1987 Pocono 500

August 2023 May 2023 USA Pocono 500 1987PoconoProgram.jpg August 16 1987 CART PPG Indy Car World Series 1987 Quaker State 500 10th Long Pond, Pennsylvania Permanent racing facility 2.5 4.023 200 500 804.672 Temperatures up to 88 F C; wind speeds up to 15 mph km/h1987 Pocono 500 weather information https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/pa/avoca/KAVP/date/1987-8-16 Wunderground May 3, 2023 Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing 200.915 mph USA Rick Mears Team Penske USA Geoff Brabham Galles Racing AUS Roberto Guerrero Vince Granatelli Racing COL The 1987 Pocono 500, the 17th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 16, 1987. Branded as the 1987 Quaker State 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Rick Mears, snapping a two-year winless drought, and earning his third Pocono 500 win. Background In 1981, Pocono Raceway filed an antitrust lawsuit against CART seeking $9 million in damages due to boycotts of the 1979 and 1981 races.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=198hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OaIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4910%2C5683016 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Pocono Names CART, Penske in Suit July 10, 1981 17 As part of the settlement, CART agreed to lease and promote the Pocono 500 for a period of five years between 1982 and 1986. At the end of the contract, there were questions over whether the race would continue.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ng4iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z6YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4288%2C639898 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Pocono's Checkered Indy car History to end in Furious Finish August 17, 1986 C1https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21186982/the-indianapolis-star/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Today's IndyCar Race Could Be Last One At Pocono August 17, 1986 81 A deal was reached where the Pocono 500 would remain as part of the Indy car schedule for the next four years with Pocono promoting the race themselves. Track owner Joseph Mattioli was optimistic that the event could return to the crowds over 100,000 spectators of the 1970s. "We feel good about promoting the race again. It was difficult for CART to promote the race because it is based in Michigan. They don't know our people... With the continuation of Indy car racing I believe we will remain a full service track. And in two or three years I think the Indy car race will be back to the status it had in the 1970s."Jordan Jack Pocono to Promote 500 Mile Indy Race https://ibb.co/CtpsV9j https://web.archive.org/web/20230503153838/https://ibb.co/CtpsV9j usurped May 3, 2023 2 May 2023 The Scranton Times October 2, 1986 Quaker State replaced Domino's Pizza as the title sponsor of the Pocono 500. As Domino's also sponsored the Triple Crown Championship, the one million dollar bonus for winning all three 500 mile races was dropped as was the $10,000 bonus for scoring the most points in the three races. Al Unser won his fourth Indianapolis 500 in late May. Michael Andretti won the Michigan 500 two weeks earlier.https://www.champcarstats.com/year/1987.htm 1987 CART Schedule and Results Tom Sneva was fired from his team just five days before Pocono and the car was withdrawn from the race. Entering the Michigan 500 in early August, Sneva was fired from Curb Racing after his wife complained that the team was behind in Sneva's paychecks. Sneva was rehired by the team, but when he arrived at Michigan, he found that Ed Pimm was hired to replace him. A late deal was reached for Sneva to drive a backup while Pimm drove Sneva's car. Pimm suffered a broken arm in a crash, while Sneva completed only five laps. While plans called for Sneva to resume his duties at Pocono, he was fired again entering Pocono.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8N8hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VKIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4102%2C5582056 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Curb Ends Stormy Relationship With Sneva August 14, 1987 20 John Andretti was hired to replace Sneva in the following event. A Team Penske car for Danny Ongais was withdrawn from Pocono after Ongais crashed it in the Michigan 500 two weeks earlier. The team was unable to prepare a new car in time.https://ibb.co/2hGh8VB https://web.archive.org/web/20230815204255/https://ibb.co/2hGh8VB usurped August 15, 2023 Johnson City Press Tennessee Associated Press Andretti Sits on Pole for Quaker State 500 August 16, 1987 26 Entering Pocono, CART reduced the turbocharger boost levels from 48 inches to 45 inches. This was expected to reduce speeds.August 20, 1987 'Speedweek Pocono 500 Highlights Television https://youtube.com/mmpAJ0b9WSo May 2, 2023 ESPN Speedweek via YouTube Practice and Time Trials Practice - Thursday, August 13 The opening day of practice on Thursday, August 13, was led by Michael Andretti with a speed of 196.451 mph. Mario Andretti was second at 196.292 mph, followed by Rick Mears at 193.170 mph.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8N8hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VKIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4102%2C5582056 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Curb Ends Stormy Relationship With Sneva -- Spare Parts August 14, 1987 20 Qualifying - Friday, August 14 In Friday's qualifying session, Mario Andretti won the pole with a speed of 200.915 mph. Rick Mears was second at a speed of 200.611 mph. Bobby Rahal qualified third at 198.820 mph. It was same three font row starters as that year's Indianapolis 500. Johnny Rutherford spun and hit the wall in turn two in Friday's practice but rebounded to qualify 12th.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YiAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ouUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6290%2C82013 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Familiar Ring For Andretti August 15, 1987 8 Rookie Davy Jones crashed in practice on Friday morning and his car was withdrawn from the race.https://ibb.co/2hGh8VB https://web.archive.org/web/20230815204255/https://ibb.co/2hGh8VB usurped August 15, 2023 Johnson City Press Tennessee Associated Press Andretti Sits on Pole for Quaker State 500 August 16, 1987 26 Support Races On Saturday before the Pocono 500, a 40-lap American Racing Series event was held. Tommy Byrne started on the pole and led every lap of the caution-free race. Jeff Andretti followed up his 1986 win with a second-place finish.https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1987-06/IL/ 1987 ARS Pocono Results - Racing-Referencehttps://ibb.co/BZj0t1Z https://web.archive.org/web/20230815204255/https://ibb.co/BZj0t1Z usurped August 15, 2023 The Times Leader Pennsylvania Associated Press Byrne Easily Captures Buick Dealers ARS Race August 16, 1987 8C A 20-lap SCCA Volkswagen Cup race for Volkswagen Golfs was held. With an average speed of 109.967 mph, 60 year-old Les Behm won the race with his teammate Luis Campos second. The husband and wife team of Bob and Sheila Bushey finished third and fourth respectively.https://ibb.co/BZj0t1Z https://web.archive.org/web/20230815204255/https://ibb.co/BZj0t1Z usurped August 15, 2023 The Times Leader Pennsylvania Associated Press Byrne Easily Captures Buick Dealers ARS Race August 16, 1987 8C Race The grand marshal for the race was Roger A. Markle, President and CEO of Quaker State.1987 "CART Pocono 500" The national anthem prior to the race was sung by Lauren Hart. The crowd was estimated at 55,000 spectators.https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-1987-pocono-500/130083566/ Philadelphia Daily News Pennsylvania Associated Press Win at Pocono Gives Mears Reason to Smile August 17, 1987 92 At the start, Mario Andretti pulled ahead to a lead. In turn one, Scott Brayton and Johnny Rutherford crashed, ending their day after just seconds. Derek Daly spun to avoid the crash but continued. It was the second straight year where Brayton crashed on the first lap of the Pocono 500. Mario Andretti held the lead for the first 21 laps. Michael Andretti passed his father for the lead on lap 22.https://www.champcarstats.com/races/198710.htm 1987 Quaker State 500 Results Al Unser Jr suffered burns to his right thigh when his dashboard caught fire on lap 12.https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-1987-pocono-500/130083566/ Philadelphia Daily News Pennsylvania Associated Press Win at Pocono Gives Mears Reason to Smile August 17, 1987 92 On the first pit stop, Michael Andretti lost the clutch on his car. To leave the pit, the crew was forced to spin the wheels while on air jacks, drop the car, and take off while the wheels contacted the ground.https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-1987-pocono-500/130083566/ Philadelphia Daily News Pennsylvania Associated Press Win at Pocono Gives Mears Reason to Smile August 17, 1987 92 As the leaders began to make green flag pit stops, Jeff MacPherson spun and hit the wall in turn three. Bobby Rahal spun to avoid the crash and lost a lap after stalling the car.August 20, 1987 'Speedweek Pocono 500 Highlights Television https://youtube.com/mmpAJ0b9WSo May 2, 2023 ESPN Speedweek via YouTubehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ouUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5291%2C3664092 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Mears Big Winner at Pocono August 17, 1987 13 The caution flag gave Emerson Fittipaldi the lead, which he held for 60 of the next 62 laps. Rick Mears was running second and closing on Fittipaldi when the next caution came out on lap 89 when Mario Andretti spun and crashed in turn one. The defending Pocono 500 champion, Andretti's helmet cracked in the crash and he suffered a separated left shoulder.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ouUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4482%2C3660275 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Andretti Suffers Another Frustrating 500 August 17, 1987 13 One lap after the restart on lap 95, Mears passed Fittipaldi for the lead. As he extended his lead, several of the top cars fell out of contention. On lap 115, Fittipaldi fell out of the race with engine failure. During a pit stop on lap 120, Michael Andretti stalled his car and the crew broke off the rear wing trying to push him away. Mears had led by up to 19 seconds until Gary Bettenhausen spun on lap 144 and brought out the caution.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ouUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5291%2C3664092 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Mears Big Winner at Pocono August 17, 1987 13 With 100 miles remaining, Mears, Geoff Brabham, and Roberto Guerrero were the only three cars on the lead lap. The final caution came out on lap 161 when Al Unser blew an engine and hit the wall. The three lead lap cars pitted for fuel and tires. Under caution, Randy Lewis blew an engine and stalled on track, extending the slow period. Knowing they were near being able to make the finish without pitting again, Mears returned to the pits for additional fuel. Geoff Brabham also was trying to make it to the finish without pitting, while Roberto Guerrero would need to make another stop. As Mears topped off his fuel supply, Guerrero assumed the lead with Brabham second. After the race resumed, Mears passed Brabham for second on lap 175. As the cars traveled down the frontstretch on lap 184, Mears passed Guerrero and returned to the lead. Guerrero was forced to make a pit stop for fuel with five laps remaining.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ouUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3002%2C3616564 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Mears' Pocono Win Snaps Losing Streak August 17, 1987 9 With four laps remaining Ludwig Heimrath lost an engine exiting turn two and stopped on the straightaway before turn three. The safety crew was dispatched to retrieve his roadside car without the caution flag being thrown.1987 "CART Pocono 500" Mears was able to stretch his fuel and win his third Pocono 500. He finished the race 17 seconds ahead of Brabham. It was the first Indy car win for Mears since the 1985 Pocono 500. It broke a 27-race, two-year winless streak. It was also the first win in a 500-mile race for the Ilmor Chevrolet Indy V-8.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ouUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3002%2C3616564 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Mears' Pocono Win Snaps Losing Streak August 17, 1987 9 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 2 8 USA Rick Mears Penske Racing March 86C Ilmor-Chevrolet 200 3:11:50.920 80 21 2 10 15 AUS Geoff Brabham Galles Racing March 87C Judd-Honda 200 +17.320 11 16 3 4 4 COL Roberto Guerrero Vince Granatelli Racing March 87C Cosworth 200 +23.840 19 14 4 14 71 NLD Arie Luyendyk Hemelgarn Racing March 87C Cosworth 198 +2 Laps 0 12 5 3 1 USA Bobby Rahal Truesports Lola T87/00 Cosworth 198 +2 Laps 0 10 6 15 29 USA Pancho Carter Machinists Union Racing March 87C Cosworth 197 +3 Laps 0 8 7 7 14 USA A. J. Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola T87/00 Cosworth 197 +3 Laps 0 6 8 5 18 USA Michael Andretti Kraco Racing March 87C Cosworth 196 +4 Laps 8 5 9 13 7 USA Kevin Cogan Patrick Racing March 87C Ilmor-Chevrolet 190 +10 Laps 0 4 10 26 10 IRL Derek Daly Raynor Motorsports Lola T87/00 Cosworth 189 +11 Laps 0 3 11 22 55 MEX Josele Garza Machinists Union Racing March 87C Cosworth 188 +12 Laps 0 2 12 20 23 CAN Ludwig Heimrath Jr. Dick Simon Racing Lola T87/00 Cosworth 187 +13 Laps 0 1 13 21 56 USA Gary Bettenhausen Gohr Racing March 86C Cosworth 183 +17 Laps 0 0 14 19 12 ITA Fabrizio Barbazza Arciero Racing March 87C Cosworth 182 +18 Laps 0 0 15 8 6 USA Al Unser Penske Racing March 86C Cosworth 158 Crash 0 0 16 18 24 USA Randy Lewis Leader Card Racers March 87C Cosworth 155 Engine 0 0 17 17 3 USA Danny Sullivan Penske Racing March 86C Ilmor-Chevrolet 124 Gearbox 0 0 18 11 20 BRA Emerson Fittipaldi Patrick Racing March 87C Ilmor-Chevrolet 115 Engine 60 0 19 1 5 USA Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola T87/00 Ilmor-Chevrolet 88 Crash 22 1 20 23 11 USA Jeff MacPherson Galles Racing March 87C Judd-Honda 30 Crash 0 0 21 16 22 USA Dick Simon Dick Simon Racing Lola T87/00 Cosworth 18 Drivetrain 0 0 22 24 16 USA Tony Bettenhausen Jr. Bettenhausen Motorsports March 86C Cosworth 15 Electrical 0 0 23 9 30 USA Al Unser Jr. Doug Shierson Racing March 87C Cosworth 12 Electrical 0 0 24 25 19 USA Dale Coyne Dale Coyne Racing March 86C Chevrolet 9 Engine 0 0 25 6 91 USA Scott Brayton Hemelgarn Racing March 87C Cosworth 0 Crash 0 0 26 12 21 USA Johnny Rutherford Alex Morales Motorsports March 87C Cosworth 0 Crash 0 0 Source:1987 Quaker State 5001987 Pocono 500 - Round 10 Race statistics Lap Leaders Laps Leader 1–21 Mario Andretti 22–29 Michael Andretti 30 Mario Andretti 31–33 Geoff Brabham 34–65 Emerson Fittipaldi 66–67 Geoff Brabham 68–95 Emerson Fittipaldi 96–120 Rick Mears 121–124 Geoff Brabham 125–162 Rick Mears 163–164 Geoff Brabham 165–183 Roberto Guerrero 184–200 Rick Mears Cautions: 4 for 27 laps Laps Reason 1–5 Derek Daly, Johnny Rutherford, and Scott Brayton crash turn 1 32–41 Bobby Rahal and Jeff MacPherson crash turn 3 89–94 Mario Andretti crash turn 1 154–159 Gary Bettenhausen spin Broadcasting For the first time since 1984, the Pocono 500 was broadcast by NBC in a tape-delayed format. Paul Page and Tom Sneva were the play-by-play announcers. Sally Larvick and Gary Gerould served as pit reporters.1987 Pocono 500 Telecast: NBC-TV, August 16, 1987 References 2 Category:Pocono 500 Pocono 500 Pocono 500