In May of 2010, the Hulman Classic celebrated its 40th anniversary. One of the most controversial sprint races of its day, the Hulman Classic became the first USAC sprint race to be nationally televised.

Midwest Racing Archives’ Kyle Ealy emphasizes the important of the 1976 event to the world of USAC racing, and how the event became a milestone for the sport since its founding in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1971, “From its humble beginnings in 1971, it quickly became the crown jewel of USAC sprint car racing.”

Ealy also points out that the Hulman Classic was one of the most lucrative races of its time, “At its peak, it was one of the richest prizes in sprint car racing. It’s a race that’s seen its share of controversy and great finishes.”

But the true controversy behind the ’76 Hulman Classic was that between drivers George Snider and Don Nordhorn. The main player behind the dirt track controversy was Nordhorn himself, who felt that the USAC was in violation of track rules based on a mandate that laps raced during a yellow flag were not counted.

Between the first and second turns of the Terre Haute Action Track, driver Johnny Parsons Jr. lost a tire with only three laps remaining in the race. During the yellow flag that resulted, the Hulman Classic drivers raced four revolutions around the track before a green flag would finally be waved.

The issue was that Snider had pulled in front of Nordhorn during the race’s final laps. After the event’s finish, Nordhorn jumped from his sprint car in protest, proclaiming that though Snider had finished first he had actually pulled in front of him before the green flag was actually waved.

Our historical feature video is of the Hulman Classic event, which coincided with the opening of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and was named after Indy founder, Tony Hulman. The Hulman Classic was originally televised on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and it was a sprint racing first.

How do you feel about USAC and their track regulations?