1981 Indy 500 Time Trials - Bump Day

Relive the drama of the 1981 Indianapolis 500 Final Bump Day – ABC Sports Broadcast Step back into the tension-filled final hours of qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 17, 1981. This rare ABC Sports coverage captures the high-stakes action as drivers fight for the last spots in the 33-car field for the 65th running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Key moments featured: Jim Hurtubise's emotional final qualifying attempt in the #65 per-engine Kingfish (Chevrolet-powered). "Herk" pushes hard but suffers engine failure, marking the end of an era for the popular driver. Dick Simon (#22) and John Mahler (#92) making determined runs with wave-offs amid the chaos. Jerry Sneva's valiant bump attempt, which briefly displaces Jerry Karl before disqualification for excessive boost — a controversial call that kept the venerable Offenhauser engine out of the field for the first time since 1934. Watch as the bubble shifts repeatedly with 25 attempts and 10 bumps in a frantic afternoon. Jim McKay, Jackie Stewart, and the ABC team bring you live pit reports, crowd energy, and the raw emotion of drivers and crews battling the clock until the 6:00 PM gun. This is pure Indy history — heartbreak, determination, and the unpredictable drama that defines Bump Day. Perfect for racing fans, Indy 500 historians, and those who love classic open-wheel action from the golden era of the early 1980s. #1981Indy500 #BumpDay #JimHurtubise #Indianapolis #500TimeTrials #indy500 #indyCar 👍 Like | 📺 Subscribe | 🛎️ Turn on notifications for more rare motorsport footage!