Welcome to our monthlong countdown celebrating notable drivers and cars from the history of the Indianapolis 500!
Photo Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo Al Loquasto put the Frostie Root Beer McLaren/Offy in the Indianapolis 500 twice. |
30 Days in May Bonus: 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.
I got one of these in 1975. |
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