In 1986, he won the pole position for the Indy 500, but finished only 3rd. In the meantime, there’s no substitute for practice. Mears joined the Penske team at the first two NTT IndyCar Series races this year, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the INDYCAR Classic at Circuit of The Americas. With Rick Mears now leading, Mario Andretti started slipping in the standings due to a broken exhaust pipe. When the time comes to retire, I’ll still be with the sport. 1989  E. Fittipaldi Just getting around to asking this. “No one is making Rick come to the races he isn’t driving in,” said Penske, who also doubled as the race director of the Cleveland event. Maybe a bit apprehensive, but not scared. Rick Mears, on the Road to Recovery After Sept. 7 Crash, Is Testing Cars - Los Angeles Times It’s cramped in the car, but it can be comfy.”, Penske chuckled at Mears’ catnapping, and termed him “a professional in every sense.”. So that stat, to me, means we were doing our job right because we were really in the fight for a decent percentage of our time there. Also, that last race of 1989 set Mears apart from all other Indycar racers as he broke a tie with Bobby Rahal for race wins and became the most successful Indycar racer of the 1980s. “I started to go unconscious again, but I did say to myself, ‘You’re going to drive again.”’. And in order to convey to this reader, I often end up quoting Mears verbatim because he explains it so damn well; it’s like having Van Gogh telling you how to paint, or Nat King Cole teaching you how to sing. [7], Chief Announcer: Paul Page Endorsements. Rick Mears was the first driver in the field, completing his run with a track record of 207.847 mph. Rick Ravon Mears (born December 3, 1951), known by the nickname "Rocket Rick", is a retired American race car driver. Johnny Rutherford went out for his second attempt in a Foyt entry, but never completed a lap due to mechanical problems. He completed a comeback from his injuries by winning the 1985 Pocono 500. Sure, Penske’s PC10 was the best car of ’82, but when the team qualified 1-2 at that year’s Indy 500, Rick’s pole-winning average over the four lap run was a full 3mph clear of teammate Kevin Cogan. Mears suffered an injured right foot, and was cleared to drive later in the day. We have created a browser extension. Rick Mears was back in front on lap 144. “But one thing was clear--I was going to come back and drive again. I cannot empasize how important self-control, self-discipline is. Congratulations on this excellent venture… what a great idea! The next day, he climbed into his backup car and claimed his record 6th career pole position. In August 1991, at Michigan, he won his last race. All times are GMT-5. Gordon Johncock also went to the pits for an unscheduled pit stop. Historian: Donald Davidson, Turn 1: Ron Carrell “He’s remained very valuable to our IndyCar team ever since he hung up his helmet,” Penske states. On lap 153 Mario Andretti went into the pits for a routine stop. A total of 28 cars qualified on pole day. Mary F. Hulman gave the command to start engines just before 11 a.m., and all cars pulled away for the pace laps. Rick Mears, who previously won in 1979, won his second Indy 500 driving for Penske. Here are the Los Angeles Times’ editorial board endorsements for president, California ballot measures and more. Mears finds the perspective much different – and better in many cases – watching from home versus the spotter’s stand. Jacques Villeneuve, who suffered a crash during practice, withdrew from the starting field due to injury.

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