1975 – Osborne Leads Early and Late at IRP

 

Six previous USAC champions were honored during the sprint car program at Indianapolis Raceway Park. From left to right; Greg Weld, Sam Sessions, Duane Carter, Rollie Beale, Gary Bettenhausen, and Larry Dickson. At the right is car owner Grant King’s wife, Doris. – Scattergood/Christie Photo

Clermont, Ind. (May 10, 1975) – USAC’s 1974 Rookie-of-the-Year Lee Osborne of Lebanon, Penn., led the last 21 laps to win the 40-lap United States Auto Club sprint car feature at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Saturday night.

Osborne started the event on the pole and led through the first seven circuits before dropping behind Tom Bigelow. Four laps later, Bigelow lost the top spot to defending USAC sprint king Duane “Pancho” Carter.

Carter continued to set the pace until lap 19 when a blistered tire caused him to slow and enabled Osborne to reclaim first place.

Carter ultimately dropped to 13th place at the finish, while Osborne was never again headed in registering the victory in the Stauffer Construction Chevy.

Chuck Gurney claimed second with Billy Cassella in third. George Snider took fourth and Bigelow rounded out the top five finishers.

Although he managed only a 14th place feature finish, Sam Sessions was the only driver to claim two firsts in the program by winning the trophy dash and topping Osborne in the semi-main.

Snider paced the field in qualifying, setting a new track record with a 22.53-second lap. Bill Puterbaugh held the previous mark of 22.64 set last year.

Carter, Rollie Beale, Jackie Howerton and Bo Richards scored heat victories.

The evening’s lone accident saw Sonny Ates crash into the turn one wall during the fourth heat. Ates was uninjured but his car was unrepairable.

As an added attraction, the track saluted nine previous USAC sprint car champions. In addition to Carter, Sessions, Gary Bettenhausen, Rollie Beale, and Larry Dickson, all of whom took part in Saturday’s racing program, former champions Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford and Greg Weld were also on hand for the festivities.


Results –


1. Lee Osborne
2. Chuck Gurney
3. Billy Cassella
4. George Snider
5. Tom Bigelow
6. Joe Saldana
7. Bruce Walkup
8. Tommy Astone
9. Steve Chassey
10.Dana Carter
11.Bob Richards
12.Ronnie Burke
13.Duane Carter
14.Sam Sessions
15.Gary Irvin
16.Jimmy Caruthers
17.Chuck Booth
18.Jackie Howerton
19.Larry Dickson
20.Rollie Beale