1976 Phoenix 150 USAC indy car Championship Trail

The last half of the 1976 Phoenix 150 with a battle between Johnny Rutherford and Gordon Johncock for the USAC National Championship. Johncock came out top as Rutherford's Mclaren Offy broke an oil line with just a few laps to go in the season! This was one of the closest runs for the championship in Open wheel history.

Johncock was driving for Patrick racing in a Wildcat 2 chassis with an Offy TC engine, which he won 2 races that year at Michigan 200 and the Summer Trenton 200. Rutherford won 3 races at the Spring Trenton 200, Indy 500,and Fall Texas 200.

Al Unser won the race in a Parnelli chassis with the new at the time Cosworth engine.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• USAC
• indy
• car
• indianapolis
• phoenix
• 150

[TheAntihero6212]

Is this the championship where Johncock refused to put the traditional #1 on the car for the following year because he considered it bad luck? I can see his point. In the CART era, only three drivers ever won back-to-back point titles; Mears 1981-1982, Rahal 1986-1987, Zanardi 1997-1998(?).

[riffolaman]

I remember seeing Gordy and Mario wheel to wheel for about 10 laps at Texas in 1978. I'd love to see that clip.

[Annook12]

I remember that race well. Rutherford had only to finish 11th if Gordy finished second and the title would be his.  Didn't work out that way as we all know. As they say, "That's racing!"

[elsenorpollojorge]

Lone Star JR....class act....I'd be pissed too if I came that close and lost.....big year for Wee Gordy....I think this was his only National Crown.

[Spudtx]

I love the comment about the "New" Cosworth engine from England. Love these old race videos.

[VooDooRocketry]

Fabulous stuff!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[BSNFabricating]

Thanks for posting this! Of course I love the old Indy 500 films, but it's kinda rare to be able to see old non-Indy races... If you have more of 'em, please post them. =)