30 Days in May: No. 30, Arie Luyendyk, 1990 Domino's Pizza 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: Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

Arie Luyendyk won his first Indianapolis 500 in 1990 at a record

average speed of 185.981 mph.

30 Days in May: No. 30, Arie Luyendyk, 1990 Domino’s Pizza Lola/Chevrolet. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since Arie Luyendyk won his first Indianapolis 500 (and first IndyCar race) after starting third. Domino’s chose the number 30 as a tie-in to its “30 minutes or less” delivery guarantee, a slogan that eventually was abandoned in the interests of safety. The Flying Dutchman added another 500 win in 1997 and still holds the one-lap and four-lap qualifying records, which he set in 1996.

Side note: In 1990, barely a year out of college, I covered practice, qualifying and the race for the Logansport (Indiana) Pharos-Tribune, where I was the Assistant Sports Editor. I was fortunate enough to get a one-on-one interview with Mr. Luyendyk, who was extremely gracious answering what likely were novice-level questions. Also, against all professional protocol, at the end of the interview I asked for an autograph for my then-girlfriend (and now wife of almost 28 years), which he signed. And we still have. Thanks, Arie!