1975 Indianapolis 500

1975 Indianapolis 500

The 59th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 25, 1975. A. J. Foyt started on the pole position and Bobby Unser won his second Indy 500.

On the 174th lap, a huge downpour pelted the Speedway, and officials immediately ended the race, just 26 laps short of the scheduled distance. Bobby Unser was leading the race at the red flag, and defending champion Johnny Rutherford was in second place. Pole-sitter A. J. Foyt came home third.

Dan Gurney, one of the founders of All American Racers, who finished second as a driver himself in 1968-1969, won his first and only Indy 500 as an owner. Gurney's Eagle chassis itself scored its third "500" win.

Tom Sneva survived a spectacular crash in turn two on lap 125. His car touched wheels with Eldon Rasmussen, and flipped into the catch fence near the Turn Two Suites. The engine on Sneva's car ripped off in a huge fire-flash, and the car came to rest upright with Sneva trapped in the cockpit. Sneva miraculously suffered only minor injuries, and walked away from the wreck with assistance from the safety crews.

On the morning of the race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was ceremoniously designated to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the Hulman family celebrated thirty years of ownership of the facility.