In 1982 Variety Ruled At Indianapolis

A young rookie named Chip Ganassi drove this ex-Mario Andretti 1981 Wildcat XVIII-Cosworth at Indianapolis in 1982. The young rookie started the race in the fourth row and ended up 15th due to losing an engine after 147-laps. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

They say variety is the spice of life.  Today’s racing fans bemoan the lack of variety of race cars in many of main racing series. Spec cars at Daytona, spec cars at Indianapolis. Sure, there are some slight differences, different engines, front valences, etc. Go back to Indianapolis in May of 1982, and you’ll see arguably the last gasp of great diversity seen in open wheel racing on a national level.

Gordon Johncock’s STP-Patrick Racing Wildcat XIIIB-Cosworth (notice the difference in noses compared to the Ganassi car) and Rick Mears Gould Charge Penske PC10-Cosworth will be forever remembered for their epic battle for the lead in the latter stages of the 1982 Indianapolis 500. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Over eight chassis types made the Greatest Spectacle in Racing (Wildcat, Penske, March, Longhorn, Chaparral, Eagle, Lightning and Interscope).  From those eight chassis types there were also subsets which included  Wildcat (Mk VIII, Mk VIII-B) March (82C, 82x and 81C) and Penske (PC-10, PC-9B).  The All-American Racers built 1981 Eagles in which six qualified had three different power plants, a two stock-block based (Chevrolet and Milodon) and the more conventional Cosworth-powered. The amount of variety of cars that did not qualify are spectacular. Over two dozen ground-effect and older flat-bottom styled cars made it to the track but failed to qualify or did not make a qualifying run. Close to a dozen older Penske PC7-Cosworths failed to achieve the necessary speed as did several March-Cosworths.  Also missing the race included several 1981 Eagles and a lone 1980 Eagle. Several one off chassis such as the unique stock block-powered Eagle Aircraft DW-2 and the Jackie Howerton-built Swingler cars generated considerable buzz from the railbirds but lacked the necessary speed to make the highly competitive field.  A few relics from the past such as an original flat-bottom Lightning chassis, a McLaren M24 and Grant King built PC7 copy also missed the race. 1982 saw the one of the last Offenhauser-powered cars to make an appearance when Rusty Schmidt practiced in the Vollstedt-Offy flat bottom car.

Roger Mears qualified this year old Penske PC9B-Cosworth for Andy Kenopsky’s Machinist Union team for the 1982. Unfortunately Mears hit a spinning Dale Whittington before even reaching the starting line. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The unique Longhorn LR03-Cosworth pictured in pit lane in 1982. The ungainly ground effects car did carry Al Unser to a fifth place finish, three-laps down to the winner. Courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

A young rookie named Chip Ganassi drove this ex-Mario Andretti 1981 Wildcat XVIII-Cosworth at Indianapolis in 1982. The young rookie started the race in the fourth row and ended up 15th due to losing an engine after 147-laps. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Some fans may forget that in 1982, Danny Ongais returned the year after his devastating crash with the same type of car. The Roman Slobodynski designed Interscope chassis was nicknamed the Batmobile for its sleek lines and black livery which made it a fan favorite. The popular Hawaiian was eliminated in a less brutal collision with Jerry Sneva on lap 62. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Dennis Firestone qualified for the 1982 “500” in an 1981 Eagle which was powered by stock-block Milodon engine wrenched by Hall of Fame hot rodder, John Buttera. Unfortunately the car only lasted 37-laps due to rear end issues. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

One of the most unique cars ever to make laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the Eagle Aircraft DW1 piloted by brave supermod driver, Ken Hamilton. The car’s handling issues were never figured out and it was withdrawn before an qualifying attempt was made. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The race is remembered for the fantastic battle over the last ten laps between wily veteran and eventual winner Gordon Johncock in his Wildcat VIII-Cossworth and a young Rick Mears in his Penske Racing needle-nosed Penske PC10-Cosworth.  Two drivers from very different backgrounds.  Just as the cars were different and varied, so were the drivers.  A dozen came from what was considered the traditional way, via the dirt tracks of America and eventually through the United States Auto Club (USAC).   About 17 came from a road racing background in which many also drove in the old Super-Vee series which was a major stepping stone to Indy Cars in the late-1970’s-early 1980’s. The rest, such as brothers Rick and Roger Mears came from non-traditional routes such as off-road racing.

Sadly, those fans who are in their early forties and older are the only ones that may remember this memorable time in Indy Car racing.

Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
2.5 Mile Paved Oval
200 Laps/500 Miles
May 29, 1982

Box score courtesy of ChampCarStats.com

Steve Zautke

Steve Zautke, a Milwaukee, WI native, was raised in the sport of auto racing. His father, Bill, was a movie photographer that shot racing footage at tracks such as the Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 1960’s and 1970’s Steve’s first professional job in racing was as an Emergency Medical Technician at tracks such as Angell Park and Hales Corners Speedway (1988-1991). Steve has also worked for the Milwaukee Mile as videographer, in media relations and historian (1993-2011). Steve also has worked as a reporter for Racing Information Systems (RIS) and has written features for ‘Vintage Oval Racing’ and ‘Victory Lane’ magazines. Most recently, Steve has written a book on Road America for Arcadia Publishing. ( http://www.amazon.com/Road-America-Nascar-Library-Collection/dp/1467111457 ) Steve co-hosts “Sparky’s Final Inspection” a motorsports-based radio show with hosts, Steve “Sparky” Fifer and “NASCAR Girl” Summer Santana on Sports Radio 1250AM in Milwaukee and is also available on the internet at www.Sportradio1250.com. A member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Induction Committee, Steve follows all types of racing from the dirt tracks to Formula One.

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