This is an awesome video account and highlights of the 1979 Indy 500…..which speaks vividly to how much technology of filming the classic race has come in the past 41 years…..while providing a wonderful view of how far racing technology has come too….evidenced by the skills and timing of the pit crews back in the day….as seen in this video herewith.
This 1979 Indy 500 was the first of four 500’s that Mears would win during his career.
Rick Ravon Mears (born December 3, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas), also known by the nickname “Rocket Rick”…..is a retired American race car driver….who is one of only three men to win the Indianapolis 500 four times (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991)…..nd is the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six (1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991).
Rick Mears is also a three-time Indycar series/World Series champion (1979, 1981 and 1982).
He won this first 500 by staying at the front of the field…..while taking advantage when Bobby Unser fell out of contention with mechanical trouble….whereby three wins and four second places in the eleven CART-eligible races won Mears his first championship….with his worst finish in the season being a seventh in Trenton’s second heat.
