View source for 1964-1965 USAC Championship Car Seasons (lost footage of IndyCar races; 1964-1965)

{{InfoboxLost 
|title=<center>1964-1965 USAC Championship Car Seasons</center> 
|image=1965goldenstate1001.jpg
|imagecaption=Program for the 1965 Golden State 100.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> 
}}
The '''''1964 and 1965 USAC Championship Car Seasons''''' were respectively the seventh and eighth seasons of USAC's top-level open-wheel championship. The 1964 edition saw A.J. Foyt claim his second consecutive USAC Championship, whereas Mario Andretti earned his first the following year. Four races were televised during this time period.

==1964 Races==
===1964 Trenton 100===
The '''''1964 Trenton 100''''' was the second race of the 1964 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 19th April at the Trenton Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by polesitter A.J. Foyt in a Watson-Offenhauser, his fourth consecutive victory at the track. This also marked Mario Andretti's debut USAC race.

It was the seventh running of the event, with the annual race lasting 100 miles.<ref name="resultstrenton">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1964_Trenton_100/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1964 Trenton 100.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref> It was one of three 1964 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Trenton Speedway;<ref name="calendar1964">[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1964/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1964 USAC Championship Car Season schedule.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref> the Trenton 150 occurred on 19th July and was won by Foyt,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1964_Trenton_150/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1964 Trenton 150.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref> while the Trenton 200 commenced on 27th September, with Parnelli Jones claiming victory in a Lotus-Ford.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1964_Trenton_200/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1964 Trenton 200.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref> Trenton would continue hosting IndyCar races until 1979 before it was dropped from the schedule and demolished in 1980.<ref>[https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/trenton-speedway.html ''Racing Circuits'' detailing the history of the Trenton Speedway.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref>

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Foyt winning the pole position with a speed of 110.974 mph.<ref name="nyttrenton">[https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/20/archives/foyt-captures-100mile-trenton-auto-race-marred-by-spins-and-steady.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Foyt winning the 1964 Trenton 100.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref><ref name="resultstrenton"/> Entering a new Offenhauser Sheraton Thompson for the event, Foyt was seeking to win his fourth consecutive Trenton event, having won all 1963 events at the track.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1963/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' noting Foyt won all 1963 USAC Championship Car Season Trenton races.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref><ref name="nyttrenton"/> Rodger Ward qualified second in a Watson-Ford, with Jones lining up third out of 22 competitors.<ref name="resultstrenton"/><ref name="nyttrenton"/> This also marked Mario Andretti's debut USAC appearance, having qualified 16th in an Elder-Offenhauser.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070807075906/http://www.sprintcarhof.com/FileGet.aspx?ID=144 Archived ''Sprint Cup Hall of Fame'' where Andretti's entry notes the 1964 Trenton 100 was his first USAC race.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref>

====The Race====
With the starting order decided, the 1964 Trenton 100 commenced on 19th April.<ref name="resultstrenton"/> Foyt maintained his lead at the start, while Jones exited the race after 22 laps following a water pump failure.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> 12 laps earlier, Troy Ruttman spun on the backstretch before crashing into the infield, causing his Watson-Offenhauser to overturn and catch fire.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> He escaped, but suffered injuries to his right forearm.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> On lap 39, as rain began to fall, Elder-Offenhauser's Mario Andretti, and Kurtis-Offenhauser's Ed Kostenuk both spun.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> While Foyt managed to escape, Ward ploughed into one of the competitors, causing his car to suffer terminal damage, including to its front wheel.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/>

The race would then be halted for two hours because of excessive downpour.<ref name="nyttrenton"/> When it restarted, Foyt controlled proceedings, crossing the line to take victory and $4,790 in prize money.<ref name="resultstrenton"/><ref name="nyttrenton"/> This proved to be Foyt's fourth consecutive victory at Trenton, having led all 100 laps.<ref name="nyttrenton"/><ref name="resultstrenton"/> Fellow Watson-Offenhauser driver Jim Hurtubise finished second, while Bobby Marshman took third in an Epperly-Offenhauser.<ref name="resultstrenton"/><ref name="nyttrenton"/> Meanwhile, Andretti finished his first USAC race eleventh.<ref name="resultstrenton"/>

===1964 Golden State 100===
The '''''1964 Golden State 100''''' was the penultimate race of the 1964 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 25th October at the California State Fairgrounds, the race would ultimately be won by A.J. Foyt in a Meskowski-Offenhauser, his tenth victory of the season.

It was the 14th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 100 miles.<ref name="resultsgolden1964">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1964_Golden_State_100/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1964 Golden State 100.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> The only 1964 USAC Championship Car Season race to occur at California State Fairgrounds,<ref name="calendar1964"/> the race would be on the USAC schedule until 1970, when the original speedway itself closed soon after, the Fairgrounds themselves having been relocated two years prior.<ref>[http://www.speedwayandroadracehistory.com/california-state-fairgrounds.html ''Speedway and Road Race History'' summarising the history of the California State Fairgrounds.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref>

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Parnelli Jones winning the pole position with a speed of 95.163 mph.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/> Directly behind him was fellow Watson-Offenhauser driver Roger Ward, with Porter-Chevrolet driver Johnny Rutherford lining up third.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/> A.J. Foyt qualified fifth out of 18 competitors.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/> Having dominated the 1964 Season and having already secured his fourth USAC Championship,<ref name="nytgolden1964">[https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/26/archives/foyt-continues-his-streak-by-winning-at-sacramento.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Foyt winning the 1964 Golden State 100.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> Foyt was seeking his tenth victory of the year.<ref name="calendar1964"/>

====The Race====
With the starting order decided, the 1964 Golden State 100 commenced on 25th October.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/> Jones maintained his lead from the start, and was able to hold onto it until lap 31, where Foyt performed what was ultimately the only lead change of the race.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/> Jones was unable to perform a comeback, as he retired after 48 laps when his Watson suffered a timing gear failure.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/><ref name="nytgolden1964"/> This enabled Foyt to comfortably lead the remaining 70 laps of the race.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/> He therefore claimed his tenth victory of the season and $7,267 in prize money.<ref name="resultsgolden1964"/><ref name="nytgolden1964"/><ref name="calendar1964"/> He finished nine seconds ahead of Kuzma-Offenhauser's Bobby Marshman, who narrowly edged out third place Don Branson in a Watson Offenhauser.<ref name="nytgolden1964"/><ref name="resultsgolden1964"/>

==1965 Races==
===1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial===
The '''''1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial''''' was the inaugural race of the 1965 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 28th March at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Don Branson in a Watson-Offenhauser, after having lapped the field. The race is also notable for being the first USAC event to be televised by CBS.

It was the second running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.<ref name="resultsjimmy">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1965_Jimmy_Bryan_Memorial/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> It was one of two 1965 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway, the other being the 1965 Bobby Ball Memorial,<ref name="calendar1965">[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1965/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1965 USAC Championship Car Season schedule.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> which occurred on 21st November and was won by A.J. Foyt in a Lotus-Ford.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1965_Bobby_Ball_Memorial/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1965 Bobby Ball Memorial.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> The race, named in honour of 1958 Indianapolis 500 winner Jimmy Bryan,<ref>[http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=91 ''Motorsport Memorial'' page for Jimmy Bryan.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> would have ties with Phoenix events like the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, before Phoenix events were dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018 following low attendance.<ref>[https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/06/22/indycar-not-return-phoenix-2019/727625002/ ''IndyStar'' reporting on Phoenix races being dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref>

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Foyt winning the pole position with a speed of 117.493 mph.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> Directly behind him was Watson-Ford's Roger Ward, with Mario Andretti lining up third in a Blum-Offenhauser.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> Don Branson qualified fifth out of 24 competitors.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> Future three-time champion Al Unser notably failed to qualify for the event, driving for Arciero Brothers.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/>

====The Race====
With the starting order decided, the 1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial commenced on 28th March.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> Foyt maintained his lead from the opening lap, holding it until lap 12 when Ward took over.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> While Ward held the lead until being passed by Andretti on lap 49, Foyt retired after 41 laps because of a suspension failure.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> Andretti held the first position for the longest uninterrupted duration of the the race at 63 laps, before Ward overtook him on lap 112.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> As Ward was leading, his engine suddenly failed on lap 124, enabling Branson to move into the first position.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> 

This proved to be the final lead change, with Branson dominating the remaining 26 laps to claim victory and $3,945 in prize money.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/> Brabham-Offenhauser's Jim McElreath finished a lap down in second, while Ronnie Duman took third in a Flynn-Offenhauser, two laps down from Branson.<ref name="resultsjimmy"/>

===1965 Golden State 100===
The '''''1965 Golden State 100''''' was the penultimate race of the 1965 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 24th October at the California State Fairgrounds, the race would ultimately be won by polesitter Don Branson in a Watson-Offenhauser, following a duel with Meskowski-Offenhauser's A.J. Foyt and Kuzma-Offenhauser's Mario Andretti.

It was the 15th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 100 miles.<ref name="resultsgolden1965">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1965_Golden_State_100/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1965 Golden State 100.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> It was the only 1965 USAC Championship Car Season race to occur at California State Fairgrounds,<ref name="calendar1965"/> Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Don Branson winning the pole position with a speed of 96.489 mph.<ref name="midwest1965">[http://www.midwestracingarchives.com/2019/10/1965-sacramento-100-miler-to-branson.html ''Midwest Racing Archives'' detailing the 1965 Golden State 100.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref><ref name="resultsgolden1965"/> Directly behind him was Mario Andretti, with George Snider lining up third out of 18 competitors in a Watson-Offenhauser.<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/>

====The Race====
With the starting order decided, the 1965 Golden State 100 commenced on 24th October.<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/> Andretti shot into the lead on lap 1, holding it until Branson moved back into the first position on lap 3.<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/> He defended his lead for another 38 laps, before Andretti again took over.<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/> Andretti was able to protect his lead for 37 laps, but Branson again managed to pull in front, in what was ultimately the final lead change of the race.<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/><ref name="midwest1965"/> He therefore claimed victory and $7,500 in prize money.<ref name="midwest1965"/><ref name="resultsgolden1965"/> This was his third victory of the season.<ref name="midwest1965"/><ref name="calendar1965"/> Foyt, having climbed up the field from ninth, beat Andretti for second,<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/> having almost been unable to complete the race on three cylinders, therefore lacking the ability to maintain top speed throughout the event.<ref name="midwest1965"/> Andretti held on to finish third.<ref name="resultsgolden1965"/>

==Availability==
All four races are known to have been televised, as documented by ''IndyCar on TV''. 45 minutes of highlights from the 1964 Trenton 100 were televised by ABC on 2nd May 1964 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside figure skating.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1964/1964-trenton-100 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1964 Trenton 100.] Retrieved 26th May '22</ref> ABC later broadcast 30 minutes from the 1964 Golden State 100 on 21st November 1964, alongside an interview with Yogi Berra and mile run by Peter Snell.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1964/1964-golden-state-100 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1964 Golden State 100.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> According to ''IndyCar on TV'', the 1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial was the first USAC-sanctioned event to be televised by CBS.<ref name="indycarcbs">[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1965/1965-jimmy-bryan-memorial ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the CBS broadcast of the 1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> CBS broadcast 30 minutes of footage on 4th April 1965 as part of its ''CBS Sports Spectacular'', alongside professional trampoline championships.<ref name="indycarcbs"/> Finally, 45 minutes of highlight from the 1965 Golden State 100 were televised by ABC on 4th December 1965 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside the National Invitational Pocket Billiards Classic.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1965/1965-golden-state-100 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1965 Golden State 100.] Retrieved 27th May '22</ref> None of the four broadcasts have resurfaced, and no other footage is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some photos of each event can be found online.

==References== 
{{reflist}} 

[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Historic]]