Johnny Rutherford and Team McLaren returned for the 1975
Indianapolis 500® as defending champions. Rutherford was
disappointed with his qualifying speed of 185.998 mph, which earned
the 7th starting position. However, during practice
between qualifying and the race, Rutherford ran laps at over 186
mph in race trim, so he was confident for the race. Gordon Johncock
led the start of the 1975 Indianapolis 500®, followed by Foyt,
Bobby Unser, and Rutherford. Johncock went out with a broken gear
on Lap 11, then Wally Dallenbach moved through the field to
challenge the leaders and take the lead on Lap 59.
Dallenbach
faltered with a burned piston on Lap 162, promoting Rutherford from
second into first place. When Rutherford made his scheduled pit
stop on Lap 165, Bobby Unser passed him to become the leader.
Clouds gathered during the race, a storm appeared from the
southwest, and light rain began to fall on Lap 171, bringing out
the yellow flag. Rutherford and Bobby Unser pitted for a splash of
fuel under the yellow, to enable them to race to the finish at full
boost. Rutherford thought he could challenge Bobby Unser. But on
Lap 174 a thunderstorm deluged the track. Red and checkered flags
were waved together as the front straight flooded under inches of
water. Third place Foyt was the last car on the lead lap, and the
rest of the field was five laps down. Bobby Unser won the 1975
Indianapolis 500® at an average speed of 149.213 mph.
started 7th
finished 2nd
