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
Reliving The 1986 Chicago Bears’ Season
Much has been said and written about the 1985 Chicago Bears, but what about
Unveiling the Real Lives of Wrestling Superstars in “350 Days” Documentary
The most common regret expressed by people before they die is: “ I wish
Reliving The 1974 Dallas Cowboys’ Season
After appearing in the NFC Championship game four years in a row, from 1970
Dick Tracy and the Chicago Cardinals
Long before we could watch football games on our phones, or talk with our
Touchdowns and Time: A Brief History of the NFL
The National Football League (NFL), America’s preeminent professional football organization, has a rich and
NFL Game Plan Gifts From The 1970s
There have been two documented cases that I know of during the 1970s where
Detroit Lions Dynasty of the 1950s
The Detroit Lions franchise began in 1930, but they were the Portsmouth Spartans for
The Inspiring Comeback of Weightlifter Tim Caso
When I first started Olympic Weightlifting in 1981, at nineteen years old, Tim was