NASCAR Hall of Fame countdown: Bill France Jr. Oct 6, 2009
The race for the open-cockpit cars and such stars as Mario Andretti, Rick Mears and Johnny Rutherford boasted a purse almost twice that of the track s NASCAR shows of the time. NASCAR officials were livid. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Johnson admits 7 Cup titles seems like impossible goal Oct 1, 2009
" Jim Utter Gilliland doing three races for Gibbs: Driver David Gilliland will attempt to make three Cup series starts for Joe Gibbs Racing in its No.02 Toyota beginning with the Oct.17 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He also will attempt the Nov.8 race at Texas and Nov.22 season finale at Homestead.Gilliland is in his fourth Cup season, having accumulated 112 starts. He has started 25 races this season, 0000183A driving primarily for TRG Motorsports. J.U. Fan day at Penske: Penske Racing will... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Opinion: Danica won't be in NASCAR any time soon Sep 4, 2009
He was Rick Mears with sideburns. He had something going for him that Montoya did not experience with concrete walls. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Jeff Gordon would be in rarefied air with win at Indy track Jul 23, 2009
Right now, Gordon does remain in the company of Indy legends A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears, all of whom have four wins at IMS.. On Sunday, Gordon may take another step in cementing his own permanent spot among the famed bricks. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Troubled Milwaukee Mile draws promoters' interest Jul 22, 2009
The track's list of open-wheel race winners reads like a racing Hall of Fame: Foyt, Roger Ward, Jimmy Clark, Parnelli Jones, Mario and Michael Andretti, Al Unser Sr., Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser, Tom Sneva and Rick Mears. NASCAR races are a more recent addition to the track, but have proven to be popular. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Trouble brewing at Milwaukee Mile Jul 1, 2009
The track s list of open-wheel race winners reads like a racing Hall of Fame: Foyt, Roger Ward, Jimmy Clark, Parnelli Jones, Mario and Michael Andretti, Al Unser Sr., Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser, Tom Sneva and Rick Mears. NASCAR races are a more recent addition to the track, but have proven to be popular. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
ON THIS DATE May 26, 2009
1991 Rick Mears passes Michael Andretti with 12 laps to go and wins his fourth Indianapolis 500, by 3. 1 seconds. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
'My tears speak for everything': Castroneves clinches third Indy500 title May 26, 2009
My tears speak for everything': Castroneves clinches third Indy 500 title. The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Castroneves captures Indy 500 May 26, 2009
And now, the biggest win of all, No. 3 for the guy who drives car No. 3, leaving him only one win away from joining the most elite group of all: four-time Indy winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. For Penske, it was Indy win No. 15 more than any other car owner and ensuring that the Captain has never gone more than three years between wins at this place, except for the time he didn't run because of a split in open-wheel racing. (Honolulu Advertiser)
* Brazilian Castroneves wins his third Indy days after tax charges dropped May 26, 2009
Castroneves, who hopped back in his Team Penske race car as soon as he was cleared of charges that could have sent him to prison for six years, is just one win away from joining A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the elite group of four-time winners. Castroneves pumped his fist all the way down the final straight. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Castroneves happy but carrying a scar May 26, 2009
Rick Mears, 1979, 84, 88, 91 ... Castroneves has the opportunity to join Rick Mears, A.J. Foyt and Al Unser as four-time winners. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
LOPRESTI: Major reversal for Castroneves May 25, 2009
" Six weeks ago, there were moments when Castroneves wondered if he had any future. Everything could have been lost. Now, his future rings with historic possibility. He is only 33 years old and drives for arguably the most efficient operation in racing. He already has three Indianapolis 500 titles. A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser are the only men with four. Nobody has won five. You do the math. "You can't be thinking about five without making three," he said. "Now we think about four. "I will... (USA Today -- Sports)
INDIANAPOLIS 500 3rd win gives Castroneves an emotional rescue May 25, 2009
Rick Mears - 1979, 1984, 1988, 1991. Al Unser Sr. - 1970, 1971, 1978, 1987. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Truex nears his decision May 22, 2009
native shared 1978 rookie of the year honors with Rick Mears after finishing 11th. He finished 19th the following year in his only other Indy 500 start. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Notebook: NASCAR forming online racing series May 21, 2009
"My parents taught me at a young age that my goals are and should be more than just about the things I want to personally accomplish.'' O'Neal, who has also won four NBA titles and was the league's MVP in 2000, has focused his charity work on helping children and families in need. By partnering with champion athletes each year, team co-owners Steve Luczo and Jay Penske have delivered more than $1 million to charitable organizations worldwide in two years. With the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
'09 Indianapolis 500 Preview May 19, 2009
By earning his third Indy pole, he joins an elite list of drivers, including Rick Mears (6) and A.J. Foyt (4), with multiple pole winning performances. It's never a good idea to count out legendary Team Penske owner Roger Penske. (Suite101.com)
Penske has 14 Indy 500 wins and wants more May 16, 2009
"But, more important, it's the teamwork. I think when you look at this group of employees, team members, we have here, we probably have 600 or 700 years of experience at this racetrack.''One of those longtime employees is Rick Mears, who started driving for Penske in 1979 and gave him four of his Indy wins, the last coming in 1991. Since retiring after the 1992 season, Mears has worked for Penske Racing as a consultant and driver coach.Over the years, the equipment has changed, the team has... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Pole Day qualifying at Indy is a guessing game May 9, 2009
"You know, yesterday we ran very safe and just got some confidence in the car, and I'm just taking little step,'' said Power, who is being mentored by four-time Indy winner and longtime Penske driver coach Rick Mears. "Rick has been a huge help,'' the Australian driver said. "I think he'll be there all month and we're looking for a good result at the end, not at the beginning.'' Castroneves, who has started second, first and fourth here the last three years, said he may not be as patient as his... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
St. Pete: Luczo Dragon Racing preview Apr 1, 2009
The beneficiaries of the Luczo Dragon profit donation program are: Always Dream Foundation (Kristi Yamaguchi), All Stars Helping Kids (Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott), Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (Brandi Chastain), Chase the Stars Foundation (Kerri Walsh), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Indiana Chapter (Rick Mears), Donovan McNabb Foundation (Donovan McNabb), Fisher House, Colorado Chapter (John Elway), Four Rings Montana Family Foundation (Joe Montana), Jackson Community College Foundation Wilbur... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
2009 Sprint Cup Series drivers glance Feb 15, 2009
Nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears recently became a father for the first time. No. 09 Chevrolet, Phoenix Racing. (Longview Daily News, WA)
