1982 Indianapolis 500 (Gordon Johncock vs. Rick Mears)
Johncock beats Mears by 0.16 seconds, then the closest finish in Indy history.
The 66th Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30, 1982. Gordon Johncock, the 1973 winner, won again, with polesitter Rick Mears second by 0.16 seconds, the closest finish in the race's history up to then.
Quick Facts
- Race name
- 66th Indianapolis 500
- Sanction
- USAC
- Season
- 1981-82 USAC season; 1982 CART season
- Team
- Patrick Racing
- Date
- May 30, 1982
- Winner
- USA Gordon Johncock
- Time
- 3:05:09.14
- Pole
- USA Rick Mears
Lore & Background
Johncock built a big lead after his last pit stop on lap 184, but Mears closed in over the final laps before Johncock held him off on the last lap. The event was overshadowed by the fatal crash of Gordon Smiley in time trials.
More in Iconic Races
1985 Indianapolis 500 (Danny Sullivan's spin and win)1989 Indianapolis 500 (Al Unser Jr. vs. Emerson Fittipaldi)1992 Indianapolis 500 (Al Unser Jr. edges Scott Goodyear)1995 Indianapolis 500 (Jacques Villeneuve's dominant win)2000 Indianapolis 500 (Juan Pablo Montoya's rookie victory)2001 Indianapolis 500 (Hélio Castroneves' first win)2006 Indianapolis 500 (Sam Hornish Jr. passes Marco Andretti at the line)2011 Indianapolis 500 (Dan Wheldon's final victory)2013 Indianapolis 500 (Tony Kanaan's emotional win)2014 Indianapolis 500 (Ryan Hunter-Reay edges Hélio Castroneves)2015 Indianapolis 500 (Juan Pablo Montoya wins second)2016 Indianapolis 500 (Alexander Rossi's fuel-mileage upset)
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