OK, so this year’s
Indianapolis 500 won’t be run in the month of May. For many of us, however, May
is more than just a month – it’s a state of mind. So let’s still celebrate
great cars and drivers of the past anyway!
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Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rick Mears qualified on the front row for his first Indianapolis 500 start
in 1978. Overall, Mears started on the front row 11 out of 15 times in his 500
career, including a record six poles.
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30 Days in May Bonus: No. 71, Rick Mears, 1978 CAM2 Penske
PC6/Cosworth. After trying unsuccessfully to qualify for the 500 as a rookie in
1977, Rick Mears caught the eye of Roger Penske and was offered a ride in races
that Mario Andretti could not compete in due to Formula One commitments. Mears
eagerly accepted the offer, which also included the Indianapolis 500. The
Bakersfield, California, native justified Penske’s confidence by grabbing the
outside spot on the front row, setting a rookie qualifying record in the
process.
Race day wasn’t great, as Mears forgot to buckle his helmet at the
start and then had his engine let go just after halfway and finished 23rd.
Still, the outstanding performance in time trials helped Mears earn Co-Rookie
of the Year with Larry Rice. Mears’ number, 71, is rarely used at the Speedway,
but I think the reason why Penske used that number is because his other entries
were 7 (Andretti) and 1 (Tom Sneva), so he just combined the two. (Dick Simon
had 17 that year, in case you were wondering.)
#Indy500 @IMS @IMSMuseum @IndyCar @Team_Penske
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