1989 Michigan 500

August 2023 The 1989 Michigan 500, the ninth running of the event, was held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, on Sunday, August 6, 1989. Branded as the 1989 Marlboro 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Michael Andretti. He is the first driver to win Michigan 500 twice. The event was race number 10 of 15 in the 1989 CART PPG Indy Car World Series. 42 03 58.68 N 84 14 29.18 W type:landmark title United States Michigan 500 Michigan International Speedway track map.png August 6 1989 1989 Marlboro 500 10 15 CART Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Michigan, United States Permanent racing facility 2.000 3.219 250 500.000 804.672 Partly Cloudy with temperatures up to 80 F C; wind speeds reaching up to 18 mph km/hWeather information for the 1989 Marlboro 500 at Wunderground BRA Emerson Fittipaldi Patrick Racing 219.827 mph km/h on USA Michael Andretti Newman-Haas Racing ITA Teo Fabi Porsche USA Mario Andretti Newman-Haas Racing Background Emerson Fittipaldi won the 1989 Indianapolis 500. For the second straight year, Marlboro offered the Marlboro Million, offering a one million dollar prize should a driver win the Marlboro Grand Prix at the Meadowlands, the Marlboro 500 at Michigan, and the Marlboro Challenge.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1988-marlboro-mill/127389547/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Marlboro To Award Big Bonus July 20, 1988 18 Three weeks before the Marlboro 500, Bobby Rahal won the Marlboro Grand Prix and entered Michigan still eligible for the Marlboro Million. Practice and Time Trials The opening day of practice was led by 50 year-old Al Unser at 221.450 mph. Rick Mears suffered a crash when his rear brakes locked up and he spun into the inside pit wall. Driving his backup car, Mears was second fastest at 220.406 mph. Michael Andretti was third fastest at 220.069 mph.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-reporter-1989-michigan-500-pra/127447233/ Daily Reporter Indiana Associated Press Unser Among Favorites at Michigan Time Trials August 4, 1989 5 Hot, humid, and windy weather slowed speeds for Friday's qualifying session. Emerson Fittipaldi won the pole at 219.827 mph. Rick Mears was second fastest at 218.155 mph. Completing the front row was Teo Fabi with a speed of 217.970 mph.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-1989-michigan-500-qua/127447393/ Kokomo Tribune Indiana Associated Press It's Fittipaldi on Pole Again August 5, 1989 13 Both Roberto Guerrero and John Paul Jr. Crashed during their qualifying attempts. Guerrero's team went to a backup car and he started the race in 27th. Paul's team did not have a backup car and withdrew from the event.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-1989-michigan-500-qua/127447393/ Kokomo Tribune Indiana Associated Press It's Fittipaldi on Pole Again August 5, 1989 13 On Saturday, the International Race of Champions competed at Michigan. Race A crowd of 55,000 spectators were on hand for the running of the ninth Michigan 500.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1989-michigan-500/127447910/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Michael Earns Second Victory at Michigan August 7, 1989 15 From his starting spot on the outside of the front row, Teo Fabi led the first two laps of the race. Emerson Fittipaldi took the lead on lap three. On lap three, Steve Chassey and Rich Vogler crashed in the third turn. Fittipaldi led 43 of the first 45 laps but soon ran into trouble when his car began leaking brake fluid. He was unable to stop his car and had to circle through the pits twice before coming to a rest. The problems took Fittipaldi out of contention for the win.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-1989-michigan-500/127466028/ Los Angeles Times California Associated Press Chevy, Michael Masters of Michigan August 7, 1989 47 On lap 76, a caution was thrown for debris on track. After making his pit stop under caution, Michael Andretti spun upon acceleratation exiting his pit stall. When the race restarted, Andretti was given a stop and go penalty for driving backwards in the pits as he turned his car around. That gave the lead to Mario, who led Michael by half a lap. Electrical problems caused Gordon Johncock's car to stall on track and bring out a caution on lap 111. Under caution, Michael Andretti was given a second stop and go penalty for passing under caution, although some believed the infraction was actually done by Mario Andretti who was driving an identical car.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1989-michigan-500/127447910/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Michael Earns Second Victory at Michigan August 7, 1989 18 The caution allowed Rick Mears to take the lead once Michael served his penalty. For the next 100 laps, Mears and the Andrettis swapped the lead several time as they were the only three cars on the lead lap. After completing 135 laps, A. J. Foyt fell out of the race with a wheel bearing problem. In a television interview, Foyt was discouraged with the effort of his team, which had been criticized in the media leading up to the race.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1989-michigan-500-foy/127490439/ Detroit Free Press Michigan Associated Press A.J. Foyt Aims Sharp Tongue at Besieged Crew August 7, 1989 48 "All I've had is mechanical problems. The guys aren't... got their heads together. Just flat got their heads up their ass, if you want to know the truth about it... The car was screwed up from the first lap on. The waste gate was opening and closing, I was having trouble there. And then the bearing went out. We got here, they left the fuel lines loose, it caught the car on fire. Then they leave the bellow loose. They cross-thread two rear nuts. They just screwed up, that's all. I need to make a change." Mario Andretti had been in contention for the win all day until lap 155 when he ran out of fuel and lost a lap to Michael and Mears. On lap 199, John Jones spun in turn two, directly in the path of Phil Krueger. The two cars collided and hit the outside wall. Upon impact, the right-front wheel on Krueger's car entered the cockpit and hit Krueger in the helmet. He suffered a severe head injury, broke six ribs, and a broken collarbone. Krueger was not breathing when safety crew reached the car but was immediately administered oxygen. He was in a coma for the next 11 days.https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-1989-michigan-500-phil/127445473/ Dayton Daily News Ohio Associated Press To Catch an Elusive Memory August 8, 1988 53 When Krueger awoke, he was convinced he had been shot down while flying a Sopwith Camel over France. Much of his memory was erased with amnesia.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-1989-michigan-500-p/127445739/ Pittsburg Press Pennsylvania Associated Press Auto Racers Memorable Recovery Covers His Past With a Blank May 21, 1990 23 After recovering, Krueger returned to racing in 1991. Under caution for the Krueger crash, Mears pitted for fuel and tires. After exiting the pits, he was passed by Michael Andretti in turn one who had pitted earlier. Mears' car owner Roger Penske attempted to file a protest, but CART stewards sided with Andretti who was bunching up with cars ahead of him for the caution period.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1989-michigan-500/127447910/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Michael Earns Second Victory at Michigan August 7, 1989 18 Mears passed Andretti when the green flag waved with 30 laps remaining but was repassed by Andretti a lap later. 10 laps later, Mears retook the lead. Leading the race with 10 laps to go, Mears slowed with suspension failure.https://www.champcarstats.com/races/198910.htm 1989 Marlboro 500 Results Michael Andretti led the last 10 laps and won by a lap over Teo Fabi who finished second. Mario Andretti was third. Michael became the first driver to win the Michigan 500 two times. Box score FinishGridNo Car numberNameEntrantChassisEngineLapsTime/StatusLed Laps ledPoints Points include one bonus point for leading the most laps and one bonus point for qualifying on pole position 1 8 6 USA Michael Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola T89/00 Ilmor-Chevrolet 250 3:07:15.239 81 21 2 3 8 ITA Teo Fabi Porsche Motorsports March 89P Porsche 249 +1 Lap 2 16 3 6 5 USA Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola T89/00 Ilmor-Chevrolet 249 +1 Lap 45 14 4 7 2 USA Al Unser Jr. Galles Racing Lola T89/00 Ilmor-Chevrolet 249 +1 Lap 0 12 5 17 10 IRL Derek Daly Raynor Motorsports Lola T89/00 Judd 247 +3 Laps 0 10 6 10 7 NLD Arie Luyendyk Dick Simon Racing Lola T89/00 Cosworth 246 +4 Laps 0 8 7 2 4 USA Rick Mears Penske Racing Penske PC-18 Ilmor-Chevrolet 245 +5 Laps 79 6 8 4 25 USA Al Unser Penske Racing Penske PC-18 Ilmor-Chevrolet 241 +9 Laps 0 5 9 9 18 USA Bobby Rahal Kraco Racing Lola T89/00 Cosworth 240 +10 Laps 0 4 10 21 17 USA Johnny Rutherford Stoops Racing Lola T88/00 Cosworth 240 +10 Laps 0 3 11 14 22 USA Scott Brayton Dick Simon Racing Lola T89/00 Cosworth 233 Engine 0 2 12 26 56 USA Jeff Wood Gohr Racing Lola T88/00 Cosworth 229 +21 Laps 0 1 13 24 50 ITA Guido Daccò Euromotorsport Lola T88/00 Cosworth 228 +22 Laps 0 0 14 1 20 BRA Emerson Fittipaldi Patrick Racing Penske PC-18 Ilmor-Chevrolet 207 Suspension 43 1 15 28 44 USA Phil Krueger US Engineering March 86C Cosworth 189 Crash 0 0 16 29 65 CAN John Jones Protofab Racing Lola T89/00 Cosworth 183 Crash 0 0 17 13 3 USA Scott Pruett Truesports Lola T89/00 Judd 149 Engine 0 0 18 25 14 USA A. J. Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola T89/00 Cosworth 135 Wheel bearing 0 0 19 19 69 MEX Bernard Jourdain Andale Racing Lola T89/00 Cosworth 124 Turbocharger 0 0 20 22 30 BRA Raul Boesel Doug Shierson Racing Lola T89/00 Judd 120 Engine 0 0 21 18 91 USA Gordon Johncock Hemelgarn Racing Lola T89/00 Judd 103 Electrical 0 0 22 27 21 COL Roberto Guerrero Alex Morales Motorsports March 89CE Alfa Romeo 99 Engine 0 0 23 5 1 USA Danny Sullivan Penske Racing Penske PC-18 Ilmor-Chevrolet 85 Handling 0 0 24 20 9 USA John Andretti Vince Granatelli Racing Lola T88/00 Buick 34 Engine 0 0 25 23 11 USA Kevin Cogan Machinists Union Racing March 88C Cosworth 32 Manifold 0 0 26 11 29 USA Pancho Carter Leader Card Racers Lola T89/00 Cosworth 25 Engine 0 0 27 15 28 USA Randy Lewis TeamKar International Lola T89/00 Cosworth 16 Engine 0 0 28 12 12 USA Rich Vogler Arciero Racing Penske PC-17 Cosworth 2 Crash 0 0 29 16 16 USA Steve Chassey Bettenhausen Motorsports Lola T87/00 Cosworth 2 Crash 0 0 Source:1989 Marlboro 5001989 Michigan 500 - Round 10 Failed to qualify USA John Paul Jr. (#19) – withdrawn CAN Ludwig Heimrath Jr. (#71) Race statistics Lap Leaders Laps Leader 1–2 Teo Fabi 3–45 Emerson Fittipaldi 46–49 Michael Andretti 50–57 Rick Mears 58–76 Michael Andretti 77–113 Mario Andretti 114–120 Michael Andretti 121–134 Rick Mears 135–142 Mario Andretti 143–172 Rick Mears 173–184 Michael Andretti 185–202 Rick Mears 203–219 Michael Andretti 220 Rick Mears 221–231 Michael Andretti 232–239 Rick Mears 240–250 Michael Andretti Cautions: 8 for 59 laps Laps Reason 4–12 Rich Vogler and Steve Chassey crash turn 3 16–21 Randy Lewis engine 76–78 Debris 114–118 Debris 134–138 Bernard Jourdain engine 173–176 Unknown 200–220 Phil Krueger and John Jones crash turn 2 242–244 Unknown 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.1989 Michigan 500 Telecast: ABC-TV, August 6, 1989 References 2 Michigan 500 Michigan 500 Category:Michigan Indy 400