1988 Penske-Chevrolet, Replica of Indianapolis 500 Winning Car Driven by Rick Mears. On Loan from General Motors Heritage Center.
THF185962 / 1988 Penske-Chevrolet, Replica of Indianapolis 500 Winning Car Driven by Rick Mears. On Loan from General Motors Heritage Center.
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Artifact Overview
Indianapolis 500 speeds climbed through the 1980s thanks to better engines, aerodynamics, and tires. Rick Mears set a new Indy speed record in 1988. He hit 220.453 mph with a Chevrolet-powered PC-17 car during Indy 500 qualifying as he won the pole position. Mears went on to win the race, earning the third of his four Indianapolis 500 victories.
Artifact Details
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Related Content
SetRace Cars of Driven to Win
- 23 Artifacts
Scotsman Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 with this rear-engine car in 1965. After his victory, a traditional front-engine car never won that race again. The Lotus-Ford combined a European Formula One-inspired lightweight chassis with a big Ford V-8 engine. The Lotus-Ford's success effectively killed the traditional Indy roadster and established a new design for American race cars.