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Item
#4803
Johnny Rutherford and Team McLaren returned for the 1975
Indianapolis 500® as defending champions. Rutherford was
disappointed with his qualifying speed of 185.998 mph, which
earned the 7th starting position. However, during
practice between qualifying and the race, Rutherford ran laps at
over 186 mph in race trim, so he was confident for the race.
Gordon Johncock led the start of the 1975 Indianapolis 500®,
followed by Foyt, Bobby Unser, and Rutherford. Johncock went out
with a broken gear on Lap 11, then Wally Dallenbach moved through
the field to challenge the leaders and take the lead on Lap 59.
Dallenbach faltered with a burned piston on Lap 162, promoting
Rutherford from second into first place. When Rutherford made his
scheduled pit stop on Lap 165, Bobby Unser passed him to become
the leader. Clouds gathered during the race, a storm appeared from
the southwest, and light rain began to fall on Lap 171, bringing
out the yellow flag. Rutherford and Bobby Unser pitted for a
splash of fuel under the yellow, to enable them to race to the
finish at full boost. Rutherford thought he could challenge Bobby
Unser. But on Lap 174 a thunderstorm deluged the track. Red and
checkered flags were waved together as the front straight flooded
under inches of water. Third place Foyt was the last car on the
lead lap, and the rest of the field was five laps down. Bobby
Unser won the 1975 Indianapolis 500® at an average speed of
149.213 mph.
started_7
finished 2
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