Rick Mears

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mears' journey began in off-road racing before Bill Simpson's company representative recommended him for a ride at the 1976 California 500. Driving an old Eagle-Offenhauser, he finished eighth, leading Simpson to sell the car to Art Sugai on the condition Mears continue driving it. By mid-1977, he moved to Theodore Racing, where his speed caught the eye of Roger Penske. Despite having Mario Andretti and Tom Sneva on staff, Penske wanted a driver focused exclusively on American racing. In 1978, Mears joined part-time, filling in for Andretti overseas. His rookie Indianapolis 500 run saw him become the first rookie to qualify over 200 mph, though he retired with a blown engine after a helmet issue cost him track time. He quickly redeemed himself by winning his first race two weeks later at Milwaukee, followed by victories at Atlanta and Brands Hatch, earning Rookie of the Year honors alongside Larry Rice.

In Their Own Story

The 1982 Indianapolis 500 remains one of racing's most dramatic moments. Mears came within 0.16 seconds of securing his second win but was hampered during a final pit stop when the crew filled the entire tank instead of just enough to finish, leaving him over 11 seconds behind leader Gordon Johncock. Although he chased down the deficit as Johncock suffered handling issues, the photo-finish stood for ten years as the closest in history. Controversy also surrounded a pace-lap crash involving teammate Kevin Cogan; drivers like Johncock, Rutherford, and Unser blamed Mears for bringing the field down too slowly. Later that decade, a severe leg injury at Sanair Super Speedway in 1984 affected his right foot permanently. Despite this, he won the 1985 Pocono 500 and returned to pole position in 1986. In 1989, after Emerson Fittipaldi beat him for the championship in the final race at Laguna Seca despite Mears winning that event, Mears broke a road-course dry spell, telling Jack Arute, 'Well, I guess there is hope for us old circle track drivers after all.'

Reader's Guide

Mears' career highlights include his dominance with the Penske PC-17 in 1988, which secured him another Indy 500 victory. In 1991, he made history by claiming a record sixth pole position at Indianapolis despite hitting the wall during practice; he then won the race after a strategic pit stop swapped the lead from Michael Andretti. That August, he won his final race at the Michigan 500. His career ended abruptly in 1992 when a wrist fracture during practice led to him crashing out of the Indy 500 while avoiding Jim Crawford's spinning car. Mears raced only four more times that year before announcing his retirement at a Team Penske Christmas party, keeping the plan secret from everyone except team owner Roger Penske and his wife Chris. He was just 41 years old.

Did You Know?

• Mears tested for Formula One team Brabham in 1980 and posted lap times faster than Nelson Piquet during the second test.
• He holds the record for the most pole positions at the Indianapolis 500 with six (1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991).
• His 1982 Indy 500 finish was the closest in history for ten years, decided by just 0.16 seconds.
• Mears kept his retirement plans secret from all but Roger Penske and his wife Chris until announcing them at a team Christmas party in 1992.
• He is the uncle of NASCAR Cup Series driver Casey Mears and father of off-road racer Clint Mears.