It was more fun those days when they could get faster as the run went on. Left some drama for the whole of the four laps and ten mile qualifying runs. It’s such a letdown now when you know the speed drops off after lap one. Wish they could get that dynamic back in the current spec cars.
I was there for that Q run, up in the turn 1 stands. Absolutely the heyday of Indycar. The sounds of those engines were just amazing. The deafening scream of the Chevy, and contrasted with the booming hum of the Buick engines. And to top it all, the smooth delivery of Tom Carnegie. A man who forgot more about Indy than any living man remembers. A true legend.
Carnegie had a way with the crowd. He's missed. They talk about this in 'Beast' how he was great on the mic and keeping the crowd at IMS engaged even if you couldn't see what was going on the other side of the track. Truly a legend.
Was privileged to spend a day with Rick Mears once, and he told me he never ran a perfect lap at Indy. That he could tell you exactly where he missed some speed after each lap. Imagine that... the best guy ever, and that’s what he said about his own work. An amazing talent and personality.
Went to pole day at Indy in 85 at 10 years old. From Louisville,KY all the hype was about Danny Sullivan but I wasn't having it. I became mears fan that day and was blessed enough to be there for pole day and race for rest of his career. He never let me down. This day in 991 he went out in the heat of the day and mo nunn and lyendich and gannasi pulled out of line and so did emmo cuz they knew they needed shadows on the track and cooler temps. to beat him. Well it rained that afternoon giving him a much deserved pole but on race day it was just the greatest race to watch as a mears fan.
Rick Mears is one cool cat! I really enjoyed seeing him drive and hearing Tom Carnagie announce "We have a new track record" often when Rick qualified.
Without a doubt, Carnegie is a GOAT. But, I always felt that John Totten never really got credit for just how good he was. Great combination, for sure.
Same. Hot one that day. Was in Turn 3 for this run. He came out in the noon heat and ripped off a 224 avg. Ah, when Indy was Indy! Hopefully Roger brings it back.
No kidding. six poles at Indianapolis, and he earned three of them after his horrific crash in 1984. There's no telling how much more Rick Mears could have accomplished had he not gotten his feet that badly injured at Sanair. I truly believed he would have won five Indy 500's, if not more had he been able to keep driving. Rick Mears was truly a legend at the Speedway. I doubt we'll ever see another driver ever come close to matching his records at Indy. He was just that good of a driver.
Now that's the sound I've been looking for, now those were the good engines I loved and miss so much 😭 🏁💯 they have that Jet sound for sure, the sound they have today just, ani't got it.🥀😢
Ladies and Gentlemen, the BEST who ever did it at Indianapolis, hands down, period. He might not have been as great an OVERALL driver as AJ Foyt, or as great a showman as Helio, but if you’re strictly talking about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Rick Mears is the sport’s Michael Jordan. And just like MJ, retired at his peak, certainly able to win some more if they wanted to. Unlike any other Indy Winner, Mear’s victories were coming more frequently and with less time in between. 1979, then 5 years later in 1984, then 4 years later in 1988, then 3 years later in 1991. There is no doubt at that pace he would have easily won an unprecedented 5th. I wish he did because then there would be no question. And mind you, he did this racing against some of the very best who raced at Indy. Besides Foyt, he raced against the Unsers and Andrettis who were in their absolute Primes. Al Jr and Michael were the among the best ever and Mears bested them. I really miss the Mears era.
easily the greatest month of my watching racing life. I was just a boy and the biggest rick mears fan. watched the dude on pole day in 1985 get picked up and put in andycar for pole day. I was from louisville,KY and Danny Sullivan and spin and win and all that, fuck that I was sold on rick mears. just simply such a humble dude and so damn fast at indy. you couldn't write a better script than that 1991 month of May. for the pole he went out in the heat of the day and ran 4 laps that the competition couldn't do. mo Nunn and lyendicke and ganassi pulled the car out of line cuz they knew no way they could match those 4 laps. then race day broken foot did one less stop than Andretti. 16 to go under jr and John Andretti blocking for Michael but no mears passed Andretti the hard way on the outside into one and sailed away to win 4. I was so stoked I was in tears.
De-emphasizing qualifying was a huge blunder It used to be so great and almost as important as the race itself Hopefully Mr Penske works toward returning to a real Month of May and back to making qualifying really mean something as it once did
@@nolancain8792 and I’m very pleased by that Can’t wait Hopefully in the years to come they will prioritize recruiting more entries , finding a way to return to the search for speed during practice , and the return of two full weekends of qualifying
I never went to the 500 till 1996 lived in Indy all my life it was such a blast to go out to the track on qualifying weekends park in the 4 th turn inside the track and you would see all your friends from school doin same thing it was such a great time only got caught 1 time with beer underage excise made us pop every beer and pour it out so we left the track got more beer with fake ID went other side of track great great times miss it very much
So sick...they looked like the McLarens in F1, these were such good years for racing. I genuinely feel bad for the youth of today, but they seem to not care what they missed. 🤷🏻♂️
Yes they were. The only complaint I had back then was ABC coverage of the final laps of a fantastic duel being interrupted with shots of the wives/girlfriends. Another reason why that network should be banned from covering motorsports.
Racing surface (macadam to bricks to asphalt). Apron size/existance. Those were the big changes. Geometry of the track has remained basically the same.
The early 90s were the golden era for sure. The racing has been really good the last 10 years but it will be hard to get back to where the early 90s stars.
@@brikshoe6259 i agree its never recovered from the split in 1996 it breaks my heart but life goes on, Penske has it now and has to do a better job of promoting the Speedway!
The sound that car made was pure heaven. The pitch kept getting higher as he wound it up. Absolute music.
Yes! The early 90’s are my favorite era of Indy cars. They looked and sounded amazing.
It was more fun those days when they could get faster as the run went on. Left some drama for the whole of the four laps and ten mile qualifying runs. It’s such a letdown now when you know the speed drops off after lap one. Wish they could get that dynamic back in the current spec cars.
True, but the greatest sound here is the golden voice of the Legend, Tom Carnegie.
@@johnjones5354 Tom Carnegie was in a class by himself.
I was there for that Q run, up in the turn 1 stands. Absolutely the heyday of Indycar. The sounds of those engines were just amazing. The deafening scream of the Chevy, and contrasted with the booming hum of the Buick engines.
And to top it all, the smooth delivery of Tom Carnegie. A man who forgot more about Indy than any living man remembers. A true legend.
I was there. I grew up in Indy. Mears was my fav. My dad would pull me out of school to go watch qualis. Rocket Man. A very quiet and humble man.
My all time favorite driver Rick Mears driving my all time favorite Indy car, the Marlboro Penske PC-20!
Carnegie had a way with the crowd. He's missed. They talk about this in 'Beast' how he was great on the mic and keeping the crowd at IMS engaged even if you couldn't see what was going on the other side of the track. Truly a legend.
I still think that there should be a second gold face on the Borg-Warner, with Tom Carnegie joining Tony Hulman there.
In many ways, Tom Carnegie WAS the Indianapolis 500
Was privileged to spend a day with Rick Mears once, and he told me he never ran a perfect lap at Indy. That he could tell you exactly where he missed some speed after each lap. Imagine that... the best guy ever, and that’s what he said about his own work. An amazing talent and personality.
Went to pole day at Indy in 85 at 10 years old. From Louisville,KY all the hype was about Danny Sullivan but I wasn't having it. I became mears fan that day and was blessed enough to be there for pole day and race for rest of his career. He never let me down. This day in 991 he went out in the heat of the day and mo nunn and lyendich and gannasi pulled out of line and so did emmo cuz they knew they needed shadows on the track and cooler temps. to beat him. Well it rained that afternoon giving him a much deserved pole but on race day it was just the greatest race to watch as a mears fan.
Marlboro livery was iconic. Red and white looked so right on an Indycar and on F1 Mclarens.
My favorite driver ever!
Rick Mears is one cool cat! I really enjoyed seeing him drive and hearing Tom Carnagie announce "We have a new track record" often when Rick qualified.
Mears has finally overcome booze and has been sober for some time. Pray that he’s strong enough to stay this way!
@@davidstout8604 you are confusing Rick with Al Unser, Jr.
@@gerrenporter8119 Nope, Mears had drinking problem, but he is now a recovering alcoholic.
As supernaturally smooth as Mark Donohue. Rick always made it look like the car was just cruising along on rails. Awesome.
Tom Carnegie and John Totten = a truly awesome public address combination during qualifications.
Without a doubt, Carnegie is a GOAT. But, I always felt that John Totten never really got credit for just how good he was. Great combination, for sure.
Always Enjoyed Watching Rick Mears Do His Thing At Indy. So Smooth.
Tom Carnegie is irreplaceable
Was there for this. Rick, AJ Foyt, Mario front row.
Same. Hot one that day. Was in Turn 3 for this run. He came out in the noon heat and ripped off a 224 avg. Ah, when Indy was Indy! Hopefully Roger brings it back.
The glory days of champ car racing.
Love it, thanks from all my fellow Rick Mears fans!
The Rocket man went on to win this, his fourth! Congratulated him in person the next week in Milwakee. I must say I had tears in my eyes for Helio.
Same here.
What a 4 laps, Rick was a monster
Keep in mind this was after he had crashed his primary car in practice. Comes back in the "T" car and sits it on the pole. Awesome.
@@mrjasonwhite73 It's true, and i read in somewhere that him actually race with only one foot because of his accident, a truly monster
No kidding. six poles at Indianapolis, and he earned three of them after his horrific crash in 1984. There's no telling how much more Rick Mears could have accomplished had he not gotten his feet that badly injured at Sanair.
I truly believed he would have won five Indy 500's, if not more had he been able to keep driving. Rick Mears was truly a legend at the Speedway. I doubt we'll ever see another driver ever come close to matching his records at Indy. He was just that good of a driver.
Over 224mph sustained average! For four laps, damn!!!!!!
Classic,the sounds of the screaming Chevy,Ice man Rick,the commentary by Carnegie & even the cars livery.
Jim Nabors too
Now that's the sound I've been looking for, now those were the good engines I loved and miss so much 😭 🏁💯 they have that Jet sound for sure, the sound they have today just, ani't got it.🥀😢
Screamin demon
And heeee's on it...
Indeed he was!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the BEST who ever did it at Indianapolis, hands down, period. He might not have been as great an OVERALL driver as AJ Foyt, or as great a showman as Helio, but if you’re strictly talking about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Rick Mears is the sport’s Michael Jordan. And just like MJ, retired at his peak, certainly able to win some more if they wanted to. Unlike any other Indy Winner, Mear’s victories were coming more frequently and with less time in between. 1979, then 5 years later in 1984, then 4 years later in 1988, then 3 years later in 1991. There is no doubt at that pace he would have easily won an unprecedented 5th. I wish he did because then there would be no question. And mind you, he did this racing against some of the very best who raced at Indy. Besides Foyt, he raced against the Unsers and Andrettis who were in their absolute Primes. Al Jr and Michael were the among the best ever and Mears bested them. I really miss the Mears era.
Great cars, great pilots, great indy 500 period
I miss the wailing Cosworth/Illmore V8s combined with the howling turbochargers...
Me too
I miss those days!
easily the greatest month of my watching racing life. I was just a boy and the biggest rick mears fan. watched the dude on pole day in 1985 get picked up and put in andycar for pole day. I was from louisville,KY and Danny Sullivan and spin and win and all that, fuck that I was sold on rick mears. just simply such a humble dude and so damn fast at indy. you couldn't write a better script than that 1991 month of May. for the pole he went out in the heat of the day and ran 4 laps that the competition couldn't do. mo Nunn and lyendicke and ganassi pulled the car out of line cuz they knew no way they could match those 4 laps. then race day broken foot did one less stop than Andretti. 16 to go under jr and John Andretti blocking for Michael but no mears passed Andretti the hard way on the outside into one and sailed away to win 4. I was so stoked I was in tears.
De-emphasizing qualifying was a huge blunder
It used to be so great and almost as important as the race itself
Hopefully Mr Penske works toward returning to a real Month of May and back to making qualifying really mean something as it once did
There will be a bump day this year, 36 cars.
@@nolancain8792 and I’m very pleased by that
Can’t wait
Hopefully in the years to come they will prioritize recruiting more entries , finding a way to return to the search for speed during practice , and the return of two full weekends of qualifying
Pole day used to be the 2nd most attended race in the country.
@@zlinedavid It was the second most attended event in the world. 🏎
pole day lost its lustre after 1996
Oh how I miss Tom Carnegie!
We all do. So much.
I never went to the 500 till 1996 lived in Indy all my life it was such a blast to go out to the track on qualifying weekends park in the 4 th turn inside the track and you would see all your friends from school doin same thing it was such a great time only got caught 1 time with beer underage excise made us pop every beer and pour it out so we left the track got more beer with fake ID went other side of track great great times miss it very much
Rick Mears, great driver and the scars to prove it.
And he's on it...
Absolutely beautiful...a time when those drivers didn't have todays technology available to them.
Eine Sternstunde des Motorsports. 👍👍👍
Doing 225 past the skid marks you left the day before!
The first ice man!
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT, pls mpre pure sounds pre 1993, pls !
Those Marlboro cars
Timeless livery
So sick...they looked like the McLarens in F1, these were such good years for racing. I genuinely feel bad for the youth of today, but they seem to not care what they missed. 🤷🏻♂️
Rocket Rick was absolutely the best.
Yes he was.
He and Greg Ray. Finest in qualifying on ovals.
I was at that years race when he won. Those were the hey-days of Champ car; I couldnt even tell you who is racing nowadays.
You are missing out it’s so much better than during the split years. The series has been reunified for 15 years now.
Indycar is great again, great cats, great drivers, great racing.
1988 was also cool
Those were the days
Yes they were. The only complaint I had back then was ABC coverage of the final laps of a fantastic duel being interrupted with shots of the wives/girlfriends. Another reason why that network should be banned from covering motorsports.
Should have been five wins at Indy, when Indy was the best. Add one in 1994 driving the beast.
Pole Day: Saturday, May 11, 1991.
How much the track has changed over the years
Racing surface (macadam to bricks to asphalt). Apron size/existance. Those were the big changes. Geometry of the track has remained basically the same.
The front wing angle looks like it’s negative.
Is that a young Calabro at the pole award?
360,4km(224mile).
With less tecnology and less aerodinámic than today
Still it's very fast. Today the diferença is not big.
@@ValenCarugo
오늘날 속도는 느려지고 엔진소리는 작아졌습니다
인디카의 매력이 떨어진게 너무 안타깝네요
머신의 디자인도 못생겨졌어
Excuse my ignorance, but I was 6 in '91. Is that whistle a turbo or super charger. I'm guessing turbo
Turbocharger
@@mrjasonwhite73 I figured turbo, but I try to stay away from rules or packages, especially from past days. Keeps me happy lol
@@adamkievit24272.6l turbo v8s. They were revving around 14000+ rpm, and in late 90s over 16000rpm
Indy cars where more enjoyable 30 years ago , go figure.
Thanks Tony George!
The early 90s were the golden era for sure. The racing has been really good the last 10 years but it will be hard to get back to where the early 90s stars.
@@brikshoe6259 i agree its never recovered from the split in 1996 it breaks my heart but life goes on, Penske has it now and has to do a better job of promoting the Speedway!
Carnegie is so much better than Dave Calabro.