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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1973-1975 USAC Championship Car Seasons (partially found footage of IndyCar races; 1973-1975)]] |
| |title=<center>1974 Schaefer 500</center>
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| |image=1974schaefer5001.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 '''''1974 Schaefer 500''''' was the eighth race of the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season. Occurring on 30th June at the Pocono International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Johnny Rutherford in a McLaren-Offenhauser, following a duel which ended after Eagle-Offenhauser's Wally Dallenbach retired due to an engine failure. Rutherford was the first USAC driver to win two 500-mile events in one year, having also won the 1974 Indianapolis 500.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1974 Schaefer 500'' was the fourth running of the event, with the annual race lasting 500 miles.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1974_Schaefer_500/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref> The only 1974 USAC Championship Car Season race to commence at Pocono,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1974/UO/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1974 USAC Championship Car Season schedule.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/9444226/indycar-tony-kanaan-chasing-triple-crown-pocono-raceway ''ESPN'' detailing USAC's Triple Crown.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref> Pocono IndyCar events would be run on an on-and-off basis, before the track was dropped from the IndyCar schedule from 2020 onwards.<ref>[https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/indycar-2020-calendar-revealed-richmond-returns-and-pocono-dropped-4989304/4989304/ ''Autosport'' reporting on Pocono being dropped from the 2020 IndyCar schedule.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in an Eagle-Offenhauser with a speed of 182.5 mph.<ref name="lawrence">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2010/06/june-30-this-day-in-schaefer-racing.html ''Lawrence Journal World'' reporting on Unser winning the pole position (article found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref><ref name="results"/> Directly behind him were fellow Eagle-Offenhauser drivers Steve Krisiloff and Dallenbach, in second and third respectively.<ref name="lawrence"/><ref name="results"/> Indianapolis 500 winner Rutherford meanwhile qualified fifth.<ref name="results"/> [[1973 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)|Previous year's winner]] and Coyote-Foyt driver A.J. Foyt experienced issues qualifying for the event, as three days of rain previously had removed a significant amount of rubber from the course, while Foyt's engine blew as his started his second lap.<ref name="foyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/28/archives/foyt-gains-post-no-29-at-pocono.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Foyt qualifying for the event.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref><ref name="lawrence"/> Ultimately, he earned a place in the field, albeit lining up 29th out of 33 competitors as the carryover session he competed in did not allow him to be bumped up the field.<ref name="foyt"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="lawrence"/> Heading into the event, Foyt labelled many of the drivers ahead of him as "a bunch of idiots."<ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/01/archives/rutherford-takes-500-for-3d-in-row-rutherford-takes-500-atpocono.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Rutherford winning the race.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1974 Schaefer 500 commenced on 30th June.<ref name="results"/> Dallenbach shot into the lead on the opening lap, maintaining it for three laps before Unser moved back into the first position on lap 4.<ref name="results"/> He was only able to defend it until lap 10, when Eagle-Offenhauser's Mario Andretti passed him.<ref name="results"/> Andretti led until Krisiloff took the first position on lap 24, only for Andretti to retake it a lap later.<ref name="results"/> Andretti then held first for 23 laps, with Krisiloff again passing him on lap 48.<ref name="results"/> But as the race reached lap 78, with Unser passing Eagle-Offenhauser's Gordon Johncock to take the first position, the race primarily turned into a three-way duel between Unser, Dallenbach, and the fast-closing Rutherford.<ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2010/06/june-30-this-day-in-schaefer-racing.html ''Bench-Racing'' detailing the race and providing photos and newspaper clippings of it.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Unser led for 40 laps before Dallenbach achieved an overtake on lap 118, the pair overtaking each other a few times by lap 137.<ref name="results"/> On lap 133, Andretti attempted to pass fellow Eagle-Offenhauser driver Bill Simpson, but the latter's connecting rod failure leaked oil that Andretti spun on, causing him to crash out.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/>
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| On lap 163, Dallenbach again passed Unser for the first position.<ref name="results"/> Unser would ultimately drop out of lead contention, as he was forced to save fuel to complete the event.<ref name="spartan">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2010/06/june-30-this-day-in-schaefer-racing.html ''Spartanburg Herald'' reporting on Rutherford winning the race (article found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref><ref name="nyt"/> Thus, the race became a duel between Dallenbach and Rutherford, with the latter briefly passing the former on lap 181.<ref name="results"/> Rutherford's race had proven eventful, as a pace car mistake meant he was ranked well below his actual position of third, forcing him to climb back through the order.<ref name="spartan"/><ref name="nyt"/> But during the final pitstops, it was Dallenbach who emerged in front, achieving a 15.8-second pitstop compared to Rutherford's 17.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Nevertheless, Rutherford remained only around six to eight car lengths behind, and it appeared the race would end with a close finish.<ref name="nyt"/> However, Dallenbach pulled into the pits after 188 laps due to engine issues caused by a broken piston.<ref name="spartan"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> This enabled Rutherford to control the final 12 laps, claiming victory and $92,625 in prize money.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="spartan"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/>
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| Rutherford's average speed of 154.701 mph set a track record, while he also became the first USAC driver to win two 500-mile races, and the first to win two of USAC's Triple Crown races in the in the same season.<ref>[https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com/pocono.htm ''Unique Car and Parts'' noting Rutherford became the first USAC driver to win two 500-mile races in one year.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref><ref name="spartan"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Post-race, he stated "It's great, sort of like a dream come true. Winning two 500-mile championship events in a single season is even greater."<ref name="spartan"/> Eagle-Offenhauser's Jimmy Caruthers finished a lap down in second, with Johncock taking third.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="spartan"/><ref name="results"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''IndyCar on TV'', 45 minutes of highlights were televised by ABC on 6th July 1974 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside the Expo '74 gymnastics exhibition.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/usac/1974/1974-schaefer-500 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 10 Jun '22</ref> The broadcast has yet to resurface however, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some qualifying footage and a commercial for the event can be viewed online. Additionally, some photos and newspaper clippings of the race have also publicly resurfaced.<ref name="bench"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Videos===
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| {{Video|perrow =2
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =-Lsx0BJBeqQ
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| |description1 =''Associated Press'' newsreel of the race.
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| |service2 =youtube
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| |id2 =bKkexmWNMxQ
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| |description2 =Commercial promoting the race.
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| }}
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=250px>
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| 1974schaefer5002.png|''Lawrence Journal World'' reporting on Unser winning the pole position.
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| 1974schaefer5003.png|Unser during qualifying.
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| 1974schaefer5004.jpg|Rutherford following his win.
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| 1974schaefer5005.png|Rutherford with his wife Betty following the race.
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| 1974schaefer5006.png|''Spartanburg Herald'' reporting on Rutherford winning the race.
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| </gallery>
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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 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 Kraco Car Stereo 150 (lost CART PPG IndyCar World Series race; 1981)]]
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| *[[1981 Pocono 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1981)]]
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| *[[1996 Las Vegas 500K (partially lost footage of IRL Season race; 1996)]]
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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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| [[Category:Historic]]
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