High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1980 IndyCar season, the second in the CART era of U.S. open-wheel racing, consisted of 12 races, beginning in Ontario, California on April 13 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 8. The PPG Indy Car World Series Drivers` Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford. Rookie of the Year was Dennis Firestone. The entire season, including the 64th Indianapolis 500, was to be co-sanctioned by the both the USAC and CART, however the USAC withdrew from the agreement after the fifth race.