Archive for the ‘Historic Indy 500 journals’ Category
Indy journal: 1986
This year’s race was certainly one that will be remembered for a long time by anybody who saw it. It was the closest 1-2-3 finish in race history, the second-closest 1-2 finish in race history, the second time in five years that the race was red flagged before it started, the first race completed in less than three hours, the first race to be telecast live, and the first time since 1915 that the entire race had to be postponed from its original scheduled date.
Indy journal: 1985
The outstanding qualifying runs of Pancho Carter and Scott Brayton, the unexpected victory of Danny Sullivan, and the frustrating second-place finish of Mario Andretti were highlights of this year’s activity at the Speedway.
Indy journal: 1984
The sensational time trial run of Tom Sneva, the first new winning average speed in 12 years, and seeing the first scheduled day of time trials with one of my children were the highlights of this year’s activities for me.
Indy journal: 1983
The sensational performance of rookie Teo Fabi, the qualification of 33 cars in one day, Tom Sneva’s first race victory after three second-place finishes, and my first trip to the Speedway with one of my children as my only partner were the outstanding attractions of the year.
Indy journal: 1982
The best weather in several years, including the first day of time trials, the first driver fatality in nine years, the four mph increase in the qualifying record, the four-car crash just a few seconds before the start of the race and, perhaps most of all, the unbelievably close finish for first place between Gordon Johncock and Rick Mears were the outstanding attractions at the Speedway this year.
Indy journal: 1981
The question of whether Bobby Unser or Mario Andretti won the race, the unpleasantly spectacular exits of Rick Mears and Danny Ongais, the large amount of caution time, and the return of the 200 mph lap were highlights of this year’s activity on the racetrack.