|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1970 USAC Championship Car Season (partially found footage of IndyCar races; 1970)]] |
| |title=<center>1970 Bobby Ball 150</center>
| |
| |image=1970bobbyball1501.jpg
| |
| |imagecaption=Program for the race.
| |
| |status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
| |
| }}
| |
| The '''''1970 Bobby Ball 150''''' (also known as the '''''1970 Phoenix 150''''') was the final race of the 1970 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 21st November at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Swede Savage in an Eagle-Ford, achieving his only USAC victory by passing Scorpion-Ford's Roger McCluskey on the final lap.
| |
| | |
| ==Background==
| |
| The ''1970 Bobby Ball 150'' was the 21st running of the event, with the annual race being shortened from 200 to 150 miles.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1970_Bobby_Ball_150/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref><ref name="bobby">[http://www.midwestracingarchives.com/2019/01/the-bobby-ball-memorial.html ''Midwest Racing Archives'' detailing the origins of the Bobby Ball race and noting the 1970 edition was reduced to 150 miles.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref> It was one of two 1970 USAC Championship Car Season races to occur at Phoenix International Raceway, the other being the Jimmy Bryan 150,<ref name="calendar">[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1970/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1970 USAC Championship Car Season schedule.] Retrieved 2nd Jun '22</ref> [[1970 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)|which occurred on 28th March and was won by Al Unser in a Colt-Ford]].<ref name="jimmy">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1970_Jimmy_Bryan_150/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1970 Jimmy Bryan 150.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref> Named in memory of AAA driver Bobby Ball, the race has 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 3rd Jun '22</ref>
| |
| | |
| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Unser winning the pole position with a speed of 132.256 mph.<ref name="auto">[http://amv-prod-aut.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/s3fs-public/AW_TBT_20171123_SwedeSavagePhoenix150.pdf ''Autoweek'' clippings reporting on the race and Unser being reinstated after in initially being disqualified.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref><ref name="results"/> Directly behind him was brother Bobby Unser in an Eagle-Ford, with Coyote-Ford's A.J. Foyt lining up third.<ref name="results"/><ref name="auto"/> Swede Savage qualified fourth out of 24 competitors.<ref name="results"/> Meanwhile, Mario Andretti crashed his McNamara-Ford while spinning out of Turn 4, causing terminal damage.<ref name="auto"/> He therefore was forced to take the Brawner-Ford driven by Steve Krisiloff for the event.<ref name="auto"/>
| |
| | |
| ==The Race==
| |
| With the starting order decided, the 1970 Bobby Ball 150 commenced on 21st November.<ref name="results"/> Bobby Unser shot into the lead on the first lap by passing his brother heading into Turn 1, leading the first 61 laps.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="results"/> For the early stages of the race, the Unsers and Foyt were well-clear at the front, with Bobby holding a strong lead over Al.<ref name="auto"/> However, Foyt would retire after 35 laps after a brakes failure.<ref name="results"/><ref name="auto"/> Then, following 61 laps, Bobby retired following a broken gearbox that also punched a hole into his vehicle's transmission case.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="results"/> Al Unser therefore retook the lead, but his margin in front was nullified when Lloyd Ruby crashed out in a Laycock-Ford, forcing a caution period.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="results"/>
| |
| | |
| When the race resumed, Unser began to rebuild his lead.<ref name="auto"/> Nevertheless, second place Johnny Rutherford was making gains when he suddenly lost control of his Eagle-Ford coming out of Turn 4.<ref name="auto"/> While he recovered, he lost several positions, with McCluskey moving into the second position.<ref name="auto"/> On lap 120, Unser reported issues with his engine to his race crew, which slowed his pace.<ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/22/archives/savage-captures-150mile-event-al-unser-finishes-second-mccluskey-3d.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Savage winning the race.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref><ref name="auto"/> His issues worsened when he was forced to dodge a spinning Vollstedt-Ford driven by Dick Simon, slamming into a guardrail rear-first.<ref name="auto"/> While he recovered, Unser pitted to enable the car to be inspected, with the only damage being a bent nerf bar.<ref name="auto"/> As he pitted, McCluskey and Savage passed him to take first and second respectively.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/>
| |
| | |
| McCluskey would then lead the next 22 laps of the race.<ref name="results"/> It seemed likely he would take victory when the final lap approached, but he was forced to slow as his car ran out of fuel.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nyt"/> Savage closed up the gap, and achieved an overtake with two turns to go when McCluskey went too high coming out of Turn 2, caused by the car drifting due to its lack of fuel.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Savage therefore claimed what was ultimately his only USAC victory and $11,500 in prize money.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> It also turned out to be the first victory for new car owner Dan Gurney, who had recently retired from racing.<ref name="auto"/> Unser also passed McCluskey to take second.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Initially, he was disqualified when a post-race inspection deemed his car was carrying more fuel than the 75 gallon maximum.<ref name="auto"/> However, his second place was reinstated a few weeks later when it was discovered that the container USAC utilised to measure the fuel was not calibrated accurately.<ref name="auto"/> McCluskey meanwhile finished third, blaming the lack of fuel for losing places at the end.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/>
| |
| | |
| ==Availability==
| |
| According to ''IndyCar on TV'', the race received live flag-to-flag coverage by ABC as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', being billed as the Phoenix 150.<ref name="indycar">[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1970/1970-bobby-ball-150 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref> While it was claimed that the broadcast had been uploaded to YouTube, analysis of the video reveals it was actually the coverage of the Jimmy Bryan 150, with Savage notably not even competing in that race.<ref name="jimindy">[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1970/1970-jimmy-bryan-150 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1970 Jimmy Bryan 150.] Retrieved 3rd Jun '22</ref><ref name="jimmy"/> The confusion may have arisen by the fact ABC billed both races as the Phoenix 150.<ref name="jimindy"/><ref name="indycar"/> As of the present day, the broadcast has yet to resurface, with no footage of the race being publicly available. Nevertheless, photos and newspaper clippings of the event can be found online.<ref name="auto"/>
| |
| | |
| ==Gallery==
| |
| ===Images===
| |
| <gallery mode=packed heights=250px>
| |
| 1970bobbyball1502.jpg|Foyt slides towards the guardrail.
| |
| 1970bobbyball1503.jpg|Savage celebrating his win.
| |
| </gallery>
| |
| | |
| ==See Also==
| |
| *[[1962 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
| |
| *[[1962 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
| |
| *[[1963 Trenton 100 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
| |
| *[[1963 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
| |
| *[[1964 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
| |
| *[[1964 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
| |
| *[[1965 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
| |
| *[[1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
| |
| *[[1966 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
| |
| *[[1966 Trenton 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
| |
| *[[1967 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1967)]]
| |
| *[[1968 Tony Bettenhausen 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
| |
| *[[1968 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
| |
| *[[1969 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
| |
| *[[1969 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
| |
| *[[1969 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
| |
| *[[1970 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
| |
| *[[1970 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
| |
| *[[1970 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
| |
| *[[1970 Rocky Mountain 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
| |
| *[[1970 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Marlboro 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Michigan 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1971 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Best Western Motels 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Trenton Times 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1973 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
| |
| *[[1973 Texas 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
| |
| *[[1974 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
| |
| *[[1974 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
| |
| *[[1974 Trentonian 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
| |
| *[[1975 Bricklin 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
| |
| *[[1975 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
| |
| *[[1975 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
| |
| *[[1976 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
| |
| *[[1976 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
| |
| *[[1976 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
| |
| *[[1976 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
| |
| *[[1976 Trenton Times Auto Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
| |
| *[[1976 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
| |
| *[[1977 American Parts 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1977 Michigan Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1977 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1977 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1977 Texas Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1977 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
| |
| *[[1978 Coors 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
| |
| *[[1978 Daily Express Indy Silverstone (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
| |
| *[[1978 Daily Mail Indy Trophy (partially found CBS and BBC One footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
| |
| *[[1978 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
| |
| *[[1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; 1979)]]
| |
| *[[1979 California 500 (lost footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1979)]]
| |
| *[[1979 Gould Grand Prix (lost footage of SCCA/CART IndyCar Series race; 1979)]]
| |
| *[[1980 Miller High Life 150 (partially found footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
| |
| *[[1980 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
| |
| *[[1980 Primera Copa Mexico 150 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
| |
| *[[1980 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1980)]]
| |
| *[[1981 Kraco Car Stereo 150 (lost CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1981)]]
| |
| *[[1981 Pocono 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1981)]]
| |
| *[[1996 Las Vegas 500K (partially lost footage of IRL Season race; 1996)]]
| |
| *[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
| |
| *[[Indianapolis 500 MCA closed-circuit broadcasts (partially lost racing footage; 1964-1970)]]
| |
| | |
| ==References==
| |
| {{reflist}}
| |
| | |
| [[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
| |
| [[Category:Completely lost media]]
| |