Indianapolis 500 Front Rows of the 1970s: 1975

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

Faithful readers of this space know that this decade is part of my personal golden age at the Speedway. I’m grateful I got to witness much of it first-hand as a boy.

Here’s a statistical look at the front-row drivers of the 1970s:

 

Driver	Indianapolis 500 poles (career)	Indianapolis 500 wins (career)
Al Unser	1	4
Johnny Rutherford	3	3
A.J. Foyt	4	4
Peter Revson	1	0
Mark Donohue	0	1
Bobby Unser	2	3
Wally Dallenbach	0	0
Mike Hiss	0	0
Gordon Johncock	0	2
Tom Sneva	3	1
Danny Ongais	0	0
Rick Mears	6	4
Totals	20	22

For each year, we’ll have the front row, how many Indianapolis 500 wins were represented on the front row at the start of the race, the number of Indianapolis 500 wins in the drivers’ respective careers, and a brief recap of practice, qualifying and the race.

 

Majeske Collection

The year 1975 was the first time the front row of the Indianapolis 500 was made up
of former winners. Each was a unique chassis/engine combination. A.J. Foyt was
on the pole in his Gilmore Racing Coyote/Foyt. Next was Gordon Johncock in the
Sinmast Wildcat/DGS. Outside was Bobby Unser in the Jorgensen Eagle/Offy.

 

1975 front row: A.J. Foyt (pole), Gordon Johncock, Bobby Unser

How it started: 5 Indianapolis 500 victories (3 by Foyt, 1 by Johncock, 1 by Unser)

How it ended: 9 Indianapolis 500 victories (4 by Foyt – 1961, 1964, 1967, 1977; 2 by Johncock – 1973, 1982; 3 by Unser – 1968, 1975, 1981)

About the 1975 race: For the first time ever, former winners made up the front row. Gordon Johncock and A.J. Foyt vied for fast time throughout the first week of practice, leading to a much-anticipated Pole Day. Johncock held the top spot until Foyt made a late run to secure what was then a record-tying fourth pole.

Johncock’s teammate Wally Dallenbach, also driving a fluorescent red Sinmast Wildcat/DGS (an Offy modified under the direction of George Bignotti), was quick in practice as well, but had mechanical problems on the first day of time trials and was a second-day qualifier.

As Dallenbach had done the year before, Johncock jumped to the lead at the drop of the green flag from his second starting position, then , also like Dallenbach the year before, fell out early.

Dallenbach took the lead on Lap 59 and looked to be in good shape for the win before dropping out after 162 laps due to a burned piston, handing the lead to Johnny Rutherford. Rutherford soon pitted, putting Bobby Unser and his Jorgensen Eagle/Offy in front.

And that’s where he finished as a massive rainstorm hit after 174 laps, leaving Rutherford second and A.J. Foyt third in his Coyote/Foyt.

 

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