The 1966 Jimmy Bryan Memorial 150 was a 150-lap USAC Champ Car race held on the one-mile paved oval at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, on March 20, 1966. It served as the opening round of the 16-race season. Mario Andretti started on the pole, but Jim McElreath, driving the #3 Brabham-Ford for John Zink Racing, came from fifth on the grid to win the race. McElreath led 104 laps and took victory with an average speed of 98.828 mph. Rodger Ward finished second, followed by Chuck Hulse in third, Bud Tinglestad in fourth, and Carl Williams in fifth.
This strong opening performance was a highlight for McElreath, who went on to finish 2nd in the 1966 championship. The race helped set the tone for Mario Andretti’s dominant championship-winning season and showcased the increasing competitiveness of rear-engined cars on the fast one-mile ovals.
