1977 Indianapolis 500 Bill Flemming spoke with A.J. Foyt prior to Lou Palmer. The broadcast has re-aired in partiality on ESPN Classic since May 2011. 1977 Indianapolis 500 The 61st International 500 Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 29, 1977. Considered one of the most historically significant editions of the Indianapolis 500, several sidebar stories complemented the unprecedented accomplishment of race winner A. J. Foyt. Foyt became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. As of 2017, Foyt's record has been tied by Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears, but still
Indianapolis 500 firsts Program"<br> "2006 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race Program" Indianapolis 500 firsts †- During time trials, Bill Vukovich II turned his first lap at , to set the one-lap track record, and was the first driver to officially break the barrier. He, however, crashed on his second lap, and did not complete the four-lap qualifying run. Later in the afternoon, Joe Leonard qualified a four-lap average of to break the four-lap barrier. Later in the day, however, Bobby Unser qualified even faster, over , and became the first pole position winner to break and for his four-lap average. "Indianapolis 500 Chronicle", John Pope,