30 Days in May: No. 8, Tom Sneva, 1977 Norton Spirit McLaren/Cosworth

Welcome to our monthlong countdown celebrating notable drivers and cars from the history of the Indianapolis 500!

Majeske Post Card Collection

Tom Sneva was the first driver to officially record a lap above 200 mph at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway during his qualifying run in 1977.

30 Days in May: No. 8, Tom Sneva, 1977 Norton Spirit McLaren/Cosworth. In 1977, Tom Sneva was the first to officially lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at over 200 mph, with a speed of 200.401 on the first lap of his qualifying run, then broke his record on the next lap at 200.535 mph. The four-lap average of 198.884 mph fell a bit short of 200 but was more than enough for Sneva to secure the first of three poles at Indianapolis. Interestingly, each time Sneva sat on the pole, he set the track record. In 1977, Sneva was second to A.J. Foyt, who won his historic fourth 500.

 

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