OT-40 years ago 1968 Greatest Season of them all.

[!!WALDO!!]

For the 1968 season, teams had to be prepared as 28 races were on the schedule and required money to make the season. Most teams were still owned by sportsmen, businessmen and drivers. Sponsorship was a rare commodity in those days. At least there were going to be Double Header 100 milers at Mosport, IRP, Langhorne and St Jovite. So 24 weekends of racing starting on St. Patrick’s Day at Hanford, CA and ending December 1st at Riverside, CA.
So let us look at the top 12 drivers from 1967 and there teams for 1968.
(Car # Driver Car Name Entrant Chief Mechanic Tire)
#1 A. J. Foyt Jr---Sheraton-Thompson Spl. Bill Ansted—Shirley Thompson A.J. Foyt Sr. Goodyear.
A.J. had two new cars, one an updated version of his 1967 car and a brand new car that was being built to accept the lumber Turbo-Ford but this car would not be done until late in the season.
So he had the following cars.
#1 1968 Coyote-Ford 255.1 Sheraton-Thompson Spl
#82 1967 Coyote-Ford 255.1 James H Greer Spl, (1967 Joe Leonard car)
#83 1968.5 Coyote-Turbo Ford 168. Sheraton-Thompson Spl (#1)
#84 1967 Coyote-Ford 255.1 Sheraton-Thompson Spl (1967 Winner and #1 up to Indy and RC after)
#1 1968 Meskowski Dirt Offy 251.9 Sheraton-Thompson Spl (The Meskowski that won 20+ races was going to be retired.)
#2 Mario Andretti---Andretti Racing Spl. Mario Andretti—Clint Brawner Clint Brawner-Jim McGee Firestone.
Al Dean was dead and Clint and Mario had to scramble to buy the Dean assets when the family elected not to continue. Based out of Phoenix, Clint the scrounger was building 2 new Brawner Hawk IIIs, one to accept the Turbo-Ford and one for the 255.1 Ford for Road Course races. Still had the 1967 Brawner Hawk II with Ford power for the pre-Indy races.
#2 1968 Brawner Hawk III Turbo-Ford
#57 1968 Brawner Hawk III Ford 255.1
#64 1967 Brawner Hawk II Ford 255.1 (#2 at the start of the season)
#2 1951 Kuzma D Offy 251.9 (A car that won over 25 races and updated annually)
#3 Bobby Unser----Rislone Spl. Leader Card Racing Jud Phillips Goodyear
The other half of the Leader Card Team came out of the clouds and won the Car Owners National Title. They had a stable of cars that would rival any one. They had a 1966 Eagle-Ford for Road Courses, a 1967 Eagle-Turbo Offy for their base car and for Indy a 1968 Eagle that would be Turbo Offy powered and a second car as a spare. All would race as #3. They would also have a 1962 Watson Dirt Car Offy for the dirt races.
#4 Gordon Johncock---Johncock Racing Spl Gordon Johncock---Duane Glasgow Duane Glasgow Goodyear
Another team owned by a driver/mechanic combination. This Michigan based team, would have a 1967 Gerhardt Turbo Offy as the main car and would have a 1968 Gerhardt for Indy and other places. They had no dirt car as they do not support it as Gordy hates dirt. More than likely it cost him the title or third in 1967.
#5 Al Unser----Retzloff Chemical John Mecom George Bignotti Firestone
This team had not won since Indy in 1966 but was expected to compete in 1968. This team was Lola loaded, with 1967s and a new car that would arrive at Indy to accept the Turbo Ford, a 4 wheel drive model.
#5 1967 Lola-Ford
#24 1968 Lola 4wd-Turbo Ford
#5 1963 Dunlop Dirt Offy.
#6 Lloyd Ruby----Gene White Firestone Gene White Dave Laycock Firestone.
Another team that had a decent year although they did not compete on dirt but had a stable of Laycock designed Mongoose cars. Ruby would run #25 but did have a #6 car also.
#6 1967 Mongoose-Turbo Offy (#25 prior to Indy)
#25 1968 Mongoose-Turbo Offy
#52 1967 Mongoose-Ford (Road Course)
#7 Jim McElreath
The John Zink Team disbanded in September of 1967 leaving McElreath as a ride bouncer and would not have a ride until Indy.
#8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy Spl. Lindsey Hopkins Jack Beckley Goodyear
This is another team that will support Dan Gurney’s AAR effort as they had 1966, 1967 Eagle models and at Indy a 1968 Eagle with Turbo Offy. They also had another 1951 Kuzma Dirt Offy for the Dirt tracks and were expected to compete for the National Title.
#9 Joe Leonard Vel’s Parnelli Jones Ford Sales. Vel’s Parnelli Jones George Morris Firestone.
After Joe got cut loose from Foyt he landed with this team and had some equipment available but it wasn’t strong. He would have a 1967 Mongoose Ford for the races prior to Indy and a Morris Turbo Ford at Indy.
#9 1968 Morris-Turbo Ford
#29 1967 Mongoose-Ford (#9 prior to Indy)
#10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering Spl Federal Engineering Paul Brooks Goodyear
Another team that had Gerhardts but older ones as they were all 1967 models This year they would be powered by Turbo Offys on the ovals and Ford for Road Courses. They also had a 10 year old Meskowski Dirt Offy for the dirt portion of the series.
#11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning Fred Gerhardt Phil Casey Firestone
This is Gerhardt home team that would use their successful 1967 model at the start of the season and a new 1968 at Indy. They would be using the Turbo Offy for all the oval races and a Ford for Road course races.
#11 1968 Gerhardt Turbo Offy
#16 1967 Gerhardt Turbo Offy---Ford (#11 prior to Indy
#11 1964 Ward Dirt Car Offy
#48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle All American Racers Wayne Leary Goodyear
The 12th place finisher in 1967 was Dan Gurney. This effort in 1968 was going to be fairly large as he was building new Eagles for himself, to take a Weslake, the #42 car for a 255.1 Ford, Jerry Grant for a Turbo Ford and the above mentioned 3 for Turbo Offys.
#42 1968 Eagle—Ford (Not delivered to Leader Card—Phillips)
#48 1968 Eagle---Weslake Ford

As the entries went out for the 500, entries for the first race, Hanford, CA and the 200 Mile test were pouring in. 28 cars for 26 spots as it would appear. The minimum purse would be $18,350 dollars plus a $2.00 per person that shows up to this J.C. Agajanian promoted affair. Last fall over 22,500 fans elected to show up at the inaugural event. So if it came close then it would be well past $40,000.
Good equipment and a fast track could make for a great show.

[bblocker68]

'68 was an awesome year. Denny McLain was the last 30 game winner, but it was Mickey Lolich who pitched the best against the mighty Cards' and Bob Gibson that year.

[!!WALDO!!]

On a party sunny, Cool and windy, St Patrick’s Day early afternoon, qualifying took place before 17000 fans. Bob Hurt broke an oil line in his Gerhardt Offy and Danny Ongais tore up the Mickey Thompson weird machine dour jour. Many surprises in qualifying as Gary Bettenhausen got the Hunt Magneto Dirt Car going faster than some rear engine cars and qualified 16th. Sonny Ates got the only copy of a Harry Turner Dirt Car in 19th and George Benson got one of the last Watson Roadsters with an Offy into the race 25th. Bobby Unser broke Art Pollard’s 1967 record but Art went just about as fast with Mario right there. No bumping today and it appears the purse would be around 34,000. With 133 laps and 201 miles to go, the 1968 season was ready to break loose.
LINE-UP
1 3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle Offy/TC 155.709 NTR
2 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning 1967 Gerhardt Offy/TC

3 2 Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Team 1967 Brawner II Ford
4 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose Offy/TC

5 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy 1967 Eagle Ford
6 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales 1967 Mongoose Ford

7 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team 1967 Gerhardt Offy/TC
8 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian 1967 Mongoose Offy/TC

9 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola Ford
10 15 Mel Kenyon Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning 1967 Gerhardt Offy/TC

11 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson 1967 Coyote Ford
12 90 George Snider Leader Card 1967 Watson Ford

13 54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1966 Huffaker Offy/TC
14 96 Johnny Rutherford E. R. E. & Green 1966 Eisert Chevy

15 14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State 1966 Gerhardt Offy/TC
16 99 Gary Bettenhausen Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy

17 28 George Follmer George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah Ford
18 56 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy

19 55 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner D Chevy
20 81 Arnie Knepper Central Excavating 1966 Gerhardt Offy/Sc

21 51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman 1964 Halibrand Chevy
22 62 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1965 Vollstedt Offy/TC

23 10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt Offy/TC
24 101 24 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt Offy

25 23 George Benson Conze 1961 Watson Roadster Offy
26 61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt Chevy

[!!WALDO!!]

Once the field takes the green flag Art Pollard gets the jump and leads Bobby Unser but the Rislone Turbo Offy gets the lead on lap 4 and takes off and Roger McCluskey is coming also. On lap 9 McCluskey gets the lead and gives it back to Unser on Lap 10. Meanwhile the Agajanian #98 breaks a throttle linkage and George Benson in the only Roadster is leaking oil and are out of the race. Bobby leads the next 6 laps before McCluskey takes over for the next 4 laps and then Bobby takes command for the next 72 laps. Those laps did not go uneventful as Arnie Knepper broke the water tank in his Supercharged Offy, Gerhardt on lap 32 and Mario broke the half shaft in the Hawk II. On his lap 52 in turn 3 Joe Leonard lost his Mongoose bringing out the caution. Once back to green Chuck Hulse broke his transmission in the local Cave’s Buick Gerhardt. Then the Lone Star JR decided to lose his Eisert Chevy ending his day and bring out another caution.
Things started to get interesting as the Turbos were sucking too much fuel and nobody really wanted to stop in a 200 mile race. So caution laps helped but would it be enough. Johncock stopped for a splash under the Leonard caution. When the green came out, Pollard led as Bobby dropped back to conserve fuel. Art led the next 7 laps when he had to stop and McCluskey took over. Roger got 7 more laps in when he stopped and Bobby took over again for the next 15. Bruce Jacobi joined those watching as the old Earl Smith Gerhardt was leaking fuel.
The car on the move was Art Pollard as he was flying but as Bobby was deciding on a fuel stop, Art bounced his car off the second turn wall. Time Bobby got out he was down a lap. The new leader was Gordon Johncock and once green he led the final 14 laps, beating Al Unser and Lloyd Ruby as the only cars to get all 201 miles in. Foyt, Bobby and Roger got in one lap less than the scheduled distance.
Wally Dallenbach in 7th and Mel Kenyon in 8th both 2 laps down, George Snider 3 laps down in 9th. A very fine run by Gary Bettenhausen finishing 4 laps down in 10th with the Dirt Car. Sports Car Great, George Follmer came in 7 laps down in 11th and Keith “Porky” Rachwitz was 12th, 8 laps down.
Non Point finishers were Bruce Walkup -10, Dempsey Wilson -12, Sonny Ates -13, Max Dudley -19 and Bud Tinglestad -21. There were 17 out of 26 cars were circulating at the end of the 1:39:15 race with Gordy averaging 121.511MPH. Total purse was $32.518 and a little less than 17,000 were there to view this exhibition of speed and skill
So 14 days off before heading to Las Vegas, Stardust International for a 150 on the 3 mile Road Course. Early Entry, Dan Gurney.
FINAL RESULTS—OFFICIAL
1 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team Gerhardt Offy/TC 134 400 Points 14 laps led
2 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical Lola Ford Finished 320 Points
3 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Mongoose Offy/TC Finished 280 Points
4 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson Coyote Ford -1 Flagged 240 Points
5 3 Bobby Unser Rislone Eagle Offy/TC -1 Flagged 200 Points 98 laps led
6 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy Eagle Ford -1 Flagged 160 Points 12 laps led
7 54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline Huffaker Offy/TC -2 Flagged 120 Points
8 15 Mel Kenyon Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning Gerhardt Offy/TC -2 Flagged 100 Points
9 90 George Snider Leader Card Watson Ford -3 Flagged 80 Points
10 99 Gary Bettenhausen Joe Hunt Magneto Lesovsky D Offy -4 Flagged 60 Points
11 28 George Follmer George R. Bryant Cheetah Ford -7 Flagged 40 Points
12 56 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Halibrand Offy -8 Flagged 20 Points
13 62 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks Vollstedt Offy/TC -10 Flagged
14 51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman Halibrand Chevy -12 Flagged
15 55 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing Turner D Chevy -13 Flagged
16 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning Gerhardt Offy/TC 120 Wrecked 10 laps led
17 61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking Gerhardt Chevy -19 Flagged
18 10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering Gerhardt Offy/TC -21 Flagged
19 101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith Gerhardt Offy 92 Fuel leak
20 96 Johnny Rutherford E. R. E. & Green Eisert Chevy 82 Wrecked
21 14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State Gerhardt Offy/TC 71 Lost transmission gear
22 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales Morris Ford 52 Wrecked
23 2 Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Team Brawner Ford 40 Broken half shaft
24 81 Arnie Knepper Central Excavating Gerhardt Offy/Sc 32 Broken water tank
25 23 George Benson Conze Watson FE Offy 9 Engine oiling
26 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian Mongoose Offy/TC 6 Broken throttle link

[Alexamateo]

I know Indy didn't use the pack up rile on cautions until '78 or '79. What did the rest of the tracks use? Reading that makes you see there was a completely different approach to cautions at that time.

[!!WALDO!!]

I know Indy didn't use the pack up rile on cautions until '78 or '79. What did the rest of the tracks use? Reading that makes you see there was a completely different approach to cautions at that time.

Slow down and bunch up. The Speedway always tried to let the leader maintain their leads. Some tracks used pace cars but most slowed the leader down and everyone bunched up in running order behind.

[!!WALDO!!]

On Saturday 19 cars showed up to practice and qualify and after practice it appeared that this could be the shortest field since Springfield in 1965 as the gearboxes for the pre 1967 equipment wasn’t up to this Three Mile Stardust track. As expected the Eagle Weslake of Daniel Sexton Gurney set a new track record and grabbed the pole with fellow Eagle user Bobby Unser in the 255.1 Ford next to him. Mario in the 1967 Brawner II was 3rd and Al Unser in a 1968 4-Wheel Drive Lola grabbed off 4th fastest. There were some surprises as Hanford Winner Gordon Johncock could not get the 1966 Gerhardt to work and was 16th fastest being out timed by Gary Bettenhausen in Joe Hunt’s Dirt Car. After qualifying there was a mad scramble in the Wilson and Hulse as both appeared to have a terminal ailment and the Bob Hurt car was on a trailer and leaving the grounds due to a horrible misfire. It looked like only 16 cars may make it into turn one.
This was the first time since 1954 that the Champ Cars would race there and in 1954 it was a one mile dirt track with Jimmy Bryan winning. It was hoped that 4,422 that showed up in 1954 would be surpassed. So far it appeared that it would be tough, Leo Margolian was able to get about $22,000 from the Hotel and if that many showed up he could pay out almost $31,000. It would remain to be seen as Vegas was still depending on people from that area for the base crowd.
LINE-UP
1 48 Dan Gurney Olsonite 1967 Eagle Weslake Ford 116.883 mph 1:32.400
2 3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle Ford
3 2 Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Team 1967 Brawner II Ford
4 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola (4-Wheel Drive) Ford
5 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy 1967 Eagle Ford
6 28 George Follmer George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah Ford
7. 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson 1967 Coyote Ford
8. 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose Ford
9. 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales 1967 Mongoose Ford
10. 96 Johnny Rutherford E. R. E. Enterprises 1966 Eisert Chevy
11. 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian 1967 Mongoose Ford
12. 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning 1967 Gerhardt Ford
13 90 George Snider Leader Card 1967 Watson Ford
14. 99 Gary Bettenhausen Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy
15. 55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy
16 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team 1966 Gerhardt Ford
17 51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman 1964 Halibrand Chevy
18 14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State 1966 Gerhardt Offy/TC
19 17 Bob Hurt Ralph Taylor 1966 Taylor Chevy

[Alexamateo]

Waldo, I just want to leave a note that I am really enjoying this thread and reading about the past and look foward to future installments. :) :up:

Keep 'em comin'!

Thank you,

AM

[!!WALDO!!]

Waldo, I just want to leave a note that I am really enjoying this thread and reading about the past and look foward to future installments. :) :up:

Keep 'em comin'!

Thank you,

AM

Writing the race right now. Be up later.

[!!WALDO!!]

Well the 3,000 that showed up on a sunny, cool, windy day guaranteed that the Champ Cars would not return for another 16 years. The final purse was $27,232 and with money going to Foyt for the 500 and National Championship. Before anything could get started Chuck Hulse was pushed off the track as was Dempsey Wilson. So the 16 cars that would start the race would have to deal with sand blowing over the track. As the green came out, Dan jumped but Bobby got a better jump as did Mario. Going into one Mario pushed his way under Dan and there was a huge cloud of dust. When the dust settled, Dan was in a ditch with the rear end in the air and the nose pointed down and out of the race. A local caution but Bobby continued to lead with Mario hounding him. Was Mario’s car hurt or not? One car that was hurt was George Follmer who had an incident with Al Unser and George was out on lap 2 and Al was heading backwards. On lap 5 a new lead was Mario as he answered the question and passed Bobby and held a small lead. A 50 lap races and 14 running got worse as Al Unser parked on lap 19 and Foyt parked with a rock through the radiator on lap 23. At the crossed flags Mario led by about 5 seconds over Bobby and the soon 12th place finisher Roger McCluskey who missed a turn. With only 11 cars running now, traffic wasn’t too much of a problem as Mario could not increase the lead as the track was getting a little more sand on it. Soon the Eisert Chevy of the Lone Star JR was having a severe fuel feed problem and made to Mario’s 44 lap. Mario was slowing down as he had a slow leak in the left rear and his lead was disappearing. On lap 46 Bobby got him, but Mario hung on as he was a lap ahead of third and fourth so no need to stop and Bobby led the final 5 laps to win. This was Bobby’s third win and took over the point lead. Mario, Joe Leonard, Lloyd Ruby and George Snider, yes George Snider rounded out the top 5. Gary Bettenhausen scored a 10th 15 laps down but not bad for a one speed transmission. Bobby finished the race in 1:19:27.40 average speed of 113.269MPH. The next race would April 7th at Phoenix International Raceway.
FINISHING ORDER-OFFICIAL
1 3 Bobby Unser Rislone Eagle Ford 50 300 points 9 Laps
2 2 Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Team Brawner II Ford 50 Finished 240 points 41 points.
3 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales Morris Ford -1 Flagged 210 points
4 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Mongoose Ford -1 Flagged 180 points
5 90 George Snider Leader Card Watson Ford -2 Flagged 150 points
6 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian Mongoose Ford -3 Flagged 120 points
7 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team Gerhardt Ford -3 Flagged 90 points
8 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Cond Gerhardt Ford -5 Flagged 75 points
9 55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Halibrand Offy -10 Flagged 60 points
10 99 Gary Bettenhausen Joe Hunt Magneto Lesovsky D Offy -15 Flagged 45 points
11 96 Johnny Rutherford E. R. E. Enterprises Eisert Chevy 34 Fuel feed 30 points
12 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy Eagle Ford 25 Off course 15 points
13 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson Coyote Ford 23 Overheated
14 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical Lola Ford 19 Broken rear end
15 28 George Follmer George R. Bryant Cheetah Ford 2 Broken rear suspension
16 48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle GWFord 0 Brkn suspension
17 51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman Halibrand Chevy 0 Did not start
18 14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State Gerhardt Offy/TC 0 Did Not Start, broken half shaft

DRIVER Points after Hanford and Las Vegas
1. Bobby Unser 500*
2. Gordon Johncock 490*
3. Lloyd Ruby 460
4. Al Unser 320
5. A.J. Foyt 240
6. Mario Andretti 240
7. George Snider 230
8. Joe Leonard 210
9. Roger McCluskey 175
10. Wally Dallenbach 120
11. Billy Vukovich 120
12. Gary Bettenhausen 105
13. Mel Kenyon 100
14. Keith Rachwitz 80
15. Art Pollard 75
16. George Follmer 40
17. Johnny Rutherford 30

CAR OWNER POINTS after Hanford and Las Vegas
1. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 280 Ford 180 460
2. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 400*
3. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 320
4. Rislone #3 1966 Eagle Ford 300*
5. Sheraton-Thompson #1 Coyote Ford 240
6. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner Ford 240
7. Leader Card #90 Watson Ford 230
8. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford 210
9. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 200
10.. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 175
11. Valvoline #54 Huffaker OffyTC 120
12. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120
13. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
14. Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 100
15. Johncock Racing Team #4 1966 Gerhardt Ford 90
16. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
17. Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning #11 Gerhardt Ford 75
18. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
19. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30

[!!WALDO!!]

The Phoenix PIR Jimmy Bryan 150 will be up this week, if things go right,

[!!WALDO!!]

The spring of 1968 was really looked forward to as the winter was rough. The Pueblo Incident, the Tet Offensive that change the “outcome” of the Viet Nam War, Lyndon Johnson tell us he would not seek or accept the nomination to be re-elected as “Your President”. Eugene McCarthy and Bobby Kennedy fighting for the anti-war side of the electorate and Dr. Martin Luther King was in Memphis trying to settle a garbage workers strike during the week prior to the race at Phoenix International Raceway. On April 3rd a very tired Dr. King made his famous “I have been to the mountain” speech in which he predicted not being around much longer and the next evening he was gunned down on the balcony of his hotel. The cities within hours started to burn and the rioting swept the U.S.
So on Sunday April 7th, J.C. Agajanian was pacing around because he sold around 3,000 advance tickets so he already cut a deal so the $750.00 owed to Foyt came from USAC and not from Aggie. Thus the purse would be the absolute minimum of $17,685. 31 cars were pre-entered and actually were in the pits that beautiful Sunday morning. Already a very ugly rumor was moving around the pits, the rumor was Jimmy Clark was killed in an F-2 race in Hockenhiem, Germany. That can’t be true, one of the greatest drivers ever dead in F-2? As Agajanian and USAC were correct in their purse requirements and the 6900 fans settled in to their seats, the word in the pits is the rumor is not a rumor but a fact. “That’s why I have no friends in racing”, said Foyt. Others reflected but practice, qualifying and a race were on the agenda for today and what happen to Jimmy could strike any of 31 drivers vying for the 24 spots.
Bobby Unser in the 1967 Leader Card Owned, Rislone Sponsored and Jud Phillips wrenched 1967 Eagle Turbo Offy set fast time but not a record. The line up looked good with a mix of engines and tires but as everyone was commenting, where was every one?
LINE-UP
1 3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle Offy T/C 29.010 124.095 mph
2 2 Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Team Brawner II Ford

3 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy 1967 Eagle Ford
4 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Mongoose Offy T/C

5 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson Coyote Ford
6 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team 1967 Gerhardt Ford

7 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola Ford
8. 67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 Vollstedt Ford

9 15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt Offy T/C
10 96 Johnny Rutherford E. R. E. Enterprises Eisert Chevy

11 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales 1967 Mongoose Ford
12 54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1967 Huffaker Offy T/C

13 10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering Gerhardt Offy T/C
14 77 Larry Dickson Dayton Steel Wheel 1966 Gerhardt Ford

15 90 George Snider Leader Card 1967 Watson Ford
16 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning 1967 Gerhardt Offy T/C

17 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian 1967 Mongoose Offy T/C
18 14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State 1966 Gerhardt Offy T/C

19 62 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1965 Vollstedt Offy T/C
20 101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1966 Gerhardt Chevy

21 99 Gary Bettenhausen Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy
22 28 George Follmer George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah Ford

23 51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman 1964 Halibrand Chevy
24 81 Bob Hurt Central Excavating 1967 Gerhardt Offy T/C


25 61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt Chevy too slow Bumped
26 36 Gene Bergin Harvey 1965 Gerhardt Offy too slow
27 68 Danny Ongais Mickey Thompson Thompson Chevy too slow
28 55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch 1965 Halibrand Offy too slow Bumped
29 56 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing 1959 Turner D Chevy too slow Bumped
30 84 Arnie Knepper Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis4000 D Offy too slow Bumped
31 23 Rick Muther Michener Petroleum 1965 Lola Ford too slow

[!!WALDO!!]

So once the cars got lined up and the sad faces became race faces the race to honor Jimmy Bryan now gave meaning to the mortality that this sport has a tendency to take away. A hot sunny day could make the track a little slick. Agajanian could not understand the crowd as there was a USAC Stock show on the Desert Road Course after Riverside and there were 3 times more people and that race won by Foyt in the Jack Bowsher #31. The racing world was getting strange.
When the green came out Bobby Unser jumped into lead but it got ugly right away as Foyt blew his engine a George Follmer’s Cheetah did not like the oil and bounced hard off the turn one wall. So Follmer and Foyt were gone and Joe Leonard tore up his Half Shaft in the slick and finished one lap. By the time it was cleaned up Bruce Jacobi was gone and Bobby led with a hounding Mario. On lap 23 Mario got Bobby and began to move away. McCluskey began to fight his way into second place and started to look for Mario. On lap 46 Tucson’s Greatest Driver took the lead with Mario riding with him as they were dealing with traffic. Soon the Vollstedt of Bruce Walkup and the Mongoose of Vukovich were in the pits to stay with various problems. Johncock running 5th is now out on lap 56 with rear end problems so 17 cars were running with Gary in the Hunt Dirt car just circulating. On the leaders 80th Lap McCluskey and Andretti had just lapped Rutherford and were behind the now 5th place Al Unser in turn three when the engine blew in Unser’s car. Car scattered everywhere with McCluskey bouncing off of Andretti and pinching Rutherford into the wall. FIRE!! As Rutherford’s car erupts and JR is having difficulty getting out of the car. Finally the fire is out, McCluskey, Andretti are ok but Rutherford is not as he suffers 1st and 2nd degree burns on his hands and minor injuries in other places. The third place runner was Lloyd Ruby who now would lead under this prolonged caution. 13 cars running at this point and the green came out on lap 98 and Bobby jumped Ruby and said good bye to the field and led the rest of the race winning his second race of the year and taking a 100 point lead. Ruby held on to second a lap down with Mel Kenyon on his tail. Wally Dallenbach and Art Pollard ran another lap down giving the Turbo Offenhauser the top 5 spots and 8 out of 12 point paying spots. Goodyear tires have now won all three races this year although Firestone took the next 5 spots.
There will two weeks off before the Trail moves to Trenton, NJ.
OFFICIAL FINISH
1 3 Bobby Unser Rislone Eagle Offy T/C 150 1:29:09.90 100.938 74 Laps
2 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Mongoose Offy T/C -1 Lap 18 laps
3 15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon Gerhardt Offy T/C -1 Lap
4 54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline Huffaker Offy T/C -2 Laps
5 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning Gerhardt Offy T/C -2 Laps
6 90 George Snider Leader Card Watson Ford -3 Laps
7 10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering Gerhardt Offy T/C -3 Laps
8 14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State Gerhardt Offy T/C -3 Laps
9 67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt Vollstedt Ford -5 Laps
10 81 Bob Hurt Central Excavating Gerhardt Offy T/C -13 laps
11 51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman Halibrand Chevy -14 Laps
12 77 Larry Dickson Dayton Steel Wheel Gerhardt Ford -16 Laps
13 99 Gary Bettenhausen Joe Hunt Magneto Lesovsky D Offy -44 laps
14 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy Eagle Ford 80 Wrecked 34 Laps
15 2 Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Team Brawner Ford 80 Wrecked 24 laps
16 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical Lola Ford 80 Blew engine
17 96 Johnny Rutherford E. R. E. Enterprises Eisert Chevy 78 Wrecked, fire, injured
18 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team Gerhardt Ford 56 Rear end
19 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian Mongoose Offy T/C 53 Piston
20 62 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks Vollstedt Offy T/C 46 Waste gate
21 101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith Gerhardt Chevy 14 Rear end
22 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales Morris Ford 1 Broken half shaft
23 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson Coyote Ford 0 Blew engine
24 28 George Follmer George R. Bryant Cheetah Ford 0 Wrecked

POINTS 4/7/1968--Driver
1. Bobby Unser 800**
2. Lloyd Ruby 700
3. Gordon Johncock 490*
4. George Snider 350
5 . Al Unser 320
6. Mel Kenyon 310
7. Wally Dallenbach 300
8. A.J. Foyt 240
9. Mario Andretti 240
10. Art Pollard 225
11. Joe Leonard 210
12. Roger McCluskey 175
13. Billy Vukovich 120
14. Gary Bettenhausen 105
15. Bud Tinglestad 90
16. Keith Rachwitz 80
17. Chuck Hulse 75
18. Jim Malloy 60
19. George Follmer 40
20. Bob Hurt 40
21. Johnny Rutherford 30
22. Dempsey Wilson 30
23. Larry Dickson 15

[!!WALDO!!]

So it was a warm sunny day on April 21st, 1968 as 13,139 filed into the New Jersey State Fairgrounds and the one mile paved oval. This brought the season total to 44,054 in the 5 races or 8811 per race. Sam Nunis was a very happy camper on this day, a reasonable crowd, ABC Wide World of Sports taping this show for the second year and the accessories company reaching down and putting in money. The extra $9,250 in extra cash on top of the $26,280 in purse that made a purse paid out of $35,530. The real disappointment was very few 500 cars were there and only 25 total. Of the 25 only the top 16 qualifiers were entered in the 500 and all but a couple would serve as a back up.
Entries for the 500 were now closed with 77 entries of which there were 8 Turbines, with Turbo Offies, 255.1 Fords, the new lumbering Turbo Fords, Chevys and a lone Dirt Car for Gary Bettenhausen.
The practice session took out Chuck Booth as he popped the Offy in is aging Lesovsky Dirt Car and local driver Leonard “Gig” Stephens the 3 year old Halibrand Offy as both appeared to have put a tall gear in to get a little extra but the gamble didn’t pay off.
After Mario took the pole for the 3rd year in a row it the rest of qualifying became pretty much fill the field. Two cars that were of interest were the new cars of Joe Leonard and Jim Malloy that held the Turbo Ford. Joe was 7th fastest and Jim 11th fastest as this engine was going to the challenger to the Turbo Offy.
Trenton had a long history with Rex Mays winning there back in the 40’s but it wasn’t until USAC days that Trenton became a mainstay. In the early to mid 1960’s they ran 3 races. Spring, Summer and Fall but the Summer race was replaced with the “Northern NASCAR Tour” and in 1967 in front of a standing room crowd they saw Richard Petty win the 300 miler one of the 26 he won in 1967. So with this 150 and the Fall 200, Nunis was also looking to next year as the track would be modified to a 1.5 with a right dogleg down the back stretch so big things were on the horizon.
On this day would Mario beat and stop the Bobby Unser Rislone Express? The Andretti Racing Team did get Overseas National Airways to help pay some bills, but everyone who was really fast a Phoenix are in the first two rows so could Mario with an air breather hold on? Time will tell
LINE-UP
1. 1 Mario Andretti Overseas National Airways 1967 Brawner II Ford 115.979 mph
2. 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy 1967 Eagle Offy T/C

3. 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1968 Mongoose Offy T/C
4. 3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle Offy T/C

5. 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson 1967 Coyote Ford
6 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola Ford

7. 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales 1968 Morris Ford T/C
8.54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1967 Finley Offy T/C

9 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team 1967 Gerhardt Offy T/C
10 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian 1967 Mongoose Offy T/C

11 67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt Ford T/C
12 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning Gerhardt Offy T/C

13 15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt Offy T/C
14 90 George Snider Leader Card 1967 Watson Ford

15 10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt Offy T/C
16 23 Rick Muther Michner Petroleum 1965 Lola Ford

17 101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt Offy
18 61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt Chevy

19. 36 Gene Bergin Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt Chevy
20. 55 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner D Chevy

21 57 Rollie Beale Kenny Brenn 1960 Meskowski D Offy
22 37 Bay Darnell Curtis Auto Center 1966 Curtis Chevy

23 87 Chuck Arnold California Speed/Sport 1965 Halibrand Offy 1st Alternate
56 Chuck Booth Nelson 1956 Lesovsky D Offy Blew engine practice
102 Gig Stephens Halibrand Engineering 1965 Halibrand Offy Blew engine practice

[!!WALDO!!]

So as the cameras went on for the taping of this race, everyone was hoping that the race would be better than 1967, when Mario led all 150 laps. As the cars were getting ready to start up, Bud Tinglestad’s Federal Engineering Gerhardt Turbo Offy was not going to make the start so Chuck Arnold in the Joe Barzda owned California Speed/Sport Halibrand Offy got to start.
The Green comes out and Mario takes off but Sonny Ates in the Boyce Holt Racing Chevy Dirt Car spun out. Under the caution there appears be a problem with Trenton’s all time winning driver, A.J. Foyt Jr. Foyt was in the pits on lap three and climbing out with a broken half shaft. The Green came back out with Mario, Roger and Bobby but Bobby marching forward. After dispatching Roger for second, he sails past Mario and takes over and Chuck Arnold breaks a half shaft and Bruce Jacobi bounces the Earl Smith car off the wall. With 5 cars gone, 10 laps in with Bobby, Mario, Roger, Lloyd and Al Unser in the top 5 under the caution. Once the green came out, Gene Bergin missed a shift and blew his Chevy engine and the Caution flew again. Once that deal was cleaned up, before 30 laps both Al Unser and Roger McCluskey were gone as Bobby was in control, the race appeared for third place. Rollie Beale in his first start parked his Ken Brenn Dirt Car as he was really in the way. Just past the 1/3 mark, USAC Stock Car Star, (grandfather to Erik) Bay Darnell blew up his Curtis Chevy and Art Pollard spun out in the oil and hurt his Gerhardt. Another caution and now only 12 cars running by the time the green came out the third place driver Lloyd Ruby was out with a ring and pinion problem and was logged in 12th place eventually. Green displayed, a few laps under the green and whammy as Jim Malloy wrecks hard the Vollstedt Turbo Ford and ends up 11th. The Green flies and Mel Kenyon doesn’t as he tore up his universal joint and is scored 10th. Thanks to the cautions the top 4 cars are on the lead lap as 5 others are just circulating around the track. The only way Bobby was going to lose is if he broke as he was on cruise control. Just past the leaders half way point Trans Am driver Max Dudley calls it quits with an oil leak and finishes 9th. Soon the White Flag came out as Mario was almost a half lap back, Wally was in turn 1 and Gordy was just ahead of Bobby as he started his 150th lap. In a very boring 1:27:02.57 at an average speed of 103.397MPH, Bobby Unser took his third first to the Checkered of the year, 5th for his career. Mario grabbed second with Wally Dallenbach and Johncock on the lead lap. Billy Vukovich was 2 laps down, George Snider was 3 laps down, Rick Muther, 4 laps down and Joe Leonard with the Turbo Ford 5 laps behind.
Not a very good race for ABC to Broadcast but thank goodness for the ability of editing. It was also announced that a race would be Broadcast Live for the first time on Wide World of Sports but with only two dates on Saturday and one would compete against the Olympics it appeared to be the Springfield “Tony Bettenhausen” 100. This would be the first LIVE of any kind other than Closed Circuit.
OFFICIAL FINISH
1 3 Bobby Unser Rislone Eagle Offy T/C 150 1:27:02.57 103.397 300 Points 142 Laps Led
2 2 Mario Andretti Overseas National Airways Brawner Ford 150 Finished 240 Points 8 laps led
3 54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline Finley Offy T/C 150 Finished 210 Points
4 4 Gordon Johncock Johncock Racing Team Gerhardt Offy T/C 150 Finished 180 Points
5 98 Billy Vukovich Agajanian Mongoose Offy T/C -2 Laps Flagged 150 Points
6 90 George Snider Leader Card Watson Ford -3 Laps Flagged 120 Points
7 23 Rick Muther Michner Petroleum Lola Ford -4 Laps Flagged 90 Points
8 9 Joe Leonard Vel's Ford Sales Morris Ford T/C -5 Laps Flagged 75 Points
9 61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking Gerhardt Chevy 98 laps Oil leak 60 Points
10 15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon Gerhardt Offy T/C 84 laps Broken universal joint 45 Points
11 67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt Vollstedt Ford T/C 74 laps Wrecked 30 Points
12 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Mongoose Offy T/C 65 laps Broken ring/pinion 15 Points
13 11 Art Pollard Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning Gerhardt Offy T/C 56 Spun out
14 37 Bay Darnell Curtis Auto Center Curtis Chevy 54 Blown engine
15 57 Rollie Beale Kenny Brenn Meskowski D Offy 36 Out
16 8 Roger McCluskey G. C. Murphy Eagle Offy T/C 27 Steering
17 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical Lola Ford 23 Broken half shaft
18 36 Gene Bergin Bulldog Stables Gerhardt Chevy 15 Blown engine
19 101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith Gerhardt Offy 9 Wrecked
20 87 Chuck Arnold California Speed/Sport Halibrand Offy 9 Broken half shaft
21 1 A.J. Foyt Sheraton-Thompson Coyote Ford 3 Broken half shaft
22 55 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing Turner D Chevy 0 Spun out
23 10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering Gerhardt Offy T/C 0 Did not start

Points Going into Indy
1. Bobby Unser 1100***
2. Lloyd Ruby 715
3. Gordon Johncock 670*
4. Wally Dallenbach 510
5. Mario Andretti 480
6. George Snider 470
7. Mel Kenyon 355
8. Al Unser 320
9. Joe Leonard 285
10. Billy Vukovich 270
11. A.J. Foyt 240
12. Art Pollard 225
13. Roger McCluskey 175
14. Gary Bettenhausen 105
15. Rick Muther 90
16. Jim Malloy 90
17. Bud Tinglestad 90
18. Keith Rachwitz 80
19. Chuck Hulse 60
20. Max Dudley 60
21. Bob Hurt 45
22. George Follmer 40
23. Johnny Rutherford 30
24. Dempsey Wilson 30
25. Larry Dickson 15
1. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle Offy T/C 1100**
2 Gene White #25 Mongoose Offy T/C 535 Ford 180 715
3. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt Offy T/C 580*
4. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley Offy T/C 510
5. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
6. Leader Card #90 Watson Ford 470
7. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt Offy T/C 355
8. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 320
9. Rislone #3 1966 Eagle Ford 300*
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy T/C 150 270
11. Sheraton-Thompson #1 Coyote Ford 240
12. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 75 Offy T/C 150 225
13. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 210
14. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle-Offy T/C 160 Ford 15 175
15. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
16. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt Ford T/C 30 Ford 60 90
17. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
18. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt Offy T/C 90
19. Johncock Racing Team #4 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 90
20. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
21. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford T/C 75
22. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt Offy T/C 75
23. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 60
24. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt Offy T/C 45
25. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
26. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
27. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
28. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15

[!!WALDO!!]

Some Corrections:
Car In Bold Entered In the 500 with Entry Number.
Car Owner Points
1. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle Offy T/C 800**
2 Gene White #25 Mongoose Offy T/C 535 Ford 180 715 (#6)
3. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt Offy T/C 580* (#58)
4. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley Offy T/C 510 (#94)
5. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 (#64)
6. Leader Card #90 Watson Ford 470 (#87)
7. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt Offy T/C 355 (#15)
8. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 320 (#5)
9. Rislone #3 1966 Eagle Ford 300* (#79*)
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy T/C Ford 150 270 (#98)
11. Sheraton-Thompson #1 Coyote Ford 240 (#84)
12. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 75 Offy T/C Ford 150 225 (#16)
13. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 210 (#29)
14. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle-Offy T/C 160 Ford 15 175 (#38)
15. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105 (#47)
16. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90 (#23)
17. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt Offy T/C 90 (#31)
18. Johncock Racing Team #4 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 90
19. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
20. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford T/C 75 (#9)
21. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt Offy T/C 75 (#14)
22. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt Ford 60 (#67)
23. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 60
24. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt Offy T/C 45 (#81)
25. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40 (#28)
26. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30 (#96)
27. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt Ford T/C 30 (#27)
28. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
29. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15 (#77)

Engine Points
Turbo Offy: 3140***
Ford: 2810*
Turbo Ford: 105
Offy: 185
Chevy: 60

Tire Points
Goodyear: 2410****
Firestone: 1890

(#79*) This became the #42 Car when that car was not finished it was to be a 1968 Eagle-Ford. So when that car didn't show the only car that met the Eagle Ford requirements in the Leader Card Stables was this car.

[!!WALDO!!]

1968 Indianapolis 500 Entry List

Car # Driver Car Name Year Chassis/Engine Points
1 A.J. Foyt Jr Sheraton-Thompson Spl. 1968 Coyote/Ford 000
2 Mario Andretti Overseas National Airways 1968 HawkIII/TCF 000
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle/TCO 000
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt/TCO 000
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola/Ford 320
6 Bobby Grim Gene White Company 1967 Mongoose/TCO 715
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy Spl. 1968 Eagle/TCO 000
9 Joe Leonard Vel’s Parnelli Jones Spl 1968 Morris/TCF 75
10 Bud Tinglestad Federal Engineering Spl 1968 Gerhardt/TCO 000
11 Art Pollard Thermo King Air Conditioning 1968 Gerhardt/TCO 000
14 Chuck Hulse Quaker State Spl 1967 Gerhardt/TCO 75
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon Indiana Spl 1967 Gerhardt/TCO 355
16 Not Assigned Thermo King Air Conditioning 1967 Gerhardt/TCO 225
17 Arnie Knepper Bryant Heating and Cooling Spl 1967 Vollstedt/Ford 000
18 Johnny Rutherford City of Seattle Spl 1967 Eagle/Ford 000
19 Sonny Ates (R) MVS Spl 1967 Cecil/Ford 000
20 Parnelli Jones STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus/Turbine 4wd 000
21 Not Assigned Bryant Heating and Cooling Spl 1968 Vollstedt/TCF 000
22 Rick Muther Michner Petroleum Spl 1966 Eagle/Ford 000
23 Not Assigned Michner Petroleum Spl 1966 Lola/Ford 90
24 Not Assigned Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola/TCF 4wd 000
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Company 1968 Mongoose/TCO 000
26 Ronnie Duman Central Hardware Thunderbolt 1965 Gerhardt/TCO 000
27 Jim Malloy (R) Jim Robbins Seat Belt Spl 1968 Vollstedt/TCF 30
28 Masten Gregory 1967 Cheetah/Ford 40
29 Not Assigned Vel’s Parnelli Jones Spl 1967 Mongoose/Ford 210
30 Greg Weld (R) STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus/Turbine 4wd 000
31 Not Assigned Federal Engineering Spl 1967 Gerhardt/TCO 90
32 Al Miller Wally Weir 1966 Gerhardt/Ford 000
34 Chuck Booth (R) Speedy’s Broasted Chicken 1966 Huffaker/Chevy 000
35 Jochen Rindt Repco Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco 000
36 Not Assigned Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola/Ford 000
38 Not Assigned G.C. Murphy Spl. 1967 Eagle/TCO 175
39 Not Assigned Carroll Shelby/Botany 500 1968 Wallis/Turbine 4wd 000
40 Parnelli Jones STP Oil Treatment 1967 Granatelli/Turbine 4wd 000
41 George Follmer (R) 1967 Cheetah/Ford 000
42 Not Assigned Olsonite Eagle/AAR 1968 Eagle/Ford 000
45 Ronnie Buckman (R) Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford 000
46 Not Assigned Peterson Lotus Chevrolet Spl 1963 Lotus/Eisert-Chevy 000
47 Gary Bettenhausen (R) Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky/Offy Dirt 105
48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle/AAR 1968 Eagle/Weslake-Ford 000
49 Sam Sessions (R) Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford 000
50 Les Scott (R) Navarro Injection Spl. 1964 Watson/TC Rambler 000
51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman-Wilson Cam Spl 1964 Halibrand Shrike/Chevy 30
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline Spl 1968 Finley-Huffaker/TCO 000
56 Jim Hurtubise Pepsi Cola/Frito Lay Spl 1967 Hurtubise-Mallard/TCO 000
57 Not Assigned Overseas National Airways 1968 HawkIII/Ford 000
58 Not Assigned Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Gerhardt/TCO 580
59 Not Assigned Cleaver-Brooks Spl 1968 Hayhoe-Brabham/TCO 000
60 Jackie Stewart STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus/Turbine 4wd 000
62 Bruce Walkup (R) Cleaver-Brooks Spl 1968 Hayhoe-Vollstedt/TCO 000
63 Bill Puterbaugh (R) City of Long Beach Spl 1967 Thompson/MT-Chevy 000
64 Not Assigned Overseas National Airways 1967 HawkII/Ford 480
66 Bruce McLaren (R) Carroll Shelby/Botany 500 1968
Wallis/Turbine 4wd 000
67 Not Assigned Jim Robbins Seat Belt Spl 1967 Vollstedt/Ford 60
69 Denis Hulme Carroll Shelby/Botany 500 1968 Wallis/Turbine 4wd 000
70 Graham Hill STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus/Turbine 4wd 000
71 Jerry Titus (R) Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon/Ford 000
72 Bob Hurt (R) Jack Adams Aircraft Spl 1968 Bryant/Turbine 000
73 Not Assigned Quaker State Spl 1966 Gerhardt/TCO 000
75 Not Assigned Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon/Ford 000
76 Not Assigned Bardahl Eagle Spl 1967 Eagle/Ford 000
77 Larry Dickson Dayton Steel Wheel Spl 1966 Gerhardt/Ford 15
78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle Spl 1968 Eagle/TCF 000
79 Not Assigned Rislone 1966 Eagle/Ford 300
80 Not Assigned STP GAS TREATMENT 1967 Lotus 42/Ford 000
81 Not Assigned Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt/TCO 45
82 Jim McElreath James H. Greer Spl 1967 Coyote/Ford 000
84 Not Assigned Sheraton-Thompson Spl. 1967 Coyote/Ford 240
87 Not Assigned Leader Card Racers 1967 Watson/Ford 470
88 Rollie Beale (R) Ken Brenn Spl 1966 Gerhardt/Ford 000
90 George Snider Leader Card Racers 1968 Watson/TCO 000
94 Chuck Stevenson Valvoline Spl 1967 Finley-Huffaker/TCO 510
95 Not Assigned Repco Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco 000
96 Not Assigned E.R.E. 1968 Eisert/Eisert-Chevy 30
97 Not Assigned Wagner-Lockheed Spl 1966 Jones-Phillipp-Shrike/TCO 000
98 Billy Vukovich Jr. (R) Wagner-Lockheed Spl 1967 Mongoose/TCO 270

Engines:
Ford 255.1: 27
Turbo-Offy 168: 25
Turbines 15.99: 8
Turbo-Ford 168: 7
Stock Block Chevy 305: 4
Repco : 256 2
Offy 251.9 1
Thompson Chevy 254: 1
Weslake Ford 305: 1
Turbo Rambler 6 209: 1
Turbine 12.5 :1

Chassis:
Gerhardt 15
Eagle 11
Lotus 5
Lola 4
Vollstedt 4
Mongoose 4
Hawk 3
Watson 3
Coyote 3
Wallis 3
Cheetah 2
Hayhoe 2
Brabham 2
Finley 2
Marathon 2
Cecil 1
Halibrand Shrike 1
Jones-Phillipp-Shrike 1
Glen Bryant 1
Mallard 1
Morris 1
Huffaker 1
Granatelli 1
Eisert 1
Eisert-Lotus 29 1
Lesovsky Dirt Car 1

71 Rear Engine Cars
4 Side Engine Cars
1 Front Engine Roadster
1 Front Engine Dirt Car

68 Rear Wheel drive
9 4 wheel drive.

[!!WALDO!!]

Next the Month of May 40 years ago......

[!!WALDO!!]

On Wednesday May 1st the Speedway open but it was the most subdued in recent memory as Arnie Knepper won for Phil Hedback, Rolla Vollstedt and the Bryant Heating and Cooling Team the 1st on to the track at 9:00:05 AM.
Only 9 cars were on the track for the 12 hours of practice they were the #17 Knepper/ Vollstedt, #19 Sonny Ates/MVS, #36 Bob Hurt/Adams, #60 Mike Spence/STP, #69 Denis Hulme—Bruce McLaren/Botany, #70 Graham Hill/STP, #76 Jerry Grant/Bardahl, #90 George Snider/Leader Card and #98 Billy Vukovich/Agajaian. Both Hurt and Hill had top speed at over 154 MPH.
40 cars were on the grounds and Bruce McLaren finished two phases of his rookies test. Ates started his but had a fueling problem and Vukovich was out familiarizing himself with the track. Bob Hurt was in the refresher phase of his rookie test.

On Thursday May 2nd, Rookie and Veterans were on the track together with Billy Vukovich, Jim Malloy and Bruce McLaren the first rookies approved.
Sonny Ates got three phases done, Mike Spence got 2 phases done and Rick Muther did some laps in the #22 Michner Petroleum car.
Foyt made his first appearance and also assigned fellow Texan Jim McElreath to the #82 James H. Greer Spl, a 1967 Coyote that Joe Leonard finished 3rd with, as the driver.
44 cars were now on the grounds with Sam Sessions getting approved to the #49 car but alias Danny Ongais was not approved to the Mickey Thompson City of Long Beach Spl.
Only 12 cars made it to the track.

Friday May 3rd was a busy day as Parnelli Jones announced he would not be driving but he was going to be a car owner. Rain and showers restricted duty as 19 cars made it to the track and George Snider had an incident in the #87 Leader Card car as be broke a crankshaft locking up the rear end causing him to turn 1.5 times covering 400 feet and brushing the inside wall with his right front.
51 cars were now in the garage.

Saturday May 4th had seven yellows, rain, track inspection, familiarization, spin, tow in and a dog.
Mike Spence was fastest at 164.239 and Joe Leonard left the #9 Vel’s Parnelli Jones entry for the Parnelli vacated #40 and did 158.786 in his first ride.

Sunday May 5th there were a total of 56 cars, with 20 cars on the track. Greg Weld was working on his refresher in the #30 Turbine and Hill busted 165 in the #70 and Joe was past 163 in the #40.
A.J. Foyt won the Yankee 250 USAC Stock Car race at IRP beating Norm Nelson and Frank Freda. Sonny Ates set a new half mile world record at Winchester of 16.93—106.007 in qualifying. Larry Dickson won the feature over Bob Pratt and Ates.

Monday May 5th as 58 cars on the grounds Dan Gurney broke up the Turbines with a 167.1 in the Gurney/Weslake powered Eagle. Both Joe and Art Pollard wheeled the #40 car to high 163s and Spence and Hill were over 165.
Rollie Beale and Greg Weld gets approved while Midget veteran Henry Pens gets sent home. There were 6 minor cautions for various reasons, 32 so far.

[!!WALDO!!]

On Tuesday May 7th the day of speed was off to a fantastic start as many cars, 28 in total where out on the track. Mike Spence turned a 169.555 in the #60 STP Turbine but here are the top speeds:
#60 Spence: 169.555
#70 Hill: 169.045
#48 Gurney: 167.1
#42 Gurney: 166.945
#40 Leonard: 164.775
#25 Lloyd Ruby: 164.3
#40 Art Pollard: 163.4
#30 Mike Spence: 163.1
At 5:12 PM a large thud was heard from turn 1 as after turning a 163.1 in the #30 STP Turbine, Mike Spence was into the wall left side first in front of Grandstand E after a slid of 300 feet, then the car hung against the wall for 390 feet, edging away from the wall sliding 240 feet before coming to a stop in the middle of the track at the exit of turn one. The car was extensively damaged and Spence who lost his helmet in the crash was taken to Methodist Hospital with was described as severe head injuries.
Practice was over for the day and Chief Steward Harlan Fengler announced that at first inspection there was no failure but a further investigation would be made and all cars of this type would be held off the track until the investigation was completed and being done solely in the interest of safety as the cars were a new product.
9:45PM Mike Spence from Maidenhead, Berks. United Kingdom succumbed from his injuries.

A very quiet May 8th as rain put the track town for 267 minutes. A.H. Dowd of Shelby Racing Enterprise sent a letter to Harlan Fengler withdrawing the 39, 66 and 69 cars in the “interest of safety”. Truth was the 15.99 air intake would open to a whopping 21 inches and would not have been caught except all cars would have to be inspected even closer. So instead of being disqualified from attempting to make the race they took a higher road. Bruce and Chris Amon left but Denis Hulme assumed as defending World Champ a ride would open.
Colin Chapman left Indy as in the last 30 days he lost two very good drivers and friends placing Andy Granatelli in charge of this effort. Jackie Stewart gets turned down due to a broken wrist suffered in Spain so the #20 and #60 now have no drivers and there are 4 less cars to attempt to qualify.
One thing that brought a smile to faces was Gary Bettenhausen out in the Dirt Car turning laps. The last time was in 1964 when Cliff Griffith was running laps near qualifying speed that year.
Roger McCluskey had fast time of 165.868. 53 minutes of yellow today consuming a total of 669 minutes out of a possible 4,320 minutes as of 6:00PM that day.

After a rainy morning, traffic picked up in the afternoon as Mario made his first appearance as did Al Unser. Gary Bettenhausen got 2 phases done in the dirt car and had 7 laps over 150 in that phase as the day ran out.
McCluskey upped his speed by a half a mile an hour as both Bobby Unser and Foyt got over 163. So far only 9 cars, 10 drivers had gone faster than 163.


After 10 days with 7 more days to go 69 of the 77 entries were on hand so with 3 of the 69 gone only 7 cars were not there. Rain interfered as God didn’t make little Green Apples and it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the Spring Time, blared on the radio.
Roger McCluskey did it again surpassing 167.326 with Bobby Unser on his tail at 167.286. The turbines were still parked as Art Pollard was back into his assigned #11 Thermo King Car and got 165.502 out of it. Gordon Johncock got nearly the same from his Gerhardt of 165.259. Foyt hit the charts with a Ford at 165.198.
Others over 160 were: #5 Al Unser 164.144; #2 Andretti 163.934; #9 Leonard 162.896;
#59 Bruce Walkup 162.426; #15 Kenyon 162.308; #98 Vukovich 162.201; #27 Malloy 161.255; #31 Tingelstad 160.714 and #90 Snider 160.714.
A Note: Bill Vukovich has been on the track 40 different times in the #98 during first 9 days of practice. This is a season high for one car or driver.

Guess what? Saturday May 11th lost the whole day to rain. Only the 8th full rain day since 1961.
This year there was a possible 5,940 minutes of practice available, the track has been closed 1,675 minutes and open 4,265 minutes and rain kept it closed for 1,022 minutes.
A notice from the Chief Steward requiring the #20, #60 and #70 to intall steering and suspension parts that meet the requirements of paragraph A and B, Rule 4 of Appendix B-General Specifications of the Official Competition Rules of USAC. No time requirement was posted.
Some new drivers received there assignments:
Bobby Grim #6
Ronnie Buckman: #45
Sam Sessions: #49
Bill Puterbaugh: #63
Rollie Beale #88
Chuck Stevenson #94
Cars not at the track:
#24 Bowes Seal Fast Lola/Turbo Ford 4wd.
#50 Navarro Injection Spl. Watson?Turbo Rambler 6----Les Scott
#72 Wynn’s Storm Gilbert/Turbine----Bob Hurt
#95 Repco Brabham Brabham/Repco----Jack Brabham
#96 Eisert Racing Eisert/Chevrolet
#39 Car withdrawn.

40 years later, it rained on May 11th.....

[!!WALDO!!]

On Sunday May 12th weather conditions were ideal and nearly perfect for many good speed runs. It was too bad that 2 crashes had a historic connotation that day.
1952 National Driving Champion, Chuck Stevenson was out for the first time in the #94 Valvoline Huffaker-Finley/Turbo/Offy and at 10:56AM he played pin ball with the car in turn four damaging the car extensively and damaging this old pro’s confidence even more.
At 12:22PM Joe Leonard out in the famed #40 Wallis/Turbine lost it going into turn one and it slid for 630 feet before contacting the outside wall. It bounced into the middle of the track and stop. Leonard was unhurt but the car was finished and Andy Granatelli announced it would be repaired and sent to a museum.
Art Pollard had been out in the #40 earlier and late in the day thanks to FIRESTONE, Mario took a ride in the #60 STP Turbine and set second fastest time for the day.
The #50 Navarro Rambler arrived today and a happy Les Scott was there to meet it. 55 cars have passed USAC tech and LeeRoy Yarbrough was assigned to the #62 Cleaver-Brooks Vollstedt-Hayhoe/Turbo Offy.

Top Speeds today over 166
#42 Gurney 168.099 Ford
#60 Andretti 167.660 Turbine
#2 Andretti 167.317 Turbo-Ford
#3 B. Unser 167.193 Turbo-Offy
#8 McCluskey 166.826 Turbo-Offy
#40 Pollard 166.812 Turbine
#48 Gurney 166.836 Weslake-Ford
#5 Al Unser 166.359 Ford
#4 Johncock 166.245 Turbo-Offy

32 cars on the track and one of them Jim Hurtubise in the Mallard Roadster.

[!!WALDO!!]

With only 5 days of practice, Monday May 13th saw 33 cars hit the track with 2 two cars making their first appearance. A.J. Foyt who had set some times in the #1/#84 Coyote-Ford was out in the so called real #1 with a Turbo/Ford and set fast time and earned $100.00 from MCA. His speed was 167.879 and followed by Mario, Dan in the #48, Roger, Gordy and Bobby all over 166MPH. This was the first time out for the real #1 and the other was the #73 Caves Buick Gerhardt/Turbo Offy with Chuck Hulse at the wheel.

The dirt car effort ended today as Gary Bettenhausen has been assigned to the #97 Agajanian Shrike/Turbo Offy sled. He had used that car to pass the final two phases of his rookies test and now was the teammate to Bill Vukovich Jr. Think of it, Vukovich/Bettenhausen/Agajanian, both of their dads also drove from J.C.

It became official that Jackie Stewart was not going to run the 500 as Andy could not work magic to get the Medical staff to change their minds about the broken wrist. Now the search was on for drivers for the two remaining turbines.


Tuesday May 13th saw another FIRESTONE Deal as Lloyd Ruby took his turn in the #60 and turned a 166.451. That speed was only topped by Mario in the #2 at 166.698 as fast time for the day but A.J. got the $100.00 for going 165.960 between 4PM and 6PM. Jim McElreath was over 163.248 in the #82 car. This makes 17 cars over 163, the thought slow speed for this year.

There was a rash of yellows, a total of 16 a new record for the month. Reasons were, a truck crossing, a tractor operating in a forbidden area, spins, paper on the track, tow ins, blown engines, and a turtle on the track. Longest one was at 4:03 when Ronnie Buckman ground up a 255.1 Ford real fine on the front stretch shutting down the track for 90 minutes.

Bob Hurt spun in T-3 without contact in the #36 and Bruce Walkup caught the wall in T-1 nicking the nose and it was reported the car would be on the track the following AM.

72 cars at the track now, 56 cars been on the track and 46 drivers. Bill Puterbaugh in the #63 City of Long Beach Thompson/Chevy passed his final stage and became the 13th rookie approved for an attempt at qualifying. Only Ongais and Pens were turned down.

[!!WALDO!!]

Wednesday May 14th saw the current USAC Point Leader top the speed charts with a 169.300. Bobby Unser got the new Eagle/Turbo Offy flying around the track to the glee of Jud Phillips and Bob Wilkie.
Ruby, Gurney in both the #42 and #48 made some speed as did Johncock. George Follmer hit the track for the first time making that car the 57 to hit the track and the #24 Bowes Seal Fast Lola/Turbo-Ford 4WD made it into the garage.

Thurday May 15th, 170 MPH!! Bobby Unser was caught at 170.778 and Joe Leonard in the #60 in the 4 to 6 range went over 170 and collected $200 from MCA, while Bobby got the same from Goodyear. 41 cars were on the track taking advantage of those ideal conditions.
Graham Hill was out in the #20, Al Unser in the #24 and Les Scott in the Rambler. The #21 with Knepper and #78 with Jerry Grant made their first appearance with cars with the bulky Turbo-Ford. This makes 62 cars that have been on the track.
Besides Scott in the #50, Dee Jones as out in the #34 and Jochen Rindt in the #35.
With speeds jumping it was still a question would the low speed be faster than Larry Dickson’s 162.543 in 1967? So far this month only 22 cars have turned on lap faster than that not 4 as are required. With qualifying approaching many owners were trying to figure the minimum to take.

Friday May 16th, the track closes at 10:16AM due to rain but not before Jim Hurtubise in the Mallard turned in a 165.289. Lloyd Ruby was fastest at 166.451.
42 cars were eligible for the pole and three, #9, #19 and #49 elected not to draw.
Top 10 draw.
1. #36 Hurt
2. #28 Gregory
3. #70 Hill
4. #25 Ruby
5. #81 Harkey
6. #26 Duman
7. #59 Walkup
8. #97 Bettenhausen
9. #1 Foyt
10. #56 Hurtubise
The last car was #42 the Olsonite Eagle Ford that had been quick, now assigned is Denis Hulme as Dan Gurney elected to run the Weslake Ford.

[!!WALDO!!]

Under sunny skies at 11:00AM the track was now open for qualifications and Graham Hill rolled out the #70 STP Lotus Turbine and after a fast lap of 171.887 settle in to 4 laps over 170 and NTR for 1 and 4 lap average of 171.208. Nice start as he was the first qualifier.
Ruby went out next and turned a steady 167.613 in the #25 Mongoose/Turbo-Offy. Roger McCluskey lost some of his early speed and got 166.976 in the Lindsey Hopkins #8 new Eagle/ Turbo-Offy. Mel Kenyon waved off a 164MPH run after 2 laps and Wally Dallenbach did not take a 163.7 run after 3. Then the line started to dissolve as Bobby Unser was up next and got one lap over 170 but settled for a 169.507 in the new Eagle/ Turbo-Offy. Johncock waved off an erratic run of 166.052, 164.114 and 164.835 and Foyt put the first 255.1 Ford in the field at 166.821 after giving up on the Turbo.
Dan Gurney took out the #48 and did a very clean 166.512 in the Weslake. Then rookie Jim Malloy who earlier had been caught in a back stretch trap at 256 MPH when out and solidly turn a 165.032 and that assured him of his first start at the 500.
There was a little down time during the heat for a track inspection. On WIBC they went to some music and Dionne Warwick’s hit of the day, Do You Know the Way to San Jose was booming out as the next qualifier actually knew the way to San Jose, Joe Leonard in the #60 STP Turbine. On the second warm up lap there was a gasp by anyone with a stop watch and coming to the green Andy held up the Chalkboard---173.
Lap one: 171.887 tying Graham Hill
Lap two: 171.953 NTR
Lap three: 171.103
Lap four: 171.298
4-Lap 171.559 NTR
There did not appear to be anyone left that could run faster but time would tell.
Gordon Johncock, put his brave suit on and poked and steered the #4 Gerhardt/Turbo-Offy to a 166.512 on his second attempt. Jim McElreath a good qualifier put the Foyt/Greer Entry in at 165.327
Al Unser got the recently arrived #24 Lola/turbo-Ford 4WD in at a 167.069 average. Mario hit the track with some expectations of going fast in the #2 Overseas National Airways Hawk III/Turbo-Ford but his time put him in row two inside and slower than his 1967 Pole run at 167.691. Wally Dallenbach found almost 2 MPH in qualifying on his second attempt at 165.548 in the #54 Huffaker-Finley/Turbo-Offy Then one of those real groaners as Jim Hurtubise took the green in the Mallard Roadster, where god intended engines to be, and lap one was 166.328 but he brushed the wall leaving T-2 and brought it in. Jerry Grant in the #78 new Eagle/Turbo-Ford turned in a very nice 165.960 and next up was the #20 car but who would it be, LeeRoy Yarbrough or Art Pollard?
Andy took Art and a steady 166.297 but day one came to a close with some warm ups but no takers. The field average for the 15 in was 167.225.
First Day Line-Up
#60 Joe Leonard STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.559 Firestone
#70 Graham Hill STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.208 Firestone
#3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 169.507 Goodyear

#2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III/T-Ford 167.691 Firestone
#25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1968 Mongoose/T-Offy 167.613 Firestone
#24 Al Unser 1968 Lola//T-Ford 4WD 169.507 Firestone

#8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 166.976 Goodyear
#1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Ansted-Thompson 1968 Coyote/Ford 166.821 Goodyear
#4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 166.775 Goodyear

#48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle/Gurney Weslake 166.512 Goodyear
#20 Art Pollard STP Lotus/Turbine 4WD 166.297 Firestone
#54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1965-68 Huffaker-Finley/T-Offy 165.548 Goodyear

#82 Jim McElreath J.H. Greer Spl 1967 Coyote/Ford 165.327 Goodyear
#27 Jim Malloy (R) Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford 165.032 Firestone
#78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle 1968 Eagle/T-Ford 164.782 Goodyear.


Sunday May 18th RAIN!!! They did get the track open for 77 minutes under not ideal conditions but two drivers Jochen Rindt and Denis Hulme have commitments in Monaco next weekend. Ronnie Duman put the #26 into the wall damaging it extensively and Chuck Hulse hurt the #90 but not so bad that it was taken out of line, but Chuck walked over to Tom Carnegie and said good bye to the sport.
Also the 74th car arrived, the #95 Repco that Jack Brabham may not be driving now.
At 5:45 Johnny Rutherford took the track in the #18 City of Seattle 1967 Eagle/Ford but came in. Jochen Rindt went out in the #35 and with water splashing in T-2 and T-4 from “weepers” turned a first lap at 163.815, then 163.875, then an amazing 165.017 and back to 163.875 for a 4 lap average of 164.144. A Repco engine is an 8 cylinder 256 cubic engine that was Australian and supposedly used an Oldsmobile block. Rindt became the second foreign driver into the race. Next out was Denis Hulme in the #42, a strong car for Gurney, but as the gun sounded was turning laps barely 163 and after 3 was flagged ending the day. Next Saturday line would be:
#56 Hurtubise
#21 Knepper
#10 Tingelstad
#15 Kenyon
#41 Follmer
#17
#62
#11
#18 Rutherford
#45 Buckman
#32 Miller
#22 Muther
#81 Harkey
#28 Gregory
#90
#42 Hulme?

LINE-UP As of Close 5/18/1968
#60 Joe Leonard STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.559 Firestone
#70 Graham Hill STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.208 Firestone
#3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 169.507 Goodyear

#2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III/T-Ford 167.691 Firestone
#25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1968 Mongoose/T-Offy 167.613 Firestone
#24 Al Unser 1968 Lola//T-Ford 4WD 169.507 Firestone

#8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 166.976 Goodyear
#1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Ansted-Thompson 1968 Coyote/Ford 166.821 Goodyear
#4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 166.775 Goodyear

#48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle/Gurney Weslake 166.512 Goodyear
#20 Art Pollard STP Lotus/Turbine 4WD 166.297 Firestone
#54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1965-68 Huffaker-Finley/T-Offy 165.548 Goodyear

#82 Jim McElreath J.H. Greer Spl 1967 Coyote/Ford 165.327 Goodyear
#27 Jim Malloy (R) Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford 165.032 Goodyear
#78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle 1968 Eagle/T-Ford 164.782 Goodyear.

#35 Jochen Rindt Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco 164.144 Goodyear

16 car average was now 167.032

[!!WALDO!!]

Monday RAIN again interrupted practice as the final week of getting into field had began. The track shut down at 2:35PM. 28 car took practice.

These were the 28. Underlined means QUALIFIED.
#2 Andretti
#4 Johncock
#20 Pollard
#25 Ruby
#27 Malloy
#5 Carl Williams
#9 Al Miller
#10 Bud Tingelstad
#11 Bob Hurt and Gary Bettenhausen
#14 Sam Sessions
#16 Bob Veith
#17 Greg Weld
#19 Sonny Ates
#21 Arnie Knepper
#22 Ronnie Duman
#28 Rick Muther
#29 George Snider
#32 Bill Cheesbourg
#34 Dee Jones
#41 George Follmer
#42 Denis Hulme
#45 Ronnie Buckman
#50 Les Scott
#51 Dempsey Wilson
#59 LeeRoy Yarbrough
#71 Jerry Titus
#81 Bob Harkey
#98 Billy Vukovich
Bob Veith became the 52nd driver to hit the track for the month.

Three cars have not arrived at the Speedway. They are car numbers #39-Botany 500 Wallis/Turbine (WITHDRAWN), #72 Jack Adams Aircraft-Gilbert/Turbine and #96 Eisert Racing Eisert/Chevy. 74 cars at the track and 65 have been on the track. Only car numbers #23, #38, #46, #57, #58, #64, #79, #80 and #95

[Alexamateo]

..... Then rookie Jim Malloy who earlier had been caught in a back stretch trap at 256 MPH when out and solidly turn a 165.032 ......

This is a typo, right???

[!!WALDO!!]

This is a typo, right???

I am glad you read but no, no typo. 240-250 speeds on the backstretch were common in those days, but it made turn 3 really interesting but then you lost so much momentum that it took your time away.

[!!WALDO!!]

Tuesday, May 21st action with 36 hours remaining before the final two days of qualifications was hot, heavy and halted.
39 cars in near perfect conditions but a blown engine shut down the track for 2 hours and 17 minutes and the 8 minutes later because the oil dry was causing vision problems.
Unqualified Cars on the track:
#5 Carl Williams---164.832
#9 Al Miller ---162.812
#10 Bud Tingelstad
#11 Gary Bettenhausen---164.102
#14 Sam Sessions
#15 Mel Kenyon----164.210
#16 Bob Veith and Billy Vukovich—163.921 (Veith)
#17 Greg Weld
#19 Sonny Ates
#21 Arnie Knepper
#22 Ronnie Duman
#26 Bobby Johns
#28 Rick Muther
#29 George Snider
#32 Bill Cheesbourg
#34 Dee Jones
#41 George Follmer
#42 Denis Hulme----165.077
#45 Ronnie Buckman
#50 Les Scott
#51 Dempsey Wilson
#59 Bobby Grim
#62 Bruce Walkup
#71 Jerry Titus
#77 Ralph Liquori
#81 Bob Harkey
#90 Bob Hurt and Johnny Rutherford
#97 Billy Vukovich---164.522
Qualified Cars:
#2 Andretti
#3 Unser---168.792
#4 Johncock
#20 Pollard---166.972
#25 Ruby
#27 Malloy
#35 Rindt and Jack Brabham
#48 Gurney---165.047
#78 Grant
#82 McElreath
Ralph Liquori a rookie at the Speedway since 1957, became the 11th driver to bring out the yellow, blowing the engine at the start/finish line and had a 960 foot, 2.5 turn slide ending up over the crossover gate at the start of T-1. The #77 Dayton Steel Wheel 1966 Gerhardt/Ford was ok except for the Ford. He was on lap one of his final 10 lap phase of his four phase refresher. Ralph, the winner of the last non-roll bar USAC Sprint race held at Langhorne, PA in 1957, will have until 6:00PM tomorrow to finish the Refresher.
Ralph and Bobby Johns became the 53rd and 54th driver to make it onto the track as Johns had the Central Hardware Thunderbolt Spl, 1965 Gerhardt/Turbo Offy. Johns was a veteran and drove the #83 Lotus Powered by Ford Lotus 38 to 7th in 1965.

On Wednesday May 22nd , spins, winds and second guessing was the rule of the day. 42 cars were on the track including first timers, #46 Otto Becker’s Lotus/Chevy with Dee Jones and the #95 Jack Brabham in his own Brabham/Repco.
Dee Jones, Ralph Liquori and Les Scott could not finish the 4th phase and were rejected as drivers eligible to qualify for the 500. While second year rookie Mike Mosley went through all four phases in the #90 Watson/Turbo-Offy. 66 cars have been on the track with 55 drivers. With the above three, McLaren, Hulse and Spence leaves 49 drivers on the grounds with 16 in or 33 to try this coming weekend.
Johns and Weld took there 4 phase refreshers while Buckman, Hurt, Sessions took their 2 phase rookie refresher while two time starter Jack Brabham passed his 2 phase.
Unqualified Cars on the track:
#5 Carl Williams and Al Unser
#6 Bobby Grim
#9 Al Miller
#10 Bud Tingelstad
#11 Gary Bettenhausen---167.200
#14 Sam Sessions
#15 Mel Kenyon----164.80
#16 Bob Veith
#17 Greg Weld
#18 Johnny Rutherford---164.0
#19 Sonny Ates
#21 Arnie Knepper
#22 Ronnie Duman
#26 Bobby Johns
#28 Rick Muther
#29 George Snider
#31 Sonny Ates
#32 Bill Cheesbourg
#34 Dee Jones
#36 Larry Dickson
#41 George Follmer
#42 Denis Hulme
#45 Ronnie Buckman
#46 Dee Jones
#50 Les Scott
#51 Dempsey Wilson
#59 Bobby Grim
#62 Bruce Walkup
#63 Bill Puterbaugh
#71 Jerry Titus
#77 Ralph Liquori
#81 Bob Harkey
#88 Jerry Grant
#90 Mike Mosley
#94 Chuck Stevenson
#95 Jack Brabham
#97 Billy Vukovich---164.100

Qualified Cars:
#1 Foyt
#3 Unser---166.031
#27 Malloy
#35 Rindt
#60 Leonard---169.268

Three yellows for the day were spins and or wrecks. 1:15 Bill Puterbaugh spun in 1 cover 780 feet with no contact. At 2.06 Jim Malloy damaged the qualified #27 car after brushing the wall on the north short chute, spun twice over 850 feet ending up in turn 4 with suspension damage.
At 3:16 Al Unser took the #5 off the possible starters list as something broke in turn 2 and after covering 762 feet with wall contact and leaving the right side of the car all over the place, spun a ½ time into the infield. Al was ok but the car appeared to be done.
Rain then shut things down at 5:30 and 2241 minutes of lost practice to rain.

[!!WALDO!!]

Thursday May 23rd, RAIN and the track stayed closed until 5:02PM. Since May 1st, 6.5 inches of rain had fallen in Indianapolis. Nineteen cars took to the track until 5:49 when sprinkles closed the track again.
#9 Al Miller
#14 Bob Hurt
#17 Greg Weld
#21 Arnie Knepper---163.021
#26 Bobby Johns----161.290
#36 Larry Dickson
#41 George Follmer
#45 Ronnie Buckman---163.369
#49 Sam Sessions
#62 Bruce Walkup and Ronnie Duman---161.290 Walkup
#71 Jerry Titus
#75 Bill Cheesbourg
#88 Bob Harkey
#90 Mike Mosley
#94 Chuck Stevenson
#97 Billy Vukovich---164.444
Qualified Cars:
#60 Leonard
2 year veteran Carl Williams was now in the #84 Ansted-Thompson 1967 Coyote/Ford, the 1967 winning car this is after the #5 car was wrecked in a test by Al Unser.
FORECAST: Friday, Cool and Rainy, Saturday, HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS and Sunday Cool, Cloudy but Dry.

[!!WALDO!!]

On Friday May 24th, overnight Thunderstorms kept the track down until 12:14PM. This makes 24 yellows this month for rain and the track has been closed for 49 hours and 45 minutes.
To make things worse Mike Mosley’s Turbo-Offy would have made Jed Clampett go "whew doggie" as at 2:08 it struck oil and left it everywhere. 2 hours and 46 minutes of crucial practice was now gone, leaving only an hour and 6 minutes to practice for the month. There were four other oil downs taking up another 1 hour and 11 minutes.
34 cars, 31 non qualified and 3 in were practicing in the 1:47 of green time.
Unqualified Cars on the track:
#6 Bobby Grim---160.915
#9 Al Miller
#10 Bud Tingelstad
#11 Gary Bettenhausen
#14 Bob Hurt
#15 Mel Kenyon----162.80
#16 Bob Veith---162.133
#17 Greg Weld
#18 Johnny Rutherford---163.6
#21 Arnie Knepper
#22 Ronnie Duman
#26 Bobby Johns---161.725
#28 Rick Muther
#29 George Snider
#31 Sonny Ates----160.714
#32 Bill Cheesbourg
#34 Dee Jones
#36 Larry Dickson
#41 George Follmer---160.4
#45 Ronnie Buckman
#49 Sam Sessions
#56 Jim Hurtubise
#59 Ronnie Duman
#62 Bruce Walkup---160.714
#63 Dempsey Wilson
#75 Bill Cheesbourg
#77 Bill Puterbaugh
#81 Bob Hurt and Cheesbourg
#84 Carl Williams
#88 Bob Harkey 160.4
#90 Mike Mosley
#94 Chuck Stevenson
Qualified Cars:
#1 Foyt
#2 Andretti (Burnt Piston)
#78 Jerry Grant

Qualifying Line up (Revised)
#56 Hurtubise
#21 Knepper
#10 Tingelstad
#15 Kenyon
#41 Follmer
#17 Weld
#62 Walkup
#11 Bettenhausen
#18 Rutherford
#45 Buckman
#32 Beale
#22 Duman
#81 Cheesbourg
#28 Muther
#90 Mosley
#42 Hulme?
Forecast was now: Party Cloudy with highs in the low 60s and no rain.
Now came the game, “hair or no hair”. 16 cars in line for Saturday and if all took times there would be 32 cars. All 16 cars have been over 158 and 9 over Larry Dickson’s 162.543 in 1967.

There are other cars faster than that and not in line and can only go when the line “ends”
They are:
#6 Bobby Grim
#9 Al Miller
#16 Bob Veith
#59 Ronnie Duman
#84 Carl Williams
#90 Mike Mosley
#97 Billy Vukovich
#98 Billy Vukovich.

8 more cars that stand a chance so hair meaning are you man enough to accept a speed slower than 162.543 in hopes that rain, crashes, blown engines puts you in the race, or no hair and only accept a speed higher than 162.543 in hopes that it is safe.
Several Cars were below the 162.543 but higher than 160.
#14 Bob Hurt
#17 Greg Weld
#26 Bobby Johns
#28 Rick Muther
#29 George Snider
#31 Sonny Ates
#36 Larry Dickson
#67
#87
#88 Bob Harkey
#94 Chuck Stevenson

Other cars available but not at 160 but over 155
#32 Rollie Beale
#49 Sam Sessions
#63 Dempsey Wilson
#71
#75
#76
#77 Bill Puterbaugh
#95

Cars not over 155
#34
#46
#50
#51
#73

Cars not out but prepared to run.
#64 1967 Pole Sitter

Cars not prepared but on the grounds
#23 No Driver Michner 1966 Lola/Ford
#38 No Driver G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle/T-Offy
#57 No Driver ONA 1968 Hawk III/Ford
#58 No Driver Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Gerhardt/T-Offy
#79 No Driver Rislone 1966 Eagle/Ford
#80 No Driver STP Oil Treatment 1967 Lotus-42/Ford

Cars that are now not going to run:
#5, #30, #40, #47 #66. #69

Not Showing up
#39 WD, #72 and #96

So the real gamblers were looking at the possibility of stealing a spot, the non gamblers were chewing on Maalox.

[!!WALDO!!]

Finally a beautiful day to fill the field as track opens at 9:00AM for practice. 17 minutes later scratch a car from the 1968 race as Sam Sessions tore up the #49 in turn 2 and got the right front then the right rear covering 510 feet.
At 10:04 Jerry Titus in the Navarro Rambler really tore up the old 1964 Watson chassis ending it slim chances at joining the field. Add those to this list: #5, #30, #40, #47, #49, #50, #66. #69
Before practice was over, Chuck Stevenson stepped from the #94 and retired from the sport. He had lost his confidence in his ability to get the car into the race after that crash on the 12th. The #94 was now open to a new driver, it appeared to be now ride less Sam Sessions.
First car out after 11:00AM was not Hurtubise but Knepper in the #21 and on the green turns in a 164.264 on lap one and loses it out of turn 2 spinning 1.5 times coving 600 feet.
Next out was Mel Kenyon on his second attempt and turns in three laps at a 162 average and flags off the run, strike two.
Bruce Walkup has a very erratic run going from the first two laps at 162 to a 163.3 when he loses it in turn 3 spinning 600 feet and stopping 1 foot from the wall. Finally a good qualifying attempt as the #11 Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning with Gary Bettenhausen turns in 4 at 163.562. Johnny Rutherford in Jerry Eisert’s 1967 Eagle/Ford City of Seattle Spl. got her done at 163.830 fastest so far. Ronnie Buckman then made the grade at 164.211 in Sid Weinberger’s 1967 Eagle/Ford at 164.211. The official Saturday line was now done and then Harkey in the #88 waves off a 159.1 run and Dickson in the #36 waves off a 161.2 run.
Next up is Ronnie Duman in the Jim Hayhoe #59 Hayhoe-Brabham/T-Offy and is a man and accepts a 162.338. Next up was Billy Vukovich in the #98 Wagner-Lockheed, J. C. Agajanian 1968 Mongoose/T-Offy. Aggy was back in California as his mother had just passed away and Parnelli was serving as car owner as Billy turned in a solid 163.510. The word just came that the #45 Weinberger Homes car has been disqualified for being 20 lbs under weight.
Bobby Johns flags off a 160.2 run in the #26 and Bob Hurt did the same in the #14 but at 162, not a man. Next up was Bob “traction” Veith with just about 20 laps in the month of May sticks in the #16 Thermo King Auto Air Conditioning, 1967 Gerhardt/T-Offy at 163.495. Then Bud Tingelstad gets one lap in at 165.047 and the car jumps out of gear.
Walkup goes out and loses his car in turn one warming it up and brings it back to the pits.
Mike Mosley is running a 162.2 average and he flags off, again not a man.
Bobby Grim is up in the #6 Gene White 1967 Mongoose/T-Offy and gets a seemingly safe 162.866. Carl Williams in #84 Foyt car goes from 161.377 to 163.547 in two laps before Foyt noticed lap three was back at 161 and waved it off before completion of the lap.
Johns is back out at a 160.7 average before flagging the #26 giving it two strikes, but also a very damaged engine. Bud Tingelstad fixed his problem and put the #10 Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt/T-Offy in at 164.444 fast time for the day. The #21 with Knepper goes out and that spin earlier scrubbed off speed as a 161.7 average after three laps was all it had, not a man. Everyone was waiting the arrival of Denis Hulme. He had an hour on the ground at Indianapolis before he had to return to Monaco. Flying in for one hour in 1968 was tough. Hulme climbs in to the #42 car and takes the Green on his second warm up and does a 164.189 average, gets his pictures taken and is off to Weir Cook.
Next up was Mel Kenyon, this was effort 3 if he took the green. He did and set fast time for the day at 165.191. The 1968 USAC Midget Point Leader was in the race, joining Stock Car Point Leader, Foyt and National Championship Trail Point Leader, Bobby Unser.
Carl Williams went back out and duplicated the earlier run and got flagged, not a man and Larry Dickson, the 1968 USAC Sprint Car Point Leader left a 161.7 on the table as he too had two charged attempts, no hair.
LINE-UP As of Close 5/25/1968
#60 Joe Leonard STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.559 Firestone
#70 Graham Hill STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.208 Firestone
#3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 169.507 Goodyear

#2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III/T-Ford 167.691 Firestone
#25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1968 Mongoose/T-Offy 167.613 Firestone
#24 Al Unser 1968 Lola//T-Ford 4WD 169.507 Firestone

#8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 166.976 Goodyear
#1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Ansted-Thompson 1968 Coyote/Ford 166.821 Goodyear
#4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 166.775 Goodyear

#48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle/Gurney Weslake 166.512 Goodyear
#20 Art Pollard STP Lotus/Turbine 4WD 166.297 Firestone
#54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1965-68 Huffaker-Finley/T-Offy 165.548 Goodyear

#82 Jim McElreath J.H. Greer Spl 1967 Coyote/Ford 165.327 Goodyear
#27 Jim Malloy (R) Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford 165.032 Goodyear
#78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle 1968 Eagle/T-Ford 164.782 Goodyear.

#35 Jochen Rindt Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco 164.144 Goodyear
#15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 165.191 Goodyear
#10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 164.444 Goodyear

#42 Denis Hulme Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle/Ford 164.189 Goodyear
#18 Johnny Rutherford City of Seattle Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford Goodyear
#11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 163.562 Firestone

#98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose/ T-Offy 163.510 Firestone
#16 Bob Veith Thermo-King 1967 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 163.495 Firestone
#6 Bobby Grim Gene White 1967 Mongoose/ T-Offy 162.866 Firestone

#59 Ronnie Duman Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe/ T-Offy 162.338 Goodyear

Field Average was 165.819

The 8 cars remaining that have tried
#21 Knepper 2 attempts
#26 Johns 2 attempts
#36 Dickson 2 attempts
#84 Williams 2 attempts
#62 Walkup 1 attempt
#14 Hurt 1 attempt
#88 Harkey 1 attempt
#90 Mosley 1 attempt

NO ATTEMPTS but ready for Sunday
#9 Al Miller
#17 Greg Weld
#22
#28 Rick Muther
#29 George Snider
#31 Sonny Ates
#32 Rollie Beale
#41 George Follmer
#56 Jim Hurtubise
#63 Dempsey Wilson
#64
#67
#71
#76
#77 Bill Puterbaugh
#87
#94
#95
#97
Forecast for Sunday…..RAIN!!!!

[!!WALDO!!]

May 26th was very wet and it looked like no qualifying this was the first time since 1952 that an extension period would have to be used. By late in the afternoon, the skies cleared from the Northwest as the cold front was through, with sun and excellent drying conditions. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and USAC determined that it appeared the track could be dry sometime between, 6:30 and 7:00PM, the rules required a ½ hour of GREEN FLAG Practice so it made it look like 7:00PM to 7:30PM start to qualifying. USAC also determined that 7:55-8:00PM was the absolute dead stop time due to darkness.

So a rule had to be put into place for eligibility for the final 8 spots. It was decided that any car in line at 6:00PM, May 25, Closing time and Cars in Line as of the Closing Time of May 26th Extension Period, would be allowed one chance to qualify. “Chance” meant, you would lose it if you: Got out of line, left the pits to make an attempt, not take the green or flag off the run. So in short of doing 4 laps OFFICIALLY you would be done for the 1968 race. Also, the 25 cars that have qualified are OFFICIALLY LOCKED into the 1968 500.

So drivers like: Bobby Johns 160.7 Average in #26, Bob Hurt 162.0 average in #14, Mike Mosley 162.2 average in the 90, Knepper 161.7 average in the #21, Carl Williams 162.2 in the #84, Larry Dickson at 161.7 in the #36 and Harkey 159.1 in the #88, those seven cars that would have been locked into the 500 with one spot open. Now a story was developing on that one spot. Sid Weinberger was protesting the disqualification of the #45 car as he discovered the scales used by USAC had not been certified by the State of Indiana since last year. USAC agree to allow the protest and it would have a person from the State Weights and Measures at the track but not until Monday.

The track did not get dry and practice started at 6:55PM and the half hour session ran clean. We now had the 68th car on the track as the #64 Overseas National Airways Hawk II/Ford made it on to the track with Ronnie Buckman chauffeuring last years pole sitter.

At 7:31PM the track opened for qualifying and Bill Cheesbourg took out U.E. “Pat” Patrick’s Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle/Ford, a car that would be a front row starter in 1970 was now struggling to get some speed. Cheesbourg, a veteran driver and a former contender for the big prize put up a 157.301 4 lap average. Next up was Bobby Johns, now in the Bryant Heating and Cooling Spl, #17 1967 Vollsedt/Ford on his second warm-up lap, 7:41PM spun in Turn 3 doing two complete spins and stalling the car, requiring a tow in. The #17 is scratched.

The next car up was the #77 George M. Walther entry, Dayton Steel Wheel 1966 Gerhardt/Ford with rookie Bill Puterbaugh. USAC gave Bill the choice of going or going first in the AM. Since he was ready it went now. Bill in almost total darkness got a 157.274 out of the car. The track closed at 7:54PM.

So the track would open again at 8:30AM with another ½ hour of practice. Cars in line at 7:54 would be able to go in the morning. The #26 Central Hardware Thunderbolt 1965 Gerhardt/T-Offy was first in line but a USAC Official, acting on a tip, asked them to fire up the car, when it didn’t because of a blown engine, he was pushed out of line and finished for 1968.

The Line Up for the Extension:
#88 Bob Harkey Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt/Ford (159)
#90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Spl 1968 Watson/T-Offy (162)
#41 George Follmer George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford
#28 Rick Muther George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford
#94 Sam Sessions Valvoline 1967 Huffaker-Finley/T-Offy
#31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering Spl 1966 Gerhardt/T-Offy
#36 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola/Ford (161.7)
#21 Arnie Knepper Bryant Heating and Cooling Spl. 1968 Vollsedt/T-Ford (161.7)
#9 Al Miller Vel’s Parnelli Jones 1968 Morris/T-Ford
#84 Carl Williams Ansted-Thompson 1967 Coyote/Ford (162.2)
#29 George Snider Vel’s Parnelli Jones 1967 Mongoose/Ford
#62 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1965 Vollstedt-Hayhoe/T-Offy
#14 Bob Hurt Caves Buick—Quaker State 1967 Gerhardt/T-Offy (162)
#56 Jim Hurtubise Pepsi-Frito Lay 1967 Mallard Roadster/T-Offy
#95 Masten Gregory Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco
#97 --------------Wagner-Lockheed 1966 J-P Shrike/T-Offy
#87 --------------Leader Card Spl 1967 Watson/Ford
#32 --------------Wally Weir 1966 Gerhardt/Ford
#71 Bill Puterbaugh Stewart-Warner 1966 Marathon/Ford
#64 Ronnie Buckman Overseas National Airways 1967 Hawk II/Ford
#76 Jerry Titus Bardahl 1967 Eagle/Ford

So the games where not over with more rain in the PM it told some owners if the goal is to fill the field and the field is filled with #31 the qualifications is over. So take what you can and have everything crossed.

[!!WALDO!!]

A misty Monday morning delayed things and got people on edge. Practice just got moving when Bob Hurt in the #14 Quaker State Gerhardt/T-Offy Lst Contrl in the Middle of Turn 1, slid 400 feet spinning ½ times, hitting the wall with the left rear corner, bouncing off the wall sliding 150 feet to the center of the track. The car was finished and Bob suffered an upper spinal injury and was taken to Methodist for surgery. (He spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair, dying a few years back. He should have taken the time)
Arnie Knepper spun to miss the crash and continued to the pits on his own power. It appeared Bob hit a “weeper” thus the track was down for awhile.

It reopens and Sonny Ates spins the #31 in Turn 1 and continues to the pits and 25 minutes later Bill Puterbaugh spun the #71 1.5 times again in Turn 1, no wall contact and the car was ok.

Finally qualifying would start with Bob Harkey.
The line-up of cars that can be bumped:
26th #23 Cheesbourg 157.301
27th #77 Puterbaugh 157.274
Harkey went out in the Ken Brenn #88 and went 159.915 and was the 48th qualifying attempt and 26th Fastest.
Next was Mike Mosley but rain stopped the effort.
The line-up of cars that can be bumped:
26th #88 Harkey 159.915
27th #23 Cheesbourg 157.301
28th #77 Puterbaugh 157.274
Once the track reopened Mosley went 162.449 and that made him real safe. George Follmer went out and took a 158.877 in the #41 and teammate Rick Muther had a 160.657 average for two laps when lost control out of Turn 1, hitting both the right rear then the right front wrecking the car and sending him to the hospital with a mild concussion with more down time at the track.
The line-up of cars that can be bumped:
26th #90 Mosley 162.449
27th #88 Harkey 159.915
28th #41 Follmer 158.877
29th #23 Cheesbourg 157.301
30th #77 Puterbaugh 157.274
Next car was Sam Sessions in the #94 car and a smooth 162.118 as the word was tip toe through Turn 1. Sonny Ates makes a 158.221 in the #31 Car and Larry Dickson gets a 159.652 in the #36, a lot slower than the 161.7 he rejected on Saturday. The field was filled as some rain dances were beginning to start.
The line-up of cars that can be bumped:
26th #90 Mosley 162.449
27th #94 Sessions 162.118
28th #88 Harkey 159.915
29th #36 Dickson 159.652
30th #41 Follmer 158.877
31st #31 Ates 158.221
32nd #23 Cheesbourg 157.301
33rd #77 Puterbaugh 157.274
Line-up to Qualify now:
#21 Arnie Knepper Bryant Heating and Cooling Spl. 1968 Vollsedt/T-Ford (161.7)
#9 Al Miller Vel’s Parnelli Jones 1968 Morris/T-Ford
#84 Carl Williams Ansted-Thompson 1967 Coyote/Ford (162.2)
#29 George Snider Vel’s Parnelli Jones 1967 Mongoose/Ford
#62 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1965 Vollstedt-Hayhoe/T-Offy
#56 Jim Hurtubise Pepsi-Frito Lay 1967 Mallard Roadster/T-Offy
#95 Masten Gregory Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco
#97 -------------------- Wagner-Lockheed 1966 J-P Shrike/T-Offy
#87 ------------------- Leader Card Spl 1967 Watson/Ford
#32 ------------------- Wally Weir 1966 Gerhardt/Ford
#71 Bill Puterbaugh Stewart-Warner 1966 Marathon/Ford
#64 Ronnie Buckman Overseas National Airways 1967 Hawk II/Ford
#76 Jerry Titus Bardahl 1967 Eagle/Ford
So could Arnie Knepper make the grade? Yes at 161.900 bumping the #77 Dayton Steel Wheel car.
Al Miller makes a big noise leaving the pits in the #9 Turbo-Ford but the hero of Day 4 qualifying in 1963, rolls back in with no gears and done for the year. Carl Williams had already made 2 attempts so with only one try either way he needed to get his act together and he did at 162.323 bumping Cheesbourg and Pat Patrick’s effort.
The line-up of cars that can be bumped:
26th #90 Mosley 162.449
27th #84 Williams 162.323
28th #94 Sessions 162.118
29th #21 Knepper 161.700
30th #88 Harkey 159.915
31st #36 Dickson 159.652
32nd #41 Follmer 158.877
33rd #31 Ates 158.221
BUMPED
#23 Cheesbourg 157.301
#77 Puterbaugh 157.274
Next up was George Snider driving the same car he drove the year before and he made Parnelli Jones happy with a 162.264. He was going to race as it appeared there were not too many fast cars left. Sonny Ates went looking for a new ride.
Bruce Walkup got a disappointing 160.514 out of the Cleaver-Brooks #62 and George Follmer went home. Then Jim Hurtubise went 162.191 and a Roadster was in the race, sending Dickson looking for a ride.
The line-up of cars that can be bumped:
26th #90 Mosley 162.449
27th #84 Williams 162.323
28th #29 Snider 162.264
29th #56 Hurtubise 162.191
30th #94 Sessions 162.118
31st #21 Knepper 161.700
32nd #62 Walkup 160.514
33rd #88 Harkey 159.915
BUMPED/TOO SLOW
#36 Dickson 159.652B
#41 Follmer 158.877B
#31 Ates 158.221B
#23 Cheesbourg 157.301B
#77 Puterbaugh 157.274B

Now things changed as Bob Harkey in the #88 Ken Brenn car got bumped, by the #45 Ronnie Buckman, Weinberger Homes 1967 Now known at the Legal Eagle/Ford. The scales were off and the car was legal. Harkey became the first driver to be bumped by an “already qualified car” in history. Buckman will start the race in 21st
Next up was Masten Gregory and after warming up at 152 he came in. Now another interesting situation came up. Bruce Walkup was on the bubble and next up was the #97 Wagner-Lockheed Agajanian car with Bruce Walkup at the wheel. Even though the car qualifies a driver cannot bump himself. So Vukovich, Parnelli and Bruce with Jim Hayhoe and USAC had their heads together. It was decided that it was better to keep the car in the field rather than trying to bump the already bumped Harkey in a car Walkup never drove. Thus out of line went the #97, and a few guys could rest comfortably as the line was getting shorter. The #87 was taken from the line so only 4 remained thus Mosley, Williams and Snider were safe and Hurtubise and Sessions seemed safe.
Al Miller becomes the 60th attempt in the car he drove in 1967 but only could get 157.109 and that put Hurtubise safely in the field with three cars to go and none of the drivers had spent any time in those cars. Bob Harkey gets an Official Photo taken after a 156.257 run in the #71 Marathon/Ford.
Next up in the #64 Overseas National Airways Hawk II/Ford was 1968 USAC Sprint Car Point Leader, Larry Dickson in the 1967 Pole car and going about 7.5 miles an hour slower puts it in at 161.124, bumping Walkup. Jerry Titus in the Bardahl Eagle/Ford gets his picture taken with a 154.540 and finally it was over.
BUMPED/TOO SLOW
#62 Walkup 160.514B First Alternate
#88 Harkey 159.915B
#36 Dickson 159.652B
#41 Follmer 158.877B
#31 Ates 158.221B
#23 Cheesbourg 157.301B
#77 Puterbaugh 157.274B
#32 Miller 157.109TS
#71 Harkey 156.257TS
#76 Titus 154.540TS

LINE-UP OFFICAL
#60 Joe Leonard STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.559 Firestone
#70 Graham Hill STP Lotus Turbine 4WD 171.208 Firestone
#3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 169.507 Goodyear

#2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III/T-Ford 167.691 Firestone
#25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1968 Mongoose/T-Offy 167.613 Firestone
#24 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola//T-Ford 4WD 169.507 Firestone

#8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle/T-Offy 166.976 Goodyear
#1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Ansted-Thompson 1968 Coyote/Ford 166.821 Goodyear
#4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 166.775 Goodyear

#48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle/Gurney Weslake 166.512 Goodyear
#20 Art Pollard STP Lotus/Turbine 4WD 166.297 Firestone
#54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1965-68 Huffaker-Finley/T-Offy 165.548 Goodyear

#82 Jim McElreath J.H. Greer Spl 1967 Coyote/Ford 165.327 Goodyear
#27 Jim Malloy (R) Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford 165.032 Goodyear
#78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle 1968 Eagle/T-Ford 164.782 Goodyear.

#35 Jochen Rindt Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham/Repco 164.144 Goodyear
#15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 165.191 Goodyear
#10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 164.444 Goodyear

#45 Ronnie Buckman (R) Weinberger Homes 1967 Eagle/Ford 164.211 Goodyear
#42 Denis Hulme Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle/Ford 164.189 Goodyear
#18 Johnny Rutherford City of Seattle Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford Goodyear

#11 Gary Bettenhausen (R) Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 163.562 Firestone
#98 Billy Vukovich (R) Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose/ T-Offy 163.510 Firestone
#16 Bob Veith Thermo-King 1967 Gerhardt/ T-Offy 163.495 Firestone

#6 Bobby Grim Gene White 1967 Mongoose/ T-Offy 162.866 Firestone
#59 Ronnie Duman Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe/ T-Offy 162.338 Goodyear
#90 Mike Mosley (R) Leader Card Spl 1968 Watson/T-Offy 162.449 Goodyear

#84 Carl Williams Ansted-Thompson 1967 Coyote/Ford 162.323 Goodyear
#29 George Snider Vel’s Parnelli Jones 1967 Mongoose/Ford 162.264 Firestone
#56 Jim Hurtubise Pepsi-Frito Lay 1967 Mallard Roadster/T-Offy 162.191 Firestone

#94 Sam Sessions (R) Valvoline 1965-68 Huffaker-Finley/T-Offy 162.118 Goodyear
#21 Arnie Knepper Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford 161.700 Firestone
#64 Larry Dickson Overseas National Airways 1967 Hawk II/Ford 161.124 Firestone

14 Firestones---19 Goodyears
Average: 164.958MPH
For the second year in a row Larry Dickson was slowest qualifier. In 1967 he did it on day one.

[!!WALDO!!]

Bob Hurt used to race sports cars occasionally. He sometimes had a ride in Gordon Tatum's Ferrari GTO at Marlboro back when I was just getting into racing. Some of the local SCCA people took up a collection to help with the purchase of a powered chair for him after his crash. In those days, if you got hurt racing, there wasn't much in the way of insurance to help out.

In my case, he was the first race car driver I met at Indianapolis in 1964. I always rooted for him. Yes one of the early few to come from sports cars and in 1964 he was in a Roadster.

Fine man and it was just too bad another friend of mine who was crew chief on that car listened to Myron Caves rather than his belief it was fast enough to make the show.
Car owner won, Hurt lost and then so did the Car Owner. Same car was repaired and more or less did the same to Jigger Sirois. Left him on the outside looking in, when he could have taken the pole in 1969.

Myron Caves never made a race at Indy with that car even though it came within a .005 in 1970.
Only time would have been with Bob Hurt in 1968.

[NOVI]

Waldo, I am enjoying your recounting of 1968 season; my favorite era!

Hope your health is on the mend. Your time-line, stream of consciousness approach is most engaging. I had forgotten some of the events that impacted the 500. Appreciate your insider information. As an aside, you're not Donald Davidson in real life are you? Just kidding, friend!

Pulling another "pint" whilst awaiting your next chapter.

[!!WALDO!!]

Waldo, I am enjoying your recounting of 1968 season; my favorite era!

Hope your health is on the mend. Your time-line, stream of consciousness approach is most engaging. I had forgotten some of the events that impacted the 500. Appreciate your insider information. As an aside, you're not Donald Davidson in real life are you? Just kidding, friend!

Pulling another "pint" whilst awaiting your next chapter.

Working on the race right now. One of the better ones of that era.

Interesting this race had only TWO past winners, Foyt and Hill. This is one of the lowest numbers of the time. (1969 was the same)

This told me that a strong chance a new winner was on the horizon.

Some pre-race rumors:
Lou Meyer and Sonny Meyer were trying to figure out how to keep a certain cylinder in the Turbo-Fords was burning. (Mario burned one, others toasted them.) With only 3 days, the story was "go as far as you can as these engines will not go the distance."
The 255.1 Ford users had another issue as most timed in with tall gears and to be competitive still needed it and that brings those engines to a point of not going the difference. Foyt put McElreath in shorter gears as did Gurney with Hulme, but most of the rest were tall.
So with one Gurney-Weslake and a Repco it appeared that a Turbo Offy or a Turbine would win.
A few Turbine issues came up. Andy Granatelli announced that the turbines would run at 65% power. A turbine idles at 65%. Andy did this for two reasons. One to get the cars to go the distance and at 65% their power would be equivalent to the Turbo-Offy and Andy was trying to save the turbines but ships had sailed.
Dale Drake and Herb Porter were looking at a few random gearbox problems in the cars running the Turbo Offy. More common in cars that were not intended to use the Turbo Offy but still an issue that had some concern.

There was a Spark Plug War between Autolite and Champion
Autolite: 21
Champion: 9

In the Fuel war there were 4
American Oil 3 (Turbines)
Ashland 9
Enco 15
Gulf 1 (Rindt)
Pure-Union 4

Two drivers served as OFFICIAL Chief Mechanics, A.J. Foyt Jr. on the #84 and Jim Hurtubise in the #56. Two car owners were also OFFICIAL Chief Mechanics, Jerry Eisert on the #18 and Rolla Vollstedt on the #21. Three cars had partnership with the drivers and the partners served as OFFICIAL Chief Mechanics Clint Brawner (Andretti/Brawner Racing) on the #2 and #64, and Duane Glasgow (Johncock/Glasgow Racing) on the #4.

Drivers from the following states:
California: 8
Texas: 4
Indiana: 3
Illinois: 2
Michigan: 2
New Mexico: 2
Arizona: 1
Colorado 1
Missouri: 1
New Jersey: 1
New York: 1
Ohio: 1
Oregon: 1

England: 1
Austria:1
New Zealand: 1

Chassis
AAR Eagle: 7 (5—1968, 2---1967)
Gerhardt: 5 ( 2---1968, 3---1967)
Mongoose: 4 (2---1968, 2---1967)
Lotus: 3 (1968)
Coyote: 3 (1---1968, 2---1967)
Vollstedt: 2 (1968)
Hawk 2 (1---1968, 1---1967)
Huffaker-Finley: 2 (1965-1968)
Brabham-Hayhoe: 1 (1966-1968)
Watson: 1 (1968)
Lola: 1 (1968)
Brabham: 1 (1968)
Mallard: 1 (1967)

Engines:
Turbo-Offy: 15
255.1 Ford: 8
Turbo-Ford: 5
Pratt Whitney: 3
Gurney-Weslake:1
Repco: 1

[!!WALDO!!]

An interesting story came of the IndyStar site in 2001 as Andy Granatelli was a member, MR 500. I knew it was him because I knew things only he would know and he too would “Droll on” like Gary hates giving great detail to those things that a person like me found fascinating.
He told how in 1968 he was worried about the belt driven Fuel Pumps on the Lotus Turbines. Colin Chapman assured him it was ok, even though Andy designed a “hexed gear fuel pump that he thought would be more reliable.
So the #20, #60 and #70 went off with belt driven fuel pumps or did they?

[!!WALDO!!]

It was a wonderful day for a race on Friday May 30th, 1968. The odds makers had Bobby Unser at 5:1, Leonard at 6:1, Hill at 7:1 and Ruby and McCluskey at 9:1 with the other hitters like Mario, A.J. Al all past 10:1. The race with only 2 former winners, Hill and Foyt did look like a repeat performance for either and the rookie class wasn’t bad but only Vukovich, Bettenhausen and Malloy were fresh rookies, Mosley from 1967, Sessions from 1966 and Buckman from 1965 were not the strongest. It was interesting to see the sons of two drivers that lost their lives at the Speedway starting side by side in this race. So odds were it was going to be a brand new winner.

Hundreds of thousands of people made their way in as many others across the nation did the same as the Closed Circuit shows were going off at Movie Theatres in 49 states. In my case I made it to the Oakbrook Theatre to find a phone strike would not allow the show to go on. So I got back home for the final count down. The IMS Radio Network was in rare form as it was really pushing the battle between the “doomed” turbines and the traditional engines.

Soon it was time for 30 engines to get turning and the whine of three turbines. The formation lap goes by, then the Parade Lap and then as puckering goes on inside and outside the cockpit, the Pace Lap. Then the Green flag flies and the #60 jumps into the lead with Mario on his tail. By the time they exited turn 2, the #2 car was trailing some blue smoke. As Joe flew to lead lap one at a new record speed and led Mario, Bobby, Graham and Lloyd. Going down the backstretch the blue smoke got real heavy and engine was showing signs of its life ending. Mario brought it in as Joe set another new record at 5 miles. The belts come off and Mario is all done. Mario will be scored 33rd a burnt piston was the cause. Joe set another record at 10 miles and another car bit the dust as a burnt piston ended the day of Jochen Rindt he would be scored 32nd in his last 500 start. On lap 8 Bobby Unser went around the Turbine in three and said good bye for a while as Joe was trying to conserve. At 10 laps Bobby set a NTR for 25 miles as the race lost two more cars, George Snider with an oil leak and Jim Hurtubise in the last roadster to start the 500 with a broken piston. Unser led, Leonard, Ruby, Hill, Gurney, Foyt, McCluskey, Pollard, Al Unser, Johncock. On lap 16 Roger McCluskey had an oil filter failure and he was scored 29th. Larry Dickson came in and got out of the #64 car and Mario climbed in to carry on in search of points.

At 20 Laps another NTR as Bobby, Joe, Lloyd, Graham, Foyt, Gurney, Pollard, Al, McElreath and Johncock were in the top 10. Then on lap 26, car #64 24th lap, Mario is climbing out with a burnt piston and is now done, the car is scored 28th. Al Unser stops at this point and has a problem but gets back out after losing three laps.

Another NTR at 30 laps as Bobby, Joe, Lloyd, Graham, Dan, A.J. Art, Jimmy, Gordon and Wally Dallenbach were past 75 miles. On the 37th lap the fears of Porter/Drake came true as Gordon Johncock came to a stop with no working gear box.

40 laps 100 miles are in the books as Bobby just nudges Parnelli’s race record off the history pages as Joe, Lloyd, Dan, Graham, A.J., Art, Jimmy, Wally, Jim Malloy. Then all hell breaks loose in turn one. Al is into the wall and pieces flew into the way of Arnie Knepper who was being lapped by Gary Bettenhausen. Knepper lost his nose and part of the A frame went though the tub of the #11 and all three were out. Gary was the only one requiring medical attention to his legs. Al was scored 26th, Arnie 25th and Gary 24th with only 107.5 miles run. A long clean up caused another driver to park his Turbo-Ford with an oil leak, Jerry Grant on lap 50. He was scored 23rd.
At 125 miles no record but, Bobby was about 7 seconds ahead of Joe under the screwy caution flag holding of positions as the running order really didn’t change but only 22 cars left so it appears that some people were in for a good day.

Bobby pits on lap 56 as does Joe giving the lead to Lloyd Ruby who splashed under the Al Unser crash. Ruby would set the pace until lap 89. In that time we lost the last Turbo Ford of Jim Malloy to gear box failure on lap 64, scored in at 22nd. The Legal Eagle of Ronnie Buckman due to a fuel tank leak on lap 76, pieces from the Unser crash caused that. Then defending race winner and National Champion, A.J. Foyt blew the Ford 255.1 just as predicted on lap 86 and scored in at 20th.

Ruby pitted on 89 turning the lead back over to Unser and Bobby continued to lead to the crossed flags.

250 Miles
Unser
Leonard
Ruby
Hill
Pollard -1
Gurney -1
McElreath -1
Dallenbach -1
Hulme -2
Kenyon -3
Vukovich -3
Rutherford -3
Tingelstad -4
Duman -5
Mosley -5
Sessions -5
Veith -6
Grim -6
Williams -7

[!!WALDO!!]

With Bobby back in the lead the race was starting its whining down completion. The lead was about 6.5 seconds and Ruby was about the same behind that. On the 110th lap as Bobby was in turn 4, Graham Hill was up against the 2nd turn wall and sliding toward the infield. The #70 STP Turbine was seriously torn up as it now was official, a new 500 winner in 1968.
Now a different drama started to unfold. Pit stops under the caution but Bobby Unser was extremely slow getting into the pits and out of the pits. Joe Leonard was now in the lead on lap 113. Jud Phillips flashed a sign to Bobby, “GEARS” and Bobby motioned back rolling down the front stretch, two fingers and a side to side motion. NO SECOND GEAR, the next time by gave him three fingers and a slow movement. THIRD GEAR not always there. Jud was now concerned that with 86 laps to go the whole gearbox was compromised and the day could end any second.
Once the Green came out on 119th lap, Bobby still had 4th and went past the Turbine for the lead and slid away to a nice lead as the Turbine was dealing with that 65% Trust issue that Andy had imposed.
On the leader’s 128th lap, Billy Vukovich gets sideways in turn 4 this caused the Lone Star JR to spin to avoid and Jim McElreath hits JR’s rear wheel and Rutherford bounces off the wall, Vukovich continues and McElreath’s 5th place ride has it nose cone tore up and is heading to the pits. Rutherford’s day is completed at 125 laps and scored 18th. McElreath gets back out but it is a question whether or not he got the radiator. Carl Williams in the other Foyt car complaining about something as he jerks the steering wheel side to side, the front wheels do not turn. Looks like a long stop.
Green is back and Bobby is in command but there was one more pit stop that loomed ahead for the Rislone Eagle.
Just before the ¾ mark, Wally Dallenbach joins those not able to do all 500 miles as the Turbo-Offy failed and he was scored 17th.
375 Miles
Unser
Leonard
Ruby
Gurney -1
Pollard -1
Hulme -2
Kenyon -3
McElreath -3
Duman -5
Tingelstad -6
Vukovich -6
Mosley -6
Sessions -6
Veith -7
Grim -7
Williams -12
Interestingly Ruby stops just past the 150 lap mark for his final stop, shortly afterwards comes the Turbine. Bobby was racking up lap money in fear of not being able to leave the pits. Finally on lap 165, Bobby moves slowly to his pit, gets his fuel and is rolling but not before both Ruby and Leonard get past him and put some distance as Bobby works back up to speed. As this is occurring Bud Tingelstad had his day end with engine failure and scored in to a 16th place finish.
Ruby was in the lead and the Turbine could not catch him. On the 174th lap all of a sudden the tone of the Ruby Offy changed as he started popping and the Turbine now jumped and took the lead. Ruby made it into the pits, a broken magneto was the culprit and Dave Laycock and crew started the operation to changing it.
Joe Leonard had a 10 second lead over Unser with Dan Gurney separating him from Unser on the track and all that was needed now was to finish the remaining 20 laps.
450 Miles
Leonard
Unser
Gurney -1
Pollard -2
Hulme -4
Kenyon -4
McElreath -4
Ruby -5
Duman -6
Vukovich -7
Mosley -8
Sessions -8
Veith -9
Grim -9
Williams -18
The Williams drama continues as he motions to A.J. to drive the car but A.J. wasn’t nuts and Carl was sent back out. In rapid order, the question about McElreath’s radiator came to an abrupt answer, yes as the engine blew on the Greer/Foyt Entry and the car that wouldn’t turn in the corners turned on the back stretch damaging the Foyt road racing Coyote for awhile. The fuel tank split and the car burned. This was going to be a long caution as clean up would take awhile. Williams completed 163 laps and McElreath 179 laps as they got 15th and 14th respectively.
So thirteen cars left and the Unser crew was mad as they were stuck behind the #20 and Leonard’s lead had grown under the caution as Pollard was slower and holding things up, finally the go Pollard to pick it up so at 190 it looked like this.
475 Miles
Leonard
Unser
Gurney -1
Pollard -2
Hulme -4
Kenyon -4
Ruby -5
Duman -6
Vukovich -7
Mosley -8
Sessions -8
Grim -9
Veith -9
On lap 191 the green came out and the #60 STP Turbine did not as he pulled to the inside of the track and coasted into turn 1. In turn 3 at the exact same time, Art Pollard’s Turbine fails to respond almost causing an accident as Art gets the car to the infield. Both cars out with the Granatelli fear, Fuel pump shaft failure. Art was scored 13th and Joe got 12th and collected 50 points.
Bobby now had almost a lap lead on Dan Gurney and the rest of the field was laps behind. Nothing to worry about as he just ran out the string and thinking of racing Novis the first 3 years here, another damaged sled in 1966 and now with a top team just about ready to go to Victory Lane.
Bobby receives the Checkered Flag from Pat Vidan in 3:16:13.76 at a New Track Record of 152.882, but Bobby has not slowed down. (Traditional in those days to 1 or 2 extra laps in case of scoring errors) The 15 minute rule was now in effect.
Dan Gurney comes in 54 seconds behind for an average speed of 152.187, but drama in the AAR pit was on folding as Denis Hulme is in the pits with a flat right front tire while running third. The car falls off the jack and the Gene White team members comes over and together lift the car to get the wheel on and Denis goes back out loosing a spot but staying just ahead of the Gene White car of Lloyd Ruby.
Mel Kenyon drove to a third place finish at 149.224, Hulme to fourth at 149.140.
Ruby came in a disappointing 5th at 148.529 and the happy guy to finally finish 500 miles was Ronnie Duman in #59 and he blew the engine thus shutting off the clocks and everyone else would be scored for laps finished. Ronnie did his 500 miles at 148.232 MPH.
Vukovich got 7th 198 laps and Rookie of the Year.
Mosley got 8th 197 laps
Sessions got 9th 197 laps
Grim got 10th 196 laps
Veith got 11th 196 laps.
The next day $708, 460.00 was distributed and Bobby won $175,140 for his 4th win a row this season.
In the post race moving around, Andy Granatelli looked at the wreckage of the #70 and found the fuel pump was the one he had asked Colin Chapman about and he had rejected. Needless to say, Andy was not a happy camper on May 30th, 1968.

[!!WALDO!!]

Points Going into Milwaukee
1. Bobby Unser 2100****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1215
3. Mel Kenyon 1055
4. Dan Gurney 800
5. Gordon Johncock 670*
6. Billy Vukovich 570
7. Wally Dallenbach 510
8. Mario Andretti 480
9. George Snider 470
10. Ronnie Duman 400
11. Joe Leonard 335
12. Al Unser 320
13. Mike Mosley 250
14. A.J. Foyt 240
15. Art Pollard 225
16. Sam Sessions 200
17. Roger McCluskey 175
18. Bobby Grim 150
19. Gary Bettenhausen 105
20. Bob Veith 100
21. Rick Muther 90
22. Jim Malloy 90
23. Bud Tinglestad 90
24. Keith Rachwitz 80
25. Chuck Hulse 60
26. Max Dudley 60
27. Bob Hurt 45
28. George Follmer 40
29. Johnny Rutherford 30
30. Dempsey Wilson 30
31. Larry Dickson 15

Car Owner Points going into Milwaukee.
1. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800** Ford 300* 1100***
2. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
3. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
4. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 715 Ford 180 895
5. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 800
6. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 580* Ford 90 670
7. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
8. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy TC 150 570
9. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 510
10. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 500
11. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
12. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 470
13, Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 400
14. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 320
15. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Offy TC 250
16. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 240
17. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 75 Offy TC 150 225
18. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 210
19. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
20. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 175
21. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
22. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Ford Offy TC 100
23. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 60 90
24. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
25. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 90
26. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
27. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
28. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 75
29. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 60
30. STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 50
31. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
32. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
33. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
34. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
35. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List Milwaukee Rex Mays 150:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 George Snider Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
18 Johnny Rutherford City of Seattle 1967 Eagle-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
23 Norm Brown Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
26 Bruce Jacobi Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
27 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
34 Dee Jones Speedy’s Broasted Chicken 1966 Huffaker-Chevy
36 Gene Bergin Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
37 Bay Darnell Frank Curtis 1966 Curtis-Chevy
38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
50 Les Scott Navarro Injection 1964 Watson-Turbo/Rambler
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe-Turbo/Offy
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
77 Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
81 Ronnie Duman Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

With 29 cars on hand and 13 cars that actually raced in the 500 and 21 entered the 500 and 20 500 starters with 8 of the 12 point getters at Indy on hand the field was considered weak at best. A very hot, humid day for Sunday June 9th, started out bad for Mel Kenyon as he and a slowing Bruce Jacobi tangled wrecking the 3rd in driver’s points car and taking out the Boyce Holt Entry. So now only 27 would go for the 24 starting spots. Art Pollard was on the Pole most of the qualifying time until the two, year old Eagles-Turbo/Offys took him off the front row with McCluskey breaking his own record with a :30.980. The field time was spread out with the first 10 close and the next 14 just in. George Snider was replacing the injured Gary Bettenhausen in the #11 Gerhardt House car for this race and bumped East Coast Driver, Gene Bergin. Dee Jones and Les Scott timed in too slow to be considered for the field so the line up was complete.
13 Turbo-Offys
7 Fords
2 Turbines
2 Chevy 305s

12 Goodyear
12 Firestone

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy 116.204NTR
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
18 Johnny Rutherford City of Seattle 1967 Eagle-Ford

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
81 Ronnie Duman Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
11 George Snider Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

27 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
23 Norm Brown Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe-Turbo/Offy

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
37 Bay Darnell Frank Curtis 1966 Curtis-Chevy

77 Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

36 Gene Bergin Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy Bumped #11
34 Dee Jones Speedy’s Broasted Chicken 1966 Huffaker-Chevy Too Slow
50 Les Scott Navarro Injection 1964 Watson-Turbo/Rambler Too Slow
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy Wrecked in Practice
26 Bruce Jacobi Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Offy Wrecked in Practice

39,775 people would equal a $49,250 purse plus $500 to Foyt and $500 to Unser. So at 3:00PM Central Daylight Time the Rex Mays 150 would start.

[!!WALDO!!]

So a little after 3:00PM the Green is thrown and Bobby Unser jumps into lead and takes a bit of control. In the middle of the pack, Ronnie Duman is moving backwards and Norm Brown is moving forward and on the start of lap 3 in turn 1, Duman and Brown tangle and is bad with Duman going backwards into the fence and bouncing along the wall with helmet contact with the wall. Brown’s car is bent and on fire and Bay Darnell get squeezed into the disaster. The Red flies on the spot. Rescue crews are dealing with a fire and a very torn up car of Ronnie Duman’s. All three drivers needed to be transported with Brown having serious burns, Darnell with minor burns and Duman in extremely critical condition. The red and caution took almost 40 minutes and this heat would take its toll on engines and drivers.
Bobby took the lead and led until lap 18 when the Eagle started to leak fuel. Bobby was done being scored 21st ahead of Duman, Brown and Darnell.
Roger McCluskey took over from lap 19-24 when his magneto broke, the curse of leading. Art Pollard led for one lap before Joe Leonard took over to lead until lap 38 when his suspension failed. He joined Mosley who left the race on lap 33 with hub failure. McCluskey got 20th, Mosley got 19th and Leonard ended up 18th.
Wally Dallenbach took the lead and looked real strong as Mario and A.J. were putting on a driving exhibition in traffic while running 4th and 5th. Bill Puterbaugh was starting to drive way too slow and was Black Flagged on his lap 48 or the leaders 54th, so Bill got 17th. Art Pollard running 3rd had a fuel leak and was done on lap 61 and scored 16th. Now heat was taking over as Gordon Johncock the 1967 Rex Mays winner was in the pits with Roger McCluskey getting in the car as Gordy is wore out. Max Dudley gets out of his and needs medical attention and scored 15th. Foyt had a great drive end when the left front wheel bearing seized and the wheel stopped turning so he was scored 14th.
Well, Wally’s luck ran out on lap 85 as he stops due to a mechanical problem and Mario Andretti takes over and has Lloyd Ruby running with him with Al a bit back but on the lead lap. Billy Vukovich’s Turbo-Offy just shut off around the half way point and is scored 13th, so every driver running now will score points.
Mario leads until lap 108 when Lloyd Ruby takes over and the Turbo-Offy pulls away. On his 124th lap but #4’s 117th lap, Roger McCluskey wrecks in turn 4 ending that run. Roger got 8 points and Gordy 7 points. The caution was out for 12 laps and the word had just came down, Ronnie Duman had died from his injuries.
Lloyd Ruby led the rest of the way winning 5th career race averaging 100.739MPH. Mario was second, Al third doing all 150 Miles.
4th Rutherford -4
5th Walkup -5
6th Dickson -6
7th Dallenbach -6
8th Snider -11
9th Tingelstad -14 (Knepper 32 laps of relief)
10th Malloy -15
11th Sessions -22
Word is that Norm Brown was seriously burned and the Grand Rapids, MI native Indy Car/Champ Car career was over and Bay Darnell suffered from minor burns.
Many like myself remember the driver that had hopes and dreams of winning races and now Ronnie was gone 11 days after a fine 500 mile ride.
Lloyd was happy although you could never tell but everyone else thought of their own mortality. Next stop in 6 days was North of the Border at the second Mosport stop with Twin 100’s.

Driver Points after Milwaukee
1. Bobby Unser 2100****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1515*
3. Mel Kenyon 1055
4. Dan Gurney 800
5. Mario Andretti 720
6. Gordon Johncock 677*
7. Wally Dallenbach 630
8. Billy Vukovich 570
9. George Snider 545
10. Al Unser 530
11. Ronnie Duman 400X
12. Joe Leonard 335
13. 13. Mike Mosley 250
14. A.J. Foyt 240
15. Sam Sessions 230
16. Art Pollard 225
17. Johnny Rutherford 210
18. Roger McCluskey 183
19. Bobby Grim 150
20. Bud Tinglestad 136
21. Jim Malloy 135
22. Larry Dickson 135
23. Gary Bettenhausen 105
24. Bob Veith 100
25. Rick Muther 90
26. Keith Rachwitz 80
27. Chuck Hulse 60
28. Max Dudley 60
29. Bob Hurt 45#
30. George Follmer 40
31. Dempsey Wilson 30
32. Arnie Knepper 14

Car Owner Points after Milwaukee.
1. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800** Ford 300* 1100***
2. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
3. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
4. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 715 Ford 180 895
5. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 800
6. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
7. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 595* Ford 90 685
8. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
9. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy TC 150 570
11. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 530
13. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
14. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 470
15. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 75 Offy TC 225 300
16. 15. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Offy TC 250
17. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 240
18. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 240
19. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 210
20. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
21. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
22. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 175
23. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
24. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 120
25. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
26. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 105
27. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Ford Offy TC 100
28. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 60 90
29. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
30. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
31. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
32. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 60
33. STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 50
34. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
35. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45
36. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
37. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
38. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
39. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List Mosport Telegraph Trophy 200:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
9 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones 1967 Mongoose-Ford
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Ford
27 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
41 George Follmer 1967 Cheetah/Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle/AAR 1968 Eagle/Weslake-Ford
50 Les Scott Navarro Injection 1964 Watson-Turbo/Rambler
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
66 Mark Donohue Sunoco 1967 Lola-Chevy
70 Graham Hill STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
89 Hamilton Vose Chevel Noir 1966 McKee-Chevy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Ford
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle/AAR 1968 Eagle/Weslake-Ford 110.362
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford

4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
41 George Follmer 1967 Cheetah/Ford

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Ford
27 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 Vollstedt-Ford

66 Mark Donohue Sunoco 1967 Lola-Chevy
9 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones 1967 Mongoose-Ford

38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Ford
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford Wrecked after Qualifying

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Ford Blown Engine
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy Blown Engine


61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy Too Slow
89 Hamilton Vose Chevel Noir 1966 McKee-Chevy Too Slow
50 Les Scott Navarro Injection 1964 Watson-Turbo/Rambler Wrecked in pre Qualifying Practice
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy Broken Transmission.
70 Graham Hill STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD Wrecked in pre Qualifying Practice

[!!WALDO!!]

An overcast and warm day welcomed this rare Saturday race at Mosport. Over 52,000 were on hand to see this event. 26 cars entered, 25 showed up as Foyt was unable to get his Road Racing Coyote rebuilt after Carl Williams wrecked it at Indy.
Pre qualifying practice whittled down the field as Gary Bettenhausen oiled down a good portion of the 2.49567 road course causing Graham Hill to wreck destroying the Lotus Turbine and Les Scott in the Rambler tore up his car also leaving only 23 to take time.
Gurney set fast time with ease and Mario was second fastest. Two cars, Dudley and Vose were too slow and Wally Dallenbach broke a transmission during qualifying and was done also. 20 cars then warmed up Saturday morning and 3 more were lost as Art Pollard crashes the Vollstedt-Ford and Bud Tingelstad and Bob Harkey blew engines. So it would be 17 cars to take the green for Heat 1. One of the cars was the year old Lola/Chevy of Roger Penske with Trans-Am Champion, Mark Donohue in the seat of the first effort into Indy Cars.
Art Pollard took over the #38 car qualified for Larry Dickson and the field was set. This race was not interesting as Dan led and Mario and Bobby fought for second and on lap two in turn 4 Mario shut a down with Bobby in it and Bobby left the track breaking his suspension.
As Gurney moved away, Mosley had a mechanical and Ruby wrecked on lap 14 and soon was followed by the #38 of Pollard with an oil leak. Johncock wrecked on lap 28 and George Fejer was overcome by fumes in his home built. Then George Follmer had fuel starvation problems leaving only 10 cars running.
Gurney ended this in :56:45 at an average of 105.727
2. Mario Andretti 40
3. Roger McCluskey 40
4. Al Unser 40
5. Ronnie Buckman 40
6. Mark Donohue -2
7. Joe Leonard -3
8. Jim Malloy -3
9. Billy Vukovich -9
10. Gary Bettenhausen -10
11. George Follmer -11
12. George Fejer -12

The line up of Heat 2 would be the finishing order of Heat 1 so here it is:
48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle/AAR 1968 Eagle/Weslake-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford

45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
66 Mark Donohue Sunoco 1967 Lola-Chevy

9 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones 1967 Mongoose-Ford
27 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 Vollstedt-Ford

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford

41 George Follmer 1967 Cheetah/Ford
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford

38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Ford

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford

Larry Dickson took over the #21 Car for heat 2 as only 15 cars made the grade.
Gurney picked up where he left off and drove away from Mario with and would duplicate his 20 second victory and when this one ended, :55:16 after it started only Mario was on the lead lap and 9 cars were running. Fejer, McCluskey, Bettenhausen, Ruby, Dickson and Follmer were parked but the last three did pick up points.
2. Mario Andretti 40
3. Ronnie Buckman -1
4. Mark Donohue -1
5. Al Unser -2
6. Joe Leonard -2
7. Billy Vukovich -4
8. Jim Malloy -5
9. Mike Mosley -6
10. George Follmer 28 Laps
11. Larry Dickson 18 Laps
12. Lloyd Ruby 17 Laps
$26,553 in purse money was paid over the two races and the two year experiment of Canada at Mosport was over and the Great White North would not see this again at Mosport until 1977.

Driver Points after Mosport:
1. Bobby Unser 2100****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1525*
3. Dan Gurney 1200**
4. Mel Kenyon 1055
5. Mario Andretti 1040
6. Al Unser 750
7. Billy Vukovich 690
8. Gordon Johncock 677*
9. Wally Dallenbach 630
10. George Snider 545
11. Joe Leonard 475
12. Ronnie Duman 400X
13. Roger McCluskey 323
15. Mike Mosley 290
16. A.J. Foyt 240
17. Ronnie Buckman 240
18. Jim Malloy 235
19. Sam Sessions 230
20. Art Pollard 225
21. Johnny Rutherford 210
22. Mark Donohue 200
23. Larry Dickson 155
24. Bobby Grim 150
25. Bud Tinglestad 136
26. Gary Bettenhausen 135
27. Bob Veith 100
28. Rick Muther 90
29. George Follmer 90
30. Keith Rachwitz 80
31. Chuck Hulse 60
32. Max Dudley 60
33. Bob Hurt 45#
34. Dempsey Wilson 30
35. Arnie Knepper 14
36. George Fejer 10

Car Owner Points after Mosport.
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
2. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800** Ford 300* 1100***
3. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
4. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
5. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 725 Ford 180 905
6. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 750
8. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 595* Ford 90 685
9. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
10. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
11. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy TC 150 570
12. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 560
13. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
14. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 510
15. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
16. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
17. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 105 Offy TC 225 330
18. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315
19. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 250
20. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 240
22. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 240
23. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
24. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
25. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
26. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
27. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
28. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 140
29. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
30. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
31. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 105
32. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
33. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 60 90
34. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
35. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
36. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
37. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 60
38. STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 50
39. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 50
40. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
41. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
42. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
43. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
44. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
45. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List for the Langhorne 150 June 23rd, 1968
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- T/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-T/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose- Ford
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner D-Chevy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
57 Bill Puterbaugh Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
87 Sonny Ates California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy
88 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson- T/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-T/Offy
101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
102 Leonard “Gig” Stephens Halibrand Engineering 1965 Halibrand-Offy

Wow, what a messages to see all the past records of greatr people, i have enjoyed by reading each and every single line. Thanks for all the people for posting these collections

[Alexamateo]

Nothing to say except that I am enjoying this thread. Thank you Waldo. :)

[!!WALDO!!]

Thank you to both of you. I am trying to tell a story of history and at the same time build hits for this site. Hits do help pay the bills although many here would like to see me gone.
1968 in racing was a great year as things did not look right because of turmoil of politics. For an example, a strike in France caused the postponement of the 24 hours of LeMans. MLK and RFK killings and the turmoil and riots put things into a different perspective. Yet in Europe, race fans mourned the loss of Jim Clark, Mike Spence and now Ludovico Scarfiotti winner of 1963 LeMans 24 hour and the 1966 Italian GP died on June 8th after crash in a hill climb in Germany.
In America, Richard Petty, Plymouth, James Hylton, Dodge and David Pearson, Ford were having a spirited battle for the NASCAR Grand National Title and NASCAR’s Grand-American Pony Car Series was getting mixed reviews across the Nation as Buck Baker and Tiny Lund were its stars.
In USAC, Larry Dickson won just about everything in site to open up the season but his win streak would come to an end and the “Larry and Gary” show would start on Father’s Day of 1968 and end at the end of 1971. Mel Kenyon was dominating the Midget wars racing hard against Bob Tattersall and Bob Wente. Some Champ Car drivers needed to earn some cash as they were rideless from time to time. Johnny Rutherford made some starts in a sharp looking red and white #24 in June.
A.J. Foyt, teamed up with Jack Bowsher in the #31 Ford Torino was leading the Points in the USAC Stock Car division over Don White, Norm Nelson, Jack Bowsher, Roger McCluskey and Parnelli Jones.
Racing here was as good as it could be.

[!!WALDO!!]

On a hot humid day and twenty three cars on hand for a 24 car staring field nobody got real stupid and posted just a time on this circular one mile track. Gordon Johncock did break his own record from a year prior in qualifying of 125.914 by almost a mile an hour. A good crowd caused the purse to be about $8,000 over the minimum and accessories prizes put it at around $33,000. With this attendance the National Championship Trail drew almost 470,000 and paid out $940,000 so far. Langhorne was loved by the fans and hated by those competing on her, oil dirt or pavement it didn’t matter.
Line up for Race:
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy 126.908 NTR
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy

21 Art Pollard Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford

2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose- Ford

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- T/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-T/Offy

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-T/Offy

88 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy

38 Larry Dickson Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson- T/Offy

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy

61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner D-Chevy

102 Leonard “Gig” Stephens Halibrand Engineering 1965 Halibrand-Offy
87 Sonny Ates California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy

57 Bill Puterbaugh Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

So in the late afternoon the Geen Flag was displayed to the field and Gordy jumped into the lead. The stupidity not shown in qualifying started to rear its ugly head as Gig Stephens lost his brakes and hits the wall in the #102 and Bruce Jacobi breaks his suspension in the #101. During the clean up, defending race winner Lloyd Ruby is parked with a fuel leak. Once back to green the yellow flies as Jim Malloy throws a Right Front tire. When the Green comes back out Gordy is still leading and does so until Bobby gets him in traffic on lap 43. We also lose three of the stronger cars, Bud Tingelstad with overheating, Art Pollard with a bad magneto and then Mario with bad valves. At the 1/3 distance mark, 16 cars were running with two of them Dirt Cars as traffic is an issue. Bobby gets caught in traffic and Gordy takes over again and stays in the lead with a dogging Bobby. Third place Wally Dallenbach lapping Sam Sessions tangled up and wrecked bring out another caution. Right after the green comes out Vukovich overheats his car and Jacobi in relief of Harkey since the 18th lap parks as he got hit in the head with a piece of the Dallenbach/Sessions wreck. He was trying to get to the 90th lap as Al Unser was out with no oil pressure. Bobby had snapped up Gordy again in traffic and led but the caution would fly again around the 2/3rds mark as Walkup spun and stalled it and Booth blew a tire. This left 9 cars and when the Green came back out Gordy jumped into the lead and started to pull away as Roger McCluskey lost his front suspension. Goron Johncock pulled away from Bobby to a 12 second plus victory at an average speed of 103.463 MPH.
2. Bobby Unser 150
3. Gary Bettenhausen -4
4. Mike Mosley -4
5. Larry Dickson -5
6. Sonny Ates -11
7. Max Dudley -15
8. Bill Puterbaugh -18
9 Roger McCluskey 113 Laps
10. Chuck Booth 93 laps
11. Bruce Walkup 91 Laps
12. Al Unser 90 Laps.
Gordon Johncock led the race 3 times for 113 laps and Bobby led twice for 37 laps. Next stop was the RACE TO THE CLOUDS, Pikes Peak with 24 cars entered and Bobby, Al and Mario from this side of things. The race against the clock for 12.42 miles could be interesting with points at stake.

Driver Points after Langhorne:
1. Bobby Unser 2340****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1525*
3. Dan Gurney 1200**
4. Mel Kenyon 1055
5. Mario Andretti 1040
6. Gordon Johncock 977**
7. Al Unser 765
8. Billy Vukovich 690
9. Wally Dallenbach 630
10. George Snider 545
11. Joe Leonard 475
12. Mike Mosley 470
13. Ronnie Duman 400X
14. Roger McCluskey 383
15. Gary Bettenhausen 345
16. Larry Dickson 305
17. A.J. Foyt 240
18. Ronnie Buckman 240
19. Jim Malloy 235
20. Sam Sessions 230
21. Art Pollard 225
22. Johnny Rutherford 210
23. Mark Donohue 200
24. Bobby Grim 150
25. Max Dudley 150
26. Bud Tinglestad 136
27 Sonny Ates 120
28. Bob Veith 100
29. Rick Muther 90
30. George Follmer 90
31. Keith Rachwitz 80
32. Bill Puterbaugh 75
33. Chuck Hulse 60
34. Bob Hurt 45#
35 Chuck Booth 45
36. Dempsey Wilson 30
37. Bruce Walkup 30
38. Arnie Knepper 14
39. George Fejer 10

Car Owner Points after Langhorne:
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
2. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
3. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
4. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 90 985
5. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 725 Ford 180 905
6. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800**
7. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
8. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 765
9. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
10. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
11. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy TC 150 570
12. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 560
13. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
14. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 105 Offy TC 435 540
15. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 540*
16. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 510
17. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
18. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
19. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 60 T/Offy 375
20. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
21. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 290
22. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 240
23. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 240
24. Rislone #3 1966 Eagle-Ford 240
25. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
26. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
27. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
28. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
29. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 150
30. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
31. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
32. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy
33. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
34. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 105
35. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
36. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 60 90
37. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
38. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
39. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
40. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
41. STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 50
42. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 50
43. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
44. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy
45. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
46. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
47. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
48. Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
49. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
50. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry for Pikes Peak Hill Climb:
2 Mario Andretti Overseas National Airways PP-Ford
4 Paul Kleinschimdt Coors PP-Cadillac
5 Al Unser Al Unser Auto Parts PP-Chevy
9 Bob Herring Campo Construction PP-Chevy
11 Dick Heikes PP-Chevy
12 LaVerne Ravenstein Buck’s Painting PP-Olds
15 Thural Novotny Auto Hospital PP-GMC
22 Wes Vandervoort Rocky Mountain Paving PP-Chevy
23 Gene Pacheco Raybestos PP-Chevy
26 Ralph Bruning Bruning Construction PP-Ford
28 Larry Overholser PP Speedway PP-Chevy
31 Ted Foltz Godwin Beverage PP-Chevy
34 Jerry Colton Western Sporting Goods PP-Chevy
41 Eugene Wilbanks Wilbanks Racing PP-Chevy
43 Charlie Louderman Bill Wynn PP-Chevy
54 Tom Dillon Western Sporting Goods PP-Chevy
61 Malcom Brazier Gruenerwald Kearny Construction PP-Buick
64 Clark Yowell Western Sporting Goods PP-Plymouth
74 Walt Miller l Western Sporting Goods PP-Ford
76 Orville Nance Burt’s Auto Supply PP-Chevy
76d Bob Daly PP-Lincoln
92 Bobby Unser Rislone PP-Chevy
98 Grier Manning Agajanian Wagner Lockheed Watson-Offy
99 Butch Earley Carl Earley PP-Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

After qualifying:
92 Bobby Unser Rislone PP-Chevy
5 Al Unser Al Unser Auto Parts PP-Chevy
31 Ted Foltz Godwin Beverage PP-Chevy
2 Mario Andretti Overseas National Airways PP-Ford
76 Orville Nance Burt’s Auto Supply PP-Chevy
4 Paul Kleinschimdt Coors PP-Cadillac
22 Wes Vandervoort Rocky Mountain Paving PP-Chevy
61 Malcom Brazier Gruenerwald Kearny Construction PP-Buick
9 Bob Herring Campo Construction PP-Chevy
15 Thural Novotny Auto Hospital PP-Chevy
98 Grier Manning Agajanian Wagner Lockheed Watson-Offy
26 Ralph Bruning Bruning Construction PP-Ford
76d Bob Daly PP-Lincoln
23 Gene Pacheco Raybestos PP-Chevy
43 Charlie Louderman Bill Wynn PP-Chevy
11 Dick Heikes PP-Chevy
41 Eugene Wilbanks Wilbanks Racing PP-Chevy
12 LaVerne Ravenstein Buck’s Painting PP-Olds
34 Jerry Colton Western Sporting Goods PP-Chevy
64 Clark Yowell Western Sporting Goods PP-Plymouth
54 Tom Dillon Western Sporting Goods PP-Chevy
99 Butch Earley Carl Earley PP-Chevy
74 Walt Miller l Western Sporting Goods PP-Ford
28 Larry Overholser PP Speedway PP-Chevy

[Alexamateo]

Just out of curiosity, what was qualifying for Pikes Peak? Isn't it just single car runs against the clock?

[!!WALDO!!]

Just out of curiosity, what was qualifying for Pikes Peak? Isn't it just single car runs against the clock?

About a 3 mile run to the Picnic Area. Last time I watched it was short of where the pavement ended.

They qualify on one day and in 1968 three classes, others were Sports Cars and USAC Stock Cars. In 1969 Bobby won the Stock Class giving him wins in all three. Won the Sports car class in 1964.

So Bobby set fast time which meant he got to go first.

[!!WALDO!!]

So the first car let go was Bobby Unser, then two minutes later was Al and then Ted Foltz, Mario and Orville Nance. Before Paul Kleinschmidt left the line, Bobby posted a 11:54.90, 62.543MPH and the race for second place was on. Al Unser broke on the way up and Climb Veteran Foltz timed in with a 12:29.28, 59.625 MPH so many thought it was now third place that was up for grabs. As Mario turned in a :12:53.29, 57.820MPH for third for the moment. Orville Nance broke but Mario dodged Paul Kleinschmidt as he turned in a :13:06.39, 56.857MPH. 1967 Winner Wes Vandervoort was on the way to the summit and arrived in :12:44.79, 58.463MPH bumping Mario to fourth. Brazier and Herring veterans of this historic run timed in at :13:12.60, 56.454 MPH and :13:17.90 56.037MPH respectively. With only points being paid to the top 10 it appeared three spots were still open when Veteran Grier Manning knock Thural Novotny’s 13:55.20
back a wrung with a 13:20.49, 55.856MPH. Then Ralph Bruning another long time veteran posts a :13:38.40, 54.633MPH and Novotny is tenth but not for long. Bob Daly knocks him out and it stands at 13:54.19, Gene Pacheco is going slow up the hill and nearly hangs up Charlie Louderman but the long time competitor gets a :13:42.30, 54.374MPH to set the tenth fastest time. The closest anyone came was Dick Heikes but he was :0:21.49 seconds behind Louderman. The rest just put in a time and Larry Overholser joined Al Unser and Orville Nance as the only drivers not to finish the race.
Bobby celebrated his 5th win of the season and gained 12 points on Mario.
The FINISH:
1. 92 Bobby Unser Rislone PP-Chevy 30
2. 31 Ted Foltz Godwin Beverage PP-Chevy 24
3. 22 Wes Vandervoort Rocky Mountain Paving PP-Chevy 21
4. 2 Mario Andretti Overseas National Airways PP-Ford 18
5. 4 Paul Kleinschimdt Coors PP-Cadillac 15
6. 61 Malcom Brazier Gruenerwald Kearny Construction PP-Buick 12
7. 9 Bob Herring Campo Construction PP-Chevy 10
8. 98 Grier Manning Agajanian Wagner Lockheed Watson-Offy 8
9. 26 Ralph Bruning Bruning Construction PP-Ford 6
10. 43 Charlie Louderman Bill Wynn PP-Chevy 5

76d Bob Daly PP-Lincoln :13:54.19
15 Thural Novotny Auto Hospital PP-Chevy :13:55.20
11 Dick Heikes PP-Chevy :14:03:.79
41 Eugene Wilbanks Wilbanks Racing PP-Chevy :15:17.10
99 Butch Earley Carl Earley PP-Chevy :15:56.10
34 Jerry Colton Western Sporting Goods PP-Chevy :16:03.19
64 Clark Yowell Western Sporting Goods PP-Plymouth :16:07.69
54 Tom Dillon Western Sporting Goods PP-Chevy :16:50.29
12 LaVerne Ravenstein Buck’s Painting PP-Olds :17:29.70
74 Walt Miller l Western Sporting Goods PP-Ford :18:12.40
23 Gene Pacheco Raybestos PP-Chevy :30:19.90
5 Al Unser Al Unser Auto Parts PP-Chevy DNF
76 Orville Nance Burt’s Auto Supply PP-Chevy DNF
28 Larry Overholser PP Speedway PP-Chevy DNF

Driver Points after Pikes Peak:
1. Bobby Unser 2370*****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1525*
3. Dan Gurney 1200**
4. Mario Andretti 1058
5. Mel Kenyon 1055
6. Gordon Johncock 977**
7. Al Unser 765
8. Billy Vukovich 690
9. Wally Dallenbach 630
10. George Snider 545
11. Joe Leonard 475
12. Mike Mosley 470
13. Ronnie Duman 400X
14. Roger McCluskey 383
15. Gary Bettenhausen 345
16. Larry Dickson 305
17. A.J. Foyt 240
18. Ronnie Buckman 240
19. Jim Malloy 235
20. Sam Sessions 230
21. Art Pollard 225
22. Johnny Rutherford 210
23. Mark Donohue 200
24. Bobby Grim 150
25. Max Dudley 150
26. Bud Tinglestad 136
27 Sonny Ates 120
28. Bob Veith 100
29. Rick Muther 90
30. George Follmer 90
31. Keith Rachwitz 80
32. Bill Puterbaugh 75
33. Chuck Hulse 60
34. Bob Hurt 45#
35 Chuck Booth 45
36. Dempsey Wilson 30
37. Bruce Walkup 30
38 Ted Foltz 24
39 Wes Vandervoort 21
40 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
41. Arnie Knepper 14
42. Malcom Brazier 12
43. George Fejer 10
44 Bob Herring 9
45 Grier Manning 8
46 Ralph Bruning 6
47 Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Pikes Peak:
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
2. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
3. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
4. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 90 985
5. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 725 Ford 180 905
6. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800**
7. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
8. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 765
9. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
10. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
11. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 120 Offy TC 150 570
12. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 560
13. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
14. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 105 Offy TC 435 540
15. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 540*
16. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 510
17. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
18. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
19. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 60 T/Offy 375
20. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
21. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 290
22. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 240
23. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 240
24. Rislone #3 1966 Eagle-Ford 240
25. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
26. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
27. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
28. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
29. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 150
30. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
31. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
32. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy
33. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
34. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 105
35. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
36. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 60 90
37. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
38. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
39. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
40. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
41. STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 50
42. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 50
43. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
44. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy
45. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
46. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
47. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
48. Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 30
49 Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
50 Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
51 Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
52 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
53. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
54 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
55 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
56. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10
57 Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
58 Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 Watson-Offy 8
59 Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
60 Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

I am going to step back to January 19th of 1968 to a mobile home park in Anderson, IN to a death of 89 year, seven day old man that day.
Known as the "Bedouin" he was a great driver in his day and had retired at the end of 1910, only to come back to race one more time and with help from Cyrus Patsche he won the 500 in 6:42 Minutes.
Ray Harroun got to see 50 500's and drove in one. Jim Rathmann has seen 59 of them and is the "leader".

Without Ray Harroun there would be no Joe Dawson or Scott Dixon.

Yes, on that day those Firestone Magic Rings went the distance to make this race one of the great traditions of history.

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List Castle Rock Rocky Mountain 150:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford
7 Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake 1966 Eisert-Chevy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
21 John Cannon Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-Ford
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
41 Rick Muther George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
60 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
96 Johnny Rutherford E.R.E. Racing 1968 Eisert-Chevy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford
101 Bud Morley Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

On the Saturday before the surprise but not really was the Former Honda F-1 driver, Ronnie Buckman grabbing the pole for the Rocky Mountain 150. Bobby Unser put the 2 year old Eagle on the outside. Johncock took delivery of a year old Eagle and got it up to third. Foyt finally rebuilt the #84 car that Williams tore up at Indy and got it qualified 4th. Three drivers were making their first starts, Dentist Dr. Lou Sell in the Dick Smothers Eagle was coming from the Continental Series as was Debbie Drake's husband Jack Eiteljorg in a Jerry Eisert owned car. Local star Bud Morley was really handicapped in an acient Gerhardt/Offy.
25 cars were awaiting a brand new race at a mile high.

Qualifying for Rock Rocky Mountain 150:
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford 1:49.846 87.396
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford

4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford

2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-Ford
60 Joe Leonard Vel’ Parnelli-Jones STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
96 Johnny Rutherford E.R.E. Racing 1968 Eisert-Chevy

41 Rick Muther George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford

21 John Cannon Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
7 Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake 1966 Eisert-Chevy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Ford
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford

61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

101 Bud Morley Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

A hot beautiful Sunday was in store for the 2.66 mile twisting road course. Around 17,000 showed up driving the purse to $23,360 plus $500.00 for Bobby Unser. The distance of the race would work out to 151.62 miles and would work out to about 2 hours.
This was race 11 with Bobby winning 5 times, Gordy and Dan twice and Lloyd one. Would there be a new winner? When the Green flag came out it was Ronnie Buckman and he was showing his love for this track. Gordon Johncock didn’t finish lap one as he broke an upright. He was scored 25th and Arnie Knepper made it to the pits with a broken Ring and Pinion and was 24th.
Ronnie, Bobby and A.J. were the top three and only Ronnie had the handle on the track. Jack Eiteljorg made to lap 3 before overheating ended his day ending up 23rd. As Ronnie was driving away, Unser and Foyt were fighting it out back a bit. Jim McElreath makes it to lap 12 with severe engine problems, Dr. Lou Sell broke a gear box on lap 17 and Rutherford is parked on lap 22. On lap 23 Buckman is in and leads that lap but his day is over with a broken half shaft. Foyt who had gotten past Bobby was now in the lead and leading now by about 4 seconds over Bobby, Mario, Lloyd, Roger and Joe were on the lead lap. Between lap 24 and the leaders 45th lap it was a steady parade of
cars leaving the race. Dudley, McCluskey, Morley, Andretti, Mosley and Tingelstad left only 12 cars running. Then Bobby Unser dropped out logging in at 11th place and garnering 30 points. Foyt, Ruby, Leonard, Malloy, Al Unser, Pollard, Muther, Bettenhausen were the top 8. Joe was stopped on
lap 50 with a half shaft problem and fell to 8th in the final results.
Foyt won in 1:49:23.005 for an average speed of 83.168 for his 39th career win and first in an Indy Car on a Road Course. Art Pollard finished 5th one spot better than Parnelli Jones at Indy in 1967 for the best finish by a turbine.
2. 25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-Ford 57
3. 67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford -1
4. 5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford -1
5. 20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD -2
6. 41 Rick Muther George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford -2
7. 11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford -2
8. 60 Joe Leonard Vel’ Parnelli-Jones STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 50 Half Shaft
9. 98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford -10
10.21 John Cannon Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford -12
11. 3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford 44 Magneto
12. 14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy 43 Broken Fuel Line

Driver Points after Castle Rock:
1. Bobby Unser 2400*****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1765*
3. Dan Gurney 1200**
4. Mario Andretti 1058
5. Mel Kenyon 1055
6. Gordon Johncock 977**
7. Al Unser 945
8. Billy Vukovich 750
9. Wally Dallenbach 630
10. Joe Leonard 550
11. George Snider 545
12. A.J. Foyt 540*
13. Mike Mosley 470
14. Jim Malloy 445
15. Gary Bettenhausen 435
16. Ronnie Duman 400X
17. Roger McCluskey 383
18. Art Pollard 375
19. Larry Dickson 305
20. Sam Sessions 245
21. Ronnie Buckman 240
22. Johnny Rutherford 210
23. Rick Muther 210
24. Mark Donohue 200
25. Bobby Grim 150
26. Max Dudley 150
27. Bud Tinglestad 136
28 Sonny Ates 120
29. Bob Veith 100
30. George Follmer 90
31. Keith Rachwitz 80
32. Bill Puterbaugh 75
33. Chuck Hulse 60
34. Bob Hurt 45#
35 Chuck Booth 45
36. John Cannon 45
37. Dempsey Wilson 30
38. Bruce Walkup 30
39 Ted Foltz 24
40 Wes Vandervoort 21
41 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
42. Arnie Knepper 14
43. Malcom Brazier 12
44. George Fejer 10
45. Bob Herring 9
46. Grier Manning 8
47. Ralph Bruning 6
48. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Castle Rock:
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 725 Ford 320 1145
3. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
4. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
5. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 90 985
6. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 945
7. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800**
8. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
9. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 150 630
11. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 195 Offy TC 435 630
12. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 570*
14. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 560
15. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
16. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 540*
17. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 510
18. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
19. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
20. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 60 T/Offy 375
21. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
22. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 270 300
23. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 290
24. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 240
25. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
26. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
27. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
28. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 170
29. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
30. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 150
31 STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
32. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
33. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
34. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
35. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 120
36. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 120
37. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
38. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
39. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
40. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
41. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
42. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
43. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
44. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 45
45. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 45
46. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
47. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
48. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
49. Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 30
50. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
51 Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
52 Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
53 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
54. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
55 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
56 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
57. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10
58. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
59. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 Watson-Offy 8
60. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
61. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

It is now the busiest part of the schedule:
Nazareth for a Friday Night Show on the Dirt
Twin 100's at the 2.5 mile IRP RC
Twin 100's at the Langhorne mile
Twin 100's at St Jovite RC
Springfield 100 on a Saturday
Milwaukee 200 on Sunday.

No rest and 1800 winning points at stake.

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry for Nazareth 100.
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy
20 Arnie Knepper S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose-T/Offy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy
45 Jerry Daniels Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
57 Larry Dickson Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
66 Jim Reynard Eastside Racing 1952 Kuzma-Offy
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Offy
77 Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel 1950 Silnes-Offy
84 Bruce Walkup Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

USAC had a way to rewarding those in the top of the points by the top 12 being able to draw positions 1-12 for qualifying. Then everyone else got to go. On pavement it was not as important as dirt was due to constantly changing conditions. Only 19 cars were there and 7 in the top 12 and 14 drivers that scored points.
So the draw order was:
2
25
5
98
90
3
54
57
11
10
44
77
84
52
70
66
20
45
99

So the first car out, maybe by design was home town star Mario Andretti in the ancient Kuzma-Offy that Sweikert, Bryan, Sachs and Mario had put into Victory lane 23 times. His time was obviously a NTR on this 1.125 Oval. Next out was Lloyd Ruby in a RE Mongoose. Even though he was “loosy goosy” he went almost as fast as Mario. Al Unser followed in the ex-Central Excavating Dunlap and set an NTR to grab the pole. Billy Vukovich goes out in a car that won the Phoenix 100 in 1961, Hoosier 100 in 1962 with Parnelli Jones and turns in a 38.352 or 105.601 to move to the pole with 14 cars to go.
George Snider goes out in the ex-Ward Watson that won Springfield and Phoenix in 1963 and is the slowest so far. Bobby Unser in the Jud Phillips, ex-Ward, ex-Branson, the car that killed Jimmy Bryan but won on dirt and pavement turns in a time a hair slower than Snider. Wally Dallenbach in an ancient Rolla Vollstedt Dirt Car turns in a very slow time as it was miss firing. Sprint Car Point leader Larry Dickson goes out in the Brenn Meskowski and goes faster than Snider/Unser but slower than Ruby. Gary Bettenhausen does a nice job and gets in almost as fast as Ruby. Bud Tingelstad in the car he won DuQuoin in 1966 with turns in a time slower than Snider/Unser but is safe since only 18 start. Chuck Booth in his second start in the old Harry Turner only copy of a Dirt car got the Chevy powered relic to go faster than Dallenbach thus was safe. Next out was Bill Puterbaugh in a real piece of history, a Joe Silnes car that was a modified 1949 Kurtis 2000 that was corrected in 1950. Bill goes almost as fast as Gary B and was currently 6th fastest. Bruce Walkup is in another relic of history, a Kurtis 4000 D for Carl Gelhausen and posts 11th fastest time so far. Carl Williams heads out in the Jake Vargo Meskowski and turns in the lap of the day as he unexpectedly sets 3rd fastest time. 1967 Sprint Car Champion, Greg Weld goes out in the famous Smith Speed Shop Ward and goes nearly as fast as the 1968 Sprint Point leader with the current 9th fastest time. Rookie Jim Reynard goes out in a car that took Art Bisch and Jimmy Reese as the Central Excavating Spl and after it was sold took Bill Horstmeyer, but it appeared he would need a little luck as he turned in 16th fastest time with 3 cars to go.
Arnie Knepper’s old Meskowski wasn’t much better than Wally Dallenbach but 15th fastest would work. The next guy was IMCA Veteran Jerry “Scratch” Daniels in the Weinberger Homes Blum. This car was built for the Dean Van Lines team to replace the Kuzma that Mario was driving. It won but was more difficult to get a hold of. Gordy Johncock drove his first race in this car in 1964 and did campaign it in 1965, his only year in the dreaded dirt. Scratch was going to race as he set 8th fastest time.
Last out was Ralphie “The Racer” Liguori in the Joe Hunt Lesovsky-Offy. All he had to do was beat Reynard and set 15th fastest time so Jim Reynard would have to wait.

The Line Up:
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy 105.601
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy

52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose-T/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy

77 Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel 1950 Silnes-Offy
45 Jerry Daniels Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy

57 Larry Dickson Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Offy

90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
84 Bruce Walkup Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy

99 Ralph Liguori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy

20 Arnie Knepper S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy

Alternate:
66 Jim Reynard Eastside Racing 1952 Kuzma-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

After qualifying was over it was time to get to racing as some needed to get to Mosport for the Twin 100 USAC Stock Car show.
With only 10,000 fans on this hot muggy Pennsylvania evening a minimum purse of $18, 959 with $500 of that going to Bobby Unser. This was the first time under the lights and these cars looked great on this old track. Veteran East Coast promoter Jerry Fried was hoping for a home run but only got a double but it was now time to go racing.
Vukovich led at the green and into the middle of Turn 1 and Al Unser went sailing past and into the lead and it looked like he would lead for a while. Some good racing for third place started but Al was in control. Chuck Booth got slow and swerved a bit causing Lloyd Ruby to lose the Loosy Goosy Mongoose bring out the caution. Both were out with Booth 18th and Ruby 17th.
Once green bye-bye Al and Mario got Vuky so the race started for third. On lap 23, Ralph Liguori called it a day with a broken brake line and shortly there after it was over for Arnie Knepper and Greg Weld with major engine problems. Ralph got 16th, Arnie 15th and Greg 14th.
The balance of the field continued to run with Al about a half a lap ahead of Mario and Vuky and Bettenhausen fighting it out for third. Williams, Dickson and Unser were hard at each other and the rest was back a lap at the half way point.
No stopping Al at all as he continued to lead and at the end of 89 laps, 100.125 Miles, he won his first career race in 1:00:20.50 100.068MPH. Mario was a half a lap back and was a ¼ lap ahead of Vukovich and he was 1/8 of a lap ahead of a slowing Bettenhausen in 4th.
5. Carl Williams Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy -1
6. Larry Dickson Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy -1
7. Bobby Unser Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy -1
8. George Snider Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy -2
9. Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy -2
10. Jerry Daniels Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy -2
11. Wally Dallenbach Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy -2
12. Bruce Walkup Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy -2
13. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy -3

Driver Points after Nazareth:
1. Bobby Unser 2460*****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1765* (695)
3. Mario Andretti 1218 (1242)
4. Dan Gurney 1200** (1260)
5. Al Unser 1145* (1315)
6. Mel Kenyon 1055 (1405)
7. Gordon Johncock 977** (1483)
8. Billy Vukovich 890 (1570)
9. Wally Dallenbach 650 (1810)
10. George Snider 595 (1865)
11. Gary Bettenhausen 555
12. Joe Leonard 550
13. A.J. Foyt 540*
14. Mike Mosley 470
15. Jim Malloy 445
16. Ronnie Duman 400X
17. Larry Dickson 385
18. Roger McCluskey 383
19. Art Pollard 375
20. Sam Sessions 245
21. Ronnie Buckman 240
22. Johnny Rutherford 210
23. Rick Muther 210
24. Mark Donohue 200
25. Bobby Grim 150
26. Max Dudley 150
27. Bud Tinglestad 136
28 Sonny Ates 120
29. Bill Puterbaugh 115
30. Bob Veith 100
31. Carl Williams 100
32. George Follmer 90
33. Keith Rachwitz 80
34. Chuck Hulse 60$
35. Bob Hurt 45#
36 Chuck Booth 45
37. John Cannon 45
38. Bruce Walkup 40
39. Dempsey Wilson 30
40. Jerry Daniels 30
41 Ted Foltz 24
42 Wes Vandervoort 21
43 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
44. Arnie Knepper 14
45. Malcom Brazier 12
46. George Fejer 10
47. Bob Herring 9
48. Grier Manning 8
49. Ralph Bruning 6
50. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Nazareth:
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 725 Ford 320 1145
3. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
4. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
5. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 90 985
6. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 945
7. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800**
8. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
9. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 150 630
11. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 195 Offy TC 435 630
12. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 570*
14. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 560
15. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
16. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 540*
17. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 510
18. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
19. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
20. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 60 T/Offy 375
21. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
22. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 270 300
23. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 290
24. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 240
25. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
26. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
27. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 200*
28. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
29. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 170
30. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 160
31. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
32. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
33. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 150
34 STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
35. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
36. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 140
37. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
38. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
39. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 120
40. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 120
41. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 120
42. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
43. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 100
44. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
45. Michner Petroleum #23 Lola Ford 90
46. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
47. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
48. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
49. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 50
50. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
51. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 45
52. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 45
53. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
54. Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy 40
55. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
56. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
57. Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 30
58. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
59. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 30
60. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
61. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
62. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 20
63 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
64. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
65 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
66 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
67. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10
68. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 10
69. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
70. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
71. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
72. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List for IRP 200 (Twin 100s):
1. A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Ford
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
41 John Cannon George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford
60 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
71 Bruce Walkup Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford
75 Bruce Jacobi Advanti II 1967 Marathon/Ford
78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle Spl 1967 Eagle/Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

This is the first race in which the 2.5 mile road course would be used which meant that they would be going down the drag strip rather than up it. 26 cars showed up for Saturday Qualifying as Wally Dallenbach and the Vatis crew elected to pass and go for the “gold” at Langhorne in a week.
As qualifying got going the Turbine appeared to be heading for the second Indy Pole of 1968 but Mario took care of that. The winner of the first three IRP Hoosier GPs was going to be a factor come race day. Bobby Unser and Lloyd Ruby were in row two with Al and qualifying surprise Billy Vukovich.
Speaking of surprises was Foyt, timing in 17th with a misfire and Johncock getting at 23rd. Two guys known for their road racing prowess were Roger McCluskey timing in at 16th and Jerry Grant not timing in at all. He will attempt to start at the tail.
Starting Line Up Heat I:
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford 1:30.830 99.086MPH
60 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Ford

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford

45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford

41 John Cannon George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Ford

21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford

1. A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford

36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
71 Bruce Walkup Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford

4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
75 Bruce Jacobi Advanti II 1967 Marathon/Ford

78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle Spl 1967 Eagle/Ford Qualified but DNS
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford Qualified but DNS


54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford Did not show

[!!WALDO!!]

On a hot sunny afternoon the field rolled off with Grant and Fejer in the pits as the they were having some very serious problems. Another problem was the 12,500 on the grounds, I was one of them, that gave the a purse $216.00 over minimum and for two races so the purse for each would be $9,308 plus Bobby and A.J. getting their $500.00
Not a lot of cash split 26 ways but it is what it is.
The Turbine out accelerates Mario going down the front stretch heading for one. Contrary to the opinions of some, the 4-WD car worked real well and could dive into the corners harder and hold it. Problem was the last quarter of the track was real twisty so the Turbine and a bit of a response problem. Mario dispatched Joe going into Turn one and said good bye for awhile. By that time, Rutherford broke his suspension, Ruby made one lap and tore up his half shaft as did Sam Sessions on lap 2. Three drivers were marching forward, McCluskey, Foyt and Johncock as they were flying through the squid and by lap 5 were holding point paying positions. Gary Bettenhausen joined the broken half shaft club 20 miles into this deal. Mario was leading the Turbine with Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Buckman and Sell in the top 6. By 25 miles, Foyt, McCluskey and Johncock were behind Sell with Pollard rounding out the top ten. On the 11th lap Harkey lost his car in the 90 degree behind the pits and was out being scored 20th. Bruce Walkup is in the pits but he is having some type of problem, Half Shaft? Lap 14 the Left front Goodyear of Roger McCluskey comes apart and damages his car enough that Heat I is over for him. Jim Malloy makes it into the top 10 and no sooner spins out on the back side. On lap 18 Al Unser gets Mario on the Back Side and pushes himself away. At different locations on the 21st and 22nd lap, Tingelstad and Jacobi spin off the track but Joe spins out at the end of the “Side” straight and brings out a caution. It appears he will not be starting Heat II. Under the caution Vukovich replace his right rear only to toss it going into one. With 25 miles to go, Al led, Mario, Bobby, Buckman, Foyt, Sell, Johncock, Pollard, Cannon, Mosley, McElreath, and Knepper. When the Green came out Al took off, Buckman didn’t and Sell to the pits with an oil leak.
Al Unser leads the final 22 laps to win in 1 hour, 1 minute and 59.25 seconds for an average speed of 96.800MPH to win by 12 seconds over Mario Andretti, Brother Bobby, Foyt and Johncock. Ronnie Buckman’s car slowed and was the only car 1 lap down in sixth. The balance of the runners are as follows:
7. Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford -2
8. John Cannon George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford -2
9. Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford -2
10. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford -3
11. Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford -4
12. Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford 33 laps
18. Bruce Walkup Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford -25
Starting Line Up Heat II:

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
1. A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford

4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
45. Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford

21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
41 John Cannon George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford

19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford
75 Bruce Jacobi Advanti II 1967 Marathon/Ford

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
71 Bruce Walkup Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford

78 Jerry Grant Bardahl Eagle Spl 1967 Eagle/Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

Race two had some interesting scenarios as who was going to stop Al Unser and could the 45 minute break cause more mechanical problems like vapor lock. Joe Leonard was not answering the bell for Heat II as well as Tingelstad in the #10, but Bud would take over the #90 for Mike Mosley.
The green flag comes out a Al is gone and is walking away from Mario, Bobby and A.J. On lap 2 Bobby is out with a radiator leak joining, the non-starting Grant and Arnie Knepper who spun off the track and out of the way. On lap 9 Rutherford ran into Sessions under braking putting both cars out. Under this caution, Tingelstad is out and Bobby Unser is to collect points. Walkup also has is day end with a fuel leak. Once the green comes out Harkey comes to grief again with the Bulldog #36. He is out and the caution again regroups the field. Once green, Al walks away again and is leading at 50 miles, Mario, Foyt, Gordy, Buckman, Ruby, Sell, McCluskey, Vukovich and Bobby Unser.
As the race settled in some good drives were watch Ruby and Bobby cut their way forward. On the 27th Gordon Johncock had an engine oil leak and 3 laps latter Ruby got into a guard rail near the 5/8 oval, putting out some debris and the caution. The Good Dr. had a flat tire and spun off course and ending his day in 14th place.
Al led all 40 laps, winning in One Hour, 9 minutes and 9.08 Seconds for an average speed of 86.768 MPH and his third win in 10 days and winning by a bit over :13 seconds. Mario, A.J., Buckman and Tingelstad/Unser did all 100 miles. Here are the other classified runners:
6. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford -1
7. Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford -1
8. John Cannon George R. Bryant 1967 Cheetah/Ford -1
9. Art Pollard Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford -1
10. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford -1
11. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford -1
12. Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford -2
13. Bruce Jacobi Advanti II 1967 Marathon/Ford -6

FINAL RESULTS BASED ON POINTS:
1. Al Unser 400
2. Mario Andretti 320
3. A.J. Foyt Jr. 260
4. Bobby Unser 210
5. Ronnie Buckman 200
6. Gordon Johncock 140
7. John Cannon 100
8. Art Pollard 100
9. Billy Vukovich 80
10. Roger McCluskey 60
11. Jim McElreath 50
12. Mike Mosley 40

Driver Points after IRP:
1. Bobby Unser 2670*****
2. Lloyd Ruby 1765*
3. Al Unser 1545***
4. Mario Andretti 1538
5. Dan Gurney 1200**
6. Gordon Johncock 1077**
7. Mel Kenyon 1055
8. Billy Vukovich 950
9. A.J. Foyt 800*
10. Wally Dallenbach 650
11. George Snider 595
12. Gary Bettenhausen 565
13. Joe Leonard 550
14. Mike Mosley 510
15. Jim Malloy 475
16 Art Pollard 475
17. Roger McCluskey 443
18. Ronnie Buckman 420
19. Ronnie Duman 400X
20. Larry Dickson 385
21. Sam Sessions 245
22. Johnny Rutherford 210
23. Rick Muther 210
24. Mark Donohue 200
25. Bud Tinglestad 166
26. Bobby Grim 150
27. Max Dudley 150
28. John Cannon 145
29. Sonny Ates 120
30. Bill Puterbaugh 115
31. Bob Veith 100
32. Carl Williams 100
33. George Follmer 90
34. Keith Rachwitz 80
35. Chuck Hulse 60$
36. Jim McElreath 50
37. Bob Hurt 45#
38 Chuck Booth 45
39. Bruce Walkup 40
40. Dempsey Wilson 30
41. Jerry Daniels 30
42 Ted Foltz 24
43 Wes Vandervoort 21
44 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
45. Arnie Knepper 34
46. Malcom Brazier 12
47. George Fejer 10
48. Dr. Lou Sell 10
49. Bob Herring 9
50. Grier Manning 8
51. Ralph Bruning 6
52. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after IRP:
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 725 Ford 320 1145
3. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 190 1085*
4. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
5. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
6. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 945
7. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 880
8. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 800**
9. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
10. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
11. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 710*
12. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 230 710
13. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 650
14.Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 435 640
15. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 630
16. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
17. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
18. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
19. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
20. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 440
21 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
22. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 400**
23. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
24. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 340
25. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 300 330
26. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
27. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
28. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
29. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 200*
30. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
31. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 160
32. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
33. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 150
34. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 150
35 STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
36. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
37. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 140
38. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 145
39. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
40. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
41. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 120
42. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 120
43. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 120
44. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
45. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 100
46. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
47. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
48. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
49. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
50. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
51. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 50
52. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
53. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 45
54. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
55. Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy 40
56. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
57. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
58. Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 30
59. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
60. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 30
61. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
62. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
63. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 20
64. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 20
65 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
66. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
67 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
68 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
69. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10
70. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 10
71. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
72.. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
73. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
74. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
75. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List for the Langhorne 200 (Twin 100s)
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
16 Johnny Rutherford Thermo-King 1967 Gerhardt- T/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
20 Don Thomas S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy D
21 Art Pollard Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose- Ford
37 Bay Darnell Frank Curtis 1966 Curtis-Chevy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy D
52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy D
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
57 Rollie Beale Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy D
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Chevy D
84 Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy D
87 Sonny Ates California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy
88 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson- T/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-T/Offy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy D
101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
102 Leonard “Gig” Stephens Halibrand Engineering 1965 Halibrand-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

Another hot and sunny Sunday kept the crowd down so it was only $4.00 over the minimum purse with 2 races so $9,202 per race would be up for grabs with Bobby getting his $500.00 for the 500 win. Some interesting developments took place. Mario set third fastest time but blew his engine thus he would miss the show. Gordon Johncock, the track record holder of 126.908 slammed that with a 128.087.
Surprise was Jim McElreath in the Jack Adams (Ex-Stewart 1966) Lola-Ford grabbed off the 3rd spot after Mario was officially withdrawn. Mario was back out in the Leader Card #90 and timed in 14th. A nice jester on the part of the Leader Card team. The field had 5 dirt cars in it and with Mario out and Bay Darnell not answering the call, Trans-Am Driver Max Dudley in his Gerhardt-Chevy and 1967 USAC Sprint Car Champion, Greg Weld in the Smith’s Ward-Chevy Dirt Car joined the field.

NOTE: So far this season, under 500,000 showed up for races with Indy and with Indy’s purse about $1,000,000 had been paid out. Even with the bad crowd, Irv Fried and Al Gerber still made out with this race but it would be the last “second” date held on this famous old mile, north of Philly.

Starting Line Up: Heat I
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy 128.087
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-T/Offy

38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
16 Johnny Rutherford Thermo-King 1967 Gerhardt- T/Offy

21 Art Pollard Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy
90 Mario Andretti Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson- T/Offy

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-T/Offy
88 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford

87 Sonny Ates California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy
57 Rollie Beale Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy D

52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy D
102 Leonard “Gig” Stephens Halibrand Engineering 1965 Halibrand-Offy

99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy D
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford

44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy D
84 Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy D

61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy 1st Alternate Started
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Chevy D 2nd Alternate Started

Failed to Qualify or Start.
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford Qualified Blew Engine on second lap.
37 Bay Darnell Frank Curtis 1966 Curtis-Chevy Qualified but DNS.
20 Don Thomas S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy D Qualified but Bumped
101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy Qualified but Bumped

[!!WALDO!!]

As race time got closer the tension grew as this dangerous mile had a new thing thrown into the equation, G-forces. Al Unser’s crew devised a spring loaded helmet brace that would hold his head up. The constant turning was causing fatigue and Mosley, Jacobi and Thomas were standing by in case they were needed.
The green flew followed by the Yellow as the 4th and 5th rows came to grief wrecking both Pollard and Rutherford. Actually Al Unser did not get away causing Johnny to try to duck behind Malloy but Pollard was already there. Both cars were spent and done for the day. The caution was out for 8 laps and when green, Gordy took off and ran away. Al Unser on the restart found things and moved up rapidly. By the 20th Mile, Gordy, Bobby, Al, McCluskey and McElreath held the top 5, with Dallenbach, Sessions, Tingelstad, Bettenhausen and Vukovich rounding out the top 10.
Greg Weld in one of the 5 dirt cars came to the pits with its Chevy running too hot. Then Mario’s day ended with a broken gear box as Mario exited the car they began to work on the car for Heat II. Then to things occurred together McCluskey pits and Johncock it the wall in the northeast section of the track. Water from Weld? McCluskey broke an upright and Johncock his car. Both were done for the weekend and killed their chances for the National Championship. Well, guess who picked up the lead, the hottest driver in America, Al Unser. After another 8 laps of clean up the race was over as Al said good bye and the race for positions began.
By the halve way point, the dirt cars of Liguori and Beale began to suffer and appeared to be terminally done and Al led Bobby with a very possessed Bud Tingelstad in third pushing Bobby Unser.
Carl Williams parked his dirt car and Bud’s race ended with a bad Magneto. In :55:44.15 Al Unser won his 4th race in 3 weeks at an average speed of 107.650 with Bobby Unser the only other car to finish 100 miles. Al won by over a half a lap. Listed are the cars still running:
3. Wally Dallenbach Valvoline #54 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy -1
4. Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick #14 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -2
5. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1968 Vollstedt-Ford -2
6. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 1968 Mongoose-T/Offy -4
7. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #38 1966 Lola-Ford -4
8. Sonny Ates California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy -5
9. Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford -5
10. Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone #25 1967 Mongoose- T/Offy -7
11. Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner-Chevy D -8
12. Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy D -10
13 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King #11 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy -13
16. Max Dudley Dudley Trucking #61 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy -42

[!!WALDO!!]

Since the minimum was 20 to start for 100 miles on pavement and 8 cars were done, two cars got to tag on the field to make 20. Both qualified but were bumped. Also Mario was in route back to Nazareth as he had little hope the #90 would get going so Mike Mosley was back in the seat.
Line-up for Heat II
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-T/Offy

38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
87 Sonny Ates California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy

88 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose- T/Offy

44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy D
84 Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy D

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- T/Offy
102 Leonard “Gig” Stephens Halibrand Engineering 1965 Halibrand-Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy D
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson- T/Offy

20 Don Thomas S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy D Allowed to Start
101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy Allowed to Start

[!!WALDO!!]

Heat II was ready to go and was there anyone, anyone that had anything for Al? Once the Green Flag came out it was an obvious no as the race for second started. Mario made the right move as Mosley got pushed off before the race and was out. Bruce Jacobi who was allowed to start got 4 laps in before the 251.9 Offy overheated. Chuck Booth made it to 11 miles before his Chevy Dirt Car burned a piston. Jim McElreath hopes backing up his 7th came to an end with a severe oil leak and second place runner and point leader, Bobby Unser broke an upright and parked it. Al was now officially gone but the real show was Bud Tingelstad, cut and dicing through things in an effort to catch Al. At any given time, Al was the quickest or it was Bud. Bud was going from 15th and getting clear was tough. The pace was very fast as no cautions had happen and neck fatigue was starting to take over. Ruby was already out of the car and Jimmy McElreath a two time winner at Langhorne was in.
At the half way point, Al led Bud, Malloy all on the lead lap, Sessions, Dallenbach, Vukovich, Ruby/McElreath, Bettenhausen, Walkup laps down. Gig Stephens, Sonny Ates and soon Gary Bettenhausen all joined the parked with Gary landing in 12th but Don Thomas was still trying to get some laps in. So far he had 22 in.
Sam Sessions’ day came to an end with a waste gate problem while in fourth he ended up 11th. Many drivers were one handing it, driving with their right and holding their heads up with the left.
In 48:28.90 Al Unser had just run the fastest 100 mile race on a mile in history averaging 122.328 breaking the old record by 4:26.26 set in 1967 by Lloyd Ruby in the last win by a Lotus-Ford at this track. Al was the only driver to finish all 100 miles and now was tied with Brother Bobby with wins for the season with 5. In three weeks he won in the dirt, on a road course and now a circular oval. He also scored 4 wins for the 4 wheel drive concept. Next race would by St Jovite and Mario was the defending “twins” winner.
The rest of the runners are as follows:
2. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -1
3. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1968 Vollstedt-Ford -1
4. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 1968 Mongoose-T/Offy -5
5. Wally Dallenbach Valvoline #54 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy -6
6. Lloyd Ruby/Jim McElreath Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose- T/Offy -6
7. Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford -6
8. Carl Williams Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy D -11
9. Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy D -13
10. Max Dudley Dudley Trucking #61 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy -16
15. Don Thomas S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy D -70

Driver Points after Langhorne:
1. Bobby Unser 2830*****
2. Al Unser 1945*****
3. Lloyd Ruby 1829*
4. Mario Andretti 1538
5. Dan Gurney 1200**
6. Billy Vukovich 1150
7. Gordon Johncock 1077**
8. Mel Kenyon 1055
9. Wally Dallenbach 890
10. A.J. Foyt 800*
11. Jim Malloy 715
12. George Snider 595
13. Gary Bettenhausen 575
14. Joe Leonard 550
15. Mike Mosley 510
16 Art Pollard 475
17. Roger McCluskey 443
18. Ronnie Buckman 420
19. Ronnie Duman 400X
20. Larry Dickson 385
21. Sam Sessions 385
22. Bud Tinglestad 326
23. Johnny Rutherford 210
24. Rick Muther 210
25. Mark Donohue 200
26. Max Dudley 180
27. Sonny Ates 170
28. Bill Puterbaugh 165
29. Jim McElreath 161
30. Bobby Grim 150
31. Carl Williams 150
32. John Cannon 145
33. Bruce Walkup 140
34. Bob Veith 100
35. George Follmer 90
36. Keith Rachwitz 80
37. Chuck Booth 65
38. Chuck Hulse 60$
39. Bob Hurt 45#
40. Dempsey Wilson 30
41. Jerry Daniels 30
42 Ted Foltz 24
43 Wes Vandervoort 21
44 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
45. Arnie Knepper 34
46. Malcom Brazier 12
47. George Fejer 10
48. Dr. Lou Sell 10
49. Bob Herring 9
50. Grier Manning 8
51. Ralph Bruning 6
52. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Langhorne:
1. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
2. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
3. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 190 1085*
4. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
5. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
6. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 960**
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 945
8. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 730 910
9. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 880
10. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
11. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
12. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
13. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 800****
14. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 710*
15. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 640 670
16. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 650
17.Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 445 650
18. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
19. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
20. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
21. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
22. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 440
23 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
24. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 400
25. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
26. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 310
27. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
28. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 260
29. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
30. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
31. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 200*
32. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
33. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 180
34. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 170
35. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 160
36. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
37 STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
38. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
39. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
40. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 140
41. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 145
42. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
43. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
44. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
45. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 120
46. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
47. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
48. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
49. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
50. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
51. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 65
52. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
53. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 60
54. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 50
55. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
56. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
57. Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy 40
58. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
59. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
60. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
61. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 30
62. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
63. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
64. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 20
65. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 20
66 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
67. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
68 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
69 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
70. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 10
71. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
72.. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
73. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
74. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
75. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Only 20 cars were entered for the last race of the Canadian two year experiment as this would be the last Championship race until 2007 held at this track. Mario was defending champion of this race and so far was winless for the season. This has been the latest into the season that he had not won yet since his first full year of 1965. So he was due. Some Colorado drivers made the trip, Jack Eiteljorg in his wife's sponsored Car and Bud Morley in the Stewart-Warner Ford, a bit of an upgrade over what he had at Castle Rock. Lothar Motschenbacher was making his first start of 1968 in the Leader Card Watson. Al Unser sent the 1968 Lola-Ford 4WD car home and the 1967 Lola was ready as the new car was being prepped for Milwaukee.

Word came down this week that ABC and Wide World of Sports would televise the Saturday State Fair date from the Illinois State Fairgounds, the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial, live from Springfield, IL. This marked the first flag to flag coverage of an Auto Race on Network TV. Announcer, Jim McKay would make the call and 2 Time 500 winner and many time winner at Springfield, Rodger Ward would do color and analyze the happens.

Entry List for St Jovite:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford
7 Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake 1966 Eisert-Chevy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
21 John Cannon Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-Ford
36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford
71 Bud Morley Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford
90 Lothar Motschenbacher Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

A very unique qualifying system was in place, the fastest lap turn by a car became the official qualifying time. 1:35.701 was the fastest lap turned in and it belonged to Mario Andretti. Al Unser was a second back in second with Bobby Unser and John Cannon posting 3th and 4th fastest times. Lloyd Ruby turned in the 5th fastest time and Gary Bettenhausen grabbed off a sixth fastest time. Dudley, Harkey and Malloy had problems but were allowed to start.
LINE-UP HEAT I
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford 97.805
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford
21 John Cannon Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford

39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford

90 Lothar Motschenbacher Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford

71 Bud Morley Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford

7 Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake 1966 Eisert-Chevy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford

111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

A very unique qualifying system was in place, the fastest lap turn by a car in practice became the official qualifying time. 1:35.701 was the fastest lap turned in and it belonged to Mario Andretti.

What happens when you answer two phones in the middle of one thought.

(NO REFERENCE, IMPLIED OR REAL TO ANY POSTER, LIVING, DEAD, or NOT YET BORN.)

[!!WALDO!!]

A very unique qualifying system was in place, the fastest lap turn by a car in practice became the official qualifying time.


I forgot in practice. Ok now?

This was the FIRST Time this was ever USED in INDY CAR/CHAMP CAR racing.

Bit of HISTORY.

[!!WALDO!!]

One of the better Road Racing of the year was flagged off with Mario and Al having the cars. The 15,000 fans made the purse swell to $24,388 with Bobby Unser getting $500.00 so each race would be $11,944.00. With a hot muggy day it would be interesting with the hard tires how much traction would be had by these cars on the winding road course. Wally Dallenbach did not make it off the line and just past 10 miles Championship contender Lloyd Ruby wrecked his car and chances while running fourth. Mario and Al were at each other very hard with Bobby in third with the 2 year old Eagle. By 20 miles Foyt was out and by 50 miles, Motschenbacher, Sell, Johncock and Fejer were done with all types of problems from ring/pinion, oil leaks and drive train issues. 13 cars were running when Gary Bettenhausen dropped out and Al got by Mario in traffic and actually drove away. So from lap 23 on it appeared to be win number 6 for Al. He led Mario and Bobby, Ronnie Buckman and a slowing John Cannon. On lap 34 Al was in the pits with a mechanical problem. He would not leave so it was now Mario’s to win and in 1:02:37 or 96.37MPH he won his first race of 1968 and 17th of his career. Bobby Unser finished second on the lead lap 46 seconds back:
The other 10 cars running were:
3. Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. #45 1967 Eagle/Ford -1
4. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1968 Vollstedt-Ford -2
5. Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle-Ford -2
6. John Cannon Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford -2
7. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #38 1966 Lola-Ford -3
8. Bud Morley Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford -4
9 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford -4
10. Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy -4
11. Max Dudley Dudley Trucking #61 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy -7
12 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy -8

LINE UP HEAT II:
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1966 Eagle- Ford

45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Ford

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
21 John Cannon Bryant Heatting and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1967 Lola-Ford

7 Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake 1966 Eisert-Chevy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

36 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
111 George Fejer Chinook Mk VII 1967 Chinook-Ford

90 Lothar Motschenbacher Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1967 Watson-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1967 Mongoose-Ford

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford LATE STARTER

Not Starting:
71 Bud Morley Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford

[!!WALDO!!]

Well as good as Heat 1 started out, this race had nothing but heavy attrition. Mario went bye-bye at the start and Al Unser driving threw the field lost it and wrecked the 1967 very well and was finished for the day. Lloyd Ruby made it to 13 miles when his upright went askew. Gary Bettenhausen made 18 miles when his sway bar broke again. Now only 12 cars were running but not for long as Fejer was leaking oil. The race crept along under the caution for Al then green the local yellows for Fejer’s oil and once green Mario was gone again. Bobby Unser was done 62 miles into this with a failed half shaft. Things settled down until lap 36 when Jim McElreath crashed and that would cause the race to end under the yellow. 1:14:07 or 80.03MPH the race was over and Mario was now 4 for 4 at St Jovite. John Cannon, Jim Malloy and Ronnie Buckman did the 98.8 miles. Below are the cars still running:
5. Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle-Ford -1
6. Lothar Motschenbacher Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #90 1967 Watson-Ford -1
7. Max Dudley Dudley Trucking #61 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy -3
8. Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy -3
9. Jack Eiteljorg Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy -4
10. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #38 1966 Lola-Ford 33 laps WRECKED.

Points after St Jovite:
1. Bobby Unser 3010*****
2. Al Unser 1985*****
3. Mario Andretti 1938**
4. Lloyd Ruby 1829*
5. Dan Gurney 1200**
6. Billy Vukovich 1150
7. Gordon Johncock 1077**
8. Mel Kenyon 1055
9. Jim Malloy 975
10. Wally Dallenbach 890
11. A.J. Foyt 800*
12. Ronnie Buckman 680
13. George Snider 595
14. Gary Bettenhausen 575
15. Joe Leonard 550
16. Mike Mosley 510
17 Art Pollard 475
18. Roger McCluskey 443
19. Johnny Rutherford 410
20. Ronnie Duman 400X
21. Larry Dickson 385
22. Sam Sessions 385
23. John Cannon 385
24. Bud Tinglestad 326
25. Jim McElreath 261
26. Max Dudley 260
27. Rick Muther 210
28. Mark Donohue 200
29. Sonny Ates 170
30. Bill Puterbaugh 165
31. Bobby Grim 150
32. Carl Williams 150
33. Bruce Walkup 140
34. Bob Veith 100
35. George Follmer 90
36. Keith Rachwitz 80
37. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
38. Jack Eiteljorg 70
39. Chuck Booth 65
40. Bob Harkey 60
41. Chuck Hulse 60$
42. Bud Morley 50
43. Bob Hurt 45#
44. Arnie Knepper 34
45. Dempsey Wilson 30
46. Jerry Daniels 30
47 Ted Foltz 24
48 Wes Vandervoort 21
49. George Fejer 20
50 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
51. Malcom Brazier 12
52.. Dr. Lou Sell 10
53. Bob Herring 9
54. Grier Manning 8
55. Ralph Bruning 6
56. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after St Jovite:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1280**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 190 1085*
5. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
6. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
8. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 960**
9. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 900 930
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 730 910
11. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
12. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
13. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
14. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
15. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 800****
16. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
17. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
18.Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 445 650
19. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
20. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
21. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 490
22. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
23. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
24 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
25. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
26. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
27. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 310
28. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
29. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 260
30. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 260
31. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
32. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
33. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 200*
34. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 200
35. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
36. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 170
37. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 160
38. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
39 STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
40. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
41. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
42. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 140
43. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
44. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
45. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
46. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 120
47. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 105
48. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
49. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
50. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
51. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
52. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
53. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 65
54. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
55. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 60
56.Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
57. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 50
58. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
59. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
60. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
61. Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy 40
62. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
63. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
64. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
65. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 30
66. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
67. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
68. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 20
69. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
70. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 20
71 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
72. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
73 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
74 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
75. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
76.. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
77. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
78. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
79. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

ENTRY for Springfield:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1964 Ward-Offy
20 Rollie Beale S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose-T/Offy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy
45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
57 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky-Offy
66 Jim Reynard Eastside Racing 1952 Kuzma-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Offy
84 Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy
108 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Cavanaugh V8 1957 Kurtis Roadster-Chevy

[!!WALDO!!]

During the down time between st Jovite and Springfield things were still busy in the land of USAC.
Mel Kenyon held on tight to the point lead but Bob Tattersall wasn't letting him get too far away.
Larry Dickson was still top man in the sprints but Gary Bettenhausen was now on fire and winning but maybe to far back to catch up.
A.J. Foyt Jr was trying to work on his point lead in the Stock Cars as he was maintaining a nice point lead over Don White and Roger McCluskey. There were 3 races in a week with A.J. and Roger missing the Springfield Allen Crowe 100 in favor of the Indy Cars at Milwaukee right after the dirt car race.
Milwaukee had two races, a 150 on the previous Sunday and a 200 miler on Thursday before the Springfield/Milwaukee twin bill.
So A.J. was going to try to stengthen his lead in the points at those two races, turn the #31 over to boss Jack Bowsher for Springfield in those all important car owner points. With only 3 race scheduled after that, two 100's and a 250 back on the "MILE", it was getting close to crunch time in that series. It would be the first decided.

(NO REFERENCE, IMPLIED OR REAL TO ANY POSTER, LIVING, DEAD, or NOT YET BORN.)

[BobGarage]

out of interest Waldo.... what tires were used in 1968?

Was there a sole tire manufacturer (firestone?) or were there multiple manufacturers?

[!!WALDO!!]

out of interest Waldo.... what tires were used in 1968?

Was there a sole tire manufacturer (firestone?) or were there multiple manufacturers?


TIRE WAR. At this point Goodyear had won 5 times with Bobby Unser, 2 times with Gordon Johncock and Gurney and 1 time with Foyt.
Firestone had 5 wins with Al Unser, 2 wins with Mario and 1 win with Lloyd Ruby.
So Goodyear led 10 wins to 8 at this point.

[!!WALDO!!]

The night before at Joe Shaheen’s Little Springfield on Clear Lake Rd. 52 Midgets showed up for a USAC show. Cars from USAC/UARA/SLARA/BMRA were all there. Nice crowd to see the “Prelude to the Bettenhausen.”
After a practice session that saw the Leader Card Rislone Team working real hard to determine what was wrong with Bobby Unser’s car. Greg Weld’s crew was also working very hard to see if their problem was terminal or not. During practice speeds were down as the track was drying out. Teams look at what would it take to be in the fastest 18 varied from 36.00 (100MPH) to 36.20 (99.448). The first car to take time would be Wally Dallenbach.
Wally in the old Vollstedt car set a time that was in the 100MPH range and the finger nail biting began. Next car was missing as Bobby Unser had a burnt piston and was done for the day. Al Unser went out and put up a mark for everyone to aim at 34.960, 102.975 well below the 32.89 of Jim McElreath in 1965. Mario was up in the aging but winning Kuzma and placed a time that would be second. Bill Vukovich moved Mario back a spot but Roger McCluskey in an old Kuzma moved both back another spot. Foyt was out in his new car built by him and Wally Meskowski now turned in the second fastest time moving everyone back. The question was how many could take advantage of these rapidly changing conditions? Gary Bettenhausen put the Thermo-King car next to Al as he was going to try to win the Memorial race for his Dad. Next car up was Denver Supermodified Ace, Jim Malloy in his first dirt appearance driving the car that sat on three poles last year with the Ford, became the second slowest car in the field. Belleville, Illinois’ Arnie Knepper in the pretty MVS entry moved Malloy up as he set second slowest time. George Snider, the runner up in 1965 at this race was out in the 1966 winning car and does well but is currently seventh. Bud Tingelstad was struggling with his run but he wasn’t slowest but next to slowest. USAC Sprint Car Point leader didn’t have a good “Dickson” run but he would more than likely race as 12 cars were in with 10 to go. Carl Williams in the Jake Vargo car goes ninth fastest but comes in on lap 2 with an expensive sounding problem.
Chuck Booth goes out in the former front row starter here in 1963 with Johnny Rutherford and if he had gone early had a time but later it was 8th. UARA Midget driver from Joliet, IL, Roger West goes out and surprises the world with a 7th fastest time. Ralph Ligouri goes out and goes the slowest of the 16 cars timed in. Rollie Beale in the #20 saves Ralph by turning in a time slower. The next car would be the 18th car and three time pole sitter in 1967, Bruce Walkup in the 8 year old Brenn Car puts up the 15th fastest time. With 4 left he was not in. Jim Reynard goes out in the Kuzma that last raced at Springfield in 1964 when it flipped killing Bill Horstmeyer, qualified but 19th fastest. Three cars and two may be strong but first was the second appearance of a Roadster and Jigger Sirois got the Cavanaugh car up on the cushion and qualified 16th, bumping Rollie Beale from the line up. On the Bubble was Ralphie “the Racer”. Roxana, IL driver Bill Puterbaugh in the 1951 Kurtis 4000D causes hearts to stop as he sets 11th fastest time and Ligouri is bumped with Weld to go. Greg’s car would not fire so it was now over and the field was set but was it. Jake Vargo walked over to USAC and advised them they were done and were withdrawn. So starting 18th was Ralphie “the Racer” Ligouri and Rollie Beale was standing by as Alternate.
LINE-UP:
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy 34.960, 102.975
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy

58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy

44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy
84 Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy

67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1
45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy

19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1964 Ward-Offy
57 Bruce Walkup Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy

108 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Cavanaugh V8 1957 Kurtis Roadster-Chevy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List Milwaukee Tony Bettenhausen 200:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky D-Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe-Turbo/Offy
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
81 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

At 4:00PM CDT the Wide World of Sports went live nationwide from Springfield, IL. From my seat half way up south of the Start/Finish line, I could see Jim and Rodger down and to my left and the 18 starters with their external starters already inserted for the magic words. The crowd was enough to increase the purse by $533.00 plus the $1,000 split between Unser and Foyt. The TV money went to USAC and not shared with Louis London or the competitors.
Looking at the field you had the Pole Sitter, Al Unser, the only winner of a dirt race this season. Sentimental favorite Gary Bettenhausen, driving to win a race won by his dad and named in his honor. A.J. Foyt, the winner of 3 of the last 4 races here at Springfield. Then there is Roger McCluskey, who never won on dirt but won two USAC Sprint Car Titles so he knew his way around. Billy Vukovich was the third best driver on dirt in 1967, driving the second place car of 1965. Of course Mario Andretti in a car that won 23 times and Mario won the Hoosier 100 twice and was runner up here the last two years. Back a bit you had George Snider that loved Springfield and 1967 pole sitter, Larry Dickson that would be expected to move up and compete.
Soon it was time for those magic words. Who comes out and is handed the microphone but Mr. Tony Hulman. “Gentlemen Start Your ennginness.” The whine of the starters followed by 15 251.9 Offys, a 255.1 Ford and 2 305 Chevies roar into life. The starters are being dragged off as the cars are pushed off in 9 rows of two.
At the end of the second lap it was time to get this deal started. The cars were nearly perfect as the green came out and Al led the field to the line. Going into to turn 1 Gary got the jump and the cushion and drove away. The Phil Casey wrenched car was on a rail as Gary led lap 1 and looked like he could lead them all. Al Unser held on to second with Foyt, Mario and Roger McCluskey fighting it out. The racing back behind Gary was actually very good. At 10 laps it was Gary in one area code and the rest of the field in another. All of a sudden a white car running near the front pulled down and started heading to going behind the wall. Car had a blue 2 on it, so we lost Mario, 12 laps in with a blown engine. Just as that shock started to wear of off an orange car with #1 on it headed for the same opening. A.J.’s new car broke a magneto and was heading for the trailer. Wow, two contenders gone before 20 miles. Jigger Sirois joined Mario and A.J. in watching the race as he was wore out handling an ill handling roadster on the dry track.
Gary’s lead came to an end when Chuck Booth bounced his car off the Turn 2 wall, bring out the caution. Bruce Walkup was already in the pits trying to find out why the car wasn’t running. Soon he was pushed off and out of the race. This meant only 13 cars were running with Mario 18th, A.J. 17th, Jigger 16th, Bruce 15th, and Chuck 14th. Chuck was a little shook up but the car needed work before DuQuoin.
Once the green came back out Gary was gone and it remained that was at the half way point, Gary led Al, Roger, Snider, Vukovich, Dickson and Malloy on the lead lap with Tinglestad, Dallenbach and Puterbaugh one lap down. Arnie Knepper spent some time in the pits and lost many laps as did Roger West but they were running.
On lap 72 the whole thing changed as Gary Bettenhausen’s engine exploded going into Turn 1 and the caution came out as he came to a stop on the back stretch. Al Unser looked like he was having a problem he came out of 4 and pulled to the inside, leading that lap but pitting on the south end. He turned the wheel and the wheels did not turn. George Bignotti motioned to shut off and get out, Al’s race was over. He was scored 12th.
The new leader was the 4th fastest qualifier, Roger McCluskey and when green he pulled away. Behind Roger was a pretty spirited battle between Dickson, Snider and Vukovich. They gradually fell back to 5 to 6 seconds back as Roger was on cruise control.
In 1:06:37.96 Roger McCluskey won his second career Champ Car race and first on dirt. His average speed was 90.046MPH and ahead of Larry Dickson, George Snider and Billy Vukovich. The rest of the 11 cars were scored as follows:
5. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 -1
6. Bill Puterbaugh Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy -2
7. Wally Dallenbach Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy -2
8. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy -2
9. Ralph Liguori Joe Hunt Magneto #99 1961 Lesovsky-Offy -3
10. Roger West T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy -10
11. Arnie Knepper MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy -21

It was a quick turn around to get ready for the stage show starring Red Skelton and some of the cars were heading home while others made their way to the Milwaukee Mile.


Points after Springfield:
1. Bobby Unser 3010*****
2. Al Unser 1995*****
3. Mario Andretti 1938**
4. Lloyd Ruby 1829*
5. Billy Vukovich 1270
6. Dan Gurney 1200**
7. Gordon Johncock 1077**
8. Jim Malloy 1075
9. Mel Kenyon 1055
10. Wally Dallenbach 950
11. A.J. Foyt 800*
12. George Snider 735
13. Ronnie Buckman 680
14. Roger McCluskey 643*
15. Gary Bettenhausen 575
16. Joe Leonard 550
17. Larry Dickson 545
18. Mike Mosley 510
19 Art Pollard 475
20. Johnny Rutherford 410
21. Ronnie Duman 400X
22. Sam Sessions 385
23. John Cannon 385
24. Bud Tinglestad 376
25. Jim McElreath 261
26. Max Dudley 260
27. Bill Puterbaugh 245
28. Rick Muther 210
29. Mark Donohue 200
30. Sonny Ates 170
31. Bobby Grim 150
32. Carl Williams 150
33. Bruce Walkup 140
34. Bob Veith 100
35. George Follmer 90
36. Keith Rachwitz 80
37. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
38. Jack Eiteljorg 70
39. Chuck Booth 65
40. Bob Harkey 60
41. Chuck Hulse 60$
42. Arnie Knepper 54
43. Bud Morley 50
44. Bob Hurt 45#
45. Ralph Liguori 40
46. Dempsey Wilson 30
47. Jerry Daniels 30
48. Roger West 30
49. Ted Foltz 24
50. Wes Vandervoort 21
51. George Fejer 20
52 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
53. Malcom Brazier 12
54. Dr. Lou Sell 10
55. Bob Herring 9
56. Grier Manning 8
57. Ralph Bruning 6
58. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Springfield:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1280**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895* Ford 190 1085*
5. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
6. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
8. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 960**
9. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 900 930
10. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 730 910
11. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
12. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
13. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 800*
14. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
15. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 800****
16. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
17. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
18.Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 445 650
19. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
20. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
21. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 490
22. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
23. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
24 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
25. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
26. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
27. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 310
28. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
29. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 260
30. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 260
31. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 260
32. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 210*
33. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
34. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
35. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 200
36. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 200*
37. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 190
38. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 190
39. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
40. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 140
41. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 170
42. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 160
43. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
44. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
45. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
46. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
47. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
48. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
49. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
50. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
51. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 120
52. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
53. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
54. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
55. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
56. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 80
57. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
58. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
59. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 65
60. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
61.Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
62. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
63. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 50
64. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
65. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
66. Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy 40
67. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
68. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
69. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
70. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
71. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
72. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
73. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
74. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 20
75. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 20
76 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
77. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
78 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
79 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
80. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
81. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
82. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
83. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
81. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Bobby Unser was the first car out and broke Roger McCluskey’s track record. Then 4 cars later Wally Dallenbach lowered it even more. With 24 cars and 26 spots open nobody was going to get stupid. Art Pollard goes out and smashes all records in the Turbine. Later Joe Leonard goes out and joins the front row with a strong run. So the first time in history the front row is all turbines.
A huge crowd under cool, overcast conditions helped the track record issues and the $46,700 purse with Bobby and A.J. getting paid appearance money. 9 out of 10 of the top point drivers were there in the largest single race point event since Indy.

Starting Line Up Tony Bettenhausen 200:
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 30.190 119.275NTR
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4WD
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy

38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1966 Lola-Ford
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe-Turbo/Offy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy

61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
81 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky D-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

So for only the second time has Lotus Cars occupied the front row, the last time was Jim Clark and Dan Gurney in 1963. This appeared to be a race that could get interesting over the 200 mile grind.
At the drop of the Green, Art Pollard got it going and took the lead over Joe and Bobby. Interestingly two drivers that needed to be in Springfield for a USAC Stock race were the first two, parked. Foyt lasted 3 laps and had a broken fuel pump and Roger made it 14 miles before he broke his axle. With 22 cars running a blanket was able to cover the top 5 at 15 miles. In traffic Bobby squeezed by Art as Wally Dallenbach grew a very large pair. Bobby led for 7 laps and Wally got by for a couple when Art went steaming by and into a small lead. There appeared to be a brake issue was starting as boards were being shown to both Art and Joe to take it easy. Lap 33 make the end of the Mel and Don Kenyon effort for the day with serious engine problems. At 50 laps it was Pollard, Leonard, B. Unser, A. Unser, Andretti, Dallenbach and Ruby all on the lead lap, Johncock, Bettenhausen and Mosley a lap back. On lap 54 Joe took the lead as an effort to keep the brakes cool and Joe led for awhile. Jigger Sirois in the rebuilt Central Excavating car made it to lap 62 before his suspension failed. Mosley came to grief with some rear end gremlins that Watson was determined to fix. Race had no cautions and loads of traffic. At 75 Miles, Joe, Art, Bobby, Al, Mario, Ruby and a slowing Dallenbach on the lead lap with Johncock, Bettenhausen and Sessions. No cautions as distance records were being established. Bud Tinglestad had a mechanical that was being worked on. On lap 88 Wally Dallenbach was out and placed 17th with three cars maybe still running. Roger West was gone before the 100 mile point with clutch problems. On lap 90 Joe gave up the lead to Art as the cooling trick appeared to be working.
At the crossed flags, Art, Joe, Al, Mario and Lloyd were on the lead lap with Bobby fading to a lap down, Gordy was 2 down as was Gary, Sam and Billy V were 3 laps down. New 100 mile record was established as all of Parnelli Jones 1964 records were being erased that were set in a Lotus 34.
The second half looked like the first half with 18 cars running and two of those, hurting.
At lap 122, Joe Leonard lost his brakes, he lost speed and eventually coasted in and grabbed to a stop. He led 37 laps, but Art looked like he was struggling in traffic as this race was famous for. On lap 130, Al Unser got by and took off as the #20 began to fade backwards.
At Lap 150, A. Unser, Ruby, Andretti and Pollard on the lead lap, B. Unser, was a lap down, Johncock was 2 laps down, Bettenhausen, Sessions, Vukovich and Malloy were 3 plus laps back, all running on their own lap.
Lloyd Ruby was up on the wheel and working Al, and on lap 167 we had new leader. Gordon Johncock was officially gone with a broken universal joint. Al was fading and with 25 laps to go, Ruby led, Mario, Al on the lead lap, Art was a lap back. Farther back were Bettenhausen, Sessions, Vukovich, Malloy and McElreath.
Mario appeared no match for “Rube” as the #20 coasts in with no brakes also. He is scored 14th.
In 1:50:21.579 Lloyd Ruby sweeps the Milwaukee events for 1968, the first driver since Mario in 1966 and the Governor’s Cup was his. Lloyd averaged 108.735 breaking the old record of 104.751 set in 1964 by Parnelli Jones. Mario finished over a half a lap back in second. The following cars were still running:
3. Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford #5 4WD -1
4. Bobby Unser Rislone #3 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy -2
5. Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King #11 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
6. Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick #14 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -6
7. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy -7
8. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1968 Vollstedt-Ford -8
9. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #38 1966 Lola-Ford -10
10. Arnie Knepper MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford -10
11. Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle-Ford -11
12. Max Dudley Dudley Trucking #61 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy -12
13. Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks #59 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe-Turbo/Offy -13
17. Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #90 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy -80
18. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -93
So looking at things Goodyear won at Springfield and Firestone at Milwaukee so it was now 11 to 9 with Goodyear in the lead.
Engine wars were interesting as Meyer Engineering the caretakers of the Fords they had 8 wins all with the 255.1. Drake Engineering the builder of the Offys have 7 with the 168 Turbo Offys and 2 with the 251.9 engine.
Weslake had two and Chevy had one.
Next race was Labor Day on the Dirt at DuQuoin, IL.

Points after Milwaukee
1. Bobby Unser 3250*****
2. Al Unser 2275*****
3. Mario Andretti 2258**
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229**
5. Billy Vukovich 1390
6. Dan Gurney 1200**
7. Jim Malloy 1175
8. Gordon Johncock 1077**
9. Mel Kenyon 1055
10. Wally Dallenbach 950
11. A.J. Foyt 800*
12. Gary Bettenhausen 775
13. George Snider 735
14. Ronnie Buckman 680
15. Roger McCluskey 643*
16. Joe Leonard 550
17. Larry Dickson 545
18. Sam Sessions 545
19. Mike Mosley 510
20 Art Pollard 475
21. Johnny Rutherford 450
22. Ronnie Duman 400X
23. John Cannon 385
24. Bud Tinglestad 376
25. Jim McElreath 341
26. Max Dudley 280
27. Bill Puterbaugh 245
28. Rick Muther 210
29. Mark Donohue 200
30. Sonny Ates 170
31. Bobby Grim 150
32. Carl Williams 150
33. Bruce Walkup 140
34. Arnie Knepper 114
35. Bob Veith 100
36. George Follmer 90
37. Keith Rachwitz 80
38. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
39. Jack Eiteljorg 70
40. Chuck Booth 65
41. Bob Harkey 60
42. Chuck Hulse 60$
43. Bud Morley 50
44. Bob Hurt 45#
45. Ralph Liguori 40
46. Dempsey Wilson 30
47. Jerry Daniels 30
48. Roger West 30
49. Ted Foltz 24
50. Wes Vandervoort 21
51. George Fejer 20
52 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
53. Malcom Brazier 12
54. Dr. Lou Sell 10
55. Bob Herring 9
56. Grier Manning 8
57. Ralph Bruning 6
58. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Milwaukee:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
5. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
6. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
8. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
9. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
10. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
11. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 850 1030
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
14. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
15. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 645 850
16. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
17. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
18. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
19. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
20. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
21. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
22. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
23. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
24 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
25. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 420
26. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
27. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
28. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 310
29. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
30. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 280
31. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 260
32. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 240
33. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 210*
34. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
35. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
36. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 200*
37. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 190
38. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 190
39. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
40. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 140
41. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 170
42. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 160
43. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
44. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
45. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
46. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
47. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
48. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
49. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
50. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
51. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 120
52. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
53. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
54. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
55. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
56. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 80
57. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
58. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
59. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
60. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 65
61. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
62.Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
63. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
64. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 50
65. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
66. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
67. Dayton Steel Wheel #70 1950 Silnes-Offy 40
68. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
69. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
70. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
71. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
72. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
73. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
74. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
75. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 20
76 Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
77. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
78 Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
79 Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
80. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
81. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
82. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
83. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
81. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

ENTRY for DuQuoin:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy
12 Rollie Beale Kilman 1961 Meskowski-Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1964 Ward-Offy
20 Jerry “Scratch” Daniels S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose-T/Offy RE
31 Art Pollard McClure Plastic 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy
45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky-Offy
62 Bobby Grim Cleaver-Brooks Vollstedt Offy/TC RE
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1
68 George Benson Maxson 1959 Meskowski-Offy
69 Ernie Koch B&K 1952 Kuzma-Offy
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Offy
76 Bruce Jacobi Windmiller Trucking 1950 Silnes-Offy
77 Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel 1950 Silnes-Offy
84 Tom Bigelow Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy
108 Karl Busson Cavanaugh V8 1957 Kurtis Roadster-Chevy

[!!WALDO!!]

With 29 cars trying to get 18 spots qualifying for the Southern Illinois State Fair Ted Horn 100 would be very tough. Billy Vukovich was first out and put up a very nice time that looked very good. Jim Malloy in his second dirt effort got last year’s pole sitter here, going but slower than the #98. Point leader Bobby Unser was next and timed in almost as fast as Vukovich so he looked like he would start. Al Unser was next and turned in a 36.700 and that was the new standard. Lloyd Ruby went out in the one of two Rear Engine cars and set a time that maybe questionable on the dry, dusty track. Mario was up but his time was slower than Bobby’s but faster than 2 others. Wally Dallenbach in the Tassi Vatis Vollstedt got up but maybe it was close to not making it. George Snider put the Watson #90 in at a time that should hold but it maybe just enough. Springfield winner, Roger McCluskey’s time looked very good as he out timed 4 cars. Gary Bettenhausen set a very disappointing time that only out timed 2 cars. The winner of the 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1967 versions of this race, A.J. Foyt in his new Foyt/Meskowski Offy puts up the second fastest time so far. Larry Dickson a strong runner timed in the slowest of the 12 cars so far. Local favorite and almost the winner of this race in 1966, Arnie Knepper put a time up that may or may not hold. If it does it will be close. The Jake Vargo entry with Carl Williams went faster than McCluskey and looks good to start. The 1966 winner Bud Tinglestad cannot do any better than 15th fastest so far. Chuck Booth in the Boyce Holt Chevy struggles and times in 16th. Defending USAC Sprint Car Champion, Greg Weld times in just ahead of Booth but it doesn’t look good. Tom Bigelow making his first start put the old, Kurtis 4000D in the race with the 11th fastest time so far. Now the field was full and bumping would begin. Ralph Ligouri got the Joe Hunt car up and going and took out Booth. Roger West was next and took out Greg Weld but put himself on the boarder of making it. Bobby Grim goes out and bumps Tinglestad a puts himself on the bubble. Karl Busson in the Cavanaugh Roadster takes Grim out but leaves himself 18th fastest. With 7 to go Ralph Ligouri was now safe and everyone ahead of him. Ernie Koch from Oregon goes out a bumps Busson but he too is on the Bubble and dodges a bullet as Rollie Beale is just too slow. 5 cars to go so both Gary Bettenhausen and Arnie Knepper were now safe as the track was getting slower but was it. Bill Puterbaugh in the Dayton Steel Wheel ancient Silnes goes out and bumps, Koch with the second fastest time of the day. The Roxana, IL driver gets a standing ovation for that run. Jerry Daniels in the questionable #20 found something as bumped his Nazareth ride from the starting field and would start the Horn. West Coast Midget driver George Benson made the grade in the Maxson Meskowski-Offy and bumped Lloyd Ruby from the field and was safe with 2 to go. Art Pollard not known for his dirt expertise put the second Rolla Vollstedt built dirt car in the race with the 13th fastest time and bye bye to Roger West. Wally Dallenbach was on the bubble with another Silnes car from 1950 to go and veteran Bruce Jacobi. Another car that hooked up well and posted 7th fastest time, out goes Dallenbach. In creditable qualifying and an unlikely line up.

Starting Line-up.
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy 36.700 98.093
77 Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel 1950 Silnes-Offy

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy

76 Bruce Jacobi Windmiller Trucking 1950 Silnes-Offy
52 Carl Williams Vargo Excavating 1960 Meskowski-Offy

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1

20 Jerry “Scratch” Daniels S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
84 Tom Bigelow Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy

90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
31 Art Pollard McClure Plastic 1959 Vollstedt-Offy

99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy

19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1964 Ward-Offy
68 George Benson Maxson 1959 Meskowski-Offy

54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy Alternate

[!!WALDO!!]

A nice crowd caused the purse to swell by $4,390 as 19,000 plus was looking on this hot and sunny Labor Day. Who would win? Foyt, the all time winner here, Al Unser the hottest driver so far, brother Bobby who never won on the dirt but was in contention to win this race 2 years earlier. The interest was there but it remained to be seen who had the steed today as 75 miles and beyond this track became like a plowed field.
When the 18 cars came out of turn 4 for the green flag and Al led them across the line, something happened, Puterbaugh crowded Al and the whole inside got stacked up as Vukovich and 6th starting Andretti moved to P1 and P2. No accident as everyone got sorted but Vuky was leading with Mario, Al and A.J. following. Vukovich held the point through 6 laps when Mario swept passed on the backstretch on lap 7 and took over the lead. A.J. went by Vukovich 4 laps later and it appeared that the front two would settle this themselves and the rest were fighting for what they could get. Bobby Unser’s search for points ended before the quarter mark with ignition problems. Before a 1/3 of the way home both Ligouri and Knepper had problems and Grant King was trying to get the Malloy car running again. Mario led but by yards over Foyt who was walking away from Vukovich. At the half way point the yellow was out for Bruce Jacobi as he spun in T-1 and was able to restart but lost 4 laps.
Once green again the field settle down to Mario, A.J. and Billy with Al and 16th starting Gary Bettenhausen fighting it out for 4th. Roger, Tom Bigelow and Art Pollard were doing well with Williams and Puterbaugh holding down the top 10. On lap 70 Art Pollard wrecked the #31 car real well when he jumped the cushion and got sucked into the fourth turn wall. Another 4 slow laps and there were several cars that seemed to be unhealthy at this stage of the event.
Once green Mario continue to lead of Foyt as both were strong but the 23 racing winning Kuzma appeared to be heading for number 24. Foyt was just keeping pressure as the rest of the field was just circulating to pick up positions.
No stopping Mario as he won his third race of the year, leading 94 laps and his 3rd win on dirt of career. His time was 1:05:33.66 or 91.518MPH for the 100 miles beating Foyt by a little over 1.7 seconds and Billy Vukovich by 27.6 seconds, the only three drivers to go all 100 miles. So the $23,790 purse made Mario about $8,500 richer for his efforts.
The balance of the finishers is as follows:
4. Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King # 11 1964 Ward-Offy -1
5. Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy # 8 1959 Kuzma-Offy -1
6. Tom Bigelow Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy -2
7. Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy -2
8. Jerry “Scratch” Daniels S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy -4
9. George Benson Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy -5
10. George Snider Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy -8
11. Bill Puterbaugh Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy -8
12. Bruce Jacobi Windmiller Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy -8
13. Carl Williams Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy -11
15. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 -45

Points after DuQuoin:
1. Bobby Unser 3250*****
2. Mario Andretti 2458***
3. Al Unser 2235*****
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229**
5. Billy Vukovich 1530
6. Dan Gurney 1200**
7. Jim Malloy 1175
8. Gordon Johncock 1077**
9. Mel Kenyon 1055
10. A.J. Foyt 960*
11. Wally Dallenbach 950
12. Gary Bettenhausen 895
13. George Snider 765
14. Roger McCluskey 743*
15. Ronnie Buckman 680
16. Joe Leonard 550
17. Larry Dickson 545
18. Sam Sessions 545
19. Mike Mosley 510
20 Art Pollard 475
21. Johnny Rutherford 450
22. Ronnie Duman 400X
23. John Cannon 385
24. Bud Tinglestad 376
25. Jim McElreath 341
26. Max Dudley 280
27. Bill Puterbaugh 265
28. Rick Muther 210
29. Mark Donohue 200
30. Sonny Ates 170
31. Bobby Grim 150
32. Carl Williams 150
33. Bruce Walkup 140
34. Arnie Knepper 114
35. Bob Veith 100
36. George Follmer 90
37. Keith Rachwitz 80
38. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
39. Tom Bigelow 80
40. Jerry Daniels 80
41. Jack Eiteljorg 70
42. Chuck Booth 65
43. Bob Harkey 60
44. Chuck Hulse 60$
45. Bud Morley 50
46. Bob Hurt 45#
47. Ralph Liguori 40
48. George Benson 40
49. Dempsey Wilson 30
50. Roger West 30
51. Ted Foltz 24
52. Wes Vandervoort 21
53. George Fejer 20
54 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
55. Malcom Brazier 12
56. Dr. Lou Sell 10
57. Bruce Jacobi 10
58. Bob Herring 9
59. Grier Manning 8
60. Ralph Bruning 6
61. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after DuQuoin:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
5. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
6. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
8. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
9. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
10. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
11. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 850 1030
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
14. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
15. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 645 850
16. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
17. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
18. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
19. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
20. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
21. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
22. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
23. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
24 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
25. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 420
26. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 400
27. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
28. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 360*
29. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
30. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 310
31. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 300*
32. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 280
33. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
34. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 270*
35. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 240
36. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 240
37. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 220
38. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
39. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
40. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
41. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 190
42. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
43. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 170
44. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 160
45. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
46. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
47. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
48. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
49. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
50. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
51. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
52. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
53. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
54. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
55. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
56. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
57. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 80
58. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
59. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
60. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
61. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 65
62. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
63. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
64. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
65. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
66. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 50
67. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 50
68. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
69. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
70. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
71. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 40
72. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
73. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
74. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
75. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
76. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
77. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
78. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 20
79. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
80. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
81. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
82. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
83. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
84. Windmiller Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 10
85. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
86. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
87. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
88. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5
Next race the HOOSIER 100.

[!!WALDO!!]

NEWS AND NOTES:
This weekend was going to be a busy weekend as the USAC Sprints would be at IRP on Friday Night. The Championship trail would be at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the currently second richest race on the trail, the Hoosier 100. On Sunday the Midgets race at Terre Haute in the Hut 100 and the USAC Stock cars go to Milwaukee for the final race of the season, the Governor’s Cup 250.

For Foyt to win the USAC Stock Car Title he needs just to keep Don White and Roger McCluskey in sight at the Milwaukee race.

The Hoosier 100 has a lap prize of $100.00 per lap led so $10.000 that promoter Harry McQuinn would go out and get. With a crowd the total purse should be past $60,000. A patterned has started to develop at the Hoosier 100. In 1960 and 1961 Foyt won it. In 1962 Parnelli Jones and in 1963 Rodger Ward. In 1964-1965 Foyt again and in 1966-1967 Andretti so was 1968 going to be Foyt again?

Andretti=Brawner racing announced that they will be racing the Brawner II Hawk with a Turbo-Offy starting the Trenton 200 the race following the Hoosier 100. They feel this could give them an advantage to catch Bobby Unser’s whose fortunes have been sagging.

Both Bobby and Mario will helicopter out of the Fairgrounds to Weir Cook and to Monza for the Italian GP. Bobby is to drive a BRM and Mario for Team Lotus as a warm up to the U.S.G.P at Watkins Glen.

USAC also announced that the Michigan International Speedway round which was tentative was now confirmed as it was now near complete for the 10/13 Michigan Inaugural 250. Don Dakin, the promoter/owner has already found over $35,000 in sponsorship plus the $18,400 and $1,000 in appearance money the purse was already past $54,000 making it the third highest paying show of the year so far.

In the Wars: Firestone won at DuQuoin it was now 11 to 10 with Goodyear in the lead.
Engine wars were interesting as Meyer Engineering the caretakers of the Fords they had 8 wins all with the 255.1. Drake Engineering the builder of the Offys have 7 with the 168 Turbo Offys and 3 with the 251.9 engine. Weslake-Ford had two and Chevy had one. So it was "Ford" 10 and Offy 10

ENTRY for HOOSIER 100:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1964 Ward-Offy
20 Jerry “Scratch” Daniels S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White 1967 Mongoose-T/Offy RE
31 Art Pollard McClure Plastic 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy
45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky-Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks Brabham Offy/TC RE
66 Jim Reynard Eastside Racing 1952 Kuzma-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1
68 George Benson Maxson 1959 Meskowski-Offy
69 Ernie Koch B&K 1952 Kuzma-Offy
70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Offy
76 Bruce Jacobi Windmiller Trucking 1950 Silnes-Offy
84 Tom Bigelow Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy
108 Karl Busson Cavanaugh V8 1957 Kurtis Roadster-Chevy

[!!WALDO!!]

The day was Hot and Sunny but the track was in ideal condition for fast qualifying. 27,150 were on hand to boaster the purse to $34.00 less than $62,000. Al Unser drew the one spot and broke Bruce Walkup’s year old record by a long shot. Next was Mario and bye-bye Al Unser’s record and 107.111 was now the standard. This was over 3 MPH faster than the Walkup record. Lloyd Ruby could not hook up the Mongoose RE car on the heavy track and was third fastest but very slow. Billy Vukovich in a former winning car gets it going with a safe speed. He was now third fastest. Bobby Unser is hooked and gets under the old Walkup speed and is now third fastest. Wally Dallenbach takes advantage of his draw and times in relatively safe at this point although the second slowest. Jim Malloy in the former record setter does not do quite as well as Walkup in 1967 but it looks ok as now the second slowest time. Springfield winner Roger McCluskey gets 4th fastest time as the sun and cars are starting to dry out the track. The next is the 4 time winner, Anthony Joseph and he times in 6th fastest and is solidly in. Gary Bettenhausen is a hair slower than Foyt and is 7th Fastest at this point. The 1963 winning Watson was next with George Snider in the seat and George looks good and sets 5th fastest time. Larry Dickson in the ex-Deans Blum takes advantage of what was left of the heaviness of the track and posts 9th fastest time. As it turns out this locks the top 10 as nobody would go faster than Wally Dallenbach, the 10th fastest. The thirteenth qualifier was Bud Tinglestad and he sets 12th fastest time but he is nervous. Bruce Walkup in the other Hayhoe RE car makes the grade but just faster than Ruby. Roger West goes out and is in but 13th Fastest as the field is filling. Karl Busson in the Cavanaugh Roadster sets the slowest time so far and that made Ruby and Walkup happy. Jim Reynard trying to make it in with his old Kuzma gave more cushion to Ruby as he timed in 16th. Ernie Koch gets the slowest time and is the 18th fastest. Bruce Jacobi in the ancient Silnes gets the 16th fastest time with too many cars to go. Tom Bigelow miss fires his way to being way to slow and not qualifying the ancient Kurtis goes home.
Jerry Daniels goes out and “scratches” out the 11th fastest time and sends Ernie Koch to the trailer. Karl Busson moves to the bubble and only has to wait for Arnie Knepper as he almost duplicates the Daniels and is 12th fastest and will race. Chuck Booth in the Chevy Turner knock out the Silnes of Jacobi and with 4 cars to go is in. Lloyd Ruby chances are ruined by Ralph Liguori as the Hunt car gets the 15th fastest time so he will race. George Benson blows away Bruce Walkup with the 13th fastest time and will race and now West and Tinglestad are the only ones not safe. Greg Weld does get the second Chevy into the race with the 15th fastest time so Roger West is sent home. Art Pollard now knows what he needs to get into the field and does so with ease and Bud Tinglestad is hoping some does not start as he is alternate. The field is set but a very big spread between fastest and slowest, about 9MPH.
Starting Line Up for HOOSIER 100:
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy 33.610 107.111
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy

90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy

45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy

20 Jerry “Scratch” Daniels S&D 1958 Meskowski-Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1964 Ward-Offy

68 George Benson Maxson 1959 Meskowski-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1

70 Greg Weld Smith Speed Shop 1964 Ward-Offy
44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy

31 Art Pollard McClure Plastic 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
99 Ralph Liquori Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy Alternate

[!!WALDO!!]

The race was going to be slower than qualifying as the cushion was spritzed and 18 cars were ready for the Hoosier Century and a big payday possible.
When the Green came out it looked like Mario had nothing Al Unser took to the lead and led with ease. A.J. moved quickly into 4th from his 7th spot and was hunting toward the lead. Ralph Liguori made it 6 laps when he had throttle problems and then both Greg Weld and Bobby Unser looked like they had terminal problems. Both were out and Foyt flies into second and is chasing down Unser. On lap 19 Foyt goes into the lead as Al appears to be misfiring and Foyt is gone and the race for second is on. Al is done before 25 miles with a soured Magneto and before the half way point, Malloy and Dallenbach blew engines as they were geared wrong for this dry track. At 50 miles it was Foyt, Andretti, McCluskey, Snider, Vukovich, Bettenhausen, Dickson, Daniels, Benson and Knepper. All cars were on the lead lap. On the 64th lap Roger McCluskey broke a rod and ended his day and Booth did stop to solve a mechanical problem. Foyt had a quarter lap lead and began to lap Pollard and Daniels and was hunting 7th place runner Benson when the Checkered flew and Foyt did it in 1:04:18.76 or 93.296MPH. Mario Andretti was second, George Snider was 3rd, Gary Bettenhausen was 4th, Bill Vukovich was 5th, Arnie Knepper was 6th, Larry Dickson was 7th and George Benson 8th and Rookie of the Race. Those cars finished all 100 miles. The following are the balance of the runners:
9. Jerry “Scratch” Daniels S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy -1
10. Art Pollard McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy -1
11. Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner-Chevy -7

Points after Indianapolis:
1. Bobby Unser 3250*****
2. Mario Andretti 2618***
3. Al Unser 2235*****
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229**
5. Billy Vukovich 1630
6. Dan Gurney 1200**
7. Jim Malloy 1175
8. A.J. Foyt 1160**
9. Gordon Johncock 1077**
10. Mel Kenyon 1055
11. Gary Bettenhausen 1015
12. Wally Dallenbach 950
13. George Snider 905
14. Roger McCluskey 753*
15. Ronnie Buckman 680
16. Larry Dickson 605
17. Joe Leonard 550
18. Sam Sessions 545
19. Mike Mosley 510
20 Art Pollard 505
21. Johnny Rutherford 450
22. Ronnie Duman 400X
23. John Cannon 385
24. Bud Tinglestad 376
25. Jim McElreath 341
26. Max Dudley 280
27. Bill Puterbaugh 265
28. Rick Muther 210
29. Mark Donohue 200
30. Arnie Knepper 194
31. Sonny Ates 170
32. Bobby Grim 150
33. Carl Williams 150
34. Bruce Walkup 140
35 Jerry Daniels 120
36. Bob Veith 100
37. George Follmer 90
38. George Benson 90
39. Chuck Booth 85
40. Keith Rachwitz 80
41. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
42. Tom Bigelow 80
43 Jack Eiteljorg 70
44. Bob Harkey 60
45. Chuck Hulse 60$
46. Bud Morley 50
47. Bob Hurt 45#
48. Ralph Liguori 40
49. Dempsey Wilson 30
50. Roger West 30
51. Ted Foltz 24
52. Wes Vandervoort 21
53. George Fejer 20
54 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
55. Malcom Brazier 12
56. Dr. Lou Sell 10
57. Bruce Jacobi 10
58. Bob Herring 9
59. Grier Manning 8
60. Ralph Bruning 6
61. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Indianapolis:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
5. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
6. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
7. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
8. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
9. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
10. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
11. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 850 1030
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
14. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
15. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 645 850
16. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
17. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
18. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
19. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
20. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
21. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
22. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 520*
23. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
24. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480
25. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 440
26 G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 60 435
27. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 420
28. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
29. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 360*
30. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
31. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 360
32. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
33. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 310
34. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 310*
35. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 280
36. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
37. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 270*
38. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 250
39. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 240
40. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
41. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
42. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
43. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
44. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 170
45. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 155
46. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 150
47. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
48. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 45 Ford 100 145
49. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
50. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
51. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
52. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
53. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
54. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
55. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
56. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
57. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 90
58. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
59. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
60. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
61. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 80
62. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
63. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
64. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
65. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
66. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
67. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
68. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
69. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 50
70. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
71. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
72. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
73. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
74. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
75. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
76. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 30
77. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
78. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
79. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
80. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
81. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
82. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
83. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
84. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
85. Windmiller Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 10
86. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
87. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
88. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
89. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

To finish things off: Foyt won over $19,300 for his Hoosier 100 win. Don White won Milwaukee but Foyt grabbed 4th thus the National Stock Car Title was his and the #31 Ford Torino owned by Jack Bowsher was the Car Champion.
Bobby Unser and Mario made it to Monza but due to no practice time were not allowed to compete. They would have to wait to the USGP.

Next race was the Trenton 200.

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry List Trenton 200: 9-22-1968
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Turbo-Ford 4WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
17 Henry Pens Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
26 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo-Offy
31 Carl Williams Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
36 Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy
44 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
.44 Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
57 Rollie Beale Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
66 Jim Reynard Eastside Racing 1952 Kuzma-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
81 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
87 Wib Spaulding California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
101 Bruce Jacobi Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
102 Leonard “Gig” Stephens Tuonic Engineering 1965 Halibrand-Offy
118 Al Smith Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy

[!!WALDO!!]

On a hot sunny Sunday, a fine field of cars were getting ready for qualifying and Sam Nunis was happy with 32,000 plus in the crowd and paying out $41,400. So when qualifying started the top 10 in points there would go first.
Billy Vukovich put a time that should be fastest enough to race later in the day. Bobby Unser sets fast time on lap one and breaks his suspension on lap 2, it looks like he will not be racing that car. Foyt goes out and posts the second fastest time behind Unser. Mario in the Brawner II-Turbo-Offy gets under his own record and sets fast time. Wally Dallenbach gets the Finley-Huffaker to the second slowest speed with many to go so it appeared he was safe. Al Unser goes out and knocks Mario off the pole with the fastest time and a NTR of 117.260MPH. Jimmy Malloy goes a bit faster than Vukovich so he was 6th fastest out of 7. Gordon Johncock’s fortunes have been fading for awhile and did not improve as he posted the slowest time so far. The “Rube” gets up on the wheel and sets the 3rd fastest time so far. Gary Bettenhausen takes the #11 out and gets the 3rd fastest time and is very happy.
Ten cars have qualified and Roger McCluskey is next up in the year old Eagle and slower than Dallenbach but more than likely safe. The STP Turbine of Art Pollard gets around the track conservatively and posts the 7th fastest time as track temps are climbing. Mike Mosley was now on the track and can only muster the slowest time and it maybe a little worrisome. Bud Tinglestad gets it going and goes faster than Johncock and Mosley. They went over and made a few adjustments to the #31 car of Williams. Sam Sessions in the surprise Caves Buick Gerhardt Turbo-Offy goes a bit faster than Tingy and has the 13th fastest time. 16th driver up was Arnie Knepper in the MVS entry and is 16th fastest.
Max Dudley brings forth his Chevy and nails the slowest time so far. Johnny Rutherford in the Pat Patrick entry gets going a little faster and appears to be safe. The 19th driver was Denny Zimmerman, a corporate pilot from Connecticut in the Bulldog Stables #36 and isn’t slowest but is close in his Gerhardt-Chevy. Illinois driver Wib Spaulding in the California Speed Sport, New Jersey based car of former driver, Joe Barzda actually does not do to bad and makes the grade but will have to dodge bullets. Chuck Booth in the .44 now numbered 41 with some tape post the slowest time in the Turner-Chevy Dirt Car. Another Dirt car is up, the New Jersey based Ken Brenn car with Toledo, Ohio’s Rollie Beale and he is in for the time being. Jigger Sirois is up in the Central Excavating Gerhardt and posts a safe time. Bruce Jacobi in the Earl Smith in the Gerhardt-Offy gets in but he is not very happy. Gig Stephens a local hero of the East post a slower time in the #102 Halibrand-Offy. Al Smith in his first attempt to qualify for Champ Car race in a modified Roadster with a Chevy and his time is now 25th. Word just came down that Bobby Unser’s problem is terminal and he would be replacing Mike Mosley in the #90. Joliet, IL driver Henry Pens, one of the hottest pavement Midget driver in 1968 is in the #17 Bryant Heating and Cooling Vollstedt and maybe is in. Jim McElreath in Jack Adams recently purchased Brawner-Brabham that was Mario’s rookie ride goes out. Since he is a car with no points like Jacobi’s, Stephens and Pens they go at the rear of the line. Jimmy gets this car going and will race and Al Smith will need to wait to start. Bob Harkey in the #26 Gerhardt-Turbo Offy makes it and is the second Bulldog Stables car in. Gig Stephens is bumped and Bruce Jacobi is on the bubble. Carl Williams in the #31 with the Tinglestad setup works and sets 9th fastest time and Bruce is gone and Booth to the bubble with 2 cars to go. Jim Reynard in the Kuzma Dirt car actually gets a nice second lap but is 27th fastest. Too bad only 26 qualify. Now the second Boyce Holt Entry is up and the target is the first Boyce Holt Entry of Chuck Booth. The 3 year old Gerhardt is faster than the 10 year old Turner Dirt Car so, Booth slides to alternate.
Starting Field:
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Turbo/Ford 4WD 30.701 117.260MPH NTR
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

31 Carl Williams Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford

19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
81 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

36 Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

44 Sonny Ates Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
26 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo-Offy

87 Wib Spaulding California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy
57 Rollie Beale Ken Brenn 1960 Meskowski D-Offy

17 Henry Pens Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
90 Bobby Unser * Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy

.44 (41) Chuck Booth Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy Alternate
*Replacing Mike Mosley

[!!WALDO!!]

So as Al and Mario led the field to that Starting Line many people were standing prepared to see a great race. Would this field of 26 drivers let them down only time would tell? The growl of the Turbo-Ford became more of a bite as Al Unser would go into history as leading the first lap ever in a Turbo-Ford. Sonny Ates’ Chevy made 3 miles before it was officially blown. Mario as dogging Al and Lloyd was doing the same to Mario. On lap 8 Mario gets past Al and leads for two laps before Lloyd gets under Mario and takes the lead. In 1967 Mario did not let Lloyd by in T-3 in this race and both were wrecked and Foyt spun to avoid it and drove through the field to win. Mario lost the title because of this and could not afford that stupidity again. Foyt kept the car off the wall in 1967 but not in 1968 as he hit the wall in T-1. Maybe an oil leak caused this? Jigger Sirois broke his clutch and was in the pits before the Foyt wreck and clean up was slow. Before the green it was determined that Bob Harkey was oiling and was out in the Bulldog Turbo-Offy. Once Green, Mario got the jump and took off with 21 cars in tow. Al Unser looked like he was suffering and Bobby Unser was moving neatly up through the field. At 41 miles Al Unser’s Turbo Charger waste gate failed and his day was over and maybe his championship hopes.
At the quarter mark it is Mario, Lloyd, Gary Bettenhausen, Pollard and McCluskey on the lead lap with Bobby, Wally, Gordy and Tingelstad. Max Dudley got Black Flagged for leaking oil and got credited with 50 miles and Denny Zimmerman’s first ride ended 63 miles in with a blown engine in the Bulldog Chevy. Gordon Johncock moved into the top 10 at 75 miles but was overheating on lap 81 and finished 19th. Bobby Unser is in the pits climbs out and Mike Mosley is in the car and they lose many laps but it switched. Wally Dallenbach is parked with no gears at 88 miles and Henry Pens blew up the Bryant #17.
Wally was back in a car as he took over the Adams Brawner Turbo-Offy of McElreath.
At 100 miles Mario, Lloyd, Art and Roger on the lead lap, Bettenhausen, Tingelstad, Sessions two laps back, Rutherford 3 laps back, Vukovich 4 laps back and Knepper 5 laps back.
Ruby decides to bring out the caution on the oily track as he hits the wall coming out of T-2. Another slow clean up and Wally breaks another set of gears in the Adams car and scored McElreath 15th. Carl Williams have been suffering through a long day as mechanical ills suffered are taking its toll in laps.
Arnie Knepper’s fine run into the top 10 is over on 134 with a blown engine and is scored 14th. At 150 miles: Mario, Roger on the lead lap, Art Pollard, 1 lap back, Tingelstad and Sessions 3 laps back, Bettenhausen and Rutherford 4 laps back, Vukovich 6 laps back, Malloy 7 laps back and Unser/Mosley 12 laps back,
Gary Bettenhausen had a Turbo go sour and was scored 12th and got 20 points, Jim Malloy’s tough day ended and got scored 11th and 40 points and it was because of his gear box.
Art Pollard broke a left rear suspension and that ended a top 3 run. So everyone moves up and Art is scored 10th and gets 60 points. 10 cars were running and Carl Williams will not make it to Bettenhausen’s distance. So he may make it to 13th.
With 25 miles to go, Mario and Roger were on the lead lap, Tingelstad and Sessions 4 laps back, Rutherford 5 laps back, Vukovich 7 laps back, Unser/Mosley 13 laps back, Wib Spaulding 15 laps back and Rollie Beale 20 laps back in 9th.
MARIO IS BACK!! As Mario leads 172 laps to win his second Trenton 200 and his 4th win of the season and is now 283 points back of Bobby Unser. Even though the next race is only 200 points to win, Mario is back. His winning time was 1:54:47.10 104.543MPH and was the only car to go all 200 miles. The 12 win by a Drake Engineering Engine and the 8th by a Turbo Offy. The following are the balance of the cars still running:
2. Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy #8 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy -1
3. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
4. Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick #14 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
5. Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle-Ford -6
6. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy -8
7. Bobby Unser/Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #90 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy -14
8. Wib Spaulding California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy -18
9. Rollie Beale Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy -22
13. Carl Williams Federal Engineering #31 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -44

[!!WALDO!!]

Points after Trenton:
1. Bobby Unser 3301*****
2. Mario Andretti 3018***
3. Al Unser 2235*****
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229**
5. Billy Vukovich 1790
6. Jim Malloy 1215
7. Dan Gurney 1200**
8. A.J. Foyt 1160**
9. Roger McCluskey 1083*
10. Gordon Johncock 1077**
11. Mel Kenyon 1055
12. Gary Bettenhausen 1035
13. Wally Dallenbach 950
14. George Snider 905
15. Sam Sessions 785
16. Ronnie Buckman 680
17. Bud Tinglestad 656
18. Johnny Rutherford 650
19. Larry Dickson 605
20. Mike Mosley 579
21. Art Pollard 565
22. Joe Leonard 550
23. Ronnie Duman 400X
24. John Cannon 385
25. Jim McElreath 341
26. Max Dudley 280
27. Bill Puterbaugh 265
28. Rick Muther 210
29. Mark Donohue 200
30. Arnie Knepper 194
31. Sonny Ates 170
32. Bobby Grim 150
33. Carl Williams 150
34. Bruce Walkup 140
35 Jerry Daniels 120
36. Bob Veith 100
37. Wib Spaulding 100
38. George Follmer 90
39. George Benson 90
40. Chuck Booth 85
41. Keith Rachwitz 80
42. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
43. Tom Bigelow 80
44. Rollie Beale 80
45 Jack Eiteljorg 70
46. Bob Harkey 60
47. Chuck Hulse 60$
48. Bud Morley 50
49. Bob Hurt 45#
50. Ralph Liguori 40
51. Dempsey Wilson 30
52. Roger West 30
53. Ted Foltz 24
54. Wes Vandervoort 21
55. George Fejer 20
56 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
57. Malcom Brazier 12
58. Dr. Lou Sell 10
59. Bruce Jacobi 10
60. Bob Herring 9
61. Grier Manning 8
62. Ralph Bruning 6
63. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Trenton:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
5. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
6. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 1010 1190
7. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
8. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
9. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
10. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
11. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
14. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 T/Offy 400* 880*
15. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
16. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 665 870
17. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
18. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 380 755
19. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
20. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
21. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 660
22. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 660
23. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
24. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 590
25. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
26. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
27. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 520*
28. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
29. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 440
30. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
31. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 360*
32. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
33. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 360
34. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
35. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 310*
36. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 280
37. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
38. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 270*
39. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 270
40. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 250
41. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 235
42. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
43. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 210
44. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
45. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
46. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 85 Ford 100 185
47. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
48. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
49. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
50. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
51. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
52. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
53. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
54. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
55. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
56. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
57. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 90
58. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
59. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
60. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
61. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 80
62. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
63. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
64. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
65. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
66. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
67. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
68. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
69. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 50
70. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
71. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
72. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
73. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
74. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
75. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
76. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 30
77. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
78. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
79. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
80. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
81. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
82. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
83. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
84. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
85. Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 10
86. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
87. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
88. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
89. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

ENTRY for Sacramento 100:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy
31 Art Pollard McClure Plastic 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1959 Edmunds-Turbo/Offy
65 Don Meacham Travelon Trailer 1955 Shilala-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1
68 George Benson Maxson 1959 Meskowski-Offy
76 Bruce Jacobi Windmill Trucking 1950 Silnes-Offy
84 Tom Bigelow Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy
99 Carl Williams Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy

[!!WALDO!!]

A hot sunny day in Sacramento brought out 11,650 for the J.C. Agajanian promotion and with some sponsorship help swelled the purse to $25,500. Too bad more cars couldn’t make the tow out to California. 19 cars makes only one car would go home as there was no promoters options. So qualifying would be tough on this rough dry track as it was one the slowest track and hardest to grab hold of.
Roger McCluskey was first out and disappointed himself but he would race. Mario went out in the old Kuzma and a 37.030 was now the speed to beat. Anthony Joseph was up next and the winner of the 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967 races here almost got Mario but was second fastest. Jim Malloy in the Ford and pole sitter in 1967 got it going an posted the third fastest time. Billy Vukovich got up to the fourth fastest time for the promoter’s car. Al Unser did not find it to his liking as he just out does McCluskey but will race. Bobby Unser gets a poor first lap and looks good on lap two but jumps the cushion and his first lap is slowest time so far. Gary Bettenhausen gets up on the wheel and sets third fastest time. Wally Dallenbach is up in the Valvoline Vollstedt and sets a time that will do at this point 6th. Larry Dickson in the Weinberger Homes Blum and he gets 6th fastest and is happy. Bud Tingelstad is good today and gets 5th fastest time in the old Meskowski. George Snider is up in the car that won here in 1963 and does fairly well and sets 8th fastest time. Art Pollard is next in the #31 Vollstedt and the Turbine Driver gets the 4 banger going but is second slowest thus safe. The famous Joe Hunt car is next with Carl Williams as jockey and missed the mark but is second slowest but races. Tom Bigelow is out in the Kurtis 4000 and is 13th fastest so far with 4 to go. George Benson gets the Maxson car faster than Bobby Unser and is second slowest.
Bobby is sweating bullets as Bruce Jacobi is out in the ancient Silnes and makes his second race of the year with a 14th place time. Bobby only has to worry about a couple cars one though is an old Edmunds with a Turbo Offy and was the pole sitter last year in the Ford. Bruce Walkup grinds out the 9th fastest time so the field is full. Bobby Unser has to dodge the efforts of an old Shilala Dirt Car convert that is sometimes a Sprint car. This car had finished second here before and has been in Ernie Ruiz ownership for 13 years. Today Midget drive Don Meacham was in the seat and he knocks out Bobby Unser and Bobby sits and hopes for it or any car not to start for the big dance.

Line-up for Sacramento 100:
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1951 Kuzma-Offy 37.030 97.218MPH
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1964 Ward-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1967 King-Ford 255.1

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1961 Meskowski-Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner Lockheed 1960 Watson-Offy

45 Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes 1962 Blum-Offy
90 George Snider Zecol-Lubaid 1963 Watson-Offy

59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks Edmunds-Turbo/Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1959 Vollstedt-Offy

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1963 Dunlap-Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1959 Kuzma-Offy

31 Art Pollard McClure Plastic 1959 Vollstedt-Offy
84 Tom Bigelow Midwest Manufacturing 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy

76 Bruce Jacobi Windmill Trucking 1950 Silnes-Offy
99 Carl Williams Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky-Offy

68 George Benson Maxson 1959 Meskowski-Offy
65 Don Meacham Travelon Trailer 1955 Shilala-Offy

3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1960 Watson-Offy Alternate

[!!WALDO!!]

Well, it became time to see who was the strongest to put 100 miles in on this corn cob of a track. With Mario and A.J. in the front row would stupidity take over or will they race clean into the first turn? Once green the first car onto the cushion would be the serious threat to win and it was Foyt. Anthony Joseph looked strong as he led keeping Mario and Gary behind him but the 4th qualifier, Jim Malloy was parked on the 4th lap with a broken coil.
Foyt led at 25 miles over Mario, Gary, Bud, Billy, Al (up from 11th), Bruce, Larry, Snider and Wally as all were on the lead lap. Don Meacham in the 13 year old Shilala was done at 18 miles with a broken shock that made it tough to drive. Billy Vukovich stalls on the backstretch bring out a caution on lap 31. It took 5 laps to get Billy off the track but it still left 14 cars on the lead lap with Williams and Jacobi not on the lead lap. Once green it did not take long for Foyt to reestablish the lead and for Carl Williams to be the 4th car done with a failed Magneto (shoos). Tom Bigelow’s march to the front in the Kurtis 4000D ended on lap 39 leaving 13 cars running.
At 50 miles Foyt, Andretti, Bettenhausen, Walkup, Unser, Benson, Snider, McCluskey, all on the lead lap, Tingelstad, Dallenbach, Pollard a lap down and Jacobi 6 laps down after a pit stop for a new tire.
Foyt was dominating but the race for second was starting getting serious as Gary was getting a run on Mario and Unser moved past Walkup and was hounding 2nd and 3rd. McCluskey was running hard with Benson and Snider for position and catching the 2nd through 5th battle at the process. On lap 72 George Snider’s engine went sour ending his day and Roger moved into 6th and was all over the slightly fading Walkup. At 75 Miles it was Foyt, Bettenhausen, Andretti, Unser, Walkup, McCluskey, Benson, Dickson on the lead lap and Tingelstad 1 lap back, Dallenbach and Pollard 2 laps back and Jacobi 11 back.
On Lap 80 McCluskey got to aggressive trying to get into the fight and wrecked good in turn three bring out the caution. It took 8 laps to clean it up and once Green Foyt got away from Gary B as he had nothing for him but Al did for Mario and knocked him back a spot. Larry Dickson solid run began to fade as he was beginning to misfire and it looked like he may not make 100 miles.
Finally in 1:08.52.33 this race ended with Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. winning his 5th race at Sacramento and leading all 100 laps. He won over $9500 including $1000 in lap money and $500 in appearance cash. Gary Bettenhausen got 2nd , Al Unser finished 3rd and Mario getting 4th this gave Mario 120 more points and has closed up on Bobby Unser. 5th Place was Bruce Walkup, 6th place George Benson all completing the California State Century. The following were still running at the end:
7. Larry Dickson Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy -1
8. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy -1
9. Wally Dallenbach Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy -2
10. Art Pollard McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy -3
11. Bruce Jacobi Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy -14

Points after Sacramento:
1. Bobby Unser 3301*****
2. Mario Andretti 3138****
3. Al Unser 2375*****
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229**
5. Billy Vukovich 1790
6. A.J. Foyt 1360***
7. Jim Malloy 1215
8. Dan Gurney 1200**
9. Gary Bettenhausen 1195
10.Roger McCluskey 1093*
11. Gordon Johncock 1077**
12. Mel Kenyon 1055
13. Wally Dallenbach 990
14. George Snider 905
15. Sam Sessions 785
16. Bud Tinglestad 706
17. Ronnie Buckman 680
18. Larry Dickson 665
19. Johnny Rutherford 650
20. Art Pollard 595
21. Mike Mosley 579
22. Joe Leonard 550
23. Ronnie Duman 400X
24. John Cannon 385
25. Jim McElreath 341
26. Max Dudley 280
27. Bill Puterbaugh 265
28. Bruce Walkup 240
29. Rick Muther 210
30. Mark Donohue 200
31. Arnie Knepper 194
32. Sonny Ates 170
33. George Benson 170
34. Bobby Grim 150
35. Carl Williams 150
36 Jerry Daniels 120
37. Bob Veith 100
38. Wib Spaulding 100
39. George Follmer 90
40. Chuck Booth 85
41. Keith Rachwitz 80
42. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
43. Tom Bigelow 80
44. Rollie Beale 80
45 Jack Eiteljorg 70
46. Bob Harkey 60
47. Chuck Hulse 60$
48. Bud Morley 50
49. Bob Hurt 45#
50. Ralph Liguori 40
51. Dempsey Wilson 30
52. Roger West 30
53. Bruce Jacobi 30
54. Ted Foltz 24
55. Wes Vandervoort 21
56. George Fejer 20
57 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
58. Malcom Brazier 12
59. Dr. Lou Sell 10
60. Bob Herring 9
61. Grier Manning 8
62. Ralph Bruning 6
63. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Sacramento:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
3. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
4. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
5. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
6. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 1010 1190
7. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
8. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
9. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1055
10. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
11. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 985
13. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
14. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 T/Offy 400* 880*
15. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
16. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 665 870
17. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
18. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 380 755
19. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
20. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
21. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 660
22. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 660
23. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 640*
24. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
25. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 590
26. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
27. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 560**
28. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
29. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 520
30. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
31. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 440
32. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 410*
33. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 385
34. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
35. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
36. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 320*
37. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 310
38. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 280
39. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
40. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 270
41. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 235
42. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
43. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 210
44. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
45. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
46. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 85 Ford 100 185
47. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
48. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 170
49. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
50. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
51. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
52. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
53. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
54. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 120
55. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
56. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
57. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
58. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Edmunds-Turbo/Offy 100
59. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 100
60. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
61. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
62. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
63. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
64. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
65. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
66. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
67. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
68. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 60
69. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
70. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 60
71. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
72. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
73. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
74. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
75. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
76. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
77. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
78. Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 30
79. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
80. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
81. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
82. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
83. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
84. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
85. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
86. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
87. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
88. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
89. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
90. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry for Michigan 250:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
24 No Driver Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
26 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo-Offy
31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
36 Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
37 Bay Darnell Frank Curtis 1966 Curtis-Chevy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy
44 Mickey Shaw Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
58 Don Schisler Horton 1967 Marathon-Ford
.58 Roger West T.D. Enterprises 1960 Lesovsky D-Offy
59 Bruce Walkup Cleaver-Brooks 1966 Brabham-Hayhoe-Turbo/Offy
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
81 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
87 Rollie Beale California Speed Sport 1965 Halibrand-Offy
88 Karl Busson Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy
118 Al Smith Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy
119 Al Miller Lou Rassey 1961 Kurtis FE --Turbo/Offy

So with two 250s, a 300 and a 200 milers to go and only 2000 points maximum to go, the following drivers were still mathematicly alive for the drivers Championship:
1. Bobby Unser 3301
2. Mario Andretti 3138 -163
3. Al Unser 2375 -926
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229 -1072
5. Billy Vukovich 1790 -1511
6. A.J. Foyt 1360 -1941

In the car owner's chase all cars were still alive.

If there was a dirt car championship the following would have been the top 10 in points:
1. Mario Andretti 640*
2. A.J. Foyt 560**
3. Gary Bettenhausen 520
4. Billy Vukovich 500
5. Al Unser 410*
6. George Snider 360
7. Larry Dickson 360
8. Roger McCluskey 320*
9. George Benson 170
10. Jerry Daniels 120

Goodyear now has 13 wins to Firestones 11. One more win by Goodyear gives them at least a tie.

USAC points from 1956-1976 Figured this way:
1. 2.0 X Distance
2. 1.6 X Distance
3. 1.4 X Distance
4. 1.2 X Distance
5. 1.0 X Distance
6. 0.8 X Distance
7. 0.6 X Distance
8. 0.5 X Distance
9. 0.4 X Distance
10. 0.3 X Distance
11. 0.2 X Distance
12. 0.1 X Distance

So Michigan would be the second highest point race of the season:
1. 500
2. 400
3. 350
4. 300
5. 250
6. 200
7. 150
8. 125
9. 100
10. 75
11. 50
12. 25

Dickson and Mel Kenyon have all but wrapped up their Championships in Sprints and Midgets and were now looking to improve their positions in the Championship Cars. All three of the other Championships were in the top 20 in points. Almost unheard of.

[!!WALDO!!]

I am going to cover the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen because this was a race that had 3 American drivers and the last year the 500 winner would be invited to drive the race. Traditionally this occurred but Foyt broke it in 1964 after the invite due to the Sachs/MacDonald crash and the gasoline fire. He vowed never to drive open wheel cars powered by gas.
Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, Denny Hulme, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt and Bobby Unser were all 500 starter in 1968. Jackie Stewart was a 500 starter in 1966 and 1967 and Jack Brabham in 1967 and 1964. Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi were bumped from the 1967 field and John Surtees made his lone start at Riverside in 1967. Bruce McLaren passed his Rookies Test in 1968 but had his car withdrawn and Chris Amon was part of that team. 13 drivers had some type of Champ Car experience out the 20 that would start.
Imagine the surprise when Mario in the Goldleaf Lotus-Ford grabbed the pole in his first effort. Bobby in the BRM timed in 5.4 seconds behind.
Here is the line up:
1 Mario Andretti #12 Lotus/Ford 1:04.20
2 Jackie Stewart #15 Matra/Ford 1:04.27

3 Graham Hill #10 Lotus/Ford 1:04.28
4 Chris Amon #6 Ferrari 1:04.37

5 Denny Hulme #1 McLaren/Ford 1:04.57
6 Jochen Rindt #4 Brabham/Repco 1:04.81

7 Dan Gurney #14 McLaren/Ford 1:05.22
8 Jack Brabham #3 Brabham/Repco 1:05.25

9 John Surtees #5 Honda 1:05.32
10 Bruce McLaren #2 McLaren/Ford 1:05.69

11 Pedro Rodriguez #8 BRM 1:06.10
12 Jo Siffert #16 Lotus/Ford 1:06.17

13 J.P.Beltoise #21 Matra 1:06.96
14 Piers Courage #22 BRM 1:07.02

15 Derek Bell #7 Ferrari 1:07.06
16 Jackie Oliver #11 Lotus/Ford 1:07.46

17 Vic Elford #18 Cooper/BRM 1:08.53
18 Jo Bonnier #17 McLaren/BRM 1:08.93

19 Bobby Unser #9 BRM 1:09.60
20 Lucien Bianchi #19 Cooper/BRM 1:09.77

Jackie Oliver scratched due to a practice crash and 19 cars took the green.
Mario did lead but Jackie Stewart got by and said good bye to the field. He made it to lap 33 when his clutch failed and Bobby Unser’s only start ended 3 laps later with a blown engine.
In a race with high attrition and not much racing here were the top 6, the only cars running competitively:
1 Jackie Stewart McLaren-Ford 1:59:20.29 = 125.602 MPH
2 Graham Hill Lotus-Ford - 00:24.68
3 John Surtees Honda - 1 lap
4 Dan Gurney McLaren-Ford - 1 lap
5 Jo Siffert Lotus-Ford - 3 laps
6 Bruce McLaren McLaren-Ford - 5 laps


Next week the Indy Car wars move to MIS for its first race ever.

[!!WALDO!!]

The excitement of the opening of a brand new race track got off to a weird start went A.J. Foyt landed his Cessna 310 on the Pit Lane only to collapse the Main landing gear and a small fire erupted. Nobody was hurt though but Foyt more than likely had to pay the damages out of his pocket.
On the Saturday practice the 2 miles of High Banks took its toll on some of the lesser equipment.
Al Miller in the last Kurtis Roadster built started pumping out oil at an alarming rating and USAC made sure the car stated behind the pit wall. Rollie Beale, Don Schisler, Roger West in a Dirt Car, Bay Darnell had difficulty getting to a 150 MPH minimum and were asked not to qualify. Jim McElreath had a mechanical problem but had been well past 150 as would qualify if they could fix the problem. One car that was done was Michigan hero, Gordon Johncock as he wrecked the Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt Turbo Offy. 34 cars became 27 in a bat of an eye. Speeds in practice were well past the 180MPH mark and had both the Goodyear and Firestone engineers concerned about their products.
When it came to qualifying, 26 cars would start this race and one or two would get bumped. Mario Andretti would be up first. The Speedway in good taste made the qualifying trophy in honor of fallen Michigander, Ronnie Duman and offered up $500.00 to the fastest man. Well after two laps, the second being 39.190 or 183.720MPH it looked like Mario got the trophy and money. Think of this, in the last three weeks he sat on the pole at Sacramento in a Dirt Car, a Lotus-Ford at Watkins Glen in F-1 and in his 1967 Hawk II Turbo-Offy with a lap that was the fastest all time lap in an Indy Car breaking the 176.818 set in 1957 in a Novi by Tony Bettenhausen at Monza. Al Unser was up next and got the 4WD Lola into the high 170’s and would race. Roger McCluskey got is 1967 Eagle going and without the drag of 4wd got going a bit faster than Al.
Lloyd Ruby got well past 180 in the Mongoose and posted the second fastest time. Gary Bettenhausen goes out goes slower than daddy did 11 years prior so the slowest so far.
Jim Malloy in the Michigan based Jim Robbins Seat Belt car. This car is actually the #27 dressed as #67 with a Turbo Offy. Too bad he is slower than Gary. Crash Foyt goes out and puts in a time slower than Al but faster than Gary. Bobby Unser goes out in his 500 winner, first time since Indianapolis and gets real close to Mario but not past him. Billy Vukovich gets in the old 1966 Jones-Phillipp Shrike Turbo Offy and is faster than Malloy.
Sam Session is the first not in the top 10 in points and goes just as fast as Vuky. Bud Tingelstad makes the grade faster than Vuky but just barely.
The Bobby Unser insurance policy went out with Mike Mosley at the wheel and gets the Watson up 7th fastest. Al Unser’s insurance policy was up next. The 1967 Lola-Ford that was #5 now #24 with Art Pollard up as the Turbines did not make the trip. Art went a bit slower than Gary B but is ok for the race. Mel Kenyon was back and he got the seventh fastest time in the brother Don wrenched Gerhardt.
Wally Dallenbach who fell from the top 10 in points got up and went over 180MPH and got 4th fastest time. Larry Dickson used his Salem and Winchester experience to get the Vollstedt Turbo Ford to go the slowest of 16 so far. Real local car owner U.E. “Pat” Patrick’s 2 year old Eagle goes out with Lone Star JR and Rutherford hustles to the 5th fastest time. Another Michigander business, Weinberger Homes and Sid Weinberger bought the #8 Lindsey Hopkins 1968 Eagle that McCluskey drove at Indy and Ronnie Buckman puts up the 8th fastest time in the Turbo Offy powered car.
Arnie Knepper switched from Ford to Turbo-Offy and set the slowest time so far in the low 160s. Jigger Sirois gets the ex-Ronnie Duman Central Excavating Gerhardt rolling and sets the 12th fastest time. All the cars behind the surprise of Jigger would qualify of the final 6 spots.
Denny Zimmerman looks like he will make his second start in the Bulldog Gerhardt-Chevy and goes the slowest. Then Max Dudley in his Gerhardt Chevy goes slower just over 158MPH. Karl Busson gets going but 155 may not make it. Jim McElreath could not get the Brawner Hawk I firing on anything other than 2 cylinders and passed so Al Smith in the Chevy Roadster was up and got into the low 160s and will race. Three more cars and the second Federal Engineering car with Sonny Ates just stuck it in over 165 MPH and will race. Bob Harkey is in the second Bulldog car and puts the Gerhardt Turbo Offy in at over 166. The field is full and rookie Mickey Shaw is aiming at Karl Busson, drivers from the USAC Sprint Car wars and from just across the border in Ohio. Shaw gets the most out of the Chevy and sets 22nd time and is going to start this race.
Qualifying is over and $500.00 plus the Ronnie Duman trophy goes to Mario Andretti. The average time was 42.056 or 171.201

Starting Line-up:
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy 39.190 183.720MPH
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes 1968 Eagle-Turbo Offy

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Ford
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
81 Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
24 Art Pollard Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy

21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford
26 Bob Harkey Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo-Offy

31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
44 Mickey Shaw Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy

118 Al Smith Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Turbo/Offy

36 Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

88 Karl Busson Ken Brenn 1966 Gerhardt-Ford Alternate.

[!!WALDO!!]

On a cool overcast Sunday the first race in the history of the brand new track was about to get started. With Larry LoPatin getting around $63,000 in sponsorship the amount in caused the purse to swell to $78,750 as only 6562 paid showed up and the show appeared to net the track around $5000.00. About another 5000 were guests of the sponsors, mostly from the construction companies.
A fuel strategy was needed as it would require one stop so many would put in 60 gallons in hope of making it to lap 83 and then putting in 30 gallons of methanol for the balance. Some teams wanted to stop around 65 laps so they would start with 48 and finish with 42 and a few others started out heavy going past 100 miles then putting 20 gallons to complete the distance.
Firestone and Goodyear were a bit concerned with the tire wear and tire heating. So it was discussed that tires may have to be changed so for the first time since Indy, full crews were required.
As the field formed to take the green the meager crowd rose to their feet to see Bobby Unser jump into the lead and he came across the line to see the yellow as Max Dudley tossed a right rear wheel and hit the Turn 2 wall and Roger McCluskey’s 1967 Eagle broke his gear box at the start. A long slow caution followed for 7 laps as the rookie crew took some time to clear the cars.
Once green Bobby took command and looked real strong. Jim Malloy’s Turbo Offy expired on lap 9 ending his day way to short. Then both Dallenbach who was holding down third and tail running Mickey Shaw suffered terminal problems with their engines. They were soon joined by Gary Bettenhausen in the Thermo-King Gerhardt as its clutch burned up.
At 50 miles, 25 laps, Bobby Unser led Mario Andretti, Lloyd Ruby, Al Unser, A.J. Foyt, Ronnie Buckman, Mike Mosley all on the lead lap, Johnny Rutherford, Mel Kenyon, and Jigger Sirois a lap down and in the top 10. The window opened for some possibly at this point to pit and on lap 31, Buckman, Foyt , Ruby and Al Unser stopped for fuel. Arnie Knepper came in a few laps later but never left. These stops cost Buckman two laps and Foyt, Unser and Ruby more time as they made a tire change.
On lap 47 the #98 came in dragging itself as the frame appeared to break and was parked. At the half way point it was over for Al Unser as he broke the all important wheel hub on the 4WD car.
At 100 Miles, 50 laps, Bobby Unser led Mario and Mosley all on the lead lap. Buckman led, Rutherford, Kenyon and Ruby all two laps down. Jigger Sirois, Art Pollard and Foyt were 3 laps back and represented the top 10 as 17 cars were still running.
On the leaders 64 lap, Art Pollard pits and is relieved by Al Unser and 2 more laps are lost to brother Bobby but Bobby is in for his stop and Mario takes over but is also headed in with Mosley putting Bobby back into the lead. Mario loses a ton of time and Mosley comes out on the tail end of the lead lap but in second place with Buckman 2 laps behind him.
Bobby leads until lap 75 when the engine blows on the Rislone Eagle bringing out the caution as Bobby stops on the backstretch. Mosley is now the leader under this clean up period. Once Bobby got back to the pits plans were made to get Mosley in and out of the car. The Green comes out and Mosley comes in as Buckman now in second starts to un-lap himself. The change was quick and Bobby back out in the lead. So Bobby led this race with two different cars for the first time in USAC History. Buckman though was now on the lead lap and moving. Rutherford overheated in this time frame and Lloyd Ruby running 4th parked with a burned piston. There were 14 cars running at 180 miles.
At that point Mosley/Unser led Buckman by car lengths with Mario and Foyt, two laps down, Kenyon and Sonny Ates up from 21st 4 laps down, Pollard/Unser, Sirios and Sam Sessions 5 laps down, and Larry Dickson 6 laps down in 10th.
On lap 90, Buckman passed Unser in turn three and led starting lap 91 and would be the strongest and healthiest car at this point. On the leaders 99th lap Foyt broke a ring and pinion and was scored 14th in the final tally.
At 100 laps, 200 Miles the race was 1:15 minutes old and Buckman led Mosley/Unser as they were fading quick, Mario had gotten one of his laps back and was in third a lap down. Kenyon and Ates were really at each other for fourth and Pollard/Unser was fighting hard with Jigger and Sam Sessions for 6th 6 laps down. Larry Dickson, Bud Tingelstad, Bob Harkey and Denny Zimmerman held onto the point paying positions many laps to the arrears. Harkey made it to the leader’s 111th lap and got scored completing 103 when the suspension failed on the Gerhardt. This moved Al Smith in the Roadster into the 12th spot.
Bobby was passed by lap down Mario on the leader’s 112 lap and this was now a position change as the Watson started to sound sick and needed just 20 more miles. On the leader’s 119th Lap, Jigger who was running sixth broke his transmission and is scored completing 113 laps and is scored in 10th place in the final results.
On the white flag lap, Buckman gets past Unser once again as he heads to the Checkered Flag in 1:32:42.011 or 161.812MPH to make this the fastest Champ Car race run at a distance past 100 in the U.S. The former Honda Formula One Driver won over $20,000 for his effort and was the only car to go 250 miles. This was Sid Weinberger’s second win as a car owner and the 4th win by a 1968 Eagle of the year.
Here are the other point paying positions:
2. Mario Andretti ONA #2 (#64) 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy -1 400 points
3. Mike Mosley/Bobby Unser Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #90 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy -2 241MM/109BU
4. Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon #15 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
5. Sonny Ates Federal Engineering #31 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
6. Art Pollard/Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 (#5) 1967 Lola-Ford -6 101AP/99AU
7. Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick #14 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -6 150
8. Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford -7 125
9. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -8 100
10. Leon “Jigger” Sirois Central Excavating Spl 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -12 OUT 75
11. Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy -14 50
12. Al Smith Steck #118 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy -18 25

[!!WALDO!!]

For the first time since the end of race 2, Las Vegas the point lead changes as Mario Andretti takes a 128 point lead in the drivers standings. Only the top 4 drivers can win the title and both Ruby and Al Unser need to go on a streak.

Drivers Points after Michigan:
1. Mario Andretti 3538****
2. Bobby Unser 3410***** -128
3. Al Unser 2474***** -1064
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229** -1309
5. Billy Vukovich 1790
6. A.J. Foyt 1360***
7. Mel Kenyon 1355
8. Jim Malloy 1215
9. Dan Gurney 1200**
10. Gary Bettenhausen 1195
11. Ronnie Buckman 1180*
12.Roger McCluskey 1093*
13. Gordon Johncock 1077**
14. Wally Dallenbach 990
15. Sam Sessions 935
16. George Snider 905
17. Mike Mosley 820
18. Bud Tinglestad 806
19. Larry Dickson 790
20. Art Pollard 696
21. Johnny Rutherford 650
22. Joe Leonard 550
23. Sonny Ates 420
24. Ronnie Duman 400X
25. John Cannon 385
26. Jim McElreath 341
27. Max Dudley 280
28. Bill Puterbaugh 265
29. Bruce Walkup 240
30. Rick Muther 210
31. Mark Donohue 200
32. Arnie Knepper 194
33. George Benson 170
34. Bobby Grim 150
35. Carl Williams 150
36 Jerry Daniels 120
37. Bob Veith 100
38. Wib Spaulding 100
39. George Follmer 90
40. Chuck Booth 85
41. Keith Rachwitz 80
42. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
43. Tom Bigelow 80
44. Rollie Beale 80
45. Leon “Jigger” Sirois 75
46 Jack Eiteljorg 70
47. Bob Harkey 60
48. Chuck Hulse 60$
49. Bud Morley 50
50. Denny Zimmerman 50
51. Bob Hurt 45#
52. Ralph Liguori 40
53. Dempsey Wilson 30
54. Roger West 30
55. Bruce Jacobi 30
56. Al Smith 25
57. Ted Foltz 24
58. Wes Vandervoort 21
59. George Fejer 20
60 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
61. Malcom Brazier 12
62. Dr. Lou Sell 10
63. Bob Herring 9
64. Grier Manning 8
65. Ralph Bruning 6
66. Charlie Louderman 5

The Car Owner Championship is wide open and with 1500 points given out it would be open until the end. Since the Top 25 got checks it would be a fight to get as many checks as possible. $105,000 in cash awards were at stake so a team like Andretti-Brawner would see $40,500 at this point and three checks. So with the Pre-Election, November 3rd, 1968 Hanford 250 up next the top 25 could almost change should a new car win it.

Car Owner Points after Michigan:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
2. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1355
3. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 T/Offy 400* 1280*
4. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
5. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
6. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
7. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
8. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 1010 1190
9. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 1185
10. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
11. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
12. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
13. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 1010
14. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1000*
15. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
16. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
17. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 665 870
18. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 810
19. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
20. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 380 755
21. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
22. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
23. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 690
24. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 640*
25. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
26. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
27. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 560**
28. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
29. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 520
30. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 510
31. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
32. Weinberger Homes #45(#8) 1968 Eagle Offy TC 500*
33. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 440
34. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 410*
35. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
36. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
37. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 320*
38. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 310
39. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 280
40. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
41. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 270
42. Federal Engineering #31 Gerhardt OffyTC 250
43. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 235
44. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
45. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 210
46. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
47. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
48. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 85 Ford 100 185
49. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
50. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 170
51. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
52. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
53. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
54. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 125
55. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
56. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 120
57. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 110
58. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
59. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
60. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
61. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Edmunds-Turbo/Offy 100
62. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 100
63. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
64. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
65. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
66. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
67. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
68. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
69. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
70. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
71. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
72. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 60
73. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
74. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
75. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
76. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
77. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
78. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
79. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
80. Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 30
81. Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy 25
82. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
83. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
84. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
85. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
86. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
87. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
88. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
89. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
90. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
91. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
92. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
93. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Some stats.
Chassis Wars:
AAR Eagles: 7 wins
1968 Eagle 4 wins
1967 Eagle 2 wins
1966 Eagle 1 win

Lola 4 wins
1968 4 wins

Brawner Hawks: 3
1968 III 2 wins
1967 II 1 win

Gerhardt: 2
1967 1 win
1968 1 win

Laycock Mongoose: 2 wins
1968 2 wins

Kuzma: 2 wins
1951 1 win
1959 1 win

Coyote: 1 win
1967 1 win

Dunlop: 1 win
1963 1 Win

Foyt/Meskowski: 2 wins
1968 2 wins

Unser: 1 Win

Engines:
Drake Engineering: 14 wins
168 Turbo: 9
251.9 NA: 5

Meyer Engineering: 8
255.1 NA: 8

Weslake Engineering: 2
305 2

Louis Unser Chevy:
305 1

Spark Plug:
Autolite: 25

Fuel:
Enco: 23
Ashland: 2

Tires:
Goodyear: 14
Firestone:11

Mechanics:
George Bignotti: 5
Jud Phillips: 4
Clint Brawner/Jim McGee: 4
A.J. Foyt Sr.: 3
Duane Glasgow: 2
Dave Laycock: 2
Wayne Leary: 2
Jack Beckley: 1
Wally Meskowski: 1
Louis Unser: 1

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry for Hanford 250:
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Turbo-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
24 Carl Williams Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
34 George Benson Speedy’s Broasted Chicken 1966 Huffaker-Chevy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy
41 Jerry Daniels Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner-Chevy
44 Rick Muther Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes 1968 Eagle-Turbo Offy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy
59 Norm Ellefson Hale 1964 Brabham-Chevy
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
65 Bruce Jacobi Travelon Trailer 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
97 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
99 Greg Weld Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy
101 Earl Smith Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy

Other Stats so Far:
Purse: $1,321,615 for 25 races or $52,864.60 per race. Without Indy:$25,725.38
Attendance: 520,790 for 25 races or 20,832 per race. Without Indy:13,962
Without Indy per date: 22 dates--15,866

[!!WALDO!!]

NEWS AND NOTES:

A.J. Foyt Jr. announced that he was offering a ride at Phoenix to 1963 and 1967 USAC Stock Car Champion Don White from Keokuk, IA. Don White thanked A.J. but declined the ride.

Formula A driver John Martin is entering a car, a 1965 Huffaker-Chevy for the PIR race but his license was disallowed and 1960, 1965-1966 USAC Stock Car Champion, Norm Nelson was assigned to the car. Interesting the last time Norm drove a Champ Car was 1946 at Indianapolis in practice. Norm was also a Badger Midget driver and a Interstate Racing Association champion in 1960 also. IRA at the time was Supermodifieds.

[!!WALDO!!]

On a partly cloudy day in the fertile San Joaquin Valley qualifying before 15,470 would be interesting as in practice 4 cars were lost to various problems. The only winner of an Indy Car race at Hanford came to grief with his Gerhardt in Turn 3. The #20 Turbine of Art Pollard broke a differential and Billy Vukovich may have taken care of the Phillipp-Jones Shrike once and for all with a large hit in Turn 3, he did have his Mongoose to fall back on. Rick Muther busted a piston in his Gerhardt Chevy number 44, the Boyce Holt car.
When it came to qualifying the first out would be #67 Jim Malloy his time would put him solidly in the field just off the record by a mile and hour. Billy V was up in the Mongoose and went a hair faster than Jim. USAC Midget Champion Mel Kenyon stayed focused and set the slowest time but right with Malloy. Anthony Joseph was up next in a brand new Coyote with the growling Turbo Ford and the only other winner of a Major USAC race at this track, a Stock Car 250 in 1964 sets fast time just under the Spring standard of 155.709 set by Bobby Unser. Lloyd Ruby was now up and the Mongoose sets another NTR now at almost 160MPH. National Championship Point leader, Mario Andretti blazes another NTR and the 160 barrier was now gone. Gary Bettenhausen goes almost as fast as Foyt but settles for 4 fastest so far. Bobby Unser was up in the 1968 Eagle and was a bit slower than Lloyd but still past his old Record. Al Unser in the 4 WD Lola gets going under the old record but 4th fastest so far. Sam Sessions made the grade but was slowest by a long shot and Carl Williams was next in the car that got destroyed in practice at Indy that he was assigned to, and was second slowest so far. Roger McCluskey was ready in the Hopkins Eagle and went under the 155.709 but not as fast as Bobby. The next was the San Jose driver in the #60 Turbine, Joe Leonard, The sky is blue and white, the car is DayGlo Red, the helmet is black and the flag green. Well, the 163 barrier went away and 163.093 was the new standard. For the third time a Turbine sets a new standard in qualifying and the second for Joe. Interestingly the Top 10 in qualifying at this point wouldn’t change so the race to fill the field and not get bumped was on. Johnny Rutherford takes to the track in the Michner Eagle Ford and gets a solid 11th fastest and would be safe and now the top 12 are locked into place. Ronnie Buckman gets the Weinberger Homes 1968 Eagle to scream but only loud enough for the slowest time so far. Wally Meskowski put the wrong gear in. Mike Mosley in the insurance policy puts the #90 in with no trouble and faster than two. Wally Dallenbach is up in the Vatis car and gets 13th fastest time so the top 14 are now locked in with 17 cars in. Bud Tingelstad drives to a 16th fastest time and locks down the top 16. Larry Dickson in the Bryant Vollstedt Turbo Ford make plenty of noise but times in 17th fastest. Sonny Ates who has been enjoying his time in the spare Federal Engineering cars goes faster than Buckman and with 2 dirt cars and a bunch of non-blown engined Rear engine cars looked safe. Minnesota’s Jerry Daniels is up in the Boyce Holt taped over #41 Turner-Chevy Dirt Car and posts the slowest time so far. Next up was the winner of a 1962 USAC Midget race at Hartford, MI, Keith “Porky” Rachwitz from the Los Angeles area and he gets the Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy going faster than Daniels. Max Dudley, having a good year in his own Chevy Gerhardt goes nearly as fast as Buckman and appears he will race. Greg Weld is up in the Joe Hunt Dirt Car, think about Greg. He was assigned to the #30 STP Turbine at Indy only to lose the ride when Spence was killed in it. He couldn’t get the Bryant #17 up to speed at Indy now trying to qualify a 7 year old Dirt car on a 1.5 mile track. Well he went faster than two guys. Now we were into the cars that scored no points this season and the first was Formula-A driver Norm Ellefson in a 1964 Brabham with a Chevy and he sets the slowest time so far out of 25 spots filled so far. Earl Smith, a sometime driver elected to qualify his own car when Bruce Jacobi felt his chances were better in another car posts the slowest time so far with three to go. George Benson in the 1966 Huffaker-Chevy Speedy Broasted Chicken car set 24th fastest time and bumps Smith from the field and will race. Jim McElreath in the newly redesigned Brawner Hawk of Mario’s in 1965 gets it finally going to 18th fastest. and Ellefson would wait another day. Last up was Bruce Jacobi in the Travelon Trailer 1965 Gerhardt Offy looking not much different than it did at Indy in 1965 when Ronnie Duman drove it and gets it to 23rd fastest time on his second lap and Daniels becomes the Alternate.

The Starting Line-up:
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 33.110 163.093MPH NTR
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Turbo-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
24 Carl Williams Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes 1968 Eagle-Turbo Offy
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy

65 Bruce Jacobi Travelon Trailer 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
99 Greg Weld Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy

55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy
34 George Benson Speedy’s Broasted Chicken 1966 Huffaker-Chevy

41 Jerry Daniels Boyce Holt Racing 1958 Turner-Chevy Alternate

[!!WALDO!!]

Well, it became race time and the purse was now over $43,090 and J.C. Agajanian was putting on the best face as this race was not a home run but a single. Bottom line put this race into the $20,000 range and he was doing the PIR show in weeks.
The cars actually aligned real well and the green came out and Andy and Parnelli must of let the soon to be doomed turbine go as Joe was gone and the race for second place began. Every one settled into a groove and the pit window would open up at 33 laps. The racing behind Joe was pretty good but Joe was worried about lapped traffic as Joe struggled it in and even more with this car. He needed to save the brakes. All of a sudden at the window Dickson is in the pits Dallenbach blows and Kenyon and Rutherford bounce off of each other and the wall too. The caution is out with 4 cars out of the race. The clean up will be slow and Foyt stops and gets fuel and is back out along with some tail runners. George Benson has his Chevy seize up and before the green is displayed Gary Bettenhausen is all done with a severe misfire. On the restart Buckman misses a shift and a dead Offy came from that and the Yellow was redisplayed.
Once Green Joe was back in control and look solid but would have to stop before the end of the race. Carl Williams made to lap 57 when his Lola sprung an oil leak and left 18 cars still racing 9 on the lead lap. At 67 Laps, Leonard, Andretti, Bobby Unser. Ruby, Al Unser, Foyt and McCluskey were on the lead lap, Malloy, now slowing, McElreath and Vukovich were a lap down.
On the 82nd lap Lloyd Ruby blew up and may have oiled the track but no caution but on the leaders 89th lap Porky hits the wall as he slid in some oil. The caution is out. Joe pits on the 93rd lap and Mario takes over. Mario leads under the caution as McCluskey and Malloy are trying to fix some ailments in their cars and Jacobi is out of his. Once green, Bobby jumps Mario and leads as neither car has pitted. At lap 100 Bobby leads, Mario, A.J. Al and Joe with Al, Joe and A.J. able to go the distance. Mike Mosley was 2 laps down but fueled, McElreath was 2 down also but not fueled in 7th with Vukovich, Tingelstad and Sessions able to go the distance but many laps down because of stopping on the green around 100 miles. Mario and Bobby were on top of each other as both may stop together. On the 105th lap, Al Unser is done as he suffers a Turbo failure and Sonny Ates joins the top ten. Mario sneaks past Bobby in traffic on the 115th lap to lead it and led the next 6 before Bobby got by on lap 121 to lead the next 11 and during that time both Joe and A.J. fell victim to being lapped but on lap 131 both Bobby and Mario stopped for a “splash and go” before such maneuver was even named. When the rejoined the race they were in 3rd and 4th with Foyt and Leonard in first and second, all 4 were on the lead lap with McElreath near L.A. in 5th.
Foyt was now in control and Joe was working to save his brakes. Mike Mosley blows his engine and is scored 13th as the race is between the top 4 and both Bobby and Mario are eating up the track catching Joe as Foyt is pulling away. With 25 miles to go both Bobby and Mario steam past the turbine and take over 2nd and 3rd. Joe has 4th unless he has a problem. McElreath is holding on to 5th 3 laps down, Vukovich is 4 down in 6th Tingelstad. Sessions and Ates are 6 back in 7th 8th , and 9th and Roger McCluskey 8 laps down in 10th. Jim Malloy, Max Dudley and Greg Weld were still running.
At 1:51:49 the 250.5 mile race ended with A.J. Foyt Jr. of Houston, Texas winning the 4 race of the season and the first for the Turbo Ford racing engine. His average speed was 134.416 was a record because of the distance and Bobby Unser finished second with Mario third. Mario’s point lead was down to 78 with 26 races complete. The Vel’s Parnelli Jones—STP—Agajanian—Firestone Lotus Turbine did all 250.5 to finish 4th for its highest finish on the Championship trail by a Turbine.
The following cars were running at the end of the race:
5. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #38 (#83) 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy -3
6. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy -5
7. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -6
8. Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -6
9. Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -7
10. Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy #8 1967 Eagle-Turbo/Offy -9
11. Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 (#27) 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy -13
12. Max Dudley Dudley Trucking #61 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy -17
14. Greg Weld Joe Hunt Magneto #99 1961 Lesovsky D Offy -34

[!!WALDO!!]

Drivers Points after Hanford:
1. Mario Andretti 3888**** 149.54 points per race.
2. Bobby Unser 3810***** -78 146.54 points per race
3. Al Unser 2474*****
4. Lloyd Ruby 2229**
5. Billy Vukovich 1990
6. A.J. Foyt 1860***
7. Mel Kenyon 1355
8. Jim Malloy 1265
9. Dan Gurney 1200**
10. Gary Bettenhausen 1195
11. Ronnie Buckman 1180*
12.Roger McCluskey 1168*
13. Gordon Johncock 1077**
14. Sam Sessions 1060
15. Wally Dallenbach 990
16. Bud Tinglestad 956
17. George Snider 905
18. Joe Leonard 850
19. Mike Mosley 820
20. Larry Dickson 790
21. Art Pollard 696
22. Johnny Rutherford 650
23. Jim McElreath 591
24. Sonny Ates 520
25. Ronnie Duman 400X
26. John Cannon 385
27. Max Dudley 305
28. Bill Puterbaugh 265
29. Bruce Walkup 240
30. Rick Muther 210
31. Mark Donohue 200
32. Arnie Knepper 194
33. George Benson 170
34. Bobby Grim 150
35. Carl Williams 150
36 Jerry Daniels 120
37. Bob Veith 100
38. Wib Spaulding 100
39. George Follmer 90
40. Chuck Booth 85
41. Keith Rachwitz 80
42. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
43. Tom Bigelow 80
44. Rollie Beale 80
45. Leon “Jigger” Sirois 75
46 Jack Eiteljorg 70
47. Bob Harkey 60
48. Chuck Hulse 60$
49. Bud Morley 50
50. Denny Zimmerman 50
51. Bob Hurt 45#
52. Ralph Liguori 40
53. Dempsey Wilson 30
54. Roger West 30
55. Bruce Jacobi 30
56. Al Smith 25
57. Ted Foltz 24
58. Wes Vandervoort 21
59. George Fejer 20
60 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
61. Malcom Brazier 12
62. Dr. Lou Sell 10
63. Bob Herring 9
64. Grier Manning 8
65. Ralph Bruning 6
66. Charlie Louderman 5

Car Owner Points after Hanford:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 T/Offy 1150* 1630*
2. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
3. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1400*
4. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 1210 1390
5. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1355
6. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
7. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
8. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1200**
9. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
10. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 1185
11. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 895** Ford 190 1085**
12. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
13. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
14. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 1010
15. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 935
16. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
17. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
18. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 665 870
19. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 840
20. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 515 830
21. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
22. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
23. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
24. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 640*
25. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
26. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
27. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 560**
28. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
29. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 520
30. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 510
31. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
32. Weinberger Homes #45(#8) 1968 Eagle Offy TC 500*
33. Sheraton-Thompson #1 Coyote Turbo/Ford 500*
34. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 440
35. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 425
36. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 410*
37. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
38. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
39. Federal Engineering #31 Gerhardt OffyTC 350
40. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 320*
41. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 310
42. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 305
43. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
44. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 270
45. Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy 250
46. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 235
47. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 135 Ford 100 235
48. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
49. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 210
50. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
51. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
52. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
53. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 170
54. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
55. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
56. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
57. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
58. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 120
59. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 110
60. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 100
61. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
62. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
63. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Edmunds-Turbo/Offy 100
64. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 100
65. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
66. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
67. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
68. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
69. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
70. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
71. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
72. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
73. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
74. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 60
75. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
76. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
77. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
78. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
79. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
80. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
81. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
82. Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 30
83. Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy 25
84. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
85. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
86. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
87. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
88. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
89. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
90. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
91. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
92. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
93. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
94. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
95. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[!!WALDO!!]

Entry for the Bobby Ball 200 at PIR 11/17/1968
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Turbo/Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
12 Rollie Beale Kilman 1961 Meskowski D-Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
24 Arnie Knepper Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
26 Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo-Offy
31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy
44 Rick Muther Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman-Casale 1964 Halibrand Chevy
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy
55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy
59 Norm Ellefson Hale 1964 Brabham-Chevy
60 Joe Leonard STP-Vel’s Parnelli Jones-Agajanian 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
61 Max Dudley Dudley Trucking 1966 Gerhardt-Chevy
65 Bruce Jacobi Travelon Trailer 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy
69. Norm Nelson Martin Racing 1965 Huffaker-Chevy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy
99 Greg Weld Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy
101 Earl Smith Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy
118 Karl Busson Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy

[Chris R]

Since Waldo has been banned, he asked if I could post the last several entries of this thread. I know it is a lot of detail - but it is pretty interesting stuff to see what happened 40 years ago (the year before I was born!!)..... next post will be the latest installment....

[Chris R]

With Richard Nixon elected at President weeks earlier, the North Korean trying to figure a way out of the Pueblo incident, there was an up beat mood in the U.S. This showed with over doubling of the 6900 in the Spring with about 15,000 in the stands, hills and infield. This brought the J.C. Agajanian Promotion to a $34,000 purse and about $30,000 to the good for the Los Angeles Garbage man.
In the pre race releases came the word that Andy Granatelli was going to install a 1 way radio in the #20 STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine. This would be the first time a radio would be used in Auto Racing. Without an operating ignition system, Andy figured it would work in the turbine. (Ignition was off after firing.)
The pre-race practice was tough as the Norn Nelson car came off the trailer with an oil leak and was withdrawn. Firestone put up some money and gave it to Fred Gerhardt to bring the #16 car as an insurance policy for Mario and George Snider was assigned so we were a net of zero.
Norm Ellefson found the wall going into Turn 3 wrecking his car and Joe Leonard went low and either picked up debris or a rock and swallowed it bending a turbine blade. This was not repairable at the track but only in the shop so minus 2 more cars. This left 33 cars but 2 cars were dangerously slow in practice and were asked to withdraw. They were Earl Smith in the #101 and Karl Busson in the #118. Both appeared to be suffering from being way down on power. A third car, Max Dudley was in difficulty as it appeared the timing was way off and could qualify if they got the problem solved.
When qualifying for the 26 spots opened it was Lloyd Ruby in the real #25 Mongoose and the 1964 Winner of this race posts a safe time. A.J. Foyt Jr. hits the track with the Hanford winner and clocks in with the fast time in the Turbo-Ford powered Coyote. He is actually right at 29.01 the track record of Bobby Unser in April. Gary Bettenhausen post a very safe time and is the slowest of the three. Bobby Unser times in slower than Foyt but faster than Ruby so no record. Billy Vukovich is out in the Phillipp-Jones Shrike as the Mongoose is being prepped for Riverside and the Joe Pittman wrenched car goes almost as fast a Gary B. Jim Malloy, now 9th in the points sets a time just under that of Foyt.
Mario Andretti, the point leader was up next and on lap two bombs out a 28.640 and establishes a New Track Record. Al Unser in the 4-wd Lola Turbo Ford was up next and posts the 4th fastest time so far. The 1968 Midget Champion and 7th place in points, Mel Kenyon posts the 9th fastest time of the 9 cars. The next up was the 10th place car in Car Owner points, Arnie Knepper in the Al Unser backup Lola-Ford, #5 and gets it up to 7th fastest time. Now the Top 10 are down and it is time to fill the field. Bud Tingelstad and is the slowest of 11. Sam Sessions is up in the #14 Myron Caves Gerhardt surprise of 1968 and gets it going to 7th fastest at this point, another surprise. Another surprise is Gordon Johncock, a contender for the 1967 Title and an early contender for 1968 now in a free fall is 6th fastest. Bobby Unser insurance policy is now up and Mike Mosley post the slowest time so far but with some weaker cars it appears solid. Max Dudley is up but is missing and Roger McCluskey is up in the #8 and wrestles the year old Eagle to 6th fastest. Jimmy McElreath is now out in the Jack Adams Brawner Turbo-Offy and the 1966 Bryan winner and goes a little faster than Kenyon. So 16 cars in 10 spots to fill with 14 cars to fill them as Art Pollard hits the track in the #20 STP Treatment Turbine and with the track temperature climbing up the Turbine posts the second fastest time. This appears to lock down the first 5 rows starting positions as no other car appeared to have speed in practice. Ronnie Buckman works out a 12th fastest time now the first 8 rows are locked down. Wally Dallenbach another top 10 contender in a free fall gets his last ride in Tassi Vatis’ car and sets 17th fastest time. It is rumored that Wally is going to the Lindsey Hopkins team replacing Roger McCluskey. Johnny Rutherford who suffered burns at this track in the Spring gets the Pat Patrick car in but the slowest time so far as he was down on power. In the Boyce Holt Gerhardt-Chevy was Rick Muther and his time is the slowest by a great deal. He could be in trouble in making the field. Veteran Dempsey Wilson, the Piston maker, in the winning car of 1964 here, is real slow but is in at least for the moment. The 1968 USAC Sprint Car Champion, Larry Dickson gets the #21 Turbo-Ford out and is 17th fastest and locks in the first 10 rows so all battles to start will be behind that. 23 cars are in with 7 to go and Porky Rachwitz is up and gets the Lynch Mob Halibrand Offy into the field with their fingers crossed as he is 24th fastest. For Novi and Turbine driver and 1967 Sprint Car Champion, Greg Weld is out in the Joe Hunt Dirt Car and posts the 25th fastest time and looks like he will not make it. Sonny Ates is out in the #31 Federal Engineering car that he has had some success in 1968 and just posts a field filling time and appears to be safe. The last of the car with points is the late entry of George Snider and he puts the Thermo King #16 in the field bumping Greg Weld. Now up are three cars with no points and Bruce Jacobi is up and posts a slow time but fast enough to send Porky to the trailer. Next up is the Bulldog Stables #26 a two year old Gerhardt and he qualifies and bumps Dempsey Wilson. The last car out was Rollie Beale in the Kilman Dirt Car and it is too bad they weren’t starting 28 as he was 28th fastest. Thus qualifying is done and the best of USAC is done and the field is set.

The Bobby Ball 200 Line-Up:
2 Mario Andretti ONA #64 1967 Hawk II-Turbo/Offy 28.640 125.698MPH NTR
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson 1968 Coyote-Turbo/Ford
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo/Offy

5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD
3 Bobby Unser Rislone 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

24 Arnie Knepper Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes #45 1968 Eagle Turbo/Offy

11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy

38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy

21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford
54 Wally Dallenbach Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Turbo/Offy

10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy

16 George Snider Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Turbo/Offy
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford

31 Sonny Ates Federal Engineering 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
26 Denny Zimmerman Bulldog Stables 1966 Gerhardt-Turbo-Offy

44 Rick Muther Boyce Holt Racing 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy
65 Bruce Jacobi Travelon Trailer 1965 Gerhardt-Offy

51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman-Casale 1964 Halibrand Chevy First Alternate.

[Chris R]

Here's Waldo's next installment:

This race was named after Bobby Ball, a Phoenix driver that won the 1952 San Jose Century in 1952 and was critically injured at Mines Field Speedway in 1953 at a Midget race (Now Los Angeles International Airport) and died a year later. This race was a standard in November from 1950-1963 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds and from 1964-1986 at the Phoenix International Raceway.
J.C. Agajanian was looking at a few bucks as three of the last four promotions were his and he must have been at least smiling as all three were not great but came through in the end.
The command to start the engines was given as 26 engines came to life but when they rolled off one car did not. Denny Zimmerman’s car would not engage and was pushed into the pits to be worked on, thus no alternate. It appears the clutch may not be functioning as the field gets formed for the green.
The green is out and Art Pollard is off and into the lead. The STP Lotus Turbine is working flawlessly and is opening a lead over Mario, A.J. Al and Jim Malloy. A car is slowing on lap 5, it is Wally Dallenbach as he is smoking and heading for the pits in the west end of the track. All of a sudden in turn 2 all hell breaks loose as Mario and A.J. are wrecking on lap 7. Both cars are much wrecked and fuel is spilling all over the track. The caution is out and Mario is making a bee line to the pits but A.J. is shaken and will be transported for observation. The #16 car is brought to the pits and George Snider is out of the car and after some adjustments Mario is back in and loses two laps and is back out in time for the RED FLAG to be displayed.
Both Mario’s and A.J.’s cars fuel tanks were ruptured and almost 140 gallons had been dumped onto the track, during the clean up process the fuel got ignited and thus the red flag as the track was on fire. This incident helped clean up the track but took time to get back to racing. With Zimmerman, Dallenbach, Foyt and Andretti there would be only 22 cars to run the remaining 187 laps.
Finally the Green comes back out and the Turbine balks a bit and Al jumps him and leads lap 14 but the Turbine comes back to lead on lap 15 but the yellow is back out as Jim Malloy is officially wrecked. Jim lost it in the clean up area and bounced hard off the wall while running third.
This mess is cleaned up and off the Turbine goes to lead more laps with $10.00 per lap it was going to be some nice extra cash. As the race approached the 40 mile mark, the 4-WD Turbo-Ford was closing up on the Turbine and on lap 42 goes into the lead as it appears there is a problem on the #20. On lap 46 two cars come in, the 2 lap down Rick Muther car and the #20 with a broken universal joint and both car’s day was over.
At 50 miles Al Unser led, Bobby Unser, Lloyd Ruby, Roger McCluskey, Gordon Johncock, Ronnie Buckman and Arnie Knepper on the lead lap. Sam Sessions, Gary Bettenhausen and Jim McElreath were a lap down with 19 cars running and Mario was 18th in the #16.
Things were quiet until lap 63 when Bobby Unser’s engine and title hopes went by the wayside as he joined the rest out of the race. Bruce Jacobi came in 5 laps down and out of the race and got scored 18th. The most interesting race was Johnny Rutherford and Sonny Ates dueling each other while moving up in the field.
Bobby Unser was in the #90 pits but needed a caution to make the switch but at 75 miles it was still green. Al led Lloyd, Roger, Gordy, Ronnie, Arnie -1, Gary -1, Sam -2, Mel -2 and Sonny -2.
Well at the leaders 95th lap Sonny and Johnny wrecked each other in turn 3 but not bad as it appears the caution would be quick. Mike Mosley is in and Bobby Unser goes back out to the fight but down as the green comes out.
Al Unser’s Turbo-Ford did not like this and started to sour as Lloyd Ruby jumped him and took the lead. With 15 cars still running it was going to be a race to survive.
At 100 Miles:
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 1968 Lola-Turbo Ford 4WD
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1968 Eagle-Turbo/Offy
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes #45 1968 Eagle Turbo/Offy
24 Arnie Knepper Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Turbo/Ford -1
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -1
16 George Snider/Mario Andretti Thermo King Auto Air #16 Gerhardt Turbo/Offy -2
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy -2
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -2
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy -4
15 Mel Kenyon City of Lebanon 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy -8
21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford -8
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -12

From 101 laps on Ruby was on a rail and running away from the field as Al started to fall back and is in the pits on east side of the track on lap 121 with a blown engine. Knepper comes in right behind him. Arnie Knepper gets out at Al Unser is in. Then a bizarre thing occurs, the #5 car is pushed across the Start/Finish line to complete another lap, while its driver is completing the same lap in another car, another one of those Relief Driver incidents. Ronnie Buckman had been in the pits and lost time and went back out and back in and out of the race. Mel Kenyon’s day came to an end also with both completing 128 miles. Then Al Unser blew up the relief ride and got scored as completing 136 miles and getting scored in 12th. With the 20 points earned, Knepper got 12 and Unser got 8.
Many cars at this point were very sick, Tingelstad, Bobby and Larry Dickson have been in and out of the pits but the story was becoming the #16 car as he is running strong. On the 141st lap the second place runner Roger McCluskey blew his engine and got scored 11th.
At 150 Miles:
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone 1968 Mongoose-Turbo/Offy
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -1
16 George Snider/Mario Andretti Thermo King Auto Air #16 Gerhardt Turbo/Offy -2
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy -3
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -3
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy -5
21 Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford -10
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy -12
10 Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -18
This race was Lloyd’s to win as he was a lap and a half ahead of Gary and over two ahead of Mario in the #16. Everyone else was just putting in laps to finish the race as high as they could.
At Lap 175 the results were Ruby, Gary -2, Andretti -3, Vukovich -6, Sessions, -7, McElreath -7, Johncock -9, Dickson -20, B. Unser -22 and Tingelstad -33. Shortly there after Ruby began to slow for some reason as he was signaling his pits that it appeared his left rear tire was deflating. The Dave Laycock crew got ready as Lloyd led lap 183 and in turn one the tire deflated. He slowly made his way to the east end of the pits. Gary is now down one lap and Lloyd is not in the pits yet. Once stopped, the crew is having difficulty getting the tire off and Gary is now on the lead lap and things are still not going well. Before Lloyd can get back out Gary is leading and up a lap on Lloyd and pulling away. Lloyd is able to maintain second as this was a three lap turn around and Mario was a lap down but just ahead of Gary Bettenhausen.
All Gary had to do was finish now 15 miles, a Sprint Car race and he would win his first race on the Championship Trail and would be the only driver this season to win in three divisions in 1968. (Sprints and Midgets)
Soon it was 10 miles as he is a lap and half ahead of Lloyd and Mario just in front of him. Then 5 miles as Gary’s car handling is going away as Lloyd is closing the distance to a lap and a quarter. With 2 miles to go there is a problem with the #11 Thermo King car as Lloyd is getting close to un-lapping himself.
White Flag and Gary is slowing way down as it appears he has multiple flat tires! Lloyd is back on the lead lap and is hustling. Gary is in turn three as Lloyd is entering turn two. In turn 4 Mario un-laps himself and is now on the lead lap.
Gary crosses the Finish line and stops as the only tire inflated was the right rear. Lloyd finished 2.5 seconds later and Mario 21 seconds behind Lloyd. Those were the only cars to finish the 200 miles and Gary averaged 104.972 as the caution flew once he came to a stop and then the red flag. Mario picked up 266 points, George 14 and Bobby got 40 points so Mario was now 304 points ahead with the second richest point race up next at Riverside.
Cars not finishing 200 Miles.
4. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Turbo/Offy -3
5. Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick #14 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -4
6. Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft #38 (#83) 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy -4
7. Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting #4 1968 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -10
8. Larry Dickson Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1968 Vollstedt/T-Ford -20
9. M. Mosley/Bobby Unser Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #90 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy -23
10. Bud Tingelstad Federal Engineering #10 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy -33

[Chris R]

Drivers Points after Phoenix:
1. Mario Andretti 4154****
2. Bobby Unser 3850***** -304
3. Lloyd Ruby 2549**
4. Al Unser 2492*****
5. Billy Vukovich 2230
6. A.J. Foyt 1860***
7. Gary Bettenhausen 1595*
8. Mel Kenyon 1355
9. Jim Malloy 1265
10. Sam Sessions 1260
11 Roger McCluskey 1208*
12. Dan Gurney 1200**
13. Gordon Johncock 1197**
14. Ronnie Buckman 1180*
15. Bud Tinglestad 1016
16. Wally Dallenbach 990
17. George Snider 919
18. Larry Dickson 890
19. Mike Mosley 860
20. Joe Leonard 850
21. Jim McElreath 751
22. Art Pollard 696
23. Johnny Rutherford 650
24. Sonny Ates 520
25. Ronnie Duman 400X
26. John Cannon 385
27. Max Dudley 305
28. Bill Puterbaugh 265
29. Bruce Walkup 240
30. Rick Muther 210
31. Arnie Knepper 208
32. Mark Donohue 200
33. George Benson 170
34. Bobby Grim 150
35. Carl Williams 150
36 Jerry Daniels 120
37. Bob Veith 100
38. Wib Spaulding 100
39. George Follmer 90
40. Chuck Booth 85
41. Keith Rachwitz 80
42. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
43. Tom Bigelow 80
44. Rollie Beale 80
45. Leon “Jigger” Sirois 75
46 Jack Eiteljorg 70
47. Bob Harkey 60
48. Chuck Hulse 60$
49. Bud Morley 50
50. Denny Zimmerman 50
51. Bob Hurt 45#
52. Ralph Liguori 40
53. Dempsey Wilson 30
54. Roger West 30
55. Bruce Jacobi 30
56. Al Smith 25
57. Ted Foltz 24
58. Wes Vandervoort 21
59. George Fejer 20
60 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
61. Malcom Brazier 12
62. Dr. Lou Sell 10
63. Bob Herring 9
64. Grier Manning 8
65. Ralph Bruning 6
66. Charlie Louderman 5


Car Owner Points after Phoenix:
1. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 T/Offy 1150* 1630*
2. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600**
3. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1520**
4. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1400*
5. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 180 Offy TC 1450 1390
6. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1355
7. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 1065* 1270*
8. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 420 1255
9. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 1115** Ford 190 1205**
10. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 1205
11. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1200**
12. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200**
13. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 1135
14. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 1090
15. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080****
16. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030
17. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 900
18. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 890*
19. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870
20. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 315 T/Offy 555 870
21. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800*
22. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730
23. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700
24. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 640*
25. Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 600
26. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
27. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 560**
28. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
29. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 520
30. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 (#17) 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 510
31. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
32. Weinberger Homes #45(#8) 1968 Eagle Offy TC 500*
33. Sheraton-Thompson #1 Coyote Turbo/Ford 500*
34. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 440
35. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 425
36. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 410*
37. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 380
38. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
39. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 360
40. Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 350
41. Federal Engineering #31 Gerhardt OffyTC 350
42. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 320*
43. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 310
44. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 305
45. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 270
46. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 270
47. Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy 250
48. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 235
49. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 135 Ford 100 235
50. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
51. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 210
52. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
53. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
54. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
55. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 170
56. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
57. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
58. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
59. 59. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 120
60. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 110
61. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
62. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
63. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Edmunds-Turbo/Offy 100
64. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 100
65. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo Ford 100
66. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
67. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
68. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
69. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
70. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
71. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
72. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
73. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
74. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
75. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 60
76. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
77. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
78. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
79. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
80. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 30
81. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
82. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
83. Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 30
84. Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy 25
85. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
86. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
87. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
88. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
89. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
90. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
91. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
92. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
93. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
94. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
95. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
96. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

[Chris R]

Waldo's next installment:
This race would be the second biggest race of the 1968 in distance, 301.6, points 600 to win (4th at Indy) and 30 for 12th. So the entry list was a bit impressive. This race received a FULL FIA Sanction which allowed three drivers to enter on their F-1 or SCCA license. Jack Brabham brought the Jochen Rindt car from Indy and Skip Scott and Jerry Titus were driving “insurance policies” for Al Unser and Mario Andretti respectively.
The Rislone Team finally took delivery of the second car they bought that was kept by Dan Gurney at Indy. The AAR Team prepped the #42 car which was re-painted at the #3 Rislone Eagle-Ford. So Bobby Unser had a tool in his box as this car had not run other than filming for “Winning” since Denis Hulme ran fourth at the Speedway. With 600 points this car if it had a good day could help Bobby win the title and get into the Top 15 in Car Owner Points.
Bobby had a Leader Card two car effort that was confusing. The #90 car was really the #86 car and the #86 car was really the #90, with Mike Mosley and Don Brown up respectively.
Both Turbines were there for their swan song. USAC by cutting the intake annulus to 11.99 for 1969 from 15.99 would ruin this type of power. Andy was already announcing a new Stock Block effort for 1969 with Plymouth power.
John Mecom has announced he is selling his team after the season and getting out of the sport. A team that started in July 1965 with an ex-Agajanian Lola-Ford and Rodger Ward would win 7 races with Ward, Graham Hill and Al Unser plus one exhibition in Japan with Jackie Stewart. The Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team was buying the team and getting Al Unser and George Bignotti as part of the deal.

The Car Owners championship is wide open with anyone in the top 16 with a chance to win the title or share the title. With $100,000 to be split by the Top 25 and 600 points so anyone entered in the top 80 could get there and pick up a “grand”. If a Dan Gurney could repeat his 1967 win of this race and certain things were to happen he could move to 7th in the Driver Standings and win the Car Owners Championship with attending 4 weekends and 5 races.

Some new drivers making their first appearance were Bill Simpson in the #28 Cheetah-Ford and the surprise of Springfield, Joliet, Illinois’ Roger West in the Joe Hunt Dirt Car. With both cars having points will qualify before those scoring no points.

Entry for Riverside “Rex Mays 300”:
1. A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson #84 1968 Coyote-Ford
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford
3 Bobby Unser Rislone #42 1968 Eagle- Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD
8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
9 John Cannon Vel’s Parnelli Jones #29 1967 Mongoose-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford
12 Mark Donohue Sunoco 1968 Lola-Chevy
14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
21 Wally Dallenbach Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
24 Skip Scott Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone #6 1967 Mongoose-Ford
28 Bill Simpson Simpson Safety Equipment 1967 Cheetah-Ford
35 Jack Brabham Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham-Repco
38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1965 Brawner-Ford
39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
41 George Follmer George Follmer 1967 Cheetah/Ford
45 Ronnie Buckman Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle-Gurney/Weslake
50 Les Scott Navarro Injection 1964 Watson-Turbo/Rambler 6
51 Dempsey Wilson Greenman-Casale 1964 Halibrand Chevy
54 Rick Muther Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford
55 Keith Rachwitz Lynch Mob 1965 Halibrand Offy
60 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
64 Jerry Titus ONA 1967 Hawk II-Ford
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 1967 Vollstedt-Ford
69 Bud Morley Arcerio-Martin Racing 1965 Huffaker-Chevy
71 Don Schisler Stewart-Warner Spl 1967 Marathon-Ford
86 Don Brown Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #90 1968 Watson-Turbo/Offy
88 Hamilton Vose Chevel Noir 1967 McKee-Chevy
90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #86 1967 Watson-Ford
93 Ludwig Heimrath Eisert Racing Enterprises 1966 Eisert-Chevy
96 Peter Revson Eisert Racing Enterprises 1968 Eisert-Chevy
98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford
99 Roger West Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy
101 Earl Dykes Earl Smith 1965 Gerhardt-Offy

[Chris R]

Waldo's note about Greg Weld:

(Current Notes)
One week ago, Greg Weld died of a heart attack in his native Kansas City, MO. He was 64 years old. He won 21 USAC Sprint Car races and was runner up by 2.5 points to Johnny Rutherford in 1965 Sprint Points and won the Title in 1967.
Drove Novis in 1966 at the Speedway but failed to qualify. Assigned and took a short ride in the #30 Turbine in 1968 just before Spence crashed that car to his death. He drove several races in 1968 and was in the Joe Hunt Magneto 1961 Lesovsky D Offy
in the PIR race.
In 1969 after Indy he qualified the #57 STP Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy at Milwaukee and survived the backstretch accident that wrecked nearly the whole field. It was started by teammate Art Pollard and since no laps were completed, Greg was taken out and restarted with Art Pollard and he went on to win the Mays 150. In 1968 he would have been credited with a win in 1969 because of zero laps it was like he wasn’t there. He drove a King/Plymouth Dirt Car at Springfield, DuQuoin, Hoosier 100 and Sacramento winning the pole for each race in the Day-Glo STP Entries.
He did qualify that car for the 1970 500 at the Art Pollard Auto Wash Spl but did not last long. He continued to try through 1973 but slid back to a successful wheel business.
Brothers Jerry drove Sprints and the first race at PIR and Kenny was the Pennsylvania Terror in Sprint Cars in the 1970s. They are now all dead and Weld Wheels was sold years ago.
He will be missed.

[portlandCARTfan]

Thoroughly enjoyed this thread. Many memories. I used to view the Indy from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in BW closed circuit. I was at the fall Hanford event also.

Please note the proper spelling of Ronnie Bucknum. It is wrong throughout. Ronnie was a close friend of mine and had many accomplishments throughout his career. Do you know he went from MGBs in Cal Club direct to Honda F1, raced Indycars, TransAm for Penske, won Sebring, had podium at LeMans in GT40 and much more.

[Chris R]

Waldo's latest installment:
Qualifying for the 30 starting positions occurred on Saturday and with 40 cars was going to be an all day event. Two lap, single car qualifying was a time consuming effort with the tops in Driver points and Car Owner points taking the first 11 slots the next 22 would be drivers and or cars that scored points and the final eight would be drivers or cars with no points.

So the first out in the last race as Mecom Racing would be Al Unser and with a lap at around 1:20 he would be safely in. Next would be the 1967 Mongoose of Lloyd Ruby with Ford power as he is considerably slower that the Lola-Ford of Unser’s but still ok. Bobby Unser goes out in the Rislone 1968 Eagle-Ford and misses the mark but is faster than Lloyd but hopes it will race better than it timed in at. The one of two Turbo Offys is next with Sam Session driving the Quaker State surprise of 1968. His time is questionable if it will hold up as he is the slowest by a long shot.
Mario Andretti is back in the Hawk III Ford for this race and sets a 1:19 lap and grabs the pole provisionally. Foyt takes off in the Castle Rock winner and does better than Bobby but he is not real happy with its handling as he threw away lap two. If A.J. was unhappy then Jim Malloy was hopping mad when he posted the second slowest time so far in the 1967 Vollstedt Ford as he gets into Session country.
Gerhardts do not work well on Road Courses but Gary Bettenhausen got it going better than Sessions and Malloy but that was it. Sports car veteran Skip Scott was in the Mecom Insurance car for Al Unser and times in better than Sam, Jim and Gary in his first ride in an Indy Car. Billy Vukovich was wishing this place was dirt but got the Mongoose to go faster than Sam but that was it.
Jerry Titus in the #64 Brawner Hawk II Ford was trying to insure the efforts of Andretti didn’t do badly as he 3rd fastest so far. The top 11 were done and the rest of the point drivers and car owners will attempt to earn their way in.
Wally Dallenbach was in the #21 Bryant Heating and Cooling Vollstedt that Jimmy Clark qualified 2nd with last year in his last start in an Indy car is next out and out qualifies 4 drivers and is 8th fastest so far. With George R. Bryant selling off his two cars to George Follmer, George would be up next and the former USRRC Champion sets 8th Fastest time so far. Ronnie Bucknum was next up in the Legal Eagle from Indy and the former F-1 star sets 6th fastest time so far. Dr. Lou Sell in the Dick Smother Eagle-Ford knocks Ronnie out of 6th and takes it himself.
The next is Dan Gurney and the Olsonite Eagle-Weslake goes 1:18.950 to grab the provisional pole and he made it almost effortlessly. Another Eagle hits the Track with last year’s hero to Foyt, Roger McCluskey in the same car Foyt had to take over to win his 5th title was fighting a bad handling car as he is pretty slow but safe.
The doomed car of Joe Leonard is up next in the #60 Turbine and nearly knocks Mario from the front row and grabs 3rd fastest time. The first 2 rows are now locked down with Gurney, Andretti and Leonard and Al Unser. 3 Firestone drivers and Gurney on “Years” in the tire war. Rutherford is the next to earn his way in with a solid top 10 time for the time being. A bit of a miss match as Don Brown goes out in the number swap #90 to #86 Turbo-Offy and is the slowest so far and will need a miracle to make the race. The second doomed Turbine is on the track with Art Pollard and Art does well a bit off of Foyt’s time as it is getting a little warmer.
Rick Muther is now in the Valvoline Finley Huffaker with Ford power and he carries the car to be faster than Sessions and Brown as anyone else would have been slower by a long shot.
A dirt car on a Road Course with a Midget driver is not a good combination for success at this track. It is surprising he is only the second slowest car of the 23 timed in so far. Jim McElreath is up but is not in line and will go to the rear and only get one lap.
Mike Mosley is in the #86 swapped to #90 1967 Watson-Ford and claws out a lap that is not bad and appears to be safe. So Bobby has one insurance policy in. Mark Donohue goes out in the Sunoco Lola-Chevy and wakes up the crowd with the 5th fastest time.
Don Schisler in the “Winning” Marathon-Ford turns in a boarder line lap but it will be a wait and see. Dempsey Wilson goes slow and looks like to be in trouble in his Halibrand Chevy. Keith “Porky” Rachwitz goes a little faster in the Lynch Mob Halibrand Offy.
The second Follmer car is up with Rookie Bill Simpson and he gets the Cheetah Ford in the race faster than Schisler, West, Rachwitz, Wilson and Brown. Arnie Knepper in the MVS Cecil Ford will fill the field if the veteran Midget and Sprint star can get around this twisting track. Not good but faster than Simpson.
Canadian John Cannon in the #9 (#29) 1967 Mongoose-Ford actually was a teammate to the #60 Car was both were owned by Parnelli Jones, goes out and again wakes up the world with a very solid time about mid field with a car that hadn’t seen action since Indy. Don Brown is bumped from the field.
Peter Revson in the Eisert Racing Enterprises Eisert Chevy #96 lights it up and will start near Cannon in the middle of the field. Dempsey Wilson is going home.
Gordon Johncock is in a 1966 Eagle Ford and even though it is the Gilmore Broadcasting Spl it is the #79 (#3) Rislone Eagle. All for car owner points for Leader Card and another insurance policy for Bobby Unser. He does real well 11th fastest and Porky misses the show.
Now we are into cars with no points as the Rambler of Les Scott and the Offy of Earl Dykes are too slow to make the race. Hamilton Vose goes fast enough to knock out West but is on the bubble. Rookie Bud Morley gets his Huffaker going faster than Vose but still on the bubble. Ludwig Heimrath in the second Eisert Car bumps Morley as the bottom time keeps moving up with 2 cars to go.
Wouldn’t you hate to be on the bubble with a three time World Champion up next? Jack Brabham in the 256 cubic inch Repco gets up and sets 6th fastest time bumping Heimrath and leaving Schisler on the bubble with only One Lap Jimmy McElreath in the 1965 Hoosier GP winner. Schisler was doomed as Jimmy turns in the 29th fastest time.
Starting Line-Up:
48 Dan Gurney Olsonite Eagle 1968 Eagle-Gurney/Weslake
2 Mario Andretti ONA 1968 Hawk III-Ford

60 Joe Leonard Vel's Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD
5 Al Unser Retzloff Chemical 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD

12 Mark Donohue Sunoco Lola-Chevy
35 Jack Brabham Repco-Brabham 1968 Brabham-Repco

64 Jerry Titus ONA 1967 Hawk II-Ford
1 A.J. Foyt Jr. Sheraton-Thompson #84 1968 Coyote-Ford

3 Bobby Unser Rislone #42 1968 Eagle- Ford
20 Art Pollard STP Oil Treatment 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD

39 Dr. Lou Sell Wynn’s—Dick Smothers 1967 Eagle-Ford
4 Gordon Johncock Gilmore Broadcasting 1967 Eagle- Ford

45 Ronnie Bucknum Weinberger Homes Spl. 1967 Eagle/Ford
25 Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone #6 1967 Mongoose-Ford

9 John Cannon Vel’s Parnelli Jones #29 1967 Mongoose-Ford
96 Peter Revson Eisert Racing Enterprises 1968 Eisert-Chevy

23 Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum 1966 Eagle-Ford
24 Skip Scott Retzloff Chemical #5 1967 Lola-Ford

41 George Follmer George Follmer 1967 Cheetah/Ford
21 Wally Dallenbach Bryant Heating and Cooling 1967 Vollstedt-Ford

90 Mike Mosley Leader Card Zecol-Lubaid #86 1967 Watson-Ford
11 Gary Bettenhausen Thermo-King 1968 Gerhardt- Ford

8 Roger McCluskey G.C. Murphy 1967 Eagle- Ford
67 Jim Malloy Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 1967 Vollstedt-Ford

98 Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed 1968 Mongoose-Ford
54 Rick Muther Valvoline 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford

14 Sam Sessions Quaker State-Caves Buick 1967 Gerhardt-Turbo/Offy
19 Arnie Knepper MVS 1967 Cecil-Ford

38 Jim McElreath Jack Adams Aircraft 1965 Brawner-Ford
28 Bill Simpson Simpson Safety Equipment 1967 Cheetah-Ford

Alternate: 71 Don Schisler Horton Marathon Ford

[Chris R]

Waldo's next installment:
On Race Day the promoter Les Richter was happy as 29,800 came though the gates giving the purse a
boost to $72,970 and RIR made a neat $210,000 for Sunday or about $250,000 for the weekend. These
numbers although good were still less than half of the Motor Trend 500 run in January for NASCAR
Grand National Stock Cars, a race won by Dan Gurney in the Wood Brothers #121 Ford Torino. The
Saturday Permatex 300 Sportsman Race had nearly as many as the Indy Cars.
As the fans got ready, so did the TV cameras as this show would be taped for ABC’s Wide World of Sports
for broadcast 2 weeks later. The fans were wondering if Gurney could be stopped, if Bobby or Mario
would grab the National Championship, what owner would squeak out the Car Owner’s title, would this
race be good or a snoozer and could the Turbines win in their last race?
Everyone looked good coming to the green and Dan Gurney grabbed the lead. At then end of one it was
Gurney, Andretti, Al Unser, Leonard, Donohue, Titus, Pollard, Unser, Sell, Foyt and Brabham. The field
was beginning to string out behind the top 10 as Dr. Lou Sell was on a mission. Going down the back
stretch heading for 8 he passes Bobby and Pollard squeezes him purely by accident sending Sell up an
embankment and tumbling side over side rupturing his fuel tank and ending on some bails of hay in
turn #8 and on fire. A very ugly accident with Sell unconscious and burning as rescue crews arrive.
The caution is out and full course so Sell was out and scored 30th but Dallenbach blows his engine in the
Bryant Heating and Cooling car and is credited with 2 laps complete and 29th. This accident is very
serious as Sell will be transported with head injuries and severe burns. On lap 5 Gurney stops in the pits
for tires and fuel. Did he pick up something from the Sell accident? Jim McElreath is out with an broken
front suspension as he may have had some debris contact. Jimmy was scored 28th. Bill Simpson’s first
race was all over as he broke an Oil Seal in the Cheetah-Ford and got 1 racing lap and 4 laps under the
caution. He was scored 27th in the final tally.
Mario led through lap 8 when the pit window opened up for a possible splash stop near the end? It
would be doubtful but maybe possible at a reduced rate. Mario stops along with almost half the field.
When the green comes out on strong cars were way back and Dan Gurney took advantage of this to
check out and go on a Sunday drive. Al Unser one of those that stopped hit some oil in the esses and is into the sand and is wrecked completing 13 laps and is on foot to the pits to take over Skip Scott’s car. Al is 26th and the oiler was Sam Sessions and makes it to the pits and out of the race and is 25th.
At 20 laps Gurney led Leonard by a zip code, Titus, Foyt, Donohue, Bobby Unser, Brabham, Johncock,
Andretti and Follmer. Al Unser was now in the #24 Lola-Ford and had been for 5 laps as he is moving to
get into the points. He was already a lap down and about to go two down. The attrition rate goes up in
the range from 21-30 as Jim Malloy has no throttle and slows to a stop before Turn 8 and pulls off and is
scored 24th, then both Brabham and Titus are in the pits with an oil leak and a broken rear suspension.
Jack is scored 23rd and Jerry 22nd but more important is the Andretti Racing insurance policy has be
cashed and done. At this rate maybe 8 to 10 cars will be running at the end of this race.
At 30 laps it was Gurney, Leonard, Donohue, Foyt, Bobby Unser, Andretti, Johncock, Ruby and Pollard
-1. On Lap 35, Mark Donohue broke his front suspension in his Lola and his day was over after making it
to third and scored 21st
At 40 laps Gurney, Leonard, Foyt, Andretti, Bobby Unser, Johncock, Ruby, Pollard -1, Follmer -2,
Scott/Unser -3 and Muther -4. On lap 48 Foyt who just lost 4th to Andretti tore up his gear box and
finishes the day in 20th. The 50 lap run down is Gurney, Leonard, Andretti, and Bobby Unser, Johncock
-1, Ruby -1, Pollard -1, Follmer -2, Scott/Unser -3 and Muther -4.
Gary Bettenhausen’s struggle with the Gerhardt came to an end with a blown engine and is scored 19th
for his efforts. Mario moves past the Turbine and is looking like the National Champion when boom, his
engine blows on lap 59. He does make it to the pits but what Firestone shod car will he be in next?
At 60 laps: Gurney, Leonard, Bobby Unser, Andretti -1 (out), Johncock -1, Ruby, Pollard -1, Follmer -3,
Scott/Unser -3 and Muther -4. On lap 62 the #60 Turbine is in for fuel and for Mario to climb in. The
Turbine goes back out and one lap later while heading into turn 9, the inexperienced Andretti loses the
#60 and uses the #20 as his cushion before hitting the wall. This ended the Turbines of Granatelli but
not Mario’s day as the Caution is out.
At 70 laps: Gurney, Bobby Unser, Johncock -1, Ruby -1, Scott/Unser -3, Muther -4, Bucknum -4, Follmer
-5, Rutherford -5 and McCluskey. Soon the attrition rate spiked again but more important was where oh
where was Mario going? On lap 70, Lloyd Ruby in the Gene White Firestone Spl was in and so was Mario.
Now all he had to do was keep it going and he could win the title. Once green, car after car was finished.
Arnie Knepper was scored 15th and Mike Mosley in the Bobby Unser insurance car was scored 14th.
Then Ronnie Bucknum broke his Eagle, then McCluskey calls it a day after fighting a sick engine all day.
He does get scored 12th thus getting 30 points for his efforts. Roger completed 74 out of the 116 laps.
At 80 laps: Gurney, Bobby Unser, Johncock -2, Ruby/Andretti -2, Scott/Unser -3, Muther -6, Rutherford
-7, Follmer -8, Revson -9, Vukovich -12 and Cannon -15. Dan pits on lap 82 as does Johncock but Dan
leaves and Gordon does not as the borrowed Rislone Eagle tears up its rear end and collects 60 points for
his efforts. Only ten cars are still running and not one has anything for Gurney and Weslake power.
At 90 laps: Gurney, Bobby Unser -1, Ruby/Andretti -2, Scott/Unser -3, Muther -7, Rutherford -8, Follmer
-9, Revson -9, Vukovich -12 and Cannon -15. Peter Revson loses his gear box and is scored 10th and gets
90 points making him the 67th driver to score points for 1968. Everyone has pitted and can go the
distance and with only 9 cars running, Gurney was now using his head as was Bobby and Mario. It
appears both Drivers and Car Owner Titles were at stake in the top 3.
At 100 laps: Gurney, Bobby Unser -1, Ruby/Andretti -2, Scott/Unser -3, Muther -8, Rutherford -10,
Vukovich -13, Follmer -16 (Pits) and Cannon -15. The drive so far was Rick Muther taking the
Finley/Huffaker Ford from 26th to 5th and Vuky from 25th to 7th but both just running not racing.
At 110 laps: Gurney, Bobby Unser -1, Ruby/Andretti -3, Scott/Unser -4, Muther -10, Rutherford -12,
Vukovich -14, Follmer -18 and Cannon -19.
The race ends at lap 116 and 2:42:01.27 at an average speed of 111.689 MPH and Dan Gurney leads 112
laps of 116 and wins the lion’s share of the $72,970. The big question was who was the champion? It
appears it could be Unser according to Goodyear, Firestone is saying Andretti. More later but here is the
cars running at the end of 301.6 Miles.
2. Bobby Unser Rislone #3 (#42) 1968 Eagle- Ford 115 Laps
3. Lloyd Ruby/Andretti Gene White Firestone #25 (#6) 1967 Mongoose-Ford 113
4. Skip Scott/Unser Retzloff Chemical #24 (#5) 1967 Lola-Ford 112
5. Rick Muther Valvoline #54 1968 Finley-Huffaker-Ford 107
6. Johnny Rutherford Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle-Ford 103
7. Billy Vukovich Wagner-Lockheed #98 1968 Mongoose-Ford 101
8. George Follmer George Follmer #41 1967 Cheetah/Ford 97
9. John Cannon Vel’s Parnelli Jones #9 (#29) 1967 Mongoose-Ford

[Chris R]

another new Waldo installment:
It was now up to an audit of points. All this relief driver appearances had to be looked at. The top 4 spots were in question. 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th were in question. The balance of the positions was pretty safe.
At this point Bobby Unser was National Champion by 13-15 points over Mario and with that Lloyd Ruby was 3rd in the points by 2 points over Al Unser.
Firestone was ended up strong as 3 of the 4 cars in question were Firestone drivers and got 6 of the top 10 drivers.
Below are the 5th through 67th in Driver Points plus Point Money:
5. Billy Vukovich 2410 $8,000
6. A.J. Foyt 1860*** $7,000
7. Dan Gurney 1800*** $6,000
8. Gary Bettenhausen 1595* $5,000
9. Mel Kenyon 1355 $4,000
10. Jim Malloy 1265 $3,000
11. Sam Sessions 1260 $2,000
12 Gordon Johncock 1257** $2,000
13. Roger McCluskey 1238* $2,000
14. Ronnie Buckman 1180* $2,000
15. Bud Tinglestad 1016 $2,000
16. Wally Dallenbach 990 $1,500
17. George Snider 919 $1,500
18. Larry Dickson 890 $1,500
19. Johnny Rutherford 890 $1,500
20. Mike Mosley 860 $1,500
21. Joe Leonard 850 $1,000
22. Jim McElreath 751 $1,000
23. Art Pollard 696 $1,000
24. Sonny Ates 520 $1,000
25. Rick Muther 510 $1,000
26. John Cannon 505
27. Ronnie Duman 400X
28. Max Dudley 305
29. Bill Puterbaugh 265
30. Bruce Walkup 240
31. George Follmer 240
32. Arnie Knepper 208
33. Mark Donohue 200
34. George Benson 170
35. Bobby Grim 150
36. Carl Williams 150
37 Jerry Daniels 120
38. Bob Veith 100
39. Wib Spaulding 100
40. Peter Revson 90
41. Chuck Booth 85
42. Keith Rachwitz 80
43. Lothar Motschenbacher 80
44. Tom Bigelow 80
45. Rollie Beale 80
46. Leon “Jigger” Sirois 75
47 Jack Eiteljorg 70
48. Bob Harkey 60
49. Chuck Hulse 60$
50. Bud Morley 50
51. Denny Zimmerman 50
52. Bob Hurt 45#
53. Ralph Liguori 40
54. Dempsey Wilson 30
55. Roger West 30
56. Bruce Jacobi 30
57. Al Smith 25
58. Ted Foltz 24
59. Wes Vandervoort 21
60. George Fejer 20
61 Paul Kleinschimdt 15
62. Malcom Brazier 12
63. Dr. Lou Sell 10
64. Bob Herring 9
65. Grier Manning 8
66. Ralph Bruning 6
67. Charlie Louderman 5

The Car owners title was not subject to the audit and Dan Gurney in the Olsonite Eagle Gurney Weslake 305 Engine with 3 wins and a second at Indy won the Car Owners Title racing only 4 times.
Some nice checks went out to the teams and would help with the longest season.
Car Owner Points after Riverside:
1. Olsonite #48 1968 Eagle Weslake 1800*** $25,000
2. Gene White #25 (#6) Mongoose OffyTC 835 Ford 840 1675 $15,000
3. Andretti Racing Team #2 (#64) Brawner Ford 480 T/Offy 1150* 1630* $12,500
4. Andretti Racing Team #2 Brawner III-Ford 1600** $10,000
5. Agajanian #98 Mongoose Ford 360 Offy TC 1450 1570 $8,000
6. Retzloff Chemical #5 Lola Ford 1565 $7,000
7. Gene White #25 Mongoose OffyTC 1520** $6,000
8. Rislone #3 1968 Eagle OffyTC 1400* $5,000
9. Thermo King Auto Air Cond/ City of Lebanon #15 Gerhardt OffyTC 1355 $4,000
10. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #11 Gerhardt Ford 205 Offy TC 1065* 1270* $3,000
11. Johncock Racing Team #4 Gerhardt OffyTC 1115** Ford 190 1205** $2,000
12. Rislone #3 1967 Eagle OffyTC 1200** $2,000
13. Valvoline #54 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 870 Ford 300 1170 $2,000
14. Quaker State #14 Gerhardt OffyTC 1135 $2,000
15. Leader Card #90 Watson Offy TC 1090 $2,000
16. Retzloff Chemical #5 (#24) 1968 Lola-Ford 4-WD 1080**** $1,500
17 Olsonite #42 1968 Eagle Ford 1080 $1,500
18. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 Vollstedt FordTC 30 Ford 1000 1030 $1,500
19. Rislone #3 (#79) 1966 Eagle Ford 950* $1,500
20. Federal Engineering #10 Gerhardt OffyTC 900 $1,500
21. G. C. Murphy #8 Eagle Ford 345 T/Offy 555 900 $1,000
22. Sheraton-Thompson #1 (#84) Coyote Ford 800* $1,000
23. Leader Card #90 (#86) Watson Ford 730 $1,000
24. Weinberger Homes #45 Eagle/Ford 700 $1,000
25. Michner Petroleum #23 1966 Eagle- Ford 680 $1,000
26. Overseas National Airways #2 1951 Kuzma-Offy 640*
27. Jack Adams Aircraft #36 Lola-Ford 570
28. Sheraton-Thompson #1 1968 Foyt/Meskowski-Offy 560**
29. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Brabham-Hayhoe Offy TC 550
30. Thermo-King #11 1964 Ward-Offy 520
31. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 (#17) 1967 Vollstedt-Ford 510
32. Wagner Lockheed #98 1960 Watson-Offy 500
33. Weinberger Homes #45(#8) 1968 Eagle Offy TC 500*
34. Sheraton-Thompson #1 Coyote Turbo/Ford 500*
35 Vel's Ford Sales #9 (#29) Mongoose Ford 470
36. George R. Bryant #41 1967 Cheetah-Ford 430
37. Vel’s Parnelli Jones--STP Oil Treatment #60 Lotus Turbine 425
38. Retzloff Chemical #5 1963 Dunlap-Offy 410*
39. Thermo King Auto Air Cond #16 Gerhardt Offy TC 380
40. Zecol-Lubaid #90 1963 Watson-Offy 360
41. Federal Engineering #31 Gerhardt OffyTC 350
42. G.C. Murphy #8 1959 Kuzma-Offy 320*
43. Weinberger Homes #45 1962 Blum-Offy 310
44. Dudley Trucking #61 Gerhardt Chevy 305
45. California Speed Sport #87 1965 Halibrand-Offy 270
46. Jack Adams Aircraft #83 1965 Brawner-Turbo Offy 250
47. Ken Brenn #57 1960 Meskowski D-Offy 235
48. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #27 Vollstedt OffyTC 135 Ford 100 235
49. Midwest Manufacturing #84 1951 Kurtis 4000-Offy 220
50. STP Oil Treatment #20 1968 Lotus-Turbine 4-WD 210
51. Valvoline #94 Huffaker-Finley OffyTC 200
52. Sunoco #66 Lola-Chevy 200
53. City of Seattle #18 Eagle-Ford 180
54. Maxson #68 1959 Meskowski-Offy 170
55. Vargo Excavating #52 1960 Meskowski-Offy 150
56. Joe Hunt Magneto #99 Lesovsky D Offy 145
57. Ken Brenn #88 1966 Gerhardt-Ford 130
58. Wagner-Lockheed #98 (#97) 1966 Shrike-Ford 120
59. Valvoline #54 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 120
60. E. R. E. Enterprises #96 Eisert Chevy 120
61. Bulldog Stables #36 1965 Gerhardt-Chevy 110
62. Jim Robbins Seat Belt #67 1967 King-Ford 255.1 100
63. MVS #19 1964 Ward-Offy 100
64. Cleaver-Brooks #59 Edmunds-Turbo/Offy 100
65. Federal Engineering #10 1961 Meskowski-Offy 100
66. Bryant Heating and Cooling #21 1968 Vollstedt-Turbo Ford 100
67. Michner Petroleum #23 (#22) Lola Ford 90
68. S&D #20 1958 Meskowski-Offy 90
69. Boyce Holt Racing #44 1958 Turner D-Chevy 85
70. Lynch #55 Halibrand Offy 80
71. MVS #19 1967 Cecil-Ford 80
72. Vel's Ford Sales #9 Morris Ford TC 75
73. Debbie Drake #7 1966 Eisert-Chevy 70
74. Rislone #3 1960 Watson-Offy 60
75. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 1950 Silnes-Offy 60
76. McClure Plastic #31 1959 Vollstedt-Offy 60
77. Stewart-Warner Spl #71 1967 Marathon-Ford 50
78. Central Excavating #81 Gerhardt OffyTC 45
79. George R. Bryant #28 Cheetah Ford 40
80. T.D. Enterprises #58 1960 Lesovsky-Offy 40
81. Greenman #51 Halibrand Chevy 30
82. Rislone #92 PP-Chevy 30*
83. Windmill Trucking #76 1950 Silnes-Offy 30
84. Steck 1966 Chenoweth Roadster-Chevy 25
85. Godwin Beverage #31 PP-Chevy 24
86. Rocky Mountain Paving #22 PP-Chevy 21
87. Chinook Mk VII #111 Chinook-Ford 20
88. Overseas National Airways #2 PP-Ford 18
89. Dayton Steel Wheel #77 Gerhardt Ford 15
90. Coors #4 PP-Cadillac 15
91. Gruenerwald Kearny Construction #61 PP-Buick 12
92. Wynn’s—Dick Smothers #39 1967 Eagle-Ford 10
93. Campo Construction #9 PP-Chevy 9
94. Agajanian Wagner Lockheed #98 (#97) Watson-Offy 8
95. Bruning Construction #26 PP-Ford 6
96. Bill Wynn #43 PP-Chevy 5

Here are some of the Team Amounts:
All American Racers : $26,500 (#48 and #42)
Andretti Racing Team: $22,500 (#2 and #64)
Gene White: $21,000 (#6 and #25)
John Mecom: $8,500 (#5 and #24)
Leader Card-Phillips: $8,500 (#3 (1968) #3 (1967) and #79)
Agajanian: $8,000 (#98)
Fred Gerhardt: $7,000 (#11 and #15)
Leader Card-Watson: $3,000 (#86 and #90)
Johncock Racing Team: $2,000 (#4)
Tassi Vatis: $2,000 (#54)
Myron Caves: $2,000 #14)

[dataman1]

I sure hope you used cut and paste. Man that was a lot of typing.

[Chris R]

yes, I am cutting and pasting!! :) I am glad to help out but...

Anyway - here is the season wrap-up as far as points are concerned. Not sure if anything will follow - in case it does not I would like to thank Waldo for putting this together - it has been really interesting.
************************************************** *************


When the audit was done Bobby Unser of Albuquerque, NM became National Driving Champion for 1968. He won the title by 11 points over Mario Andretti. The audit gave 3rd place to Al Unser by 1 point over Lloyd Ruby.
One must ask were did the title get won at? In the end it was Riverside but 11 points could have been made up anywhere. At Indy after blowing up his car, he could have taken it easy in the #64 car and brought it home 12th and would have gotten 22 points and a title. At Pikes Peak he gave up 12 points to Bobby. At the Langhorne Twins, Bobby’s owner gave him a car and he did nothing with it. 11th in Heat 1 would be 20 points but nothing. A 12th in both heats then 20 points, nothing.
For the second year in a row Mario lost titles by small margins because of his own hard driving, sometimes in practice that in the end cost him a chance for 5 titles in a row.

Bobby Unser joins A.J. Foyt, Larry Dickson and Mel Kenyon as the National Champions of 1968 and all three got National Championship Trail Checks with Dickson ending up 18th in points.
Bobby got an extra Check for $5,000 from Goodyear and other checks from Enco, Autolite and Rislone totaling another $5,000.
Of course the Championship Trail was a little less without Ronnie Duman, Bob Hurt and the retirements of Chuck Hulse and Chuck Stevenson.
The Top 12 in points would have the numbers 1-12 for 1969 available to them.
The Top 12:
1. Bobby Unser 4330***** $25,000
2. Mario Andretti 4319**** -11 $15,000
3. Al Unser 2795***** $12,500
4. Lloyd Ruby 2794** $10,000
5. Billy Vukovich 2410 $8,000
6. A.J. Foyt 1860*** $7,000
7. Dan Gurney 1800*** $6,000
8. Gary Bettenhausen 1595* $5,000
9. Mel Kenyon 1355 $4,000
10. Jim Malloy 1265 $3,000
11. Sam Sessions 1260 $2,000
12 Gordon Johncock 1257** $2,000

[Chris R]

one more from Waldo - I have had this for a while - just been busy so sorry for the delay!!
1968 Epilogue
40 years ago things were different but some things remain the same. Away from the Month of May over 579,000 fans made it to the 24 dates, 27 races. With the month of May there were almost 1,050,000 that viewed the USAC Championship Trail with eyeballs glued to the action. These numbers are not that much different 40 years later as they were 40 years prior.
If we truly look at who shows up in 1928 to a heavily board track series was very close to about the same in more difficult times to get to the races. This meant just about everyone in the surrounding 40 to 50 miles were there for the races so who were hardcore race fans of the day and how many thought it would be fun to see crashes?
If we looked carefully to the past you would find about 225,000 to 250,000 of those that went knew what was going on, the rest were rubes sucked in by speed and pretty cars and the balance just onlookers.
In 1968, with modern transportation then you would expect numbers to climb but in reality the number of hardcore fans maybe went up by 25,000. The rest were rubes, place fans and onlookers. With that though some other numbers are apparent, over $1,700,000 was paid out to the competitors in purse, appearance and point monies. So with those fans let us look if these fans made it successful. Indy was $507,000 and sponsorship money totaled $293,000 and appearance money totaled up to $24,000. This leaves $876,000 with the minimum subtracted out of $18,400 X 24 dates or $441,600 or $434,400. Take $434,400 and divide it by 20% or $2,172,000 in revenue divided by 24 or $90,500 or about 9050 fans over the minimum required which was around 9000.
These were non sponsored tickets but fans purchasing in advance or race day tickets. Tracks made money but Stardust was doomed, they ran one more race at Hanford and it was gone. Mosport and St Jovite were lost in 1969 with one shot deals at Dover, Brainerd and Kent added but they too could not make it.
So the 1968 season held true to the season 40 years prior but it wasn’t much better than today’s racing as far as those who really know the sport. Today we are spoiled with live racing so that people do not have to leave their Lazy Boy and venture out and talk with those that share their passion as they had to do in 1928 and 1968. Today’s fan gains their knowledge from what they are told or read by someone not there or from other fans gaining their knowledge from the same places. So in 2008 how many of those that go to the races are hardcore? About 325,000, so in 80 years we have only made 75,000 more hardcore race fans.
Many of those are like me, a second generation in love with this sport but that number is about 50,000 that are generational fans of this sport. NASCAR is becoming the masters of generational fans and that has been true for years and years.
So with those willing to go to races dwindling due to many reasons 2009 will be similar to 1969 as attendance drops through out the sport and USAC decides on some fateful decisions of the 1971 that will forever damage the sport and chase it away from its roots but on December 31, 1968 there were smiles but on January 1st, 1969 the rules were now these:
DOHC Non-Blown 257 Cubic In (No Change)
DOHC Blown 161 Cubic In (Down from 168)
Stock Block 335 Cubic In (Up from 305)
Stock Block (Special Heads) 320 Cubic In (Up from 305)
Stock Block Blown 209 Cubic In (No Change)
Turbine 11.999 Air Annulus (Down from 15.999)

A set of rules that would last over 10 years and portions of it stayed until the death of Champ Car.

The more things change the more things remain the same as the past can lead to our future.

Thank you and good luck to those interested in our past.

[SoCalPVguy]

Where's Waldo ?

[garyshell]

Off telling some other group that he knows everything and they know nothing. Who cares.

Gary

[Phoenixent]

Off telling some other group that he knows everything and they know nothing. Who cares.

Gary

Well Gary

I know he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way but he was a great source of info on early Indycar racing. I do consider it a Great Loss to this forum and it's members. Maybe next time we can open our minds more. Members on this forum also slammed Derek Daly hard when he was here. Not very open to hearing someone else that's not fighting with them. SAD

[garyshell]

Well Gary

I know he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way but he was a great source of info on early Indycar racing. I do consider it a Great Loss to this forum and it's members. Maybe next time we can open our minds more. Members on this forum also slammed Derek Daly hard when he was here. Not very open to hearing someone else that's not fighting with them. SAD


No question he was a WEALTH of information, his store of knowledge and its recall were simple amazing. When he first appeared he uncovered a bunch of information about my uncle who drove in NASCAR in the 60's. But that helpfulness soon faded. The problem was he used that knowledge and recall to try to bludgeon any and every one who dared to take exception to a single point that he would make. He clearly felt we were all beneath him. On a couple of occasions, I went out of my way, behind the scenes and in the open forums, to try to make amends with the guy, because he had initially been so helpful to me personally. All I ever got in return for those efforts was vitriol and derision. I got tired of beating my head against that wall, and got even more tired of his "holier than thou attitude". And I was NOT alone. The mods had their fill of him and they are considerably more tolerant than I. It wasn't US that needed to open our minds.

Gary

[SoCalPVguy]

Off telling some other group that he knows everything and they know nothing. Who cares.

Gary


So do you have ANYTHING to contribute to the conversation or are you going to just stand in the corner and take pot shots?

SoCal

[garyshell]

SoCalPVguy,

Did you read message #130?

Gary

[wof]

That thread was terrific!!! could you possibly do that for the 73-74 seasons? please please please!!!