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
50 Years of ‘Coexistence’ Between the Islanders and Rangers
Sports rivalries have existed ever since organized sports began to be played. The numbers
My Top 15 NFL Quarterbacks of the 1970s
My top 15 quarterbacks of the 1970s are based partly on statistics and my
The Harlem Globetrotters Very First Game
Figuring out how the Harlem Globetrotters started is a complicated story because there are
December 18, 1947: Holidays Don’t Mean Us!
How does a team adequately prepare for an NFL title game? Even more, so,
December 14, 1947: No One Could Catch The Babe!
With all of the hype now delivered and the big day finally arriving, we’ll
The Inspiring Story of Tom “The Bomb” Dempsey
Former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey became a household name when he kicked a 63-yard
December 13, 1947: Get There Early!
With the NFL Western Division title on the line, both the Bears and the
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears Rivalry of the 1970s
Pro football’s longest-enduring rivalry naturally involves two of its oldest teams, the Green Bay