1995 Michigan 500

January 2025 42 03 58.68 N 84 14 29.18 W type:landmark title United States Michigan 500 Michigan International Speedway track map.png July 30 1995 1995 Marlboro 500 13 17 CART Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Michigan, United States Permanent racing facility 2.000 3.219 250 500.000 804.672 Cloudless and sunny with temperatures up to 88.9 F C; wind speeds reaching up to 10.2 mph km/hWeather information for the 1995 Marlboro 500 at The Old Farmers' Almanac USA Parker Johnstone Comptech Racing 31.242230.458 mph km/h on USA Parker Johnstone Comptech Racing 31.080 231.66 mph km/h on 115 USA Scott Pruett Patrick Racing USA Al Unser Jr. Team Penske Mexico Adrian Fernández Galles Racing The 1995 Michigan 500 was the thirteenth round of the 1995 PPG Indy Car World Series season. Branded as the 1995 Marlboro 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was held on July 30, 1995, at the 2.00 mi Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The race marked Firestone's first Indy Car victory since 1974. Patrick Racing driver Scott Pruett took his first win in American open-wheel competition after a late-race battle with defending series champion Al Unser Jr., winning by just over half a second. Adrian Fernández came in third place, one lap behind Pruett and Unser. Parker Johnstone earned his first pole position and fastest lap in the series but suffered brake problems that forced him to retire; rookie André Ribeiro led the first ever laps of his career, ultimately earning a point for leading the most laps during the race. Danny Sullivan's IndyCar career would come to an end at leader's lap 194 as he would be involved in a crash where he would suffer a broken pelvis and other injuries. This was the first time the series competed on the newly resurfaced circuit, which made the track smoother and easier to drive on. Nevertheless, the race still saw massive attrition knock out many of the front-runners over the grueling 500-mile distance. Many cars suffered problems with failing wheel bearings and blistering tires. By the halfway point in the race, it was essentially a two-horse race between Pruett and Unser while the rest of the field simply struggled to make it to the end. Points leader Jacques Villeneuve, despite spending extensive time on pit lane trying to diagnose an engine problem, managed to finish tenth and keep his substantial lead in the points standings. Background In 1994, Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, founded the Indy Racing League (IRL), to begin competition in 1996. It would exist as a separate championship, and leveraged the fame of the Indianapolis 500, which was placed as its centerpiece. The majority of teams that raced in CART chose not to enter the new series, meaning 1995 was the final Michigan 500 with a unified Indy car. Firestone returned to IndyCar racing for the first time since 1974. Entering the Michigan 500, Goodyear had won every race in the 1995 CART season.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-pre/127693484/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press Firestone Skids Back into IndyCar tire race July 28, 1995 23 After years of being defined by a bumpy surface, Michigan International Speedway was repaved in early 1995, for the first time since 1986. In order to keep speeds down, CART officials instituted aerodynamic restrictions and a reduction in turbocharger boost pressure from 45 inches to 40 inches.https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-1995-michigan-500-adju/127719575/ Dayton Daily News Ohio Associated Press New Marlboro 500 Rules to Curb Smoking Speeds July 28, 1995 4 It was estimated these changes would reduce the power of the engines by about 70 horsepower.https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-1995-michig/127663636/ Evansville Courier and Press Indiana Associated Press Drivers Expect Smoother Ride in Michigan 500 July 28, 1995 26 Jacques Villeneuve won the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and entered the Michigan 500 with a 33 point lead in the series standings. Scott Goodyear had won two of the last three Michigan 500s but was not entered in the 1995 race as his team was only running a part time schedule.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-pre/127693484/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press Firestone Skids Back into IndyCar tire race July 28, 1995 23 Practice and Time Trials In Friday's opening practice session, rookie driver André Ribeiro had the fastest speed at 230.834 mph. Paul Tracy was second fastest at 229.757 mph, followed by Michael Andretti at 229.144 mph.https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-1995-michigan-500/127693550/ Lansing State Journal Michigan Associated Press Rookie Ribeiro Leads the Way July 29, 1995 20 During practice Robby Gordon crashed hard in turn three, impacting the wall with the right side with a force of 116-Gs and was knocked unconscious.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127693883/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Johnstone Continued July 30, 1995 23 Team-owner Derrick Walker said the crash was caused by a left-rear wishbone failure. Gordon was hospitalized overnight with a concussion and returned to the track the following day.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127693718/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Gordon Runs Into Wall at Michigan July 29, 1995 42 Despite getting approval from a neurologist to race, CART rules stated that anytime a driver lost consciousness, they were required to sit out for seven days.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127693883/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Johnstone Continued July 30, 1995 23 In his first race on an oval, Parker Johnstone won the pole with a speed of 230.458 mph. It was Johnstone's first pole, the first pole for Honda engines in Indy car, and the first for Firestone tires since 1974. Teo Fabi was second fastest at 228.526 mph. Michael Andretti completed the front row with a speed of 228.413 mph.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127693809/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Johnstone Earns Pole in First Oval Track Race July 29, 1995 42 On Saturday, the International Race of Champions competed at Michigan. Al Unser Jr. won the 100 mile race. Unser and fourth-place finisher Scott Pruett were the only two drivers to compete in IROC and the Michigan 500.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-iro/127694009/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press Unser Surges to Win July 30, 1995 31 Qualifying July 30, 1995 - Qualifying Speeds Rank Driver Time Leader Speed (mph) Team1USA Parker Johnstone31.242—230.458Comptech Racing2Italy Teo Fabi31.506 +0.264228.526Forsythe Racing3USA Michael Andretti gold W darkgray31.522 +0.280228.413Newman-Haas Racing4Canada Jacques Villeneuve31.546 +0.304228.239Team Green5USA Jimmy Vasser31.582 +0.340227.982Chip Ganassi Racing6Brazil Maurício Gugelmin31.601 +0.359227.839PacWest Racing7USA Bryan Herta31.767 +0.525226.652Chip Ganassi Racing8Canada Paul Tracy31.782 +0.540226.540Newman-Haas Racing9USA Danny Sullivan gold W darkgray31.896 +0.654225.732PacWest Racing10Brazil André Ribeiro orange R darkgray31.898 +0.656225.722Tasman Motorsports11Mexico Adrian Fernández31.918 +0.676225.579Galles Racing12USA Scott Pruett32.023 +0.781224.841Patrick Racing13USA Al Unser Jr. gold W darkgray32.100 +0.858224.296Team Penske14Brazil Raul Boesel32.104 +0.862224.266Rahal-Hogan Racing15Brazil Gil de Ferran orange R darkgray32.173 +0.931223.787Hall Racing16USA Bobby Rahal32.180 +0.938223.734Rahal-Hogan Racing17Brazil Emerson Fittipaldigold W darkgray32.198 +0.956223.618Team Penske18USA Eddie Cheever32.208 +0.966223.546A. J. Foyt Enterprises19Mexico Carlos Guerrero orange R darkgray32.218 +0.976223.480Dick Simon Racing20USA Buddy Lazier32.610 +1.368220.783Payton-Coyne Racing21Sweden Stefan Johansson32.692 +1.720220.238Bettenhausen Racing22USA Lyn St. James32.750 +1.508219.847Dick Simon Racing23Chile Eliseo Salazar orange R darkgray32.846 +1.604219.201Dick Simon Racing24Italy Alessandro Zampedri32.998 +1.756218.197Payton-Coyne Racing25Brazil Christian Fittipaldi orange R darkgray33.049 +1.807224.649Walker Racing26Japan Hiro Matsushita33.990 +2.748218.245Arciero-Wells RacingSource:1995 Marlboro 500 Motorsport Magazine http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1995-michigan-500 September 24, 2017 Robby Gordon crashed during practice and was not cleared to participate in the rest of the weekend. Race An estimated 75,000 spectators were on hand for the Marlboro 500.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127694087/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Pruett Charges to First Triumph July 31, 1995 9 Parker Johnstone brought the field slowly to the green flag and the start was waved off by CART officials. The field was not aligned well for the second time and the start was waved off again. When the race began, Johnstone established himself as the fastest car. The first caution of the day came out on lap six when rookie Carlos Guerrero crashed in turn four. When the race resumed, Johnstone maintained his lead. Outside of five laps during pit stop cycles, Johnstone led 52 of the first 57 laps. Johnstone's attempt to get his first win was ended while leading on lap 58 by a bad wheel bearing.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127694115/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Pruett Charges Continued July 31, 1995 10 He returned to the track 28 laps behind the leaders and retired for good after brake failure after breaking a right-rear upright.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-pt/127694289/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press 500 Continued July 31, 1995 11 Johnstone's problems gave the lead to his teammate Andre Ribeiro. With the exception of green flag pit stops, Ribeiro led 68 of the next 72 laps. While leading on lap 129, Ribeiro was sidelined by electrical problems. After the departure of Johnstone and Ribeiro, Al Unser Jr. and Scott Pruett established themselves as the two fastest cars. Unser led for a total of 66 laps.https://www.champcarstats.com/races/199513.htm 1995 Marlboro 500 Results On lap 194, Lyn St. James blew an engine and crashed in turn two. Danny Sullivan slid in the oil and both cars crashed into the wall. Sullivan suffered a broken pelvis and was airlifted to a local hospital.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127694115/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Pruett Charges Continued July 31, 1995 10 The race was ultimately, Sullivan's last career Indy car race. While leading on lap 230, Unser was forced to make a pit stop under green because of a blistered right-rear tire. That allowed Scott Pruett to re-take the lead. It appeared Pruett would take an easy victory with a 28 second over Unser.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127694115/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Pruett Charges Continued July 31, 1995 10 With 13 laps remaining, Alessandro Zampedri crashed in turn four and brought out the caution flag. That allowed Unser to catch up to Pruett for a final five-lap run to the finish.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127694115/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Pruett Charges Continued July 31, 1995 10 As the cars approached the final lap, Unser pulled to the outside and completed the pass on Pruett entering turn one. Down the backstretch, Pruett followed the draft of Unser and drove deep into turn three, pulling to the outside of Unser. The two cars came off turn four side-by-side before Pruett pulled ahead approaching the checkered flag. Pruett won by 0.056 seconds, the second closest margin of victory at a 500 mile Indy car race behind the 1992 Indianapolis 500.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-pt/127694334/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press Pruett Holds Off Unser Jr. July 31, 1995 9 It was his first victory in 75 starts.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1995-michigan-500/127694087/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Pruett Charges to First Triumph July 31, 1995 9 It was the first win for Firestone in Indycar racing since 1974.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-not/127694219/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press Marlboro 500 Notebook July 31, 1995 11 It was also Patrick Racings first IndyCar victory since the 1989 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix at Nazareth Speedway with their former driver Emerson Fittipaldi. Box score Pos No Car number Driver Team Chassis Engine Tire Laps Time/retired Led Laps Led Grid Points 1 20USA Scott PruettPatrick Racing Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Firestone 250 3:07:52 58 1220 2 1USA Al Unser Jr. gold W darkgrayMarlboro Team Penske Penske PC-24 Mercedes-Benz Goodyear 250 +0.56 secs 66 13 16310Mexico Adrián FernándezGalles Racing Lola T95/00 Mercedes-Benz Goodyear249 +1 Lap 01114433Italy Teo FabiForsythe Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear247 +3 Laps 121252Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi gold W darkgrayMarlboro Team Penske Penske PC-24 Mercedes-Benz Goodyear245 +5 Laps 01710616Sweden Stefan JohanssonBettenhausen Racing Penske PC-23 Mercedes-Benz Goodyear244 +6 Laps 0218712USA Jimmy VasserChip Ganassi Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear241 +9 Laps 05689USA Bobby RahalRahal-Hogan Racing Lola T95/00 Mercedes-Benz Goodyear240 +10 Laps 0165915Brazil Christian Fittipaldi orange R darkgrayWalker Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear239 +11 Laps 02541027Canada Jacques VilleneuveTeam Green Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear235 +15 Laps 0431118Brazil Maurício GugelminPacWest Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear232 +18 Laps 262128Brazil Gil de Ferran orange R darkgrayHall Racing Reynard 95I Mercedes-Benz Goodyear226 +24 Laps 01511334Italy Alessandro ZampedriPayton-Coyne Racing Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Firestone225Contact 024—1419USA Buddy LazierPayton-Coyne Racing Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Firestone223 +27 Laps 020—154USA Bryan HertaChip Ganassi Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear193Contact 07—1617USA Danny Sullivan gold W darkgrayPacWest Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear189Contact 09—1790USA Lyn St. JamesDick Simon Racing Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear188Contact 022—187Chile Eliseo Salazar orange R darkgrayDick Simon Racing Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear175Engine 023—1914USA Eddie CheeverA. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear163Transmission 218—2025Japan Hiro MatsushitaArciero-Wells Racing Reynard 94I Ford-Cosworth XB Firestone139Contact 026—2131Brazil André Ribeiro orange R darkgrayTasman Motorsports Reynard 95I Honda Firestone130Electrical 681011 12249USA Parker JohnstoneComptech Racing Reynard 95I Honda Firestone100Brakes 52112 2233Canada Paul TracyNewman-Haas Racing Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear91Engine 18—2411Brazil Raul BoeselRahal-Hogan Racing Lola T95/00 Mercedes-Benz Goodyear57Engine 014—256USA Michael Andretti gold W darkgrayNewman-Haas Racing Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear40Electrical 03—2622Mexico Carlos Guerrero orange R darkgrayDick Simon Racing Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear5Contact 019—275USA Robby GordonWalker Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth XB Goodyear0Withdrawn,not medically cleared 027—Source:1995 Marlboro 500 race results Racing-Reference.info http://www.racing-reference.info/race/1995_Marlboro_500/R September 24, 2017http://www.champcarstats.com/races/199513.htm 1995 Marlboro 5001995 Michigan 500 - Round 13 Notes 1 1– Includes one bonus point for leading the most laps.http://pdfsr.com/pdf/cart-2001-rule-book-electronic-version-1 CART FedEx Championship Series - 2001 Rule Book Championship Auto Racing Teams March 2001 https://web.archive.org/web/20160528174124/http://pdfsr.com/pdf/cart-2001-rule-book-electronic-version-1 2016-05-28 bot: unknown 2017-05-22 2 2– Includes one bonus point for being the fastest qualifier. orange R darkgray = Series rookiegold W darkgray = Former Marlboro 500 winner Tires: Goodyear = Goodyear Firestone = Firestone Broadcasting The Michigan 500 was broadcast live on television by ABC. Paul Page was the lead announcer and was joined by Bobby Unser and Sam Posey as color commentators.1995 Michigan 500 Telecast: ABC-TV, July 30, 1995 Nielsen ratings stated that the 1995 Michigan 500 attracted the largest television audience for an IndyCar race that year behind the Indianapolis 500.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1995-michigan-500-tv/127663394/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press TV Topics November 2, 1995 8 Race Statistics Lead changes: 18 among 8 drivers Average Speed: 159.676 mph Lap Leaders Laps Leader1-45 Parker Johnstone46 André Ribeiro47 Paul Tracy48 Teo Fabi49-50 Eddie Cheever51-57 Parker Johnstone58-88 André Ribeiro89-90 Scott Pruett91-92 Maurício Gugelmin93-128 André Ribeiro129-131 Scott Pruett132-152 Al Unser Jr.153-154 Scott Pruett155-176 Al Unser Jr.177-188 Scott Pruett189 Al Unser Jr.190-207 Scott Pruett208-229 Al Unser Jr.230-250 Scott Pruett Total Laps Led Driver Total Laps Andre Ribero 68 Al Unser Jr. 66 Scott Pruett 58 Parker Johnstone 52 Mauricio Gugelmin 2 Eddie Cheever 2 Teo Fabi 1 Paul Tracy 2 Cautions: 6 for 51 laps Laps Reason1-2Aborted start7-15Guerrero crash152-158Matsushita crash194-208Herta, Sullivan, St. James crash238-245Zampedri crash Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Rank +/– Driver Points 1 10px Canada Jacques Villeneuve 140 2 10px USA Bobby Rahal 109 3 10px USA Robby Gordon 98 10px 2 USA Al Unser Jr. 98 5 10px 1 USA Michael Andretti 94 Note: Only the top five positions are included for the standings. References Marlboro 500 1995 1995 Budweiser Grand Prix of Cleveland 1995 Miller Genuine Draft 200 1994 Marlboro 500 1996 U.S. 500 Marlboro 500, 1995 Michigan 500 Category:Michigan Indy 400