Mert Lawwill hugs the rail on the Syracuse Mile during an AMA Grand National in 1975. By ’75 Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion, was in his mid-30s and hindered by injuries and mechanical problems with his motorcycles. Lawwill finished in the top-10 of the final standings every year from 1964 to 1975 (with the exception of 1971 and ’74 when he was out with injury). Lawwill was still consistent by ’75, but for the first time in four years failed to win a national. When Lawwill hung up his racing leathers in 1977, due to an inner-ear disorder that affected his balance, he had amassed an incredible 161 career AMA Grand National finishes during his 15-year racing career.

Mert Lawwill hugs the rail at the 1975 Syracuse Mile as he races his factory Harley-Davidson through a turn in front of the Yamaha of Chuck Palmgren (No. 38). You can also just see the front of Hank Scott’s Yamaha behind Palmgren. (AMA press photo)