OK, so this year’s Indianapolis
500 won’t be run in the month of May. For many of us, however, May is more than
just a month – it’s a state of mind. So let’s still celebrate great cars and
drivers of the past anyway!
Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo
John Mahler started 29th and finished 22nd in his first
Indianapolis 500 in 1972.
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30 Days in May Bonus: No. 31, John Mahler, 1972 Harbor Fuel Oil
McLaren/Offy. We wrap up with John Mahler, who was one of eight rookies in the
starting lineup for the 1972 Indianapolis 500. He actually qualified for the
1971 race but was “bumped” by his car owner, Dick Simon.
Mahler had qualified Simon’s back-up car in 1971, becoming the fastest
rookie in 500 history in the process. But then Simon was bumped, so he took
over Mahler’s ride for the race.
So began what was to be an interesting, colorful Indianapolis 500
career for Mahler, who made four starts from 1972 through 1979. In 1973, he was
part of the Champ Carr Enterprises team with Sam Posey. Mahler likely would
have made the race had he been allowed to complete either of his two qualifying
attempts, both of which were tracking toward an average fast enough to make the
race.
As it turned out, Posey was bumped and Jim McElreath took over Mahler’s
car and made the field in the final minutes of qualifying.
Mahler’s best finish was in 1977, when he was credited with 14th
after getting some relief help from Larry “Boom Boom” Cannon. He almost
squeezed into the 1983 lineup, accepting a speed that was some 27 mph off the
pole speed with the hope that rain would curtail qualifying. The gamble almost
paid off, but Mahler was knocked out by Dennis Firestone, who completed his run
as showers hit.
In 1972, Mahler wound up 22nd, sidelined by piston failure
after 99 laps. A highlight film produced by Channel 6 in Indianapolis indicates
that Mahler had to pull in before the start because he forgot his gloves.
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