1980 Indianapolis 500

64th running of the Indianapolis 500 February 2025 64th Indianapolis 500 Chaparral 2K.jpg USAC 1980 USAC season1980 CART season May 25, 1980 USA Johnny Rutherford Jim Hall Racing Steve Roby2011 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Official Media Guide Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation/IMS Public Relations 2011 Statistics 176 English https://doctorindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2011-Indy-500-Media-Guide.pdf 3:29:59.56 142.862 mi/h km/h on USA Johnny Rutherford 192.256 mi/h km/h on USA Johnny Rutherford USA Tim Richmond USA Johnny Rutherford (118) Purdue band Dr. Richard Smith Mary F. Hulman Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Johnnie Parsons Duane SweeneyFox Jack C. The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500 1911-1994 Carl Hungness Publishing 4th 1994 22 en 0-915088-05-3 350,000Rutherford Wins Third '500' https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11434553/ Robin Miller Robin Miller (journalist) The Indianapolis Star 1 Newspapers.com May 26, 1980 June 2, 2017 ABC 13.8 27 Host: Chris SchenkelLap-by-lap: Jim McKayColor Analyst: Jackie Stewart 1979 1981 The 64th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 25, 1980. Johnny Rutherford won the pole position, led 118 of 200 laps, and won the race by a commanding margin of 29.92 seconds. After failing to finish the race the year before (with Al Unser behind the wheel), Jim Hall's radical new Chaparral 2K ground effects chassis was a heavy favorite entering the month.The Talk of Gasoline Alley Donald Davidson (historian) WFNI 2011-05-19 With Rutherford now behind the wheel, the team executed a nearly flawless race. Rutherford, the winner in 1974 and 1976, became the sixth driver to win the Indy 500 three times. Tom Sneva broke an Indy 500 record by becoming the first driver to start last (33rd) and lead the race. Sneva led two times for 16 laps, and finished the race in second position. Sneva likewise became the first driver in Indy history to start last and finish second (a feat tied by Scott Goodyear in 1992). It was Sneva's third runner-up finish in four years, matching Bill Holland's achievement exactly thirty years earlier in 1947, 1948 and 1950. Sneva's efforts were often branded afterwards with a "bridesmaid" reference, until he would finally go on to win the race in 1983. The starting lineup featured ten rookies, a sharp contrast from 1979, which had only one. For the first time in Indy history, the three drivers that started in the eleventh and final row finished in the top eight — Tom Sneva 2nd, Gary Bettenhausen 3rd, and Tom Bigelow 8th."Legends of the Brickyard" - 1980 Indy 500 The race was originally part of the 1980 CRL Championship, a joint sanctioning arrangement between USAC and CART. However, USAC pulled out of the CRL mid-season, and separate championships would be awarded by USAC and CART. Johnny Rutherford continued his domination all season, and he scored the most points under both USAC's five-race points distribution and CART's 12-race points championship, securing what could be considered "undisputed" or "unanimous" top driver honors for the calendar year of 1980. Background After the tumultuous and controversial month of May at Indy in 1979, the landscape of Indy car racing was starting to settle into a more civilized fashion. During the offseason, USAC published their 1980 schedule, which featured such races as the Indianapolis 500, Texas World Speedway, Talladega, and Charlotte.USAC Announces 1980 Schedule https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5716090// Robin Miller Robin Miller (journalist) The Indianapolis Star 31 Newspapers.com December 27, 1979 June 29, 2016 Meanwhile, CART released their own schedule. Before the season began, the leaders of USAC and CART jointly formed the new Championship Racing League (CRL) to co-sanction the season of events. Several of the USAC-planned events were scrapped, including Talladega, Charlotte, Mosport, and Road Atlanta, and the two schedules were instead merged. A major change for 1980 designated the Indianapolis 500 now as an "Invitational" event, rather than an "Open" type event.1980 '500' By Invitation Only (Part 1) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14382921/1980_indy_500_invitational/ Dave Overpeck The Indianapolis Star 1 Newspapers.com June 2, 1979 October 13, 20171980 '500' By Invitation Only (Part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14382933/1980_indy_500_invitational/ Dave Overpeck The Indianapolis Star 8 Newspapers.com June 2, 1979 October 13, 2017 This was done, in part, to prevent the uproar of denied entries as happened in 1979. Originally the plan was to grant automatic invitations to the teams that competed in all three 500-mile "Triple Crown" races in 1979 (Indianapolis, Pocono, and Ontario). However, that plan was scuttled when only one car (Danny Ongais) fulfilled those conditions, and furthermore when Ontario switched alliances to the CART series. In January 1980, the criteria for receiving an invitation to the Indianapolis 500 was announced,CART Teams To Get Indy Invites https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14383125/1980_indy_500_invitations/ Robin Miller The Indianapolis Star 37 Newspapers.com January 26, 1980 October 13, 2017 and essentially included any certified team in USAC or CART that was judged to have a realistic intent of making a qualifying attempt. Brand new teams were subject to review, and required written documentation of the operational plans. In general, the new invitational rules would exclude few, if any, teams in Indy car racing, whether they were part of the USAC Trail or the CART series.54 Owners Get 500 Invitations https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14382814/indy_500_1980_invitations/ The Indianapolis Star 22 Newspapers.com March 4, 1980 October 13, 2017 The 1980 CART PPG Indy Car World Series began in April, and Indianapolis was the second race of the season. CART awarded points for Indianapolis towards their championship. After Indianapolis, Speedway officials became unhappy with the CRL arrangement. In the middle of July, after a total of five races had been run, USAC would pull out of the CRL. Rule changes Going into the month USAC dropped turbocharger "boost" levels to 48 inHG across the board. Previously the levels were 50 inHG, and before that 80 inHG. The rule change slowed cars down by as much as 8 - 10 mph on, and drew the ire of many competitors. Outspoken critics included A. J. Foyt who referred to it as "taxicab racing,"1980 Indianapolis 500 Television broadcast: ABC-TV - May 25, 1980 and Johnny Rutherford who said it made it difficult to pass other cars. Race schedule Race schedule — May, 1980SunMonTueWedThuFriSat     1  2  3Opening Day 4Practice 5Practice 6Practice 7Practice 8Practice 9Practice10Pole Day11Time Trials12Practice13Practice14Practice15Practice16Practice17Time Trials18Time Trials19 20 21 22Carb Day23Mini-Marathon24Parade25Indy 50026Memorial Day27 28 29 30 31  Color Notes Green Practice Dark Blue Time trials Silver Race day Red Rained out* Blank No track activity * Includes days where trackactivity was significantlylimited due to rain Time trials Pole Day – Saturday May 10 thumb|right|Johnny Rutherford's pole and race-winning Chaparral 2KThe first day of time trials opened with cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 70s (°F). Scattered rain showers were in the forecast. The favorites for the pole included Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, and rookie Tim Richmond. A. J. Foyt was also a dark horse for the front row. Richmond had set the fastest lap of the month (193.507 mph on) in practice, but a crash on pole day morning sidelined him for the weekend. Defending champion and defending pole winner Rick Mears was the first driver out to qualify at 11:00 a.m., and he set the early pace at 187.490 mph on. An hour later, Spike Gehlhausen (188.344 mph on) knocked Mears off the top spot. At 12:45 p.m., Mario Andretti took over the provisional pole with a speed of 191.012 mph on. A short rain shower closed the track for 20 minutes. At 2:08 p.m., Johnny Rutherford in the Jim Hall Chaparral 2K chassis (nicknamed the "Yellow Submarine" due to its bright yellow Pennzoil paint job) took to the track. Rutherford secured the pole position with a four-lap average speed of 192.256 mph on. The next car out was Bobby Unser, who squeezed on to the front row with a speed of 189.994 mph on. A. J. Foyt, took to the track twice – the first attempt he waved off before taking the green flag, and the second attempt was aborted due to a rain shower. After a rain and hail delay of over an hour and a half, Foyt got one last chance to qualify. His speed of 185.500 mph on was good enough only for 12th starting position. At the end of the first day of time trials, the field was filled to 16 cars. Second Day – Sunday May 11 Three cars completed runs, with Danny Ongais (186.606 mph on) the fastest of the afternoon. Gordon Johncock, who broke his ankle in a practice crash on Thursday, got in a back-up car to qualify for 18th starting position. Third Day – Saturday May 17 The third day of time trials was rained out. With a starting spot at Indy secured for the middle of the front row, Mario Andretti flew to Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix. Andretti would finish 3 laps down in 7th, then would return to Indy on Carburetion Day. Tom Sneva, who had qualified 14th, wrecked his primary car during the second week of practice. His team obtained a back-up car, and Sneva arranged to drive that car in the race. According to the rules, Sneva would move to the rear of the field, and start the race in last (33rd) position. Bump Day – Sunday May 18 The final day of time trials opened with 14 spots open. There were roughly 38 cars in the garage area prepared to qualify, and the day was expected to be busy and hectic. Non-stop qualifying took place when the track opened at noon. The field was filled to 33 cars by 2:40 p.m. Rookie Tim Richmond was the fastest of the day at 188.334 mph on, the 5th-fastest car overall in the field. Tony Bettenhausen Jr. (176.410 mph on) was the first driver on the bubble. The bumping began with John Martin bumping out Bettenhausen. In total, seven drivers were bumped by 4 p.m. Eventually, Martin was bumped himself. With weather starting to enter the area at 4 o'clock, time was running out for qualifying. Gary Bettenhausen (Tony's brother) was now on the bubble. Bettenhausen survived three attempts over the next 15 minutes. At 4:20 p.m., Ron Shuman was lined up to make an attempt, but rain began to fall before he pulled away. Bettenhausen held on to make the field, and the track was closed for the day. Carburetion Day – Thursday May 22 The final practice session before race day saw Mario Andretti set the best lap at 189.954 mph on. Tom Bagley spun and crashed in turn 3, but he was uninjured. Bill Vukovich blew his engine. A total of 31 of the 33 qualified cars took laps. Tragedy struck in the infield during the session. Timothy Scott Vail, 19, of Indianapolis, was killed in the infield when his jeep overturned in the notorious "Snake Pit" area of the turn 1 infield. He suffered a fractured skull.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NuwtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-TIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3898,3613086&dq=indianapolis+snake+pit+killed&hl=en Spectator killed, but Indy driver survived accident Rome News-Tribune 1980-05-23 2012-04-04 Pit Stop Contest The finals for the 4th annual Miller High Life Pit Stop Contest were held on Thursday May 22. For 1980, the contest was expanded from eight participants to twelve. Teams were required to change two tires and simulate a fuel coupling. The top qualifiers were Greg Leffler (15.29 seconds), Ron Schuman (16.56 seconds), Vern Schuppan (16.62 second), and Bill Alsup (18.54 seconds).12 Crews Go For $30,000 In Miller Pit Stop Contest https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1980-indy-500-pit/158485201/ The Indianapolis Star 35 Newspapers.com May 22, 1980 November 5, 2024 Other preliminary times posted included Jerry Sneva (20.54 seconds), Phil Caliva (23.20 seconds), and Jim McElreath (37.34 mph).Auto Racing Historian Restores Sachs Machine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-eddie-sachs-dean-v/6136563/ The Indianapolis Star 18 Newspapers.com May 14, 1980 July 3, 2025 The two cars of the Sherman Armstrong team advanced to the final round. The crew of Tom Bigelow (14.04 seconds) defeated the crew of Greg Leffler (14.50 seconds).Armstrong crews finish one-two in pit contest https://www.newspapers.com/article/palladium-item-1980-indy-500-pit-stop-co/158485302/ Palladium-Item 13 Newspapers.com May 23, 1980 November 5, 2024 Semifinals 44 Greg Leffler(Sherman Armstrong) 15.07 44 Bill Alsup(Alsup Racing) 17.59 43 Tom Bigelow(Sherman Armstrong) 15.72 43 Phil Caliva(Alsup Racing) 16.02 Finals 43 Tom Bigelow(Sherman Armstrong) 14.04 44 Greg Leffler(Sherman Armstrong) 14.50 Starting grid RowInsideMiddleOutside1 4USA Johnny Rutherford gold W silver 12USA Mario Andretti gold W silver 11USA Bobby Unser gold W silver2 35USA Spike Gehlhausen 7USA Jerry Sneva 1USA Rick Mears gold W silver3 15USA Johnny Parsons 10USA Pancho Carter 5USA Al Unser gold W silver4 66USA Roger Rager orange R silver 23USA Jim McElreath 14USA A. J. Foyt gold W silver5 40USA Tom Bagley 95USA Larry Cannon 26USA Dick Ferguson orange R silver6 25USA Danny Ongais 20USA Gordon Johncock gold W silver 96USA Don Whittington orange R silver7 21USA Tim Richmond orange R silver 70USA Gordon Smiley orange R silver 16USA George Snider8 29USA Billy Engelhart orange R silver 44USA Greg Leffler orange R silver 18AUS Dennis Firestone orange R silver9 99USA Hurley Haywood orange R silver 48USA Mike Mosley 94USA Bill Whittington orange R silver10 38USA Jerry Karl 8USA Dick Simon 2USA Bill Vukovich II11 43USA Tom Bigelow 46USA Gary Bettenhausen 9USA Tom Sneva† † - Tom Sneva qualified 14th on pole day, but afterwards suffered a crash during practice. The car was replaced with a back-up car, and he was moved the rear of the field. Alternates First alternate: John Martin (#37) – Bumped Second alternate: Bill Alsup orange R silver (#41) – Bumped Failed to qualify 28em Salt Walther (#76) – Bumped Pete Halsmer orange R silver (#34) – Bumped Sheldon Kinser (#24) – Bumped Tony Bettenhausen Jr. orange R silver (#32) – Bumped Roger Mears orange R silver (#97) – Wave off Joe Saldana (#69) – Wave off Rick Muther (#82) – Spun out during qualifying attempt Bob Harkey (#67) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Howdy Holmes (#43, #45) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Bill Tempero orange R silver (#65) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Ron Shuman orange R silver (#78) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Herm Johnson orange R silver (#28) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Lee Kunzman (#59) – Incomplete qualifying attempt John Mahler (#91) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Phil Caliva orange R silver (#47) – Incomplete qualifying attempt Rich Vogler orange R silver (#50) – Mechanical problems on Bump Day Phil Threshie (#30) – Too slow to receive qualifying sticker Jan Sneva orange R silver (#50, #77) – Practice crash Frank Weiss orange R silver (#68) – Practice crash (fractured knee and ankle) Larry Dickson (#80) Tom Frantz orange R silver (#57) Janet Guthrie (#51, #55) Jim Hurtubise (#56) Al Loquasto (#81) Bill Puterbaugh Vern Schuppan (#89) John Wood orange R silver (#42) Race summary Pre-race Mary F. Hulman gave the command to start engines shortly before 11:00 a.m. With Janet Guthrie failing to qualify, the command reverted to the traditional "Gentlemen, start your engines!" for the first time since 1976. While sitting on the starting grid, polesitter Johnny Rutherford claims that a lady bug landed on his uniform — and considered it a fortuitous good luck omen.Mark Montieth: Because Stories Need To Be Told - Johnny Rutherford First half At the start, polesitter Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Unser went into turn one side-by-side, with Rutherford taking the lead. Mario Andretti settled into third. Larry "Boom Boom" Cannon and Mike Mosley were both out with engine problems in the first 5 laps. The first of several cautions came out on lap 4, for a tow-in for Cannon. On lap 9, the yellow was out again for a crash between Bill Whittington and Dick Ferguson. Ferguson hit the inside wall in the southchute hard, sustaining a broken toe. Whittington needed assistance out of his car and suffered a broken right leg.https://www.newspapers.com/image/109492552 Indianapolis 500 (photo caption) AP May 26, 1980 The Courier-Journal 2017-07-11 D3 en Newspapers.com The race was restarted, and after only one lap of green, Spike Gehlhausen crashed in turn 1. During the sequence of pit stops and yellows, the lead changed hands several times in the first 60 laps. Rookie Tim Richmond led lap 73, then on lap 74, Tom Sneva set an Indy 500 record by leading the race after starting last (33rd). Sneva led the next 11 laps. After leading 10 laps during the race, Mario Andretti dropped out with engine trouble. It was the first time Mario had led laps during the "500" since his victory in 1969. Second half At the halfway point, 20 cars were still running. Bobby Unser led at the halfway point. Johnny Rutherford, Rick Mears, and Tom Sneva were all in the top five. Bobby Unser dropped out with turbo failure after 126 laps. Jerry Sneva crashed in turn one on lap 132 while two laps down, suffering a bruised knee.https://www.newspapers.com/image/281913955 Rutherford Captures Third Indy 500 Title AP May 26, 1980 The Daily Times 2017-07-11 8 en Newspapers.com With Unser out, Johnny Rutherford dominated most of the second half, but Tom Sneva and Rick Mears both managed to lead laps, and were far from out-of-contention. On lap 172, Rick Mears took the lead, with Sneva second, Rutherford third. One final scheduled pit stop remained for the leaders. Rutherford was the first to pit, under green. A. J. Foyt brought out the yellow on lap 177 for stalling in turn 3. Mears held a 20-second lead. Tom Sneva ducked into the pits under the yellow for tires and fuel. One lap later, leader Mears was in the pits. Mears gambled with track position, and took on only fuel. Still under the yellow, Johnny Rutherford assumed the lead, and Mears' strategy failed and he dropped to third. Finish In the final 20 laps, Johnny Rutherford held a comfortable lead over Tom Sneva, and was pulling away at will. Third place was now being dueled out between Gary Bettenhausen and Gordon Johncock. In the final stages, Rick Mears ducked into the pits for an unscheduled stop to change a punctured tire, which dropped him from contention. With Rutherford cruising to a certain victory, and second-place Sneva also unchallenged, the attention began to focus on the battle for third place. Gordon Johncock was tucked right behind Gary Bettenhausen. Danny Ongais (7th place) was right with them, albeit a lap down. On the final lap, Bettenhausen held a car-length advantage as they approached turn 4. Suddenly, Ongais smacked the outside wall exiting turn four. Johncock attempted a slingshot pass at the line, but Bettenhausen held him off for third place by 0.27 seconds. Rutherford won his third Indy 500 by a margin of 29.92 seconds over Tom Sneva. Sneva was lauded for charging from last starting position (33rd) to a second-place finish. He became the first driver in Indy history to do so. He missed, by 29 seconds, becoming the first driver in history to win the Indy 500 after starting dead last. Sneva was disappointed by the defeat stating: "The car was good but it looks like no matter how good I am or how good the car is, I will always just be finishing second." As Rutherford was pulling into the pits off his victory lap, rookie Tim Richmond ran out of fuel and stopped at the head of the mainstretch. Richmond, the future NASCAR star and "hot shot" personality on the circuit, led one lap during the race, was credited with 9th place, and won the rookie of the year. Rutherford stopped next to Richmond's car, and signaled for Richmond to hop on board and ride back to the pits. With much applause from the crowd, Richmond rode in on the sidepod of the winner's machine and the two exchanged congratulatory waves and handshakes.http://www.autoracing1.com/article.asp?id=1222 Rutherford remembers a "hitchhiker" named Tim Richmond 2009-05-16 AutoRacing1.com 2012-02-23 2012-03-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20120325053324/http://www.autoracing1.com/article.asp?id=1222 dead The race was slowed by a then-record 13 cautions for 65 laps - race records that would stand until 1988 and 1992, respectively. Box score FinishStartNoNameChassisEngineQualLapsStatus114USA Johnny Rutherford gold W silverChaparral 2KCosworth DFX192.257200142.862 mph2339USA Tom SnevaMcLarenCosworth DFX185.290200 +29.29 seconds33246USA Gary BettenhausenWildcat DGS182.463200 +33.34 seconds41720USA Gordon Johncock gold W silverPenske PC-6Cosworth DFX186.075200 +33.61 seconds561USA Rick Mears gold W silverPenske PC-9Cosworth DFX187.491199 -1 lap6810USA Pancho CarterPenske PC-7Cosworth DFX186.480199 -1 lap ‡71625USA Danny OngaisParnelliCosworth DFX186.606199 -1 lap83143USA Tom BigelowLola T500Cosworth DFX182.547198 -2 laps91921USA Tim Richmond orange R silverPenske PC-7Cosworth DFX188.334197 -3 laps102344USA Greg Leffler orange R silverLola T500Cosworth DFX183.749197 -3 laps112229USA Billy Engelhart orange R silverMcLarenCosworth DFX184.237193 -7 laps12302USA Bill Vukovich IIWatsonOffenhauser182.741192 -8 laps131896USA Don Whittington orange R silverPenskeCosworth DFX183.927178 -22 laps141214USA A. J. Foyt gold W silverParnelliCosworth DFX185.500173Valve152116USA George SniderParnelliCosworth DFX185.386169Engine162418AUS Dennis Firestone orange R silverPenske PC-6Cosworth DFX183.701137Transmission1757USA Jerry SnevaLola T500Cosworth DFX187.852130Crash T1182599USA Hurley Haywood orange R silverLightningChevrolet183.561127Fire19311USA Bobby Unser gold W silverPenske PC-9Cosworth DFX189.994126Turbocharger20212USA Mario Andretti gold W silverPenske PC-9Cosworth DFX191.01271Engine212838USA Jerry KarlMcLarenChevrolet183.01164Clutch22298USA Dick SimonVollstedtOffenhauser182.78758Lost wheel231066USA Roger Rager orange R silverWildcatChevrolet186.37455Crash SC241123USA Jim McElreathPenske PC-7Cosworth DFX186.24954Crash SC252070USA Gordon Smiley orange R silverPhoenixCosworth DFX186.84847Turbocharger26715USA Johnny ParsonsLightningOffenhauser187.41244Piston2795USA Al Unser gold W silverLonghornCosworth DFX186.44233Cylinder281340USA Tom BagleyWildcatCosworth DFX185.40529Pump29435USA Spike GehlhausenPenske PC-7Cosworth DFX188.34420Crash T1302794USA Bill Whittington orange R silverParnelliCosworth DFX183.2629Crash T1311526USA Dick Ferguson orange R silverPenske PC-6Cosworth DFX182.8809Crash T1322648USA Mike MosleyEagleChevrolet183.4495Gasket331495USA Larry CannonWildcat DGS183.2532Camshaft gold W silver Former Indianapolis 500 winner orange R silver Indianapolis 500 Rookie All cars utilized Goodyear tires. ‡ Pancho Carter was penalized one lap for passing the pace car under yellow on lap 58. At the end of the race, Carter was running approximately 20 seconds behind Rutherford; the penalty reduced his standing from 2nd to 6th. Carter's team protested the ruling, claiming he was waved past the pace car, but USAC upheld the penalty.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gxBZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oW0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6860,5197642&dq=pancho+carter&hl=en Indy Officials Reject Carter Protest May 27, 1980 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Google News Archive Search 2012-02-23https://www.newspapers.com/image/107989285 Binford Denies Carter Protest Kale Gary May 27, 1980 The Indianapolis Star 2017-07-11 23 en Newspapers.com Race statistics Lap Leaders Laps Leader1–15Johnny Rutherford16–17Roger Rager18George Snider19–24Gordon Johncock25–30Bobby Unser31–35Gordon Johncock36–39Pancho Carter40–46Johnny Rutherford47–56Mario Andretti57Pancho Carter58–72Johnny Rutherford73Tim Richmond74–84Tom Sneva85–103Bobby Unser104–113Johnny Rutherford114–116Rick Mears117Bobby Unser118–142Johnny Rutherford143–147Tom Sneva148–171Johnny Rutherford172–178Rick Mears179–200Johnny Rutherford Total laps led Driver LapsJohnny Rutherford118Bobby Unser26Tom Sneva16Gordon Johncock11Mario Andretti10Rick Mears10Pancho Carter5Roger Rager2Tim Richmond1George Snider1 Cautions: 13 for 65 laps (56 minutes, 16 seconds)How They Finished https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/153727915/ The Indianapolis Star 12 Newspapers.com May 25, 1980 August 21, 2024 Laps Reason 4–6 Larry Cannon stalled in turn 1 10–18 Bill Whittington, Dick Ferguson crash turn 2 21–24 Spike Gelhausen crash turn 1 30–33 Tom Bagley stalled on backstretch 45–49 Johnny Parsons stalled in turn 1 57–62 Roger Rager and Jim McElreath crash in south chute 72–75 Mario Andretti stalled on backstretch 85–90 Don Whittington spin in turn 4 118–124 Dick Simon lost wheel 132–137 Jerry Sneva crash in turn 1 142–146 Dennis Firestone stalled on backstretch 157–159 Debris 177–179 A. J. Foyt stalled in turn 3 Broadcasting Radio The race was carried live on the IMS Radio Network. Paul Page served as anchor for the fourth year. Lou Palmer reported from victory lane. Rodger Ward, who previously served as a commentator for ABC Sports, joined the crew as "Driver Expert." It was the first time that a former winner served as the expert. This was the last year of Bob Jenkins on the Backstretch. This would be the final year for Darl Wibel on the crew. The reporting location for turn one was located atop the Southwest Vista grandstand, whereas in other years it was normally in the upper deck of the E Stand. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network Booth AnnouncersTurn ReportersPit/garage reportersChief Announcer: Paul Page Driver expert: Rodger Ward Statistician: John DeCamp Historian: Donald DavidsonTurn 1: Ron Carrell Turn 2: Howdy Bell Backstretch: Bob Jenkins Turn 3: Doug Zink Turn 4: Darl WibleJerry Baker (north pits)Chuck Marlowe (north-center pits)Luke Walton (south-center pits)Lou Palmer (south pits) Bob Forbes (garages/hospital) Television The race was carried in the United States on ABC Sports on a same-day tape delay basis. For the first time, the broadcast was expanded to three hours. Chris Schenkel rode along and reported live from inside one of the pace cars at the start of the race. Sam Posey returned to serve as reporter after missing the 1979 race. The broadcast has re-aired on ESPN Classic since May 2011. ABC TelevisionBooth AnnouncersPit/garage reportersHost: Chris Schenkel Announcer: Jim McKay Color: Jackie StewartChris EconomakiSam PoseyDave Diles Gallery Notes See also 1980 USAC Championship Car season References Works cited 1980 Indianapolis 500 Official Track report 1980 Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats - Official Site 1980 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network 1979 Rick Mears 1980 Johnny Rutherford 1981 Bobby Unser Category:Indianapolis 500 races Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis