The Last Indy 500
By Jim Gandolf
The reason I would make this sort of claim is because I lived it. The last Indy 500 broadcast over the radio that I listened to in the red barn in Thorntown, Indiana. I was jumping with excitement I couldn’t believe the outcome, but I was listening to the race on radio. AJ Foyt had won his fourth Indianapolis 500, that is something that has never been done before. The time was frozen in my brain. I was only 12 years old The next year was my first Indianapolis 500 in person to 1978.
The reason why I say it was the last real Indy 500 because Tony Halman saw his last race at that racetrack And his best friend won!  The deepness of solitude, to the changes that was getting ready to happen and no one knew what was next Tony Halman passed away later on in the year 1977. 
In April 1978 all of the major USAC official passed away in an airplane crash.  You can’t make that up?
The 1978 race had to be the worst officiating race in the history of the Indianapolis 500 race. My favorite other driver is Al Unser and he won that race, to which was the first race I ever attended ( I will say that again).
In 1979 CART was in full action. What a nightmare that was.
So when I; Jim Gandolf say the last structured race of the Indianapolis 500 was in 1977, I mean what I say, I was a boring kid, that kept stats in racing.
In 1978 a lot of major drivers like Gordon Johncock, Mario, Andretti, Danny Ongius (I don’t think I spelled it right). Have a lot to complain about because each one of those drivers have an opportunity to win that race with the officiating was a complete nightmare in 1978.
1977 was as true as all get out! AJ Foyt won hands down. I did get AJ’s autograph in a  practice session that year, and was very happy with that for many years! 
Just a note by:
Jim Gandolf
Jim Gandolf Motorsports
2025 copyright
