Indianapolis, IN — In place of the real thing, host your own Greatest Spectacle in Racing Sunday by reliving one of your favorite contests, available from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in MP3 format for download at $9.99 each.
Enjoy a truly classic radio call as the greatest sustained two-man battle in the history of the “500” takes place during the 1960 race. For the entire last 250 miles, Jim Rathmann and Rodger Ward are never any more than a few feet from each other, a worn tire finally forcing Ward to slow down and salvage second place behind Rathmann with three laps to go.
And in 1970, Johnny Rutherford gets the jump at the start and leads into turn one from the second starting position, but pole sitter Al Unser is in front by the end of the lap. Al proceeds to lead 190 of the 200 laps, but there is plenty going on around him, including a four-car accident with less than 100 miles remaining. The total purse tops $1 million for the first time, and Al is the last winner to be interviewed in the old Victory Lane at the south end of the pits.
In 1980, Rutherford becomes a three-time winner, driving the revolutionary Jim Hall–entered car nicknamed “The Yellow Submarine.” After taking the checkered flag, Rutherford stops in turn four, where charismatic young Rookie of the Year Tim Richmond has run out of fuel. Richmond climbs onto the side pod and, much to the delight of the crowd, Rutherford gives him a lift to his pit.