Indianapolis 500 Official Programs; 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983

Publisher: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation

It’s the month of May and that means one thing to an auto racing fan, The Indianapolis 500. It is truly the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. My first trips to the Indy 500 were during a four-year span from 1980-1983. I was blown away by the sheer size of the venue and pageantry of the event. It is second to none. And, like any racing event I attend I always purchase the program. It captures a moment in history and is filled with facts and figures leading up to the race, along with acting as a time capsule of sorts with advertisements and nostalgic imagery. One feature that is a special keepsake in each of the Indy 500 programs is a foldout poster of the starting grid, featuring all the drivers in their cars taken for their official race portrait.

My first race was in 1980 and was won by Johnny Rutherford in the classic ‘yellow’ Pennzoil Chaparral. He became a three-time winner that day, having previously won the race in 1974 and 1976. Rutherford had early battles for the lead with a variety of legendary drivers to include Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears and Tom Sneva. But in the final stages of the race Rutherford began to pull away and won the race in a comfortable and commanding fashion. 

In 1981 the race boiled down to a battle between Bobby Unser and Mario Andretti. Unser took the checkered flag and participated in the post-race celebrations, but it was just the start of the controversy that lasted several months. In the closing stages of the race, Unser appeared to reenter the track after a pitstop in a manner that was against the rules, passing cars following the safety car rather than blending in where appropriate. Andretti exited right behind Unser following the rules of reengagement. But now when the green flag restarted the race, rather than being right behind Unser, Andretti first had to pass multiple cars, working his way to the front. He ran out of time and finished second. Afterwards the sanctioning body USAC imposed a penalty on Unser and awarded Andretti first place. Roger Penke (Unser’s owner) filed an appeal which ultimately overturned the penalty and awarded Unser the win, but not until October 8^th that year.

1982 was to be Mario’s chance to reclaim the win he thought he rightfully deserved. But his day proved to end even before it began. As the field of 33 cars approached the start/finish to begin the race, Kevin Cogan, sitting in the middle of the front row, spun his wheels losing control of the car, hitting AJ Foyt’s car and then completely damaging Andretti’s car, putting him out of the race. Once the clean-up was finished the race proved to be fast and entertaining, leading up to the most fantastic finish the 500 had ever seen. After the final pit stops, the leader was Andretti’s teammate Gordon Johncock, holding a lead of about 11 seconds. Penske driver Rick Mears then started his charge to the front, taking almost one second off Johncock’s lead each lap. They passed the start/finish line to begin the last lap side by side. You could hear the roar of the crowd over the sound of the cars. Driving an ill-handling car at this stage of the race Johncock held for his second 500 win by just 0.16 seconds.

The running of the 1983 Indianapolis 500 was won by Tom Sneva, driving his Texaco Star March. After having finished second three times, this was finally his moment. But not without a final challenge to overcome. In the closing laps the leader was Al Unser Sr. with Sneva is second. But as Sneva attempted to pass a lapped car driven by Unser Jr., ‘Little Al’ appeared to be running interference for his dad, slowing Sneva’s pace. More lapped traffic ahead allowed Sneva to get around Unser Jr., and in short order Sneva was able to catch and pass Unser Sr., ultimately taking the checkered flag by 11.174 seconds.

These programs are a prized possession in my collection, providing special memories, and bringing an era of Indy 500 ‘glory years’ back to life. Enjoy!

TJ…..2025