Saturday 5th March 1977

A.J. Foyt won the 200 mile Indy Car race on the 2.5 mile Ontario Motor Speedway. Foyt averaged 154.073 mph in his Foyt/Coyote. The Indy Car opener saw new cars, the new Cosworth engine and new USAC rules requiring a pop-off valve for qualifying runs. Powered by one of the new Cosworth motors, Johnny Rutherford put his McLaren on the pole at 197.36 mph, a full second and 4 mph faster than 2nd fast Tom Sneva in Roger Penske’s McLaren-Cosworth. Alan Jones qualified the Theodore Racing McLaren, but uncomfortable, was replaced by Steve Krisiloff for the race.