Racing giants and shortest race

Johnny Rutherford and Mario Andretti talk things over at Indianapolis in 1976. Both raced McLarens that year, so that might be what they’re discussing (picture-above). JR would win the shortened even, while Mario finished in eighth, in an era where we were privileged to witness racing giants competing at Indy.

Polesitter Johnny Rutherford took the lead of the 1976 Indy 500 on lap 80, and was leading when rain halted the race on lap 103. Two hours later, the race was about to be resumed, but rain fell again. USAC officials called the race at that point, and Johnny Rutherford was declared the winner. The American famously walked to Victory Lane, his second career Indy 500 triumph, having completed only 255 miles, the shortest official race on record.