A.J. Foyt is surrounded by his fans after he won the 30-lap USAC sprint car
feature at Salem Speedway. – Tom Easterling Photo
Salem, Ind. (April 30, 1961) – National champion A.J. Foyt breezed to victory in the season’s first 30-lap sprint car race at Salem Speedway Sunday afternoon after defending Midwest champion Parnelli Jones was waved from the track after leading the race for the first 23 laps.
Jones, the Torrance, Calif., sprint sensation of last year who appeared safely headed for his third straight Salem win, was “black-flagged” when his Chevrolet-powered car began spewing oil.
Foyt, the 26-year-old Houston, Tex., driver had run second behind Jones the entire race after starting on the front row alongside Jones.
Jones, the fastest qualifier, had roared into the lead from his pole position starting spot. Jones’ qualifying time for the half-mile lap was 19 seconds flat, while Foyt qualified in 19.24 seconds.
That appeared to be just about the difference between the two before race steward Russ Clendenen of the United States Auto Club, which sanctioned the race, waved Jones into the pits.
Foyt, third in the Midwest standings last year, was booed by part of the 4,286 in attendance as he pulled into the winner’s circle. The 27-year-old Jones, unhappy by USAC’s decision to pull him in, was credited with an 11th place finish. He had no plans to protest.
Starter Ken Fowler agreed with Clendenen that Jones should have been waved off the track. Foyt had called Fowler’s attention to the oil leak by pointing to it several times while trailing Jones on the main stretch.
Roger McCluskey of Tucson, Ariz., was second followed by Don Branson of Champaign, Ill. Leon Clum of Wapakoneta, Ohio, was fourth and A.J. Shepherd of Mitchell, Ind., rounded out the top-five.
Foyt’s time for the 15 minutes was 9 minutes and 55.24 seconds. He collected $882.60 for his efforts.
Results –
1. A.J. Foyt
2. Roger McCluskey
3. Don Branson
4. Leon Clum
5. A.J. Shepherd
6. Al Miller
7. Bud Tingelstad
8. Chuck Hulse
9. Jack Rounds
10.Rex Easton
11.Parnelli Jones
12.Bob Wente
13.Ronnie Duman
14.Allen Crowe
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