Back إنديانابوليس 500 سنة 1977 Arabic Indianapolis 500 1977 German 500 miles d'Indianapolis 1977 French 1977-es indianapolisi 500 Hungarian Indianapolis 500 in 1977 Dutch 500 Milhas de Indianápolis de 1977 Portuguese Indianapolis 500 1977 Slovenian
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| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | USAC | ||||
| Season | 1977 USAC Trail | ||||
| Date | May 29, 1977 | ||||
| Winner | A. J. Foyt, Jr. | ||||
| Winning team | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | ||||
| Average speed | 161.331 mph (259.637 km/h) | ||||
| Pole position | Tom Sneva | ||||
| Pole speed | 198.884 mph (320.073 km/h) | ||||
| Fastest qualifier | Tom Sneva | ||||
| Rookie of the Year | Jerry Sneva | ||||
| Most laps led | Gordon Johncock (129) | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| National anthem | Purdue band | ||||
| "Back Home Again in Indiana" | Jim Nabors | ||||
| Starting command | Tony Hulman | ||||
| Pace car | Oldsmobile Delta 88 | ||||
| Pace car driver | James Garner | ||||
| Starter | Pat Vidan[1] | ||||
| Estimated attendance | 350,000[2] | ||||
| TV in the United States | |||||
| Network | ABC | ||||
| Announcers | Jim McKay and Jackie Stewart | ||||
| Nielsen ratings | 15.6 / 32 | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
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The 61st 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday, May 29, 1977. Considered one of the most historically significant editions of the Indianapolis 500, several sidebar stories complemented the unprecedented accomplishment of race winner A. J. Foyt.[3] Foyt became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. As of 2024, Foyt's record has been tied by Al Unser Sr., Rick Mears and Hélio Castroneves, but still stands as an Indy 500 record. Foyt's victory is also the last time the winning car (both chassis and engine) was built entirely within the United States.
The race was sanctioned by USAC, and was part of the 1977 USAC National Championship Trail. After rain-shortened races in three of the past four years (1973, 1975, 1976), the 1977 race was run the full distance under hot and sunny conditions.
Two major stories headlined qualifying. During time trials, Tom Sneva won the pole position with a new track record. He became the first driver to break the 200 mph barrier at the Speedway. On the final day of time trials, Janet Guthrie broke the gender barrier by becoming the first female driver to qualify for the Indy 500.
During the summer of 1976, the entire track was repaved in asphalt. It marked the first time since the original brick surface was laid in the fall of 1909 that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was repaved in its entirety. The surface was allowed to cure over the winter, and during a tire test in March, Gordon Johncock ran a lap of 200.401 mph, an unofficial track record.[4]
This would be the final Indy 500 for track owner Tony Hulman, who would die of heart failure on October 27, 1977. IMS Radio Network anchor Sid Collins did not call the race for the first time since 1951. Collins committed suicide on May 2,[5] just five days before opening day, after being diagnosed with ALS. Collins was replaced by new "Voice of the 500" Paul Page. Then less than a year later, eight USAC officials would be killed in a plane crash.
Other historical milestones during the month included the first grandson of a former driver entering (Teddy Pilette) and the first father and son combination attempting to qualify for the same race (Jim and James McElreath Jr.). However, neither Pilette (grandson of 1913 competitor Théodore Pilette) nor McElreath Jr. succeeded in making the field.[6]
- ^ Fox, Jack C. (1994). The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 (4th ed.). Carl Hungness Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0-915088-05-3.
- ^ Miller, Robin (May 30, 1977). "Super Tex '500' Winner 4th Time". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Davidson, Donald (May 17, 1994). "1977 Remembered as a year of historical firsts at '500'". The Indianapolis Star. p. 43. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Howell, Glenn (May 1977). Fastest Indy ever!. Vol. 147 (5 ed.). Popular Mechanics. pp. 89–91.
- ^ "Collins found dead". Register-Guard. Eugene, Ore. May 3, 1977. Retrieved March 26, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 2, 2007
