30 Days in May: No. 20, Gordon Johncock, 1975 Sinmast Wildcat/DGS

Welcome to our monthlong countdown celebrating notable drivers and cars from the history of the Indianapolis 500!

Photo credit: Majeske postcard collection

In 1975, Gordon Johncock quickly grabbed the lead from his second starting position,
but fell out after 11 laps due to mechanical trouble.  

30 Days in May: 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 George Bignotti, who helped modify an Offy engine to create the DGS.

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

I just like this photo from 1973. I haven't been to the museum for a few years,
but I hope Harlan Fengler's hat is in one of the displays.

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