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1970 marked Tony Hulmans 25th year as owner of the Speedway and a badge with his likeness was made in his honor. Measuring 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" it is one of the larger badges of the 70's. The 2001 badge is nearly identical to the 1970 except Ray Harroun is in place of Mr. Hulman.

2001 badge

Note that the proof or salesman sample above is numbered "0000" as are the 1971 and 1972 badges below.
The lead casting at right was used in making the final product.

The city of Indianapolis was 150 years old in 1971 and the badge is the Control Tower with the seal of the city of Indianapolis behind it. The '71 measures 7/8" x 1 1/3"

1971 proof or salesman sample.

1971 also marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and to commemorate that, the Speedway issued a special NATO pit badge in BRONZE ONLY. The 1971 NATO badge is by far the toughest badge to find of the 1970's or of all pit badges as it is believed less that 500 were produced. The 1971 NATO BUC is equally as tough.

The 1972 badge measures 7/8" x 1 1/8" and depicts Gasoline Alley from a slightly over head angle. By 1972, Gasoline was no longer used so it was more tradition than anything that it was still called "Gasoline Alley". 1972 also marks the first year where bronze badges only carry a letter followed by a number.

1972 proof or salesman sample.

The 1973 badge uses a smaller version of the "Wing and Wheel" design and a checkered "500" flag below. As it rained for three days during the 1973 race, back up cards can be hard to find with out rain damage. The '73 comes in at 1 1/4" x 7/8".

The 1974 badge is triangular in shape and depicts the Speedway from a southern aerial view. There are NO Bastian Bros. name or marks on the back. 1974 measures 1 1/4" x 1 1/3".

1975 begins badges with a product or service represented on them and 1975's is Monroe shocks. It measures 1" x 1 1/3" and again, there are NO Bastian Bros. name or marks on the back. (The silver is still in the original plastic bag.)

1976 is a can of Valvoline motor oil at right and a race car at left. The size is 1 1/8" x 1 1/4"

An example of a blank "proof" from 1976 is below. Although faint, the Bastian Bros. marks are visible.

For 1977 the Goodyear blimp is superimposed on a waving checkered flag for the badge. It measures 1 3/5" x 1 1/4"

The 1978 badge is the same size and design as the 1973 except the sponsor STP is in place of the flag. Due to their close similarity, the 1978 and 1973 badges are often confused with each other. 1978 BUC's are often found with the "wings" on either side damaged.

A speeding race car coming at you above the Loctite logo is the design for the 1979 badge. The '79 comes in at 1 3/5" x 1 1/4"

The 1970 through 1979 badges become even easier to find as are the BUC's. The 1971 NATO badge is by far the toughest badge to find of the 1970's or of all pit badges as it is believed less that 500 were produced. The 1971 NATO BUC is equally as tough.

1938-1946	1947-1949	1950-1959	1960-1969
1980-1989	1990-Present	Back Up Cards	Reproduction Pit Badges

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* This information is to the best of our knowledge. If anyone has more information, please contact: NI500CC@NI500CC.COM or dar500@indy.rr.com