Archive for the ‘Historic Indy 500 journals’ Category
Indy journal: 1993
The big events concerning this year’s race were the many changes made at the Speedway since last year’s race, the subsequent drop in speed, the retirement of two of the race’s four-time winners, the unexpected failure of another former winner to qualify for the race, and the outstanding performance of one of the most popular rookies in Speedway history.
Indy journal: 1992
This year’s race will go down in history as one of the weirdest and most unexpected in history, highlighted by the large amount of caution time, cold weather, and the closest finish in the race’s history.
Indy journal: 1991
The third consecutive year of rain on the first day of time trials, the possibility of not being able to see the race because of rain, Rick Mears’s fourth race victory, and the appearance of Norman Schwarzkopf at the race were among the highlights at the Speedway this year.
Indy journal: 1990
The second consecutive year of having the first day of time trials washed out, the unexpected victory of Arie Luyendyk, and the unbelievable 15 mph increase in the winner’s average speed were the highlights of this year at the Speedway.
Indy journal: 1989
The rainout of the first day of time trials, the strong showing of Emerson Fittipaldi, the disappointing performance of the Penske cars in the race, and the exciting battle between Fittipaldi and Al Unser, Jr. for the lead near the end of the race were the highlights of this year’s activity at the Speedway.
Indy journal: 1988
Activity this year was highlighted by the first 220 mph qualifying lap, the first front row made up of the same team, Rick Mears’s third race victory, the first race ever to finish under the yellow flag, and the outstanding race performance of Jim Crawford.
Indy journal: 1987
This year’s activity at the Speedway was highlighted by the dominance of Mario Andretti, the surprise race victory of Al Unser, and the large number of pre-race crashes. On the home front, my usual happiness at this time of the year was tempered considerably by the serious illness and hospitalization of Dad.
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.