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
1972 NFC Semi-Final Game Between Dallas and San Fransisco
Dallas fell behind quickly when Vic Washington ran the opening kickoff 97 yards to
1948: The Last Hurrah of the Chicago Cardinals
Cardinals’ fans are familiar with the long, sad story concerning the current championship dry
Remembering the Great Punters of the 1970s
It is perhaps the least appreciated, or probably the least understood position in a
Beyond The Stitch: The Dynamic Story of Basketball Uniforms
In the thrilling sport of basketball, where every dribble and dunk counts, the right
Milwaukee Bucks’ Quest For Excellence (And A Look Back In Time)
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2023-24 NBA season with high expectations, riding the momentum
The Longest NFL Game Ever Played
The 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City
The Quickest Recorded Touchdowns in NFL History
There is no better way to start a game of football than with a
(Jesse) Ventura Highway: How “The Body” Changed My Mind
One of my favorite audiobooks of 2023 was Matt Singer’s Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel &