30 Days in May: No. 17, Willy T. Ribbs, 1991 Cosby/McDonald's Lola

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!

Photo credit: 1991 Indianapolis 500 Yearbook Published by Carl Hungness

Willy T. Ribbs qualified for his first Indianapolis 500 in 1991.

30 Days in May: No. 17, Willy T. Ribbs, 1991 Cosby/McDonald’s Lola/Buick. Willy T. Ribbs had a devil of a time qualifying for his first Indianapolis 500 because the ever-temperamental Buick engine would fail after only a handful of laps. In the last hour of qualifying, Ribbs shoved aside the frustration, shelved any jinxes and put it in the show, bumping Ton Sneva in the process. 

The mechanical gremlins returned on race day, however, and Ribbs lasted only five laps and finished 32^nd.  Like many others, I highly recommend the documentary “Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story” to learn more about Ribbs’ career.