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
The Inspiring Comeback of Weightlifter Tim Caso
When I first started Olympic Weightlifting in 1981, at nineteen years old, Tim was
Chicago’s Weightlifting Legacy: Mark Levell
As with many weightlifters, Mark’s interest in the sport began with watching weightlifting on
Kentomania: A Sneak Peek at the Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland
With a “won’t be denied” attitude, he took basketball to a level that few
Cheers and Gears: The Tech Behind Today’s College Football Experience
The college football experience has evolved tremendously over the past decade, integrating new technologies
Pro Quarterback Magazine: A Nostalgic Journey Through NFL History
Although it is difficult to get much information on when the first issue was
Legends and Leisure: Stadium-Inspired Seating for Themed Restaurants
Sports culture has a powerful way of bringing people together, and themed restaurants are
The Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of the 1970s
Well, I have refrained from discussing this topic, because I know that it will
How Sports Betting Has Shaped Kansas – A Historical Overview
Sports betting has a rich history in the United States, with each state contributing