1909
1909
1909
1910s
1910s
1920s
1920s
1930s
1930s
1940s
1940s
1950s
1950s
1960s
1960s
1970s
1970s
1980s
1980s
1990s
1990s
2000s
2000s
2010s
2010s
2020
2020
EXPERIENCE THE DECADE THAT DELIVERED EVEN CLOSER RACING AND MORE EXCITING FINISHES TO THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY.
1980s
The winner’s share of the Indianapolis 500 exceeded $1 million for the first time, the
beneficiary being Emerson Fittipaldi.
1989
Al Unser became the second driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, his previous wins coming in 1970, 1971 and 1978.
1987
Bobby Rahal became the first driver to complete the Indianapolis 500 in less than three hours. The race was broadcast live on ABC for the first time.
1986
Experience the decade that broke records, and barriers, at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
1970s
IMS DIGITAL ARCHIVE
1909
1909
1909
1910s
1910s
1920s
1920s
1930s
1930s
1940s
1940s
1950s
1950s
1960s
1960s
1970s
1970s
1980s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020
The winner’s share of the Indianapolis 500 exceeded $1 million for the first time, the beneficiary being Emerson Fittipaldi.
1989
Al Unser became the second driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, his previous wins coming in 1970, 1971 and 1978.
1987
1986
Bobby Rahal became the first driver to complete the Indianapolis 500 in less than three hours. The race was broadcast live on ABC for the first time.
THE INDY 500 YEAR-BY-YEAR
AL UNSER: A MODEST INDY 500 RECORD HOLDER
DIGITAL DONALD
IMS HISTORIAN DONALD DAVIDSON
03/17/2009
Centennial Moment - The Unser Family
VIDEO
03/11/2011
Centennial Moment - Bobby Rahal
VIDEO
02/18/2009
Centennial Moment - Al Unser
VIDEO
02/18/2009
Centennia Moments - Gordon Johncock
VIDEO
READ MORE
05/27/2020
In the 111-year history of the Indianapolis 500, it’s hard to find a more important and more glorious event for three major reasons...
SNEVA SCORED ELUSIVE
'500' VICTORY IN 1983
ARTICLE
The pre-race ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge today are meticulously scripted...
05/27/2020
READ MORE
HURLEY HAYWOOD TOOK ON INDIANAPOLIS IN 1980
ARTICLE
LOOK BOOK
1980s ALMANAC
03/17/2009
Centennial Moment - Emerson Fittipaldi
VIDEO
Simply put, Al Unser is in possession of just about the finest Indianapolis 500 record by any driver ever.
ARTICLE
05/27/2020
AL UNSER: A MODEST INDY 500 RECORD HOLDER
READ MORE
READ MORE
1980: Rarely has a driver gone into a “500” so clearly favored to win as was Johnny Rutherford in 1980.
03/27/2020
The Indy 500 Year-by-Year
ARTICLE
IMS HISTORIAN DONALD DAVIDSON
DIGITAL DONALD
Every driver who wins the Indianapolis 500 earns a spot in the rich lore of motorsports and a piece of immortality...
03/13/2020
READ MORE
Rutherford, 'Yellow Submarine' Were Match Made in Heaven
ARTICLE
READ MORE
05/01/2020
“Yellow,” the No. 5 Miller American crew radioed to its driver Danny Sullivan on the 120th lap of the 1985 Indianapolis 500...
SULLIVAN’S
MIRACULOUS ‘SPIN AND WIN’
ARTICLE
One of the greatest names in the history of American sports car racing crossed paths with the Indianapolis 500 in the early days of his racing career...
05/27/2020
READ MORE
HURLEY HAYWOOD TOOK ON INDIANAPOLIS IN 1980
ARTICLE
“I’m very glad I did it. From a driver’s standpoint to run in the Indianapolis 500 is a big thing. To be able to experience that and have the knowledge of whether it was something I wanted to do more of or if I wasn’t going to be successful at it was a valuable lesson for me.”
Forty years ago, Tom Sneva was the most famous bridesmaid in Indianapolis 500 history. Sneva, a former schoolteacher from Spokane...
05/27/2020
READ MORE
SNEVA SCORED ELUSIVE '500' VICTORY IN 1983
ARTICLE
1980s ALMANAC
READ MORE
05/13/2020
In the 111-year history of the Indianapolis 500, it’s hard to find a more important and more glorious event for three major reasons...
Rutherford,
‘Yellow Submarine’
WERE Perfect Match
ARTICLE
The pre-race ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge today are meticulously scripted...
05/28/2020
READ MORE
SULLIVAN’S MIRACULOUS ‘SPIN AND WIN’
ARTICLE
LOOK BOOK
1920s
02/18/2009
Fittipaldi on 1989 Centennial Era Moment
VIDEO
02/19/2009
The Unser Family at Indy Centennial Era Moment
VIDEO
03/11/2011
1986 Bobby Rahal Centennial Moment
VIDEO
02/18/2009
Al Unser Centennial Era Moment
VIDEO
02/18/2009
Johncock on 1982 Centennial Era Moment
VIDEO
IMS DIGITAL ARCHIVE
10/10
Rick Mears and team owner Roger Penske celebrate Mears’ third Indianapolis 500 win in 1988. The win put Mears in elite company with Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Unser as three-time Indy 500 winners.
9/10
The Opening Ceremonies for the Tenth Pan American Games took place on the Speedway’s main straightaway in 1987. The ceremonies used an elaborate stage incorporating the Master Control Tower and pit lane. Vice President George H.W. Bush attended to formally open the games.
8/10
Bobby Rahal celebrates his emotional Indianapolis 500 victory in 1986 with his car owner, Jim Trueman, who is wearing a white hat. Trueman was extremely ill and would succumb to cancer only 11 days later.
7/10
In the Spring of 1986, a new garage area complex was built, which includes 96 indialrages for race teams and new accessory rooms accommodating up to 25 participating companies. These are the same garages race fans know today.
6/10
Rick Mears poses with his crew on the Yard of Bricks after qualifying on the front row for the 1984 Indianapolis 500 with the third starting position. Mears went on to win his second “500” that year.
5/10
Al Unser Jr. made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1983. “Little Al,” the son of Al Unser Sr. and nephew of Bobby Unser, started fifth and finished 10th driving the No. 19.
4/10
Mary Fendrich Hulman gives the command to start engines in 1983. Fendrich Hulman, the wife of the late Tony Hulman, was named Chairperson of the Board after Hulman’s death in 1977 and held it until 1988 when their daughter, Mari Hulman George, was named Chairperson of the Board.
Gordon Johncock edges out Rick Mears to win the 1982 Indianapolis 500 in what was then the closest Indy 500 finish in the race’s 66 year history: 0.16 seconds.
3/10
After more than 30 years without a three-time winner, Bobby Unser repeated Johnny Rutherford’s feat by winning his third Indianapolis 500 in 1981. After the race, officials declared Mario Andretti the winner due to Unser’s aggressive pit exit.
After months of review, Unser was officially declared
the winner on Oct. 8.
2/10
1/10
Johnny Rutherford celebrates in Victory Circle after winning his third Indianapolis 500-Mile race in 1980. “Lone Star JR” became the race’s first three-time winner since Mauri Rose grabbed his third win in 1948.
The winner’s share of the Indianapolis 500 exceeded $1 million for the first time, the beneficiary being Emerson Fittipaldi.
1989
Al Unser became the second driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, his previous wins coming in 1970, 1971 and 1978.
1987
Bobby Rahal became the first driver to complete the Indianapolis 500 in less than three hours. The race was broadcast live on ABC for the first time.
1986
1970s
Experience the decade that broke records, and barriers, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
IMS DIGITAL ARCHIVE
1909
1909
1909
1910s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1930s
1940s
1940s
1950s
1950s
1960s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020
10/10
Rick Mears and team owner Roger Penske celebrate Mears’ third Indianapolis 500 win in 1988. The win put Mears in elite company with Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Unser as three-time Indy 500 winners.
9/10
The Opening Ceremonies for the Tenth Pan American Games took place on the Speedway’s main straightaway in 1987. The ceremonies used an elaborate stage incorporating the Master Control Tower and pit lane. Vice President George H.W. Bush attended to formally open the games.
8/10
Bobby Rahal celebrates his emotional Indianapolis 500 victory in 1986 with his car owner, Jim Trueman, who is wearing a white hat. Trueman was extremely ill and would succumb to cancer only 11 days later.
7/10
In the Spring of 1986, a new garage area complex was built, which includes 96 individual garages for race teams and new accessory rooms accommodating up to 25 participating companies. These are the same garages race fans know today.
6/10
Rick Mears poses with his crew on the Yard of Bricks after qualifying on the front row for the 1984 Indianapolis 500 with the third starting position. Mears went on to win his second “500” that year.
5/10
Al Unser Jr. made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1983. “Little Al,” the son of Al Unser Sr. and nephew of Bobby Unser, started fifth and finished 10th driving the No. 19.
4/10
Mary Fendrich Hulman gives the command to start engines in 1983. Fendrich Hulman, the wife of the late Tony Hulman, was named Chairperson of the Board after Hulman’s death in 1977 and held it until 1988 when their daughter, Mari Hulman George, was named Chairperson of the Board.
Gordon Johncock edges out Rick Mears to win the 1982 Indianapolis 500 in what was then the closest Indy 500 finish in the race’s 66 year history: 0.16 seconds.
3/10
After more than 30 years without a three-time winner, Bobby Unser repeated Johnny Rutherford’s feat by winning his third Indianapolis 500 in 1981. After the race, officials declared Mario Andretti the winner due to Unser’s aggressive pit exit. After months of review, Unser was officially declared the winner on Oct. 8.
2/10
1/10
Johnny Rutherford celebrates in Victory Circle after winning his third Indianapolis 500-Mile race in 1980. “Lone Star JR” became the race’s first three-time winner since Mauri Rose grabbed his third win in 1948.
The indy 500 year-by-year
AL UNSER: A MODEST INDY 500 RECORD HOLDER
IMS HISTORIAN DONALD DAVIDSON
DIGITAL DONALD
03/11/2009
Centennial Moment - Bobby Rahal
VIDEO
02/19/2009
Centennial Moment - The Unser Family
VIDEO
02/18/2009
Centennial Moment - Al Unser
VIDEO
02/18/2010
Centennial Moment - Gordon Johncock
VIDEO
In the spring of 1977, expectations ran high that the first 200-mph lap would be achieved at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway...
04/22/2020
SNEVA BECaME FIRST TO BREAK 200 MPH AT INDY
READ MORE
ARTICLE
Forty years ago, Tom Sneva was the most famous bridesmaid in Indianapolis 500 history...
05/16/2020
FOYT CAREER HIGHLIGHT: 1977 INDY 500 WIN
READ MORE
ARTICLE
One of the greatest names in the history of American sports car racing crossed paths with the Indianapolis 500...
04/28/2020
NABORS SANG INTO HOOSIER HEARTS FOR 36 YEARS
READ MORE
ARTICLE
LOOK BOOK
1980s ALMANAC
“Yellow,” the No. 5 Miller American crew radioed to its driver Danny Sullivan on the 120th lap of the 1985 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge...
05/01/2020
SULLIVAN’S MIRACULOUS ‘SPIN AND WIN’
READ MORE
ARTICLE
10/10
Rick Mears and team owner Roger Penske celebrate Mears’ third Indianapolis 500 win in 1988. The win put Mears in elite company with Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Unser as three-time Indy 500 winners.
9/10
The Opening Ceremonies for the Tenth Pan American Games took place on the Speedway’s main straightaway in 1987. The ceremonies used an elaborate stage incorporating the Master Control Tower and pit lane. Vice President George H.W. Bush attended to formally open the games.
8/10
Bobby Rahal celebrates his emotional Indianapolis 500 victory in 1986 with his car owner, Jim Trueman, who is wearing a white hat. Trueman was extremely ill and would succumb to cancer only 11 days later.
7/10
In the Spring of 1986, a new garage area complex was built, which includes 96 individual garages for race teams and new accessory rooms accommodating up to 25 participating companies. These are the same garages race fans know today.
6/10
Rick Mears poses with his crew on the Yard of Bricks after qualifying on the front row for the 1984 Indianapolis 500 with the third starting position. Mears went on to win his second “500” that year.
5/10
Al Unser Jr. made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1983. “Little Al,” the son of Al Unser Sr. and nephew of Bobby Unser, started fifth and finished 10th driving the No. 19.
4/10
Mary Fendrich Hulman gives the command to start engines in 1983. Fendrich Hulman, the wife of the late Tony Hulman, was named Chairperson of the Board after Hulman’s death in 1977 and held it until 1988 when their daughter, Mari Hulman George, was named Chairperson of the Board.
Gordon Johncock edges out Rick Mears to win the 1982 Indianapolis 500 in what was then the closest Indy 500 finish in the race’s 66 year history: 0.16 seconds.
3/10
After more than 30 years without a three-time winner, Bobby Unser repeated Johnny Rutherford’s feat by winning his third Indianapolis 500 in 1981. After the race, officials declared Mario Andretti the winner due to Unser’s aggressive pit exit. After months of review, Unser was officially declared the winner on Oct. 8.
2/10
1/10
Johnny Rutherford celebrates in Victory Circle after winning his third Indianapolis 500-Mile race in 1980. “Lone Star JR” became the race’s first three-time winner since Mauri Rose grabbed his third win in 1948.
02/18/2009
Centennial Moment - Emerson Fittipaldi
VIDEO