Foyt's 1974 Pole Run a Rare Achievement

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

A.J. Foyt after his qualifying run in 1974 with sponsors Jim and Diane

Gilmore. A.J.'s father, Tony, is at right.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the Indianapolis 500 records that A.J. Foyt set and still holds. The first four-time winner, Foyt’s string of 35 consecutive starts from 1958-92 is one that’s unlikely to be broken. Here are few more of his key numbers:

·         4,845 total laps

·         555 laps led

·         17 top 10s

·         13 races led

·         10 top 5s

·         4 poles

Here’s another record I think Foyt owns: Longest time on the pole, achieved in 1974.

Let me explain. On the first day of qualifications, if the first driver in line finishes the four laps to complete the attempt, he or she has the pole for at least for a few minutes or even longer, depending on how long it takes for another driver to post a faster speed. In recent years, gimmicks like the Fast 9 Shootout have been added, which, while perhaps good for TV, have soiled the traditional Indianapolis 500 qualifying procedure.

Anyway, back to Foyt in 1974. That year, he drew the No. 1 pellet and averaged 191.632 mph. No one topped it. In fact, no one came within 1 mph of his speed.

So Foyt clinched the pole about as early as possible on the first qualifying day.

The time trials for the 1974 race were a bit convoluted and a departure from the four days over two weekends. Instead, the four days were split into four “periods” over two Saturdays. Because of several rain delays on both days, it ended up that the pole, first row and last row all were decided on the same day – the first time that had happened.

As was often the case, if there was a new achievement at Indianapolis, Foyt was in the middle of it.

I wonder if anyone else has done this – won the pole right off the bat AND remained the fastest qualifier. (Remaining the fastest qualifier is the key distinction. First qualifier Jerry Hoyt, for example, won the pole under rather unusual circumstances in 1955, but was not the fastest qualifier by a wide margin.)

How about it, Donald Davidson @IMSMuseum?