During the first week of practice, several drivers flirted with the elusive 200 mph barrier.
Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, and Johnny Rutherford all ran unofficial practice laps over 200 mph.
All three became immediate favorites for the pole position.
Going into the month, the official one-lap track record was still 199.071 mph, set by Johnny Rutherford back in 1973.

Pole day was sunny and warm, and an estimated 200,000 spectators arrived anticipating a record-setting day.
No drivers broke the 200 mph barrier during practice on the morning of pole day, but participants and observers expected the record to fall during official time trials.
At 11:00 a.m., A. J. Foyt was the first driver to make an attempt.
His four-lap speed of 193.465 mph was far short of the record.
Al Unser Sr. (
195.950 mph) went faster and took over the top spot about a half hour later.

At 11:51 a.m., Tom Sneva took to the track.
He set new all-time one-lap and four-lap track records.
He became the first driver to break the highly anticipated 200 mph barrier at Indy.

Lap 1 – 44.91 seconds, 200.401 mph (new 1-lap track record)
Lap 2 – 44.88 seconds, 200.535 mph (new 1-lap track record)
Lap 3 – 45.54 seconds, 197.628 mph
Lap 4 – 45.68 seconds, 197.032 mph
Total – 3:01.01, 198.884 mph (new 4-lap track record)
Though his last two laps dropped off, Sneva's four-lap average was fast enough to secure the pole position.
Sneva was rewarded by having 200 silver dollars poured into his helmet.
The symbolic gesture, performed by Phil Hedback of Bryant Heating and Cooling Company, mimicked Parnelli Jones, who broke the 150 mph barrier in 1962, and was awarded with 150 silver dollars poured into his helmet.

About an hour later, USAC officials retracted A. J. Foyt's qualifying time, stating that during post-inspection, they discovered that his pop-off valve was fractured and malfunctioned.
Since the infraction was not Foyt's fault, he was allowed to re-qualify.
Foyt's speed of 194.563 mph was faster than his previous attempt.

Bobby Unser (197.618 mph) put himself in the middle of the front row, bumping his brother Al to the outside.
Johnny Rutherford, an early favorite for the front row, waved off his first run, then stalled on his second run.
The day ended with the field filled to 16 cars, with Rutherford among those not qualified.
Sneva was the only driver to run any laps over 200 mph all afternoon.
During the first week of practice, several drivers flirted with the elusive 200 mph barrier. Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, and Johnny Rutherford all ran unofficial practice laps over 200 mph. All three became immediate favorites for the pole position. Going into the month, the official one-lap track record was still 199.071 mph, set by Johnny Rutherford back in 1973.
Pole day was sunny and warm, and an estimated 200,000 spectators arrived anticipating a record-setting day. No drivers broke the 200 mph barrier during practice on the morning of pole day, but participants and observers expected the record to fall during official time trials. At 11:00 a.m., A. J. Foyt was the first driver to make an attempt. His four-lap speed of 193.465 mph was far short of the record. Al Unser Sr. (195.950 mph) went faster and took over the top spot about a half hour later.
At 11:51 a.m., Tom Sneva took to the track. He set new all-time one-lap and four-lap track records. He became the first driver to break the highly anticipated 200 mph barrier at Indy.
Lap 1 – 44.91 seconds, 200.401 mph (new 1-lap track record)
Lap 2 – 44.88 seconds, 200.535 mph (new 1-lap track record)
Lap 3 – 45.54 seconds, 197.628 mph
Lap 4 – 45.68 seconds, 197.032 mph
Total – 3:01.01, 198.884 mph (new 4-lap track record)
Though his last two laps dropped off, Sneva's four-lap average was fast enough to secure the pole position. Sneva was rewarded by having 200 silver dollars poured into his helmet. The symbolic gesture, performed by Phil Hedback of Bryant Heating and Cooling Company, mimicked Parnelli Jones, who broke the 150 mph barrier in 1962, and was awarded with 150 silver dollars poured into his helmet.
About an hour later, USAC officials retracted A. J. Foyt's qualifying time, stating that during post-inspection, they discovered that his pop-off valve was fractured and malfunctioned. Since the infraction was not Foyt's fault, he was allowed to re-qualify. Foyt's speed of 194.563 mph was faster than his previous attempt.
Bobby Unser (197.618 mph) put himself in the middle of the front row, bumping his brother Al to the outside. Johnny Rutherford, an early favorite for the front row, waved off his first run, then stalled on his second run. The day ended with the field filled to 16 cars, with Rutherford among those not qualified. Sneva was the only driver to run any laps over 200 mph all afternoon.
1977 Indianapolis 500