It would be difficult at best to top Bobby Unser's stellar 1968 performances in the USAC National Championship series on dirt ovals, paved ovals and road courses. Seeing how he won the Indianapolis 500, then continued on to win the National Championship as well. So, with a change in sponsorship and a brilliant new paint scheme, Unser set out on the Championship Trail to defend his title.
With technology changing rapidly and the Championship Trail slowly abandoning dirt ovals, teams (and sponsors) gravitated toward the rear engine cars for the paved ovals and road courses. and the venerable dirt cars were put on the back burner. However, enthusiastic crowds still supported the 5 dirt track races that remained on the 1969 schedule. Bobby Unser and the Bardahl Special competed in 4 of them, against the likes of Mario Andretti, younger brother Al Unser, A.J. Foyt, Gary Bettenhausen, Roger McCluskey, Johnny Rutherford and other dirt track legends.
After a season of mechanical failures and bad luck, Bobby Unser managed to place third in the 1969 USAC National Championship, behind Mario Andretti and his brother Al. The Bardahl Special dirt car had its best performance at the 'Hoosier 100', held at the 1 mile oval at the Indiana Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, finishing third. Unser also placed third in the 100 mile dirt champ race in Sacramento.
To win the National Championship in the late 1960's, you needed to be extremely versatile. Not only did you have to wrestle with a powerful champ car around a tight dirt oval, you also had to know how to finesse a rear engined 'funny car' around the paved ovals and road courses.
Wouldn't it be great to see that sort of Championship Series again?
3333
44444
444
44444
rrrrr
44444
Secure
Order Form