There was much speculation as the F1 circus gathered in upstate New York that the event would be World Champion Jackie Stewart's 100th and last Grand Prix. The only other interest was focussed on the battle for second place in the title race between Stewart's Tyrrell team mate François Cévert and Team Lotus's Emerson Fittipaldi. Several teams were running third cars with McLaren's Jody Scheckter being joined by a third Tyrrell run for Chris Amon; a third Shadow (Brian Redman) and a third Surtees (Jochen Mass). John Watson appeared in place of Rolf Stommelen in the third Brabham while Clay Regazzoni was back in action for BRM having not been entered in Canada and Jacky Ickx joined the Iso Marlboro team. Ronnie Peterson's weekend began with an accident in his Lotus on Friday morning but he was still fastest on the first day. On Saturday Cévert crashed in the final minutes of the morning session, going into the barriers in The Esses at high speed. He was killed instantly. Tyrrell immediately withdrew his two other cars - although this meant that he gave up the chance of winning the Constructors' title - and there was little enthusiasm from the rest of the field for further qualifying. Peterson was therefore on pole position from Carlos Reutemann's Brabham, Fittipaldi's Lotus and James Hunt's Hesketh March. In the race Peterson took the lead at the start and after four laps Hunt passed Reutemann to take second place. Denny Hulme made quick progress to pass Mike Hailwood and Emerson Fittipaldi to run in fourth place. Peterson and Hunt ran nose-to-tail at the front with Reutemann remaining a constant threat but Emerson Fittipaldi had to pit when he flat-spotted his tires avoiding a spinning Scheckter and he had to pit. In the closing laps Hunt challenged for victory but Peterson held him off and they crossed the line separated by only six-tenths of a second. Reutemann was third with Hulme and Revson fourth and fifth in their McLarens and Fittipaldi sixth.