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
Big Jim Thorpe’s Forgotten Football Vacation
It was December of 1924 when Big Jim Thorpe of the NFL’s Rock Island
Rooli Casino Review for Australian players
Rooli Casino hits with instant momentum—modern design, mobile-first energy, and a lobby built for
Historic Upsets That Shocked the Sporting World
Some sports upsets stay in fans’ minds long after they happen. For bettors, studying
Remembering Jackie Graves: A Trailblazer in Pro Football Scouting
Today, we shine a light on trailblazer Jackie Graves — a pioneering scout who
What makes slot games different from one another?
Online Slots come in thousands of variations, each with its own themes, designs and
The rumours are true – Millionaire for Life is coming to West Virginia Lottery!
A new kind of draw game is on its way to West Virginia, and
The Most Unlikely Super Bowl Champions in NFL History
Most of the NFL’s Super Bowl Champions are winners that you could see coming.
Total Sports Recall – The Return
Welcome to the Total Sports Recall podcast. I’m your host Harv Aronson and this