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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1980-present IndyCar races (partially found footage of USAC, CART, and IRL races; 1980-present)]] |
| |title=<center>1981 Kraco Car Stereo 150</center>
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| |image=1981kracocarstereo1501.jpg
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| |imagecaption=Program for the race.
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| |status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
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| }}
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| The '''''1981 Kraco Car Stereo 150''''' (also known as the '''''1981 Phoenix 150''''') was the inaugural race of the 1981 CART PPG IndyCar World Series. Occurring on 22nd March at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately by won by Johnny Rutherford in a Chaparral-Cosworth, after achieving the final lead change on lap 99 of the 150-lap event.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1981 Kraco Car Stereo 150'' was the 16th running of the event, with the annual race lasting 150 miles.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1981_Kraco_Car_Stereo_150/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> It was one of two 1981 CART PPG IndyCar World Series races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway, the other being the Miller High Life 150,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1981/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1981 CART PPG IndyCar World Series schedule.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> which occurred on 31st October and was won by Tom Sneva in a March-Cosworth.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1981_Miller_High_Life_150/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1981 Miller High Life 150.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> The race, whose program paid tribute to 1958 Indianapolis 500 winner Jimmy Bryan,<ref>[http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=91 ''Motorsport Memorial'' page for Jimmy Bryan.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> 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.<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 2nd Jul '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in a Penske-Cosworth with a speed of 143.055 mph.<ref name="results"/> Directly behind him was Wildcat-Cosworth's Gordon Johncock, with Johnny Rutherford lining up third out of 22 competitors.<ref name="results"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1981 Kraco Car Stereo 150 commenced on 22nd March.<ref name="results"/> Unser maintained his lead from the start, holding it before Penske-Cosworth's Bill Alsup passed him on lap 44.<ref name="results"/> Wildcat-Cosworth's Mario Andretti moved into the first position a lap later, defending it for 30 laps before Rutherford took over on lap 75.<ref name="results"/> Rutherford would defend the lead until Phoenix-Cosworth's Tom Sneva moved by, the latter only holding it for a lap before dropping it to Unser on lap 92.<ref name="results"/>
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| Unser led seven laps, but Rutherford would then perform the final lead change on lap 99.<ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/23/sports/rutherford-captures-150-miler-in-phoenix.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Rutherford winning the race.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref><ref name="results"/> From there, Rutherford generally controlled proceedings, although Unser was only a few seconds behind by the final ten laps.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> However, Unser would be forced to pit for fuel, enabling Rutherford to claim victory and $18,336 in prize money.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Unser was almost 20 seconds behind in second, with Sneva a lap down in third.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''IndyCar on TV'', one hour of highlights were televised by NBC on 5th April 1981, being billed as the Phoenix 150 as part of its ''NBC Sportsworld'' alongside coverage of the 1981 Grand National.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/cart/1981-ppg-indycar-world-series/1981-kraco-car-stereo-150 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the NBC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 2nd Jul '22</ref> The broadcast has yet to resurface however, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some photos of the event can be found online.
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| ==See Also==
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| *[[1962 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1962 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1963 Trenton 100 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1963 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1964 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1964 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1965 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1966 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1966 Trenton 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1967 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1967)]]
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| *[[1968 Tony Bettenhausen 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
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| *[[1968 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
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| *[[1969 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1969 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1969 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1970 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Rocky Mountain 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1971 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Marlboro 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Michigan 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1972 Best Western Motels 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Trenton Times 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1973 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1973 Texas 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1974 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Trentonian 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1975 Bricklin 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1976 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Trenton Times Auto Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1977 American Parts 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Michigan Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Texas Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1978 Coors 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Daily Express Indy Silverstone (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Daily Mail Indy Trophy (partially found CBS and BBC One footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; 1979)]]
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| *[[1979 California 500 (lost footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1979)]]
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| *[[1979 Gould Grand Prix (lost footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; 1979)]]
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| *[[1980 Miller High Life 150 (partially found footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1980 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1980 Primera Copa Mexico 150 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1980 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
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| *[[1981 Pocono 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1981)]]
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| *[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
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| *[[Indianapolis 500 MCA closed-circuit broadcasts (partially lost racing footage; 1964-1970)]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
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| [[Category:Completely lost media]]
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