1986 Michigan 500

August 2023 The 1986 Michigan 500, the sixth running of the event, was held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, on Saturday, August 2, 1986. The race was won by Johnny Rutherford, his 27th and final Indy Car victory. It was Rutherford's sixth win in IndyCar racing's Triple Crown of 500 mile races, and his first at the Michigan 500. The event was race number 9 of 17 in the 1986 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 2 1986 1986 Michigan 500 9 17 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 82 F C; wind speeds reaching up to 17 mph km/hWeather information for the 1986 Michigan 500 at Wunderground USA Rick Mears Team Penske 223.401 mph km/h on USA Johnny Rutherford Alex Morales Racing MEX Josele Garza Machinist Union Racing Team USA Pancho Carter Galles Racing Background After years of being defined by a rough, bumpy, asphalt surface, Michigan International Speedway was repaved in the spring of 1986. The smooth new surface produced higher grips and higher speeds. In testing on July 23, Rick Mears ran a lap speed of 222.5 mph. It was unofficially the first time an Indy car ran a lap speed over 220 mph.https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-1986-michigan-500/127362923/ Battle Creek Enquirer Michigan Associated Press Mears Breaks 220 Mph in Practice Run at MIS August 3, 1986 73 As was the case the past three years, Domino's Pizza offered a one million dollar bonus to any driver who could win IndyCar's Triple Crown of 500 Mile Races: The Indianapolis 500, Michigan 500, and Pocono 500.https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=rlhh0017 industrydocuments.ucsf.edu Domino s Pizza Sets $1 Million Triple Crown Award 3 August 2021 Bobby Rahal won the 1986 Indianapolis 500 and entered Michigan still eligible to win the million dollars. Practice and Time Trials Practice opened on Wednesday, July 30. Bobby Rahal set the fastest practice speed at 220.723 mph. Rick Mears was second at 220.467 mph. Roberto Guerrero, Ed Pimm, and Randy Lanier comprised the top-five fastest cars.https://www.newspapers.com/article/palladium-item-1986-michigan-500-first-p/127363229/ Palladium-Item Indiana Associated Press Rahal, Mears Like Going 220 in Practice for Michigan 500 July 31, 1986 11 The opening round of Time Trials was held on Thursday, July 31. Rick Mears broke the world closed-course speed record with a lap of 223.401 mph. The previous record had been 221.160, set by Mark Donohue at Talladega Superspeedway in August 1975. Mears was nearly four miles per hour faster than Al Unser in second place at 219.552 mph. Bobby Rahal completed the front row with a speed of 218.759 mph.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/4619152/ Detroit Free-Press Michigan Associated Press Mears Sets Record, Crashes Later August 1, 1986 49 Roughly one hour after his pole-winning time, Rick Mears crashed his car in turn two. After losing control, the car impacted the wall and damaged the nose and left-front suspension.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/4619152/ Detroit Free-Press Michigan Associated Press Mears Sets Record, Crashes Later August 1, 1986 49 If Mears's team was unable to repair the car, he would have lost his pole position and had to start from the rear of the field. Upon inspection, the crew found Mears's crash was the result of a failure of the right-rear CV Joint.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/127363448/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press Mears Sizzles to 223.4, them Finds MIS Wall August 1, 1986 31 Mears's Team Penske crew worked 15 hours to repair to car by Friday morning.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1986-michigan-500-mea/127364299/ Detroit Free-Press Michigan Associated Press Quick Repair Job Keeps Mears on Pole for Michigan 500 August 1, 1986 31 During practice on Friday, Bobby Rahal set the fastest speed at 217.753 mph. Mears's repaired car was second fastest at 217.615 mph. Roberto Moreno crashed in turn two and suffered damage to the right side of the car. His team was able to repair the vehicle before the race. Geoff Brabham's team withdrew his Cosworth powered car and substituted it with a Judd powered car. The change meant he would start the race in last position.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1986-michigan-500-mea/127364257/ Detroit Free-Press Michigan Associated Press Quick Fix Keeps Mears on Pole August 2, 1986 27 Race At the start of the race, Rick Mears took the lead. On only the third lap, Steve Chassey crashed in turn two to bring out the first caution of the race.https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-randy-lanie/122324321/ Springfield Leader and Press Missouri Associated Press Rutherford Survives, Wins Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 54 Rain began to fall on lap 14. The race was stopped for 90 minutes while the shower passed and the track dried.https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-randy-lanie/122324321/ Springfield Leader and Press Missouri Associated Press Rutherford Survives, Wins Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 54 When the race restarted, Michael Andretti held the lead for 15 laps. Roberto Guerrero charged to the lead, passing Andretti to the inside in turn one on lap 37. After 11 laps in the lead, Guerrero hit oil in turn three and spun backwards into the wall. Guerrero was knocked unconscious in the wreck but soon walked to the ambulance and was transported to a local hospital where he was released later that afternoon.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/4619152/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press JR Survives Wet and Wild Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 73 Mario Andretti and Tom Sneva also crashed out of the race in single car incidents. On lap 100, Randy Lanier crashed in turn three, impacting the wall hard with the right side of the car. Lanier suffered a fractured right leg and underwent surgery later that night.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/4619152/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press JR Survives Wet and Wild Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 73 Two trackside observers for CART were struck by debris and hospitalized. Robert Vanice suffered a laceration to the back of his head and Brian Brown was struck in the back. Both were treated and released at a local hospital.https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-randy-lanie/122324321/ Springfield Leader and Press Missouri Associated Press Rutherford Survives, Wins Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 54 It ultimately was the last auto race for Lanier who was indicted and later convicted on drug smuggling charges in October 1986.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-randy-lanier-1986/122359998/ Fort Lauderdale News Florida Associated Press Arciero Team to Retain Lanier Despite Smuggling Charges October 17, 1986 36 Throughout the midway point of the race, Bobby Rahal and Rick Mears led significant portions of the event. Both drivers would retire with engine failures.https://www.champcarstats.com/races/198609.htm 1986 Michigan 500 Results While leading on lap 195, Michael Andretti blew an engine and brought out the ninth caution of the day. That gave the lead to Johnny Rutherford. With eight laps remaining, the third-place car driven by Geoff Brabham lost power in turn two and was hit from behind by Al Unser Jr. Brabham hit the outside wall and Unser spun to the infield. Unser lost his front and rear wings, had a damaged nose, and wired the oil cooler to the gearbox, but returned to the track and finished the race in 8th. Because of the high attrition, Brabham still finished fourth.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/4619152/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press JR Survives Wet and Wild Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 73 The race restarted with four laps to go. By running laps over 217 mph (over 5 mph faster than his qualifying speed), Rutherford extended his lead over Josele Garza who was seeking his first win. Garza was unable to catch Rutherford who won the Michigan 500 by 1.82 seconds.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1986-michigan-500/4619152/ Indianapolis Star Indiana Associated Press JR Survives Wet and Wild Michigan 500 August 3, 1986 73 Rutherford became the first driver to win 500 mile Indy car races at all four tracks that held them: Indianapolis, Ontario, Pocono, and Michigan. Only seven of the 28 starters finished the race. The 10 cautions slowed the average speed to 137.139 mph.https://www.champcarstats.com/races/198609.htm 1986 Michigan 500 Results 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 14 21 USA Johnny Rutherford Alex Morales Motorsports March 86C Cosworth 250 3:38:45.320 56 20 2 22 55 MEX Josele Garza Machinists Union Racing March 86C Cosworth 250 +1.820 0 16 3 15 15 USA Pancho Carter Galles Racing Lola T86/00 Cosworth 248 +2 Laps 0 14 4 28 8 AUS Geoff Brabham Galles Racing Lola T86/00 Judd-Honda 239 Crash 0 12 5 24 22 BRA Raul Boesel Dick Simon Racing Lola T86/00 Cosworth 239 +11 Laps 0 10 6 19 9 BRA Roberto Moreno Galles Racing Lola T86/00 Cosworth 238 +12 Laps 0 8 7 27 10 USA Spike Gehlhausen JP Racing Lola T900 Cosworth 237 +13 Laps 0 6 8 20 30 USA Al Unser Jr. Doug Shierson Racing Lola T86/00 Cosworth 235 +15 Laps 0 5 9 11 14 USA A. J. Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises March 86C Cosworth 229 Engine 0 4 10 3 3 USA Bobby Rahal Truesports March 86C Cosworth 219 Engine 64 4 11 6 18 USA Michael Andretti Kraco Racing March 86C Cosworth 195 Engine 53 2 12 1 1 USA Rick Mears Penske Racing March 86C Cosworth 181 Engine 50 2 13 17 71 USA Scott Brayton Hemelgarn Racing March 86C Cosworth 167 CV joint 0 0 14 2 11 USA Al Unser Penske Racing March 86C Ilmor-Chevrolet 164 Engine 0 0 15 7 66 USA Ed Pimm Mike Curb Racing March 86C Cosworth 163 Engine 0 0 16 18 59 USA Johnny Parsons Machinists Union Racing March 86C Cosworth 126 Crash 0 0 17 21 36 AUS Dennis Firestone Raynor Motorsports Lola T86/00 Cosworth 123 Engine 0 0 18 8 33 USA Tom Sneva Mike Curb Racing March 86C Cosworth 110 Crash 12 0 19 5 12 USA Randy Lanier Arciero Racing March 86C Cosworth 98 Crash 1 0 20 13 20 BRA Emerson Fittipaldi Patrick Racing March 86C Cosworth 82 Engine 1 0 21 10 5 USA Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola T86/00 Cosworth 69 Crash 0 0 22 12 7 USA Kevin Cogan Patrick Racing March 86C Cosworth 63 Handling 0 0 23 16 61 NLD Arie Luyendyk Provimi Veal Racing March 86C Cosworth 50 Oil leak 0 0 24 4 2 COL Roberto Guerrero Bignotti-Cotter Racing March 86C Cosworth 47 Crash 13 0 25 9 4 USA Danny Sullivan Penske Racing March 86C Cosworth 33 Suspension 0 0 26 23 24 USA Gary Bettenhausen Leader Card Racers March 86C Cosworth 15 Oil leak 0 0 27 25 84 USA George Snider A. J. Foyt Enterprises March 86C Cosworth 9 Handling 0 0 28 26 56 USA Steve Chassey Gohr Racing March 86C Buick 2 Crash 0 0 Source:1986 Michigan 5001986 Michigan 500 - Round 9 Failed to qualify USA Dale Coyne (#19) Race statistics Lap Leaders Laps Leader 1–7 Rick Mears 8–9 Roberto Guerrero 10–21 Rick Mears 22–36 Michael Andretti 37–47 Roberto Guerrero 48 Emerson Fittipaldi 49–62 Rick Mears 63–70 Bobby Rahal 71–75 Tom Sneva 76 Randy Lanier 77–99 Bobby Rahal 100–106 Tom Sneva 107–116 Bobby Rahal 117–119 Michael Andretti 120–136 Rick Mears 137–155 Bobby Rahal 156–168 Michael Andretti 169–172 Bobby Rahal 173–182 Michael Andretti 183 Johnny Rutherford 184–195 Michael Andretti 196–250 Johnny Rutherford Cautions: 10 for 80 laps Laps Reason 3–7 Steve Chassey crash turn 2 14–21 Rain 48–62 Roberto Guerrero crash turn 3 71–78 Mario Andretti crash turn 3 100–109 Randy Lanier crash turns 3-4 111–116 Tom Sneva crash turn 2 128–135 Johnny Parsons crash turn 2 186–193 Rick Mears engine 195–202 Michael Andretti engine 243–246 Geoff Brabham and Al Unser Jr. crash turn 2 Broadcasting For the first time, NBC chose to televise the race on a tape-delayed format eight days after the event on Sunday, August 10.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-1986-michigan-500-mea/127364299/ Detroit Free-Press Michigan Associated Press Michigan 500 August 1, 1986 31 CART's decision to postpone the 1985 Michigan 500 cost NBC a reported $400,000 and the network was reluctant to broadcast a live 500-mile event again.CART Has Big Purse, But TV Troubles Too https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-1985-michigan-500-nbc-losse/137278191/ Star Gazette 26 Newspapers.com February 27, 1986 January 4, 2024 Paul Page was the lead announcer and was joined by Bobby Unser as color commentator. Gary Gerould and Bruce Jenner served as pit reporters.1986 Michigan 500 Telecast: NBC-TV, August 10, 1986 References 2 Michigan 500 Michigan 500 Category:Michigan Indy 400