1977 USAC Championship Car Season (lost footage of IndyCar races; 1977)

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1977trenton2001.jpg

Program for the 1977 Trentonian 200.

Status: Lost

The 1977 USAC Championship Car Season was the 20th season of USAC's top-level open-wheel championship. The season saw Tom Sneva claim his first of two consecutive USAC Championships. Of the races televised that year, at least seven are deemed missing.

1977 Jimmy Bryan 150

The 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 (also known as the 1977 Phoenix 150) was the second race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 27th March at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by polesitter Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Cosworth, beating out Coyote-Foyt's A.J. Foyt by 18.5 seconds. Rutherford however would also be involved in a post-race fistfight with Wildcat-DGS' Gordon Johncock, triggered by a collision between the pair during the event.

It was the 13th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.[1] It was one of two 1977 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway, the other being the Bobby Ball 150,[2] which occurred on 29th October and was won by Gordon Johncock.[3] The race, named in honour of 1958 Indianapolis 500 winner Jimmy Bryan,[4] would have ties with Phoenix events like the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, before Phoenix races were dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018 following low attendance.[5]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Johnny Rutherford winning the pole position with a speed of 142.236 mph.[1] Directly behind him was Johncock, with McLaren-Cosworth's Tom Sneva lining up third out of 22 competitors.[1]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 commenced on 27th March.[1] Johncock shot into the lead on the opening lap, leading the first 26.[1] After only 20 laps, Rutherford had already fallen a lap behind the leaders, but was nevertheless beginning to make up ground.[6] Following a caution period triggered by a crash from McLaren-Offenhauser's Al Loquasto, resulting in pit stops that, once the race resumed on lap 35, resulted in A.J. Foyt taking the lead.[1] He would lead for another 42 laps, only dropping the lead briefly in his next pit stop on lap 77 during another caution period, where he would reassume the first position when the race resumed on lap 80, holding it for another 16 laps.[1]

By lap 94, Rutherford was back on the lead lap, and was battling for fourth with Johncock.[6] As they exited Turn 2 however, Johncock spun-off, with him believing that Rutherford had forced him off the circuit.[7][6] This triggered another caution period, with Wally Dallenbach taking the lead in a Wildcat-DGS on lap 95.[1] When the race resumed, Foyt took the lead, but Rutherford made a pass before the start of lap 100.[6][1] From there, Rutherford defended the first position primarily from Foyt, successfully leading the final 51 laps in spite of Johncock deliberately bumping into him on a few occasions.[6][1] He therefore claimed victory and $12,550 in prize money.[6][1] Foyt finished 18.5 seconds behind in second, with Lightning-Offenhauser's Roger McCluskey a lap down in third.[1]

Meanwhile, Johncock finished five laps down in 12th,[1] and remained irate with Rutherford.[6][7] He attempted to confront Rutherford at Victory Lane, but was denied access.[6] He would, however, encounter the winner behind the press trailer and accuse him of trying to force the Wildcat driver off the circuit. The confrontation led to a fistfight that resulted in Rutherford sustaining a bloody nose.[6][7] On 2nd April 1977, it was reported that Johncock was fined $1,500 for the fight, with both him and Rutherford reprimanded and threatened with suspensions should a similar incident occur again.[7]

1977 Texas Grand Prix

The 1977 Texas Grand Prix (also known as the 1977 Texas 200) was the third race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 2nd April at the Texas World Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Tom Sneva in a McLaren-Cosworth, following a late duel with Parnelli-Cosworth's Al Unser.

It was the third running of the event, with the race lasting 200 miles.[8] It was one of two 1977 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Texas World Speedway, the other being the American Parts 200,[2] which shall be discussed later in this article. USAC races would continue to commence at the speedway before it was completely removed from the IndyCar schedule when the 1980 race was cancelled following the USAC-CART conflict.[9]

No time trials were conducted to decide the starting order for the race.[8] Instead, the order was decided by lots, with Rutherford lining up in the pole position, Wildcat-DGS' Gordon Johncock taking second, and Unser starting third.[8] Tom Sneva would line up eighth out of 19 competitors.[10][8]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 Texas Grand Prix commenced on 2nd April.[8] Johncock shot into the lead on the opening lap, but lost it to Coyote-Foyt's A.J. Foyt on lap 2.[8] Aside from briefly losing the lead to Wildcat-DGS' Wally Dallenbach during a pit stop under caution, Foyt would control proceedings until he was passed by Eagle-Offenhauser's Pancho Carter on lap 45.[8] He would regain it a lap later, only for Carter to again move back into the first position on lap 50.[8] Carter held the lead until lap 60, with Foyt retiring after 58 laps because of a broken radiator.[10] A long caution period occurred from laps 60-73, and when the race finally resumed, Johncock emerged in front, with him controlling the next 18 laps.[8]

On lap 89, Unser passed Johncock, with the latter retiring two laps later following a radiator failure.[8] Unser would lead the next four laps, but following another caution period, Sneva would emerge in front.[8] They would engage in a late duel, with Unser quickly passing Sneva once the race resumed on lap 96.[10][8] However, on lap 98, Sneva pulled off what was ultimately the final lead change of the event on Turn 2.[10][8] Despite intense pressure from Unser, Sneva remained in front for the final three laps to claim victory and $13,179 in prize money.[10][8] Unser finished second, and while despite facing a black flag on lap 73 for overtaking under yellow flags, Dallenbach took third.[10][8]

1977 Trentonian 200

The 1977 Trentonian 200 (also known as the 1977 Trenton 200) was the fourth race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 30th April at the Trenton Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Wally Dallenbach, after overtaking fellow Wildcat-DGS driver Gordon Johncock with six laps remaining.

It was the 16th running of the event, with the annual race lasting just over 200 miles.[11] The only 1977 USAC Championship Car Season race to commence at Trenton Speedway following the cancellation of the Machinists Union 150 because of rain,[2][12] the speedway would host IndyCar races until 1979 before being dropped from the schedule, with the circuit demolished in 1980.[13]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with previous year's winner and McLaren-Cosworth driver Johnny Rutherford winning the pole position with a speed of 168.961 mph.[11] Directly behind him was McLaren-Offenhauser's Mario Andretti, with Tom Sneva lining up third in a McLaren-Cosworth.[11] Wally Dallenbach qualified seventh out of 17 competitors.[14][11] The race was to occur on 24th April, but rain postponed it until the 30th.[15][16][11]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 Trentonian 200 commenced on 30th April.[11] Andretti shot into the lead on the first lap, holding it for the next 29 before Rutherford moved back into the first position on lap 30.[11] Rutherford then remained in front for 45 laps, Andretti meanwhile retiring after 37 due to an engine failure.[11] Rutherford would then be passed by Johncock, the latter leading for 11 laps, with Rutherford moving by again on lap 86 before Johncock retook it two laps later.[11] Johncock then controlled the next 41 laps, with Rutherford exiting the race after completing 104 laps following an engine failure that also triggered a caution period between laps 105-107.[11]

Johncock remained in front on the restart, but Dallenbach had climbed the order and proved to be the main challenger for the lead.[14][11] After being cut off by Johncock a few times on the straightaway, he ultimately achieved the final lead change on lap 129, when Johncock was forced to concede to avoid an accident on Turn 1.[14][11] Dallenbach successfully defended it for the final six laps to claim victory and $14,000 in prize money.[14][11] Johncock took second, with Eagle-Offenhauser's Mike Mosley finishing third.[14][11] Post-race, Dallenbach admitted his qualifying result might have limited his chances, stating "Starting that far back, I didn't think I had a chance."[14] He also detailed his gameplan against Johncock, explaining "Racing Gordy is sort of like having a four‐pound bass on the line, you just have to hope you can wear him down a little bit."[14] This also marked Dallenbach's first USAC Championship victory since winning the 1973 California 500.[14]

1977 Rex Mays Classic

The 1977 Rex Mays Classic was the sixth race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 12th June at the Milwaukee Mile, the race would ultimately be won by Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Cosworth, after having led 102 of the 150 laps. However, the race was also known for Wildcat-DGS' Gordon Johncock's crash, which required him to be hospitalised.

It was the 28th running of the race, with the annual event lasting 150 miles.[17] It was one of two 1977 USAC Championship Car Season races to be held at Milwaukee Mile,[2] the other being the Tony Bettenhausen 200, which occurred on 21st August and was won by Johnny Rutherford.[18] The event, which was held in honour of Rex Mays, a two-time AAA champion who saved fellow racer Duke Dinsmore's life during the 1948 Milwaukee 100,[19] would commence on an annual basis until it was renamed from 1988 onwards.[20]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in a Lightning-Offenhauser with a speed of 131.482 mph.[17] Directly behind him was Rutherford, with Gordon Johncock lining up third out of 20 competitors.[17]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 Rex Mays Classic commenced on 12th June.[17] Unser maintained his lead from the start, holding it for 22 laps before being passed by Rutherford on lap 19.[17] Rutherford would then control proceedings, where with the exception of McLaren-Cosworth's Tom Sneva briefly taking the lead on lap 42 following Rutherford's pitstop during a caution, would be in front for the next 60 laps.[17] Meanwhile, Bobby Unser retired after 71 laps following a magneto failure.[17] Meanwhile, Mike Mosley in a Lightning-Offenhauser would move into the first position on lap 83 while the race was under another caution, and would remain in front when it resumed two laps later.[17] He would then drop the lead briefly to Johncock, regain it a lap later on lap 87, only to drop it back to Johncock on lap 89.[17]

Johncock then led the next 18 laps, before he was passed by Rutherford on lap 107.[17] After 120 laps, Johncock attempted to lap rookie Clark Templeman, who was driving an Eagle-Offenhauser.[21] However, disaster struck when they touched wheels, causing Johncock to end up sideways, go airborne, and hit a wall.[21][17] According to Parnelli-Cosworth's Al Unser, the crash may have been caused by Templeman's inexperience, stating "It looked like Clark Templeman came up a little bit—didn't know where he was on the race track—just when Johncock was coming down for the (third) turn. All you have to do is touch wheels a little bit in that critical point and that's what happened. They just brushed wheels and that got Gordy sideways. He came back and went over, the front of him (Templeman), and got airborne."[21]

While Johncock's Wildcat suffered limited visual damage, a wheel had come off and collided with the driver's helmet, leaving a tyre mark on it.[21] He was taken to hospital with possible head and spinal injuries.[21] It appeared his injuries were less severe than suspected, as he would compete in the 1977 Schaefer 500 just two weeks later.[22] He also implicitly downplayed the accident in an 1984 interview, with him deeming his accident at a 1983 CART race in Michigan to be the first instance where he suffered serious injuries, him breaking both ankles at the event.[23]

Following Johncock's crash, Rutherford's main rival would be Sneva.[21] Nevertheless, he was able to withstand the pressure for the lead for the remaining 44 laps to claim victory and $19,658 in prize money.[21][17] Sneva finished around six seconds behind in second, with Unser taking third.[21][17]

1977 Schaefer 500

The 1977 Schaefer 500 was the seventh race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 26th June at the Pocono International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Tom Sneva in a McLaren-Cosworth, taking victory after teammate Mario Andretti nearly crashed into his pitcrew during a pitstop.

It was the seventh running of the event, with the annual race lasting 500 miles.[22] The only 1977 USAC Championship Car Season race to commence at Pocono,[2] it was considered part of USAC's Triple Crown of 500-mile races that lasted between 1971-1980, also consisting of the Indianapolis 500 and California 500.[24] Pocono IndyCar events would be run on an on-and-off basis, before the track was dropped from the IndyCar schedule in 2020.[25]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with A.J. Foyt winning the pole position in a Coyote-Foyt with a speed of 189.474 mph.[26][27][22] During this time period, the crowd was heavily against him following accusations that he made insulting gestures towards fans, with Citicorp threatening to withdraw its sponsorship of USAC if Foyt was not disciplined.[28][27] Foyt was critical of the fans, stating "I don't like the way the people act, why should I? Those guys who boo don't know what they're booing about. I think by going out and taking the pole I answered any questions that needed to be answered."[27] Directly behind him were the McLaren-Cosworths of Johnny Rutherford and Mario Andretti, in second and third respectively.[27][22] Andretti somewhat sympathised with Foyt, stating "I don't condone what A.J. did, but I know how he feels and I might do the same thing in that situation. After you hang your guys out in qualifying, you sure deserve better appreciation than that from the fans."[27] Tom Sneva qualified fourth, while Janet Guthrie was the only woman to compete, lining up 22nd out of 33 competitors.[27][28][22]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 Schaefer 500 commenced on 26th June.[22] Foyt maintained his lead from the start, holding it for 13 laps before dropping it to Wildcat-DGS' Gordon Johncock.[22] He led until being passed by Rutherford on lap 31, although he would regain it eight laps later.[22] Following a caution period, Lightning-Offenhauser's Mike Mosley emerged in front on lap 47, but would lose the first position to Foyt on lap 51.[22] Foyt would then be passed by Johncock on lap 61, the latter holding it for a further 20 laps before Rutherford passed him.[22] With the race for the lead still being an open competition, Foyt remained in contention until he retired after 118 laps following a burned piston.[28][22] According to The New York Times, the attendance of around 80,000 generally applauded his retirement from the event.[28]

On lap 129, Andretti overtook Sneva for the first position, defending it for 22 laps.[22] He lost it to Sneva on lap 151, the latter then dropping it a lap later to Wally Dallenbach in a Wildcat-DGS.[22] Dallenbach would be passed by Andretti, with Andretti holding a six-second lead on Sneva when he made what was meant to be his penultimate pitstop on lap 161.[29][28][22] The pitstop almost ended in disaster, as he was unable to sufficiently slow down, his crew having to leap out of the McLaren's way to avoid being hit at almost 100 mph.[28] Andretti post-race explained the incident, stating "My right rear tire was going flat, and my brakes were going bad."[28][29] Aside from almost seriously injuring his crew, Andretti was forced to drive out of the pits and make a stop a lap later, because he was more than two pit areas down from where he was supposed to stop.[28][29] Had the crew reversed him back, he would have been penalised a lap.[28]

Sneva therefore not only took the lead, but now had a lap advantage over Andretti.[28][29][22] It seemed he would cruise to victory; however, Mosley crashed out after 183 laps, the accident not only spreading debris across the track, but also requiring hospitalisation for Mosley who was suspected to have suffered neck and back injuries.[28][29][22] Andretti was able to pit for fresh tyres, and unlapped himself when another caution occurred.[28][29][22] It meant he was directly behind Sneva when the race resumed on lap 196.[28][29][22] Sneva's lead of 3.5 seconds would be depleted to 1.75 seconds by the end.[28] This ultimately was not enough, with Sneva therefore claiming victory and around $86,000 in prize money.[28][29][22] Andretti finished second to make it a 1-2 victory for car owner Roger Penske.[29][28][22] Post-race, Penske proclaimed the 1-2 to be his greatest achievement since Mark Donohue won the 1972 Indianapolis 500 with one of his cars.[29] He stated "A lot of people said when we lost Mark we were going downhill. We were snake bit. We put in a lot of long, hard hours and worked very hard. It took a number of years, but here we are now trying to win the national championship now."[29] He also praised Sneva, stating "Tom has come of age. He's a very dedicated, clean cut, exemplary young man."[29] Johncock finished a lap down in third.[28][22]

1977 American Parts 200

The 1977 American Parts 200 was the tenth race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 31st July at the Texas World Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Cosworth, after having led 81 of the 100 laps.

It was the second running of the event, with the annual race lasting 200 miles.[30] It was one of two 1977 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Texas World Speedway, the other being aforementioned the Texas 200.[2]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Danny Ongais winning the pole position in a Parnelli-Cosworth with a speed of 205.421 mph.[30] Directly behind him was McLaren-Cosworth's Johnny Rutherford, with Parnelli-Cosworth's Al Unser lining up third out of 22 competitors.[30]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 American Parts 200 commenced on 31st July.[30] Rutherford maintained his lead from the start, defending the first position until he was passed by Unser on lap 10.[30] Unser led until retiring after 15 laps following a broken gearbox.[30] Rutherford re-took the lead, holding it for 13 laps before Ongais moved past on lap 28.[30] Ongais was repassed by Rutherford on lap 33, and retired three laps later when his car's clutch failed.[30]

Following a caution period from laps 35-45 triggered by Lightning-Offenhauser's Bobby Unser's crash, Rutherford would lead the next 14 laps before being overtaken by Johncock on lap 58.[30] Four laps later, Rutherford regained it, and would only relinquish it once more to Johncock during a caution period between laps 64-67.[30] When the race resumed on lap 68, Rutherford was in front, and controlled proceedings to claim victory and $14,870 in prize money.[30] Johncock finished second, with Eagle-Offenhauser's Pancho Carter two laps down in third.[30]

1977 Michigan Grand Prix

The 1977 Michigan Grand Prix (also known as the 1977 Michigan 150) was the 13th race of the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 17th September at the Michigan International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Gordon Johncock in a Wildcat-DGS, after overtaking Parnelli-Cosworth's Al Unser with five laps remaining

It was the fifth running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.[31] It was one of two 1977 USAC Championship Car Season races to commence at Michigan International Speedway, the other being the Norton 200,[2] which occurred on 17th July and was won by Danny Ongais in a Parnelli-Cosworth.[32] The track would continue hosting IndyCar races until being dropped from the schedule from 2007 onwards after failing to reach a deal with IndyCar's organisers.[33]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Ongais winning the pole position with a speed of 200.949 mph.[34][31] Directly behind him were the Penske-Cosworths of Mario Andretti and Tom Sneva in second and third respectively.[31][34] Gordon Johncock qualified seventh out of 22 competitors, but nevertheless was seeking victory in his native state of Michigan.[35][31]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1977 Michigan Grand Prix commenced on 17th September.[31] Ongais maintained his lead at the start, defending it for the first 19 laps.[31] When a caution period triggered by a spin by Wildcat-DGS' Larry Cannon, Ongais pitted, enabling Al Unser to briefly take the lead on lap 20.[31] Once all the pitstops were completed by the time racing resumed on lap 24 however, Ongais was back in front, and would lead the next 35 laps.[31] However, on lap 56, his Parnelli's clutch failed, allowing Unser to regain the lead.[31]

Unser maintained the first position for the next 15 laps, but Johncock had climbed the order, ultimately passing Unser on lap 71.[31] A lap later, Unser retired following a broken half shaft.[31] For the final five laps, Johncock's closest rival was McLaren-Cosworth's Johnny Rutherford, but the latter failed to overtake his rival, and would retire with a lap remaining after running out of fuel.[31] Johncock therefore claimed victory and $15,289 in prize money.[31] Rutherford performed well enough to take second, with Wildcat-DGS' Wally Dallenbach finishing third.[31]

Availability

According to IndyCar on TV, 45 minutes of the 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 was televised live by ABC as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside the World High Diving Championships.[36] Meanwhile, CBS televised a 45-minute highlights package of the 1977 Texas Grand Prix as part of its CBS Sports Speculator, alongside a retrospective of the Masters Golf Tournament.[37] Meanwhile, the 1977 Trentonian 200 received live coverage from ABC, with the company changing its plans accordingly when the race was originally delayed.[16] CBS provided live flag-to-flag of the 1977 Rex Mays Classic, and also provided one hour of highlights of the 1977 Schaefer 500 on 2nd July 1977.[38][39] It then provided live flag-to-flag coverage of the 1977 American Parts 200, being billed as a "CBS Sports Special".[40] Finally, IndyCar on TV states 30 minutes of highlights from the 1977 Michigan Grand Prix were televised by ABC on 24th September 1977 as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside a boxing match between Sugar Ray Leonard and Frank Santore, and a profile on Pele.[41] None of these broadcasts have publicly resurfaced, and no footage of the events are currently publicly available. Nevertheless, photos and newspaper clippings of the races can be found online.

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Racing-Reference detailing the 1977 USAC Championship Car Season schedule. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  3. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1977 Bobby Ball 150. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  4. Motorsport Memorial page for Jimmy Bryan. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  5. IndyStar reporting on Phoenix races being dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 The New York Times reporting on Rutherford winning the 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 and the fistfight. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The New York Times reporting on Johncock being fined for the fistfight following the 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 Texas Grand Prix. Retrieved 26th Jun '22
  9. Racing Circuits detailing the history of the Texas World Speedway. Retrieved 26th Jun '22
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 The New York Times reporting on Sneva winning the 1977 Texas Grand Prix. Retrieved 26th Jun '22
  11. 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 24th Jun '22
  12. The New York Times reporting on the 1977 Machinists Union 150 being cancelled. Retrieved 24th Jun '22
  13. Racing Circuits detailing the history of the Trenton Speedway. Retrieved 24th Jun '22
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 The New York Times reporting on Dallenbach winning the 1977 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 24th Jun '22
  15. The New York Times reporting on the 1977 Trentonian 200 being postponed because of rain. Retrieved 24th Jun '22
  16. 16.0 16.1 IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1977 Trentonian 200. Retrieved 24th Jun '22
  17. 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 Rex Mays Classic. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  18. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1977 Tony Bettenhausen 200. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  19. Motorsports Hall of Fame detailing how the Milwaukee 100 was renamed in honour of Rex Mays. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  20. Race Department noting the Rex May Classic name lasted from 1950 to 1987. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 The New York Times reporting on Rutherford winning the 1977 Rex Mays Classic and Johncock's crash. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  22. 22.00 22.01 22.02 22.03 22.04 22.05 22.06 22.07 22.08 22.09 22.10 22.11 22.12 22.13 22.14 22.15 22.16 22.17 22.18 22.19 22.20 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  23. UPI where Johncock stated his 1983 crash at a Michigan event was the most serious of his career. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  24. ESPN detailing USAC's Triple Crown. Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  25. Autosport reporting on Pocono being dropped from the 2020 IndyCar schedule. Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  26. Bench-Racing detailing the 1977 Schaefer 500 and providing photos and newspaper clippings of it. Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 The Evening News reporting on Foyt winning the pole position for the 1977 Schaefer 500 and his and Andretti's comments surrounding fans booing him (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  28. 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 28.16 The New York Times reporting on Sneva winning the 1977 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  29. 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 Wilmington NC Star-News reporting on Sneva winning the 1977 Schaefer 500 and Penske's comments (article found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  30. 30.00 30.01 30.02 30.03 30.04 30.05 30.06 30.07 30.08 30.09 30.10 30.11 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 American Parts 200. Retrieved 26th Jun '22
  31. 31.00 31.01 31.02 31.03 31.04 31.05 31.06 31.07 31.08 31.09 31.10 31.11 31.12 31.13 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1977 Michigan Grand Prix. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  32. Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1977 Norton 200. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  33. Eurosport reporting on the Michigan International Speedway being dropped from the IndyCar schedule. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  34. 34.0 34.1 The New York Times reporting on Ongais winning the pole position for the 1977 Michigan Grand Prix. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  35. Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Gordon Johncock biography. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  36. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1977 Jimmy Bryan 150. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  37. IndyCar on TV detailing the CBS broadcast of the 1977 Texas Grand Prix. Retrieved 26th Jun '22
  38. IndyCar on TV detailing the CBS broadcast of the 1977 Rex Mays Classic. Retrieved 25th Jun '22
  39. IndyCar on TV detailing the CBS broadcast of the 1977 Schaefer 500. Retrieved 27th Jun '22
  40. IndyCar on TV detailing the CBS broadcast of the 1977 American Parts 200. Retrieved 26th Jun '22
  41. IndyCar on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1977 Michigan Grand Prix. Retrieved 25th Jun '22