23 Days in August: No. 20, Gordon Johncock, 1975 Sinmast Wildcat/DGS

If you joined us for 30 Days in May earlier this year, you’ll see some familiar faces from that countdown. We’ve also added some new entries for 23 Days in August. So let’s celebrate some notable drivers and cars from the glorious past of the Indianapolis 500!

 

Gordon Johncock came close to capturing the pole for the 1975 Indianapolis 500,
but had to settle for the second starting position after A.J. Foyt made a late run
 in qualifying to knock Johncock from the top spot. 

23 Days in August: No. 20, Gordon Johncock, 1975 Sinmast Wildcat/DGS. Starting in 1973 and over the next 10-plus years, Gordon Johncock was synonymous with the number 20 and Patrick Racing. For 1975, he had a new sponsor, a new chassis and a new engine. It all added up to a fast combination, as Johncock was among the leaders every day in practice and held the pole for a while before A.J. Foyt nudged him aside with a run late in the day.

Johncock jumped to the lead at the start of the race but fell out after just 11 laps and finished 31^st. DGS stood for Drake, Goosen and Sparks, the last names of engine pioneers Dale Drake, Leo Goosen and Art Sparks. The name was something of a tribute by chief mechanic George Bignotti, who helped modify an Offy engine to create the DGS.