The 1971 Pocono 500, the inaugural running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 3, 1971. Branded as the 1971 Schaefer 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race is notable as the first IndyCar win for Team Penske and the first for driver Mark Donohue.
Background
Plans for a Pennsylvania superspeedway extended as far back as 1957. The site picked was a large spinach farm in Long Pond, one farmed by German prisoners of war during World War II. In 1965, ground was broken and the triangular design was unveiled. Construction first began on a three-quarter mile infield short track. Construction of the 2.5 mile speedway was completed in early 1971.
In February 1970, USAC and Pocono Raceway signed a sanctioning agreement to host a 500-mile Indy car race and 500 mile stock car race. As part of the agreement, USAC agreed not to hold any other 500 mile races in 13 nearby states and would not hold any races within a 200-mile radius of Pocono. It was said that more spectators at the Indianapolis 500 came from Pennsylvania than any other state other than Indiana.
In December 1970, the track reached an agreement with Schaefer Beer to serve as presenting sponsor of the event, marking the first 500-mile race to have a corporate sponsor.
Pre-race
A ribbon-cutting opening ceremony and practice was held on Saturday, June 19, 1971. Jim Malloy was the first driver on the track and made five slow laps before returning to the garage.
In practice on Tuesday, June 22, Indianapolis 500 champion, Al Unser, had the fastest speed at over 169 mph. Indianapolis runner-up, Peter Revson, was second fastest at 165.7 mph. Wally Dallenbach became the first driver to crash when he spun in turn two and damaged the left side of his car. Seven year-old, Billy Vukovich III, fell out of the infield grandstands and suffered a chip in the bone in his arm and a cut on his chin which required 14 stitches.
On Wednesday, Peter Revson became the first driver to break the 170 mph barrier when he posted a lap of 170.325 mph.
Mark Donohue's McLaren car, owned by Team Penske, was destroyed in a crash at the Indianapolis 500 and a new one was constructed for Pocono. In Thursday's practice, Donohue posted the fastest speed at 172 mph.
The first day of qualifying was held on Saturday, June 26. Like at Indianapolis, qualifying was a four-lap, 10-mile average. An estimated crowd of 30,000 spectators was on hand. Bobby Unser set the fast time early with an average speed of 171.847 mph. At 5:00 in the afternoon, Mark Donohue eclipsed Unser's speed with an average of 172.393 mph. Al Unser qualified third with a time of 170.365 mph.
For the first time, USAC officials returned the pace car to the track to pace the field during caution flags. At Indianapolis in 1971, cars would pace themselves under caution. At Pocono, cars were allowed to bunch up behind the pace car and the leader's advantage was erased at caution flags.
Strongly opposed to this bunch up rule was Roger Penske, owner of Mark Donohue's car. "It makes it a sideshow, a carnival, it's Mickey Mouse," Penske said. "It penalized the top cars."
Race
Indianapolis Motor Speedway track announcer, Tom Carnegie, was track announcer at Pocono. Also notable attendees included Paul Newman and Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp. Grand marshal Enzo Stuarti sang the national anthem. Indianapolis Motor Speedway track-owner, Tony Hulman gave the command to start engines.
The pace car was a 1971 Chevy Camaro SS prepared by Roger Penske Chevrolet of Philadelphia. Driving the pace car was Sam Hanks, winner of the 1957 Indianapolis 500.
When the race began, Mark Donohue drove away from his competitors to a sizable lead. Cale Yarborough brought out the caution on lap 18 when his engine blew and the car stopped in turn two. After 32 laps, Indianapolis 500 champion, Al Unser, was black-flagged by officials for leaking oil and fell out of the race.
On lap 43, Steve Krisiloff brought out the caution flag when he spun and lightly hit the wall in turn two. Under pit stops, Joe Leonard left his pit stall too early and left with the fuel hose still attached. He was black-flagged and returned to the pits to remove the fuel coupling.
With 50 laps complete, Donnie Allison spun in oil and hit the turn one wall. Allison then flew to Daytona Beach, Florida where he had won the pole for NASCAR's Firecracker 400. Allison finished fifth there the following day.
At lap 96, John Mahler hit the wall in turn one. Through the middle stages of the race, Bobby Unser, A.J. Foyt, and Joe Leonard took turns leading.