Front Rows of the 1970s: 1977

In addition to the usual Month of May countdown, we’re also recounting the front rows of the 1970s, which included some of the most accomplished drivers in the history of the Indianapolis 500.

 

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Penske Entertainment

Tom Sneva became the first driver to officially go over 200 mph in qualifying
for the 1977 Indianapolis 500. He was joined on the front row by
Bobby Unser (middle) and Al Unser. 

1977 front row: Tom Sneva (pole), Bobby Unser, Al Unser

How it started: 4 Indianapolis 500 victories (Bobby Unser 1968, 1975; Al Unser 1970, 1971)

How it ended: 8 Indianapolis 500 victories (Tom Sneva 1983; Bobby Unser 1968, 1975, 1981; Al Unser 1970, 1971, 1978, 1987)

About the 1977 race: With boost limits raised and the eight-cylinder Cosworth now the powerplant of choice among many of the big-name teams, the magic, but still elusive, 200-mph mark appeared ready to be broken. Mario Andretti was the first to unofficially break the barrier in practice, but on Pole Day Tom Sneva was the only one to exceed 200 mph in qualifying. His “New Track Record” for one lap was 200.535 mph in the Norton Spirit McLaren/Cosworth. Sneva dropped down to an average of 198.884 mph for his four laps, which topped Johnny Rutherford’s record from 1973.

Bobby Unser, in the Cobre Tire/Clayton Dyno-Tune Lightning/Offy, started next to Sneva. Brother Al Unser was on the outside in the American Racing Parnelli/Cosworth. This was the only time the Unser brothers were on the front row together at Indianapolis.

A.J. Foyt led a star-studded second row joined by Gordon Johncock and Mario Andretti. Career-wise, the top six starters in the 1977 Indianapolis 500 accounted for 15 500 victories. I haven’t done all the research, but I think that’s the most Indianapolis 500 wins over the first two rows ever.

Johncock took control of the second half of the race and seemingly had victory in his grasp when he suffered a broken crankshaft – a comparatively rare failure – after 184 laps. Foyt took it from there and finally had his cherished fourth Indianapolis 500 victory.

 

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Penske Entertainment

The 1977 Indianapolis 500 featured maybe the best second row ever with
A.J. Foyt (inside), Gordon Johncock (middle) and Mario Andretti.

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