Back in those days the 500 wasn't carried live. ABC recorded it, edited down to two hours, and showed the edited version at night ("same day coverage"). A few years later they extended the edit to three hours. The race wasn't carried live until 1986, when it was finally run six days after the scheduled date.
Anyway, back in '73 and still in school, so the Indianapolis 500 became for me the "official" kick-off to summer vacation. And summer 1973 was for me a magical and happy time. Somehow deep in my soul Gordon Johncock became a bellwether of a good and happy summer. 1982, the second year Johncock won, was also a wonderful year (though I was out of school by this time). After those two wins I always rooted for Johncock to win.
Of course he never did. And he retired from racing and now he's gone. And of course I am an old man now, and summer doesn't mean what it used to (especially since I'm disabled now and can't enjoy walks in the fields and thickets). Watching the Indy now is bittersweet in the extreme. And though he was never going to race again anyway, losing Gordon Johncock is a symbol that youth is gone, and, as John Mellencamp sang, "life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."
Farewell old friend.
Think about it. He remarried in 1990 and Mrs. Johncock’s daughter joined him in developing Johncock Forestry Products. Even in his 70’s he took over a forestry mill and now the widow’s daughter (who ran it) will keep it going. He’s more known now for his forestry mill.
Gordon Jr is also involved in farming. Interesting place he works.
https://www.cuttingedgesolutions.com/pages/about-us