Favorite Indianapolis 500?

This year marks the 100th running of the 500.  Wondering which of the races are the favorites among HSOers. My personal favorite will always be 1982, with the dramatic tension building in the closing laps. Mears had the better car, but Johncock would not be denied.  I've watched the finish hundreds of times, and even now, it still gives me chills.  A motor race for the ages.    Which is your favorite running?

Never watched a full one, so i cannot really comment on my favourite, but one that stays in my head is Dan Wheldon's 2011 win. Drama on the very last lap.

Richard Coxon wrote:

Never watched a full one, so i cannot really comment on my favourite, but one that stays in my head is Dan Wheldon's 2011 win. Drama on the very last lap.

I was there with my Dad!  I was looking at the video screen right when it happened, and couldn't believe what I was seeing.  Hildebrand then skidded by us a few seconds later with water gushing out the side and jagged carbon fiber all over.  We thought he may have slid across to take the win, but realized it was Wheldon when they flashed his name on the screen.

Arie at 1990!! my dad was there years later a few weeks before the race on track in the '99 pacecar!

François Remmen wrote:

Arie at 1990!!  my dad was there years later a few weeks before the race on track in the '99 pacecar!

I was a big Arie fan growing up and I still am.  I really wanted him to repeat in 1991 driving the dayglo red Lola

For me maybe the 1991 one that Mears won, passing Michael Andretti on the outside

1995 always is special too me as my favourite driver won, was last before the split so was awhile till the 500 got its magic back also.

But I think 2006 probably is my favourite, Dan Wheldon dominated most of the race but the restart with 4 laps to go had the Andretti's running 1-2 with Hornish recovering from a late penalty to pass Marco yards from the line for the win.



Kind of sums up the Andretti's and Indy pretty well.

1993 with the rookie Nigel Mansell. First time that I watched 500 miles of Indianapolis ... and I was certain he could win but no chance with this last yellow flag ...

2014, with RHR and Helio going at it was amazing. The best one in recent years. Of the classics, I think 1989 is very special. Real tough battle between Michael, Emmo and Al Jr. And that controversial finish!

I never really followed a full Indy (mainly because they were never really broadcasted here), but it was about 1988 or 1989 I really began following motor sports, and to date, the late '80s/early '90s are still among my favourite monoposti.

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the late '80s/early '90s are still among my favourite monoposti

 We might then have something for you ... next year. Too soon to talk now

However, the greatest lap in the history of the race:

Surprised no one has mentioned the Spin and Win.  

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Spin and Win

It was certainly an amazing stunt, but there was more luck than anything involved, so I still preferred one where there was at least a big-balls overtake for the win

Alberto Ibañez wrote:

I still preferred one where there was at least a big-balls overtake for the win

Agreed, the Mears-Michael Andretti duel was one for the ages.