1986 Indianapolis 500 - Rain Delay

Rain Delay

The race was scheduled to be held Sunday May 25. Race morning saw overcast skies and steady rain. Track drying efforts began around 10:45 a.m. EST. The track was close to dry, and spectators began filing into their seats. The cars were then wheeled to the pits, in preparations for a start. At 1:15 p.m., however, the rain resumed, and threatened to wash out the entire day. The rain stopped, and track drying efforts started a second time. The rain returned once more, and at 3:35 p.m., officials rescheduled the race for Monday. During the delay, ABC-TV diverted its programming for several minutes in favor of live coverage of Hands Across America.

Grim memories of the tragic 1973 race were still in many people's minds, and all involved were determined to make certain the race would not be hastily put on in a rushed, last-minute, fashion. In addition, officials were uncommitted on how late they would permit a start, and if they would aim for a 101-lap race (the minimum distance for the event to be official), or insist on adequate time for a full 200-lap race before sunset.

On Monday May 26, there was no chance to hold the race, as it rained all day. The infield turned into a sea of mud, and most of the spectators departed the grounds. At 3:20 p.m., officials announced that the race was going to be postponed, but did not yet announce the date or time to which it would be rescheduled. ABC television was scheduled to cover the race live for the first time, and track officials were faced with the possibility of running the race on Tuesday in front of empty grandstands. Around 6 p.m. on Monday evening, a deal had been struck to reschedule the race for Saturday May 31.

During the week, teams spent time resting and relaxing, while others prepared for the next race at Milwaukee. Track crews worked diligently to clean up the infield, and make it passable for Saturday. As a result of the postponement, a special 30-minute practice session was arranged on Friday May 30. Participants were held to a 120 mph (190 km/h) speed limit, and it served mostly as an oil leak check exercise. Some drivers, including polesitter Rick Mears, as well as Bobby Rahal, did not even participate.

For the weekend, the Rex Mays 200 at Milwaukee, originally scheduled for Sunday June 1, was pushed back one week to accommodate the Indy rain delay. The 1986 race marked the first time since 1973 that the race was pushed to another day, and the first time since 1915 that 'not a single wheel had turned' all weekend because of rain. It also marked the first time since 1967 the race was held May 31; until 1971, when the race was always held on May 30, if that day was a Sunday, it was held the ensuing Monday, May 31.