1992 Indianapolis 500 - Statistics

Statistics

  • The race was held on May 24, only the third time in Indy history the race had fallen on that date. The previous winners on that date had been Bobby Unser (May 24, 1981) and Al Unser, Sr. (May 24, 1987). Al Unser, Jr.'s victory on May 24, 1992 marked all three runnings on that date as victories by the Unser family.
  • Michael Andretti led 160 laps but failed to win the race. It was the most laps led by a non-winner since his father Mario led 170 in a losing effort in the 1987 race.
  • Polesitter Roberto Guerrero became the third pole winner to finish last. Cliff Woodbury (1929) and Pancho Carter (1985) were the previous two at the time.
  • Eddie Cheever became the first #2 starter to complete 500 miles since Mario Andretti in 1969. During that period, the second starting position was experiencing a perceived "curse," where it produced no winners, and cars frequently dropping out. In the intervening 22 races, the #1 and #3 starting positions had accounted for 12 victories.
  • A record ten former winners representing 20 victories started the race. The ten drivers included:
    • A. J. Foyt (4 wins)
    • Al Unser, Sr. (4)
    • Rick Mears (4)
    • Gordon Johncock (2)
    • Mario Andretti (1)
    • Tom Sneva (1)
    • Danny Sullivan (1)
    • Bobby Rahal (1)
    • Emerson Fittipaldi (1)
    • Arie Luyendyk (1)

Three-time winner Johnny Rutherford also attempted to qualify, but was too slow. With Al Unser, Jr. a first-time winner, the field ultimately comprised 11 winners. In addition, Eddie Cheever and Buddy Lazier would eventually go on to win the race, bringing the winners total to 13 drivers (representing 26 victories) in the 1992 field.

  • Although A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Sr., and Rick Mears had competed together for many years, this was the first and only time they took the green flag together as four-time winners.
  • This is the most recent 500 with two drivers in the field with three or more victories. This is expected to be accomplished again in 2013.

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