Rick Mears

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mears began his racing career in off-road racing. In 1976, he was recommended by a representative of Bill Simpson's helmet company, and Simpson gave him a ride at the USAC Champ Car's California 500 in an old Eagle-Offenhauser, finishing eighth. His speed attracted Roger Penske's attention, and in 1978 Mears was offered a part-time ride in nine of 18 championship races, filling in when Mario Andretti was overseas. In his rookie Indianapolis 500 appearance, Mears put his car on the front row and was the first rookie to qualify over 200 mph. He shared 'Rookie of the Year' honors with Larry Rice. Two weeks later, at the Rex Mays Classic at Milwaukee, he won his first race. He added another win a month later at Atlanta and rounded out the year with his first road course win at Brands Hatch. Because of his terrific showing, Mears was elevated to full-time status at Penske Racing for 1979 after teammate and series champion Tom Sneva parted company with Penske.

In Their Own Story

At the 1982 Indianapolis 500, Mears came within 0.16 of a second from securing his second Indianapolis 500 win. With less than 20 laps to go, on his final pit stop, the crew filled up the entire tank rather than giving him only the amount he needed to finish. The delay left him more than 11 seconds behind Gordon Johncock. Nevertheless, Mears made up the difference when Johncock suffered handling problems; however, his valiant effort fell short as he was narrowly beaten out by Johncock. The photo finish stood for ten years as the closest finish at the Indianapolis 500. The photo-finish also quieted the controversy surrounding the pace-lap crash with teammate Kevin Cogan when he appeared to spin out of control for no apparent reason; fellow drivers Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser said that Mears was to blame for the crash as he brought the field down too slowly at the start of the race.

Reader's Guide

Mears' career with Team Penske spanned from 1978 to 1992. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 1979, 1984, 1988, and 1991. He also won the CART championship in 1979, 1981, and 1982. Mears holds the record for pole positions at the Indianapolis 500 with six (1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991). After the 1984 Sanair crash, where he suffered severe leg injuries, Mears was slowed down by injuries to his right foot that affected him throughout the remainder of his career. Over the next three seasons, he won only two races. In 1988, after several years using the March chassis, the Penske team utilized a new car, the PC-17, with a Chevrolet engine, and Mears won the Indianapolis 500. In 1989, he took a record-setting fifth pole at Indy, but retired from the race with mechanical problems. At the 1992 Indianapolis 500, Mears broke a wrist in a crash during practice and then crashed out of the race for the first time in his career while trying to avoid Jim Crawford's spinning car. He raced only four more times in 1992 and then announced his retirement from racing at Team Penske's Christmas party. As of 2026, Mears continues to work as a consultant and driver-mentor for Team Penske, currently acting as driver-mentor for Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, and David Malukas.

Did You Know?

• Mears was the first rookie to qualify over 200 mph at the Indianapolis 500.
• He shared 'Rookie of the Year' honors with Larry Rice at the 1978 Indianapolis 500.
• Mears tested a Formula One car for Team Brabham in 1980, posting lap times faster than Nelson Piquet during the second test.
• The 1982 Indianapolis 500 photo finish stood for ten years as the closest finish at the race.
• Mears announced his retirement at Team Penske's Christmas party; only Penske and Mears' wife Chris knew of his plans.