Rick Mears, four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, currently works for Penske in an advisory role. Mears attended Friday’s Press Conference with Penske drivers Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin and Penske President Tim Cindric.
The IndyCar legend, drove in IndyCar racing from 1976-1992, most successfully for Penske, winning the iconic race four times. He is one of just four drivers to have achieved this accolade. He still holds the record for the most Indianapolis 500 pole positions, securing six.
Attending a press conference on Friday announcing the iconic race was now sold out, Mears took questions from the media about his illustrious career and the fast-approaching 109th race.
When asked by Fastest Formula News about the dangers of IndyCar racing, particularly with the high speeds of the Indianapolis 500, Rick Mears said that it was always in the back of his mind:
“Really, you never really think about that. Driving a car is what I love doing, and that’s the whole reason I got into it. It started as a hobby just because I loved driving the cars.
“You always try to keep it — I always felt like if I stay within my limits and the car’s limits, there’s not a problem. Don’t have to worry about it. But there’s always things that can happen. Things end up happening around you from time to time, but the old saying, you just kind of put that out of your head and continue on down the road.“
Rick Mears on his IndyCar career
He also said that he felt the biggest thing for him was that he enjoyed racing. Mears won 29 times in his career in IndyCar, then known as Champ Car. He also won three championships in 1979, 1981 and 1982 in the series.
“But the main thing for me is because it’s what I enjoyed doing. Now, obviously if I wasn’t having fun at it and it wasn’t what I loved doing, you couldn’t make me get in one. I think that is the main thing is if you enjoy what you’re doing, you just put it out of your head and go on.”
The current generation of drivers are preparing for the all important qualifying day on Saturday. The final practice sessions will take place on Friday and Saturday morning.
The only driver that can equal Mears’ Indy 500 pole position record is Scott Dixon, who has five to his name heading into qualifying.
