Full Race Broadcast: 1970 Indianapolis 500

A major milestone was reached when the total purse topped $1 million for the first time, the actual amount being $1,000,002. Running under the threat of rain throughout, the highly favored Al Unser started from the pole position and led all but 10 of the 200 laps on his way to the win.

Johnny Rutherford succeeded in beating him to the first turn from the middle of the front row, but Al was solidly in command by the end of the opening lap. The most spectacular run of the day was that of Lloyd Ruby, who moved all the way from 25th starting position to the lead in 50 laps, only to have the flames from a failed transmission resemble a blowtorch as he flew down the main straight under leaden skies at almost 200 mph.

A.J. Foyt ran second for almost the entire second half but dropped out with a transmission failure right at the finish, while Rutherford, Art Pollard and Joe Leonard were others who fell by the wayside after having run up near the front.