May 26, 1974 – The words “Gentlemen start your engines,” was declared for the first time on a Sunday schedule at the Indianapolis 500. The Indy car race had traditionally been conducted on May 30 regardless of the week for almost 60 years prior.
In the great race at the old brickyard, it was Johnny Rutherford claiming the first of his three Indy victories. It got a little hairy for the racer though when oil from A.J. Foyt’s open-wheel racer flew back and landed on Rutherford’s windshield with 150 laps remaining making visibility extremely challenging for the driver.
Want to learn about Indy Car racing from a first-hand account? Listen to the Tim Coffeen Talks Indy car and Racing History podcast here on the Sports History Network.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Why CasinosAnalyzer Is the Go-To Platform for Transparent Casino Rankings
In a digital landscape where more than 3,500 online casinos compete for attention, players
Dogecoin Casinos and Sports Culture in the Streaming Era
Sports history used to live in box scores, radio calls, and grainy highlight reels.
Searching for the “Zest” of the 1931 Chicago Bears
Throughout the history of professional football, every so often you might notice a club
1973 Atlanta Falcons – Best Season In First Decade Of Existence
The Atlanta Falcons joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1966. Like most
Fanatics Raises the Bar for Sportsbooks with New Prediction Platform
The sports betting industry, which has taken the world by storm over the past
Top 6 Types of Wild Symbols In Online Slots
Wild symbols are a standard feature in many online Slots. They act as substitutes
Cheltenham Comebacks and Shock Wins: The Moments Nobody Expected
Cheltenham has a way of pulling stories out of horses that you don’t see
How Prepaid Access Shaped Casual Sports Gaming
Before apps auto saved cards and one tap wallets became standard, casual fans who