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

 

Majeske collection

Tom Sneva was the first and only driver to break the 200 mph barrier
during qualifying for the 1977 Indianapolis 500.

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

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 mph 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 Indianapolis 500.

 

#ThisIsMay #Indy500 @IMS @IMSMuseum @IndyCar @Team_Penske