After charging from the 30th starting position, Mario Andretti’s day was short-lived….when on the 15th lap he brought out the yellow when he stalled in turn three with an ignition problem…..as Andretti set the early pace by leading the first 42 laps…..when Mario later returned to the track his car lasted only four additional laps….and he placed 32nd.
The first half of the race saw record average speed….with only two yellows for 10 laps….and no major incidents. The second yellow on lap 52 came out for debris when Michael Andretti lost a mirror….when Rick Mears came to the lead by lap 49….and held it until the next round of pit stops…..then on lap 83, Bobby Rahal took the lead for 19 laps, and led at the halfway point.