model
to enlarge and view!
Johnny
Rutherford was in his second year with Team McLaren when he
returned to the Brickyard® for the 1974 Indy 500® . Rules
changes to restrict speeds had reduced the size of rear wings and
lowered the turbo boost to reduce speeds at least seven mph from
1973, while fuel capacity was reduced from 75 to 40 gallons as a
further safety measure. McLaren Team Manager Tyler Alexander
provided  Rutherford
a car that handled well and took maximum advantage of the new
rules. Because of the 1974 "Energy Crunch," qualifying
was compressed into two consecutive Saturdays. During practice on
the first day of qualifying, Rutherford's engine blew up before
he had even reached speed. Despite a quick engine change,
Rutherford was not allowed to qualify until the second day.
Although he was the fastest second day qualifier at 190.446 mph,
faster than every other car in the field except for pole-sitter
A.J. Foyt, Rutherford had to start in 25th place.
 When
the 500 began, Rutherford moved quickly to join the leaders,
running 3rd by Lap 12. The race became a duel between
Foyt and Rutherford, with Bobby Unser close behind. Foyt was
black-flagged for oil smoke on Lap 139, then broke the scavenger
pump on his turbocharger and was out of the race. Rutherford led
59 of the last 60 laps, losing the lead only briefly to Bobby
Unser when making his final pit stop. Johnny Rutherford won the
1974 Indianapolis 500® at a speed of 158.589 mph, lapping the
field except for second-place Bobby Unser.
More
Model Details |
