| abstract | - The Scot arrived in New York State in second place in the Championship, and having been denied points in the previous three rounds, looked to start his weekend perfectly with pole. Clark was indeed able to secure the top spot on the grid with a stunning lap, but was beaten off the line by John Surtees and team mate Mike Spence, with the former's Ferrari painted blue and white over a licensing dispute. An intense battle in the opening laps saw Clark fall behind Championship leader Graham Hill for a time, before Clark used Hill's move on Spence to get back into second. Soon the Scot managed to elbow his way past Surtees and blast away into the lead, leaving the blue/white Ferrari to battle with Hill and Dan Gurney, who had taken Spence during Clark's surge. Only mechanical issues could have denied Clark victory, and on lap 40 a misfire destroyed his race, prompting Team Lotus to drag Spence in and put Clark in his car. The Scot, who now could not score, but could deny his rivals points, duly rose up the order as Hill pulled clear of Surtees and Gurney, before the latter retired with an engine failure. Clark's day was ended for a second time when Spence's engine failed him in the closing stages, as Hill swept home to extend his Championship lead from Surtees, while Jo Siffert survived the best to earn a maiden podium.
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