1979 Indianapolis 500

The 63rd 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday May 27, 1979. Second-year driver Rick Mears took the lead for the final time with 18 laps to go, and won his first of four Indy 500 races. Brothers Al and Bobby Unser combined to lead 174 laps, but Al dropped out, and Bobby slipped to 5th place at the finish nursing mechanical issues. The high tensions and numerous technical squabbles during the month attracted considerable negative criticism from sports writers and media.

1979 Indianapolis 500

The 63rd 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday May 27, 1979. Second-year driver Rick Mears took the lead for the final time with 18 laps to go, and won his first of four Indy 500 races. Brothers Al and Bobby Unser combined to lead 174 laps, but Al dropped out, and Bobby slipped to 5th place at the finish nursing mechanical issues. The high tensions and numerous technical squabbles during the month attracted considerable negative criticism from sports writers and media.