1985 Pocono 500

In September 1984, Rick Mears suffered severe injuries to his feet in a crash at Sanair Super Speedway. Doctors in Canada initially wanted to amputate both feet but were convinced to transfer Mears to Indianapolis for reconstructive surgery. Mears returned to racing at the 1985 Indianapolis 500 where he finished 21st. He ran only races at ovals while continuing rehab for his injuries. At the Michigan 500 three weeks before Pocono, Mears won his first pole since returning, but fell out of the race after seven laps with transmission issues.[2]

In the Michigan 500, Mario Andretti crashed and suffered a broken collar bone and hairline fracture of the right hip socket. He was forced to sit out the CART race at Road America on August 4, but made his return at Pocono.

During the CART race at Road America, Al Unser Jr. broke his right ankle when he crashed while leading on lap 36. Unser raced at Pocono but needed to be carried into his car by his crew chief. Tom Gloy was a standby driver if Unser needed someone else to drive.[3]

On Tuesday, August 6, Danny Sullivan suffered minor injuries in a testing session at Pocono. In turn one, Sullivan spun 360 degrees and hit the wall, destroying the car. The car planned to be raced by his Team Penske teammate, Rick Mears, in the Pocono 500, but a backup was needed. Sullivan suffered "banged-up ankles, a sprained shoulder, and a torn back muscle."[4]

Danny Sullivan won the 1985 Indianapolis 500 in May. Emerson Fittipaldi won the Michigan 500 in early August to score his first Indy car victory. CART entered the Pocono 500 with Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, and Al Unser in a three-way tie for the points lead.

On race morning, teammates Michael Andretti and Kevin Cogan were in a helicopter crash on the way to the track. They were staying at a nearby lake house owned by Mario Andretti. As the helicopter was taking off, it struck an electrical wire 50 feet in the air. The rear rotor hit first, then the main rotor, and the helicopter went nose first towards the ground. On the way down, it hit a tree which cushioned the impact. "Thank God for the tree," Andretti said, "I'm sure it kept it from exploding."[9]

There were seven passengers on board, with no one sustaining serious injuries. A second helicopter carrying Mario Andretti and Paul Newman was also on the scene and carried the drivers to Pocono. Michael Andretti went to the track's infield hospital for treatment for soreness behind the left shoulder blade. Both Andretti and Cogan started the race.[10]

The CEO of Domino's Pizza, Tom Monaghan was Grand marshal for the race and gave the command to start engines.[11]

From his starting spot in the middle of the front row, Danny Sullivan took the lead entering turn one at the start of the race. Then entering turn two, Michael Andretti passed Sullivan for first. Overcoming his morning helicopter crash, Andretti led the first 18 laps.[12]

On lap 19, Michael Andretti entered pit lane. At that exact moment, the right-front wheel fell off his car and continued down pit lane. The wheel struck the wall separating the pits from the race track and no one was injured. Bobby Rahal took over the lead.

With rain threatening, there were several different strategies for teams. As cars went through green flag pit stops, the lead was swapped by Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser Jr. and Johnny Rutherford.[13]

The race was caution-free for the first 122 laps. The first yellow flag was thrown on lap 123 for a piece of debris in turn one. During the caution period, ESPN television reporters were able to relay messages from Al Unser Jr to his crew who lost radio contact with him earlier in the race.[14]

On lap 133, Johnny Rutherford passed Unser Jr. to re-take the lead of the race. Within two laps, Rutherford built nearly a two-second lead over Unser. On lap 135, Rutherford spun exiting turn one and hit the outside wall. After being examined by doctors at the track, Rutherford was unhurt except for bruises and he had no memory of the accident. "I knew I was leading, then the lights went out. I don't remember the accident at all."[15]

Michael Andretti fell out of the race on lap 151 when his engine failed and he stopped in turn two. Mears pitted under caution, giving the lead back to Al Unser. Three laps after the restart, a piece of debris fell off Pancho Carter's car and brought out another caution. Unser pitted, which gave the lead back to Mears.

Mears made his final pit stop on lap 189 for fuel only. Rahal entered pit road on lap 193 for fuel. While Rahal was refueling, a caution was thrown when a piece of debris from a car's sidepod landed on the track in turn one. Al Unser Sr. assumed the lead and planned to stay out on track. With one lap until the restart, Unser pitted from the lead. Because Unser pitted late, several lapped cars were between the pace car and new leader, Mears. Mears navigated the traffic and won by 2.18 seconds over Al Unser Jr. Unser Sr. finished third. Bobby Rahal pitted with four laps to go due to a flat tire and finished fourth.[16]

It was Mears' first win since his September 1984 crash that resulted in massive injuries to his feet. Al Unser scored the most points in the Indy car Triple Crown and was awarded a $10,000 prize from Domino's.

For the first time, the Pocono 500 was broadcast by ESPN. A three-hour, tape-delayed telecast was shown at 8 p.m., hours after the race was over. Larry Nuber and Gordon Johncock were the lead announcers. Jack Arute and Gary Lee were pit reporters.[17]