1983 Indianapolis 500

1983 Indianapolis 500

The 67th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29, 1983. After finishing second three times (1977, 1978, 1980), and winning the pole position twice (1977–1978), Tom Sneva finally shook his "bridesmaid" status and won his first Indianapolis 500.

In the final twenty laps, three-time winner Al Unser, Sr. was leading Tom Sneva, looking for his record-tying fourth Indy victory. His son, rookie Al Unser, Jr. was several laps down, but was running right behind his father. Al Jr. created a firestorm of controversy when it appeared he was blocking Sneva intentionally to aid his father. After several laps, Sneva finally slipped by both Unsers, pulled away, and claimed his long-awaited first Indy victory.

Rookie Teo Fabi headlined time trials by winning the pole position, and on race day he led the first 23 laps. Fabi's day was short, however, as he dropped out with a bad fuel gasket. The effort earned him the rookie of the year award.

The 1983 Indy 500 ushered in a new era of civility and stability in the sport of Indy car racing. After four years of conflict and organizational disputes between USAC and CART, the two sanctioning bodies came to an agreement. The Indianapolis 500 would be sanctioned singly by USAC, and officially would be part of the ceremonial Gold Crown. However, the race was now recognized on the CART schedule, and counted towards the CART/PPG Indy Car World Series points championship. This arrangement would remain in place through 1995.