SPEED SPORT has been reporting on and covering motorsports happenings from all over the world for 85 years, so we thought it would be fun to take a look back in the archives to see what happened 10, 25 and 50 years ago each week.
So check out what SPEED SPORT was covering 10, 25 and 50 years ago this week in Looking Back!
Oct. 14, 2009 (10 Years Ago): Dario Franchitti completed his triumphant return to the IndyCar Series by winning the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to lock up his second series championship. In a caution-free race, Franchitti got 50 laps out of his final tank of fuel to beat Ryan Briscoe to the checkered flag. Only the top-three finishers, Franchitti, Briscoe and Scott Dixon, finished on the lead lap.
Other Happenings: Matt Sheppard took the lead with eight laps left when a tire on leader Jimmy Phelps’ car exploded to win the Rite Aid 200 for big-block modifieds at the New York State Fairgrounds; Jimmie Johnson continued his pursuit of another NASCAR Cup Series title with a win at Auto Club Speedway; Parker Kligerman won the ARCA finale at Rockingham Speedway, but it wasn’t enough to stop Justin Lofton from claiming the series finale; Clay Rogers earned $23,000 for a USARacing Pro Cup win at Rockingham.
Oct. 12, 1994 (25 Years Ago): As Mario Andretti competed in the final IndyCar race of his career, Paul Tracy dominated the season finale at California’s Laguna Seca Raceway. Tracy, in his final race for Team Penske after verbally agreeing to join Newman/Haas Racing as a teammate to Michael Andretti, led 84 laps from the pole to easily win the race. Mario Andretti, meanwhile, finished 19th when the timing belt chain in his engine failed three laps from the finish.
Other Happenings: Dale Jarrett led the final four laps to win the Mello Yello 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway; Mello Yello parted ways with SABCO Racing, leaving Kyle Petty as a free agent as a result; Jimmy Horton won the Wheels 300 at the New York State Fairgrounds; Jimmy Sills won another USAC Silver Crown race, this time at the Cal Expo; Billy Pauch picked up a World of Outlaws win in Syracuse, N.Y.
Oct. 15, 1969 (50 Years Ago): Donnie Allison survived a torrid battle with his brother, Bobby Allison, and Buddy Baker to win the running of the National 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Donnie, the younger of the two Allison brothers, swapped the lead with his brother Bobby and Baker multiple times in the final 100 laps of the 334-lap race. Donnie Allison took the lead for the final time on lap 330 from Baker, leading the final four laps. Bobby Allison finished second to give the Allison family a one-two finish.
Other Happenings: A.J. Foyt won a USAC Stock Car race at the Missouri State Fairgrounds; Bruce McLaren stared in Can-Am competition at Laguna Seca; the 19th National Open was won by Ray Hendrick at Langhorne Speedway in Pennsylvania; T.C. Hunt collected a victory in NASCAR Grand Touring competition at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, Ga.