1970 Ontario 500
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- Опубликовано: 30 май 2016
- Ontario Motor Speedway, which opened in 1970, closed in 1980. The $35-million facility was demolished to make way for commercial and residential development.
The 2.5-mile track was built as a replica of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, complete to its rectangular oval configuration and its low banking in the turns. On opening day, for the inaugural California 500 Indy car race--after one of the most expensive advertising campaigns in sports history--a crowd announced at 170,423 saw Jim McElreath beat Art Pollard on the last lap. Dick Simon was third.
President Nixon, who flew over the track that day while en route from his home in Whittier to Washington, saw the huge crowd and was moved to invite a party of motor racing personalities to the White House.
From opening day, though, things went pretty much downhill. Although there were ownership changes, track closures and cost cutting that eventually closed it permanently, there were some outstanding races at Ontario.
The California 500 became pretty much an Unser production. Bobby won it four times, in 1974, 1976, 1979 and 1980, and brother Al won it in 1977 and 1978.
Jerry Grant became the first Indy car driver to qualify at more than 200 mph for the 1972 race, and then failed to start in the race when his engine expired on the pace lap.
A forgettable 3.2-mile infield road course, with 22 turns and no elevation changes, was quickly abandoned after a Questor Grand Prix for formula cars, won by Mario Andretti in a Ferrari, and several world championship motorcycle races.
The front straightaway was used as a drag strip and was the site of numerous National Hot Rod Assn. World Finals.
Nine Winston Cup stock car races were held there, A.J. Foyt winning the first two and Benny Parsons the last two. The track closed after Parsons' last victory, Nov. 15, 1980.
It had been purchased by the Chevron Land and Development Co., a subsidiary of Chevron Oil, and demolition began almost immediately.
Jim McElreath scored the biggest victory of his 25-year racing career on Sept. 6, 1970, by winning the California 500, the first major race at the magnificent $25.5 million Ontario Motor Speedway.
The debut of the lavish sports facility attracted an overflow crowd of 180,000, which filled every seat and contributed to a whopping $727,500 purse for the USAC National Championship race.
NSSN editor Chris Economaki was on hand for the grand opening of the 2.5-mile rectangular track and wrote the following for his column that appeared in the Sept. 9 issue:
“Auto racing took its place alongside the sport of kings here Sunday as the lavish Ontario Motor Speedway offered the California 500. Whatever criticisms those in attendance may have about the facility, they are overwhelmed by the many pluses built into the plant.
“Every comfort factor is present. Elevators eliminate stair climbing. Mini-skirted usherettes show one to his aisle and cute waitresses bring drinks to your seat. An air-conditioned dining room commands a view of the entire track and closed-circuit television is piped into the refreshment areas of the main stand and the private suites.”
The allure of the Golden State’s first major auto-racing facility attracted stars such as Glen Ford, Robert Stack, John Wayne, Werner Klemperer and Jim Garner. Senator Barry Goldwater was on hand as was Governor Ronald Reagan while President Richard Nixon personally phoned his apologies, but flew over the track during the race.
McElreath, driving A.J. Foyt’s back-up car, started 18th in the 33-car field and became a contender after a turbocharger failure erased Al Unser’s two-lap advantage and Cale Yarborough’s engine blew while leading with just 10 laps remaining.
McElreath battled Art Pollard during the final five laps of the 200-lap race with McElreath eventually claiming the victory by fewer than two seconds. He averaged 160.106 mph and earned $146,850. Pollard took home $73,000 for second.
Dick Simon finished third with Gordon Johncock and Peter Revson rounded out the top-five as only eight cars were still running when the checkered flag was waved.
In addition to the 2.5-mile track patterned after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Ontario Motor Speedway complex included a quarter-mile drag strip and a 3.19-mile road course. It was located adjacent to Interstate 10, 40 miles west of Los Angeles.
Despite initially attracting large crowds, the facility struggled financially and officials were never able to erase the tremendous debt incurred during construction. The track finally closed in December 1980 and was eventually torn down. 
Развлечения
I remember this race.... it was Sunday, September 6, 1970… And I was sitting in the east grandstand… right at the apex of turn-1. Mario Andretti had a terrible year in 1970. He was running second, as I watched him coast down the backstretch, out with a broken gearbox on lap 185. I was shocked to my toes. Then, I was devastated as Al Unser pulled up lame directly in front of us with a blown turbo charger, on the 186th lap. Then, Lee Roy Yarborough grenaded the motor going into turn-one. The attrition was brutal. There were only five cars running at the end.
Not often that you'll see Mario in the McNamara!
16:10 'The sheer drama......literally set the crowd on fire'. No it didn't!
A good percentage were heading to the exits. It WAS an EXCITING finish that they missed between 2 longshots that had their biggest day.
One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand spectators.
Did Foyt crash on purpose? The “accident” put the lions share of money in his pocket, great to see McELREATH WIN but very sad to see Mel Kenyon lose