23 Days in August: No. 14, A.J. Foyt, 1973 Gilmore Racing Coyote/Foyt

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!

 

A.J. Foyt began his long association with Jim Gilmore in 1973.

23 Days in August: No. 14, A.J. Foyt, 1973 Gilmore Racing Coyote/Foyt. Amazingly, A.J. Foyt was close to the bubble for the 1973 500, as his speed average of 188.927 mph was 32^nd-fastest (or second-slowest). Not surprisingly, the 1973 race was one to forget for Foyt. His Coyote dropped out after 37 laps, then Foyt took over teammate George Snider’s car, which wound up 11^th.

 

Why Foyt had so much trouble in time trials in 1973 is hard to fathom because Super Tex usually was an excellent qualifier. Consider this: In 1991, 33 years after his 500 debut plus coming off devastating lower-leg injuries suffered in a gruesome crash at Road America and at age 56 (!) no less, the amazing Foyt earned a front-row stating position – between Rick Mears and Mario Andretti. Many consider this the greatest front row in Indianapolis 500 history. And it has to rank as one of the greatest feats (no pun intended) in Foyt’s amazing career. 

23 Days in August: No. 13, Danica Patrick, 2018 Go Daddy Dallara/Chevrolet

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!

 

Photo credit:John Cote/Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

Danica Patrick certainly had a colorful car for her final Indianapolis 500 in 2018.

23 Days in August: No. 13, Danica Patrick, 2018 Go Daddy Dallara/Chevrolet. With a green paint job and the number 13, Patrick had herself a real hoodoo wagon for her last go-round at the Brickyard – all she needed was a bag of peanuts and she would’ve scored the trifecta of racing superstitions.

Patrick had an amazing debut in 2005, earning an incredibly loud roar from the crowd when she took the lead in the late stages of the race, which was won by Dan Wheldon. Patrick’s final 500 ended with a crash and 30^th place, one of only two finishes outside the top 10 in eight starts.

23 Days in August: No. 12, Peter Revson, 1972 Gulf McLaren/Offy

 

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!

 

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

In 1972, Peter Revson once again was fast in qualifying,
but gearbox failure eliminated him after just 23 laps.

23 Days in August: No. 12, Peter Revson, 1972 Gulf McLaren/Offy. When I think about the early years of Team McLaren at Indianapolis, Peter Revson is the driver I think of most. True, Johnny Rutherford brought McLaren two Indianapolis 500 victories and two pole positions, but Revson was quite important during those formative years as well.

In 1971, for example, he surprised everyone by ousting Mark Donohue for the pole, then finished second to Al Unser. Revson was back on the front row in 1972, starting second to Bobby Unser. Gearbox failure sidelined Revson after just 23 laps and he wound up 31^st.

23 Days in August: No. 11, Mario Andretti, 1973 Viceroy Parnelli/Offy

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!

 

23 Days in August: No. 11, Mario Andretti, 1973 Viceroy Parnelli/Offy. When Mario Andretti joined Al Unser and Joe Leonard at Vel’s Parnelli Jones for the 1972 season, it was expected this “Super Team” would dominate the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar circuit.  As it turned out, these years were not a lot of fun for Andretti in particular. In 1973 he started a strong 6^th but was out after four laps with a broken piston to finish 30th. 

23 Days in August: No. 10, Dario Franchitti, 2010 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda

 

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!

 

Photo credit: Jim Haines/Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

Dario Franchitti led 155 laps on his way to his second Indianapolis 500 victory in 2010.

23 Days in August: No. 10, Dario Franchitti, 2010 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda. In addition to being a three-time Indianapolis 500 champion, Dario Franchitti also is a keen student of motorsports history. Given that, I hope he agrees with my assessment that his Indianapolis 500 success mirrors that of Johnny Rutherford. Rutherford won his three Indianapolis 500s over six years, including one shortened by rain; Franchitti won his three Indianapolis 500s over five years, including one shortened by rain.

In his 2010 victory, Franchitti started third and led 155 laps in one of his usual excellent performances at the Speedway.

Franchitti had to retire in 2013 after a horrendous crash at Houston, suffering a concussion and other injuries. He was only 40 at the time, so it’s conceivable he could’ve joined A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears as a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion.

Thankfully, Franchitti has recovered well enough so that he can drive vintage race cars, something he thoroughly enjoys and appreciates.

23 Days in August: No. 9, Scott Dixon, 2008 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda

 

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!

23 Days in August: No. 9, Scott Dixon, 2008 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda. Scott Dixon has compiled an amazing IndyCar career that's largely underappreciated outside of hardcore fans. He’s now third all-time in victories, behind only A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti, and appears primed to add a sixth championship this year, second only to Foyt.

Photo credit: Dan Helrigel/Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

Scott Dixon is probably the favorite to win the 2020 Indianapolis 500.

Given all that success, it’s surprising Dixon has only one Indianapolis 500 victory, which came in 2008. He started on the pole and led the most laps on his way to that victory. He’s more than overdue for a second 500 win, and it very well could come this year.

 

23 Days in August: No. 8, Bobby Unser, 1973 Olsonite Eagle/Offy

 

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!

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Photo

Bobby Unser and the Olsonite Eagle remained a fast combination
at Indianapolis in 1973. Unser started second, but reliability was
lacking as he finished 13th, dropping out with engine problems.

23 Days in August: No. 8, Bobby Unser, 1973 Olsonite Eagle/Offy. Based on his incredible qualifying performance in 1972, when he bumped the pole speed by more than 17 mph to an average of 195.940 mph, Bobby Unser entered 1973 as the favorite to be the first break the magic 200 mph barrier at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Unser fell just a little short, setting for a four-lap average of 198.183 mph, slightly behind pole-sitter Johnny Rutherford. Unser led the first 39 laps, fell behind after a slow pit stop and dropped out after 100 laps with mechanical trouble to finish 13th.

Better days were just ahead as Unser won the national championship in 1974 and added his second Indianapolis 500 win in 1975, all while still driving for Dan Gurney’s All American Racers.

 

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