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| Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
No. 86, Al Loquasto, 1976 Frostie Root
Beer McLaren/Offy. After several years of trying, Al Loquasto finally qualified
for the Indianapolis 500, earning the 24th starting spot for the
1976 event. He was still running when the race was red-flagged because of rain and
considered complete after 102 laps. The year before, I got a sticker of his car
from his team as I roamed the fence by the pits, seeking autographs.
Unfortunately, Loquasto suffered a sort of dubious distinction that year. He
was the first qualifier for 1975, then began to be pushed down the order as
faster cars qualified. Eventually, Loquasto was bumped all the way out, so it
was nice that he finally got in the field the next year. He also drove in the
1977 race and finished 28th. Helping Loquasto’s effort was legendary
mechanic Clint Brawner, the wrench on Mario Andretti’s 1969 winner. #ThisIsMay
#Indy500
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