The Indianapolis 500 is run the Sunday before Memorial Day. The race track is two and one half miles around. So, 200 laps make a complete 500 mile race. It is called the Brick Yard because when in first opened in 1911 it was paved with bricks. There is still a small line of bricks across the track to this day.
The 71st Indianapolis 500, held on Sunday, May 24th 1987.
Driver Danny Ongais suffered a concussion in a practice crash. Team Penske needed a replacement driver. One week before the race they signed 3-time winner Al Unser Sr. to drive their backup car. On race day Mario Andretti dominated most of the race but with just 23 laps to go his car fell away due to engine failure. Five laps later Al Unser Sr. took the lead and never looked back. Winning his record tying 4th Indy 500 win!
On a more somber note on lap 130, Tony Bettenhausen’s front tire came off and the tire was hit by Roberto Guerrero car. The tire flew over the fence into the stands killing a spectator.
I won two tickets from my employer at the time. My wife of less than a year and I sat in the grandstands right across from the opening into Pit Row. They were awesome seats. And yes, I did see the tire fly into the stands. It was a quarter mile away from me though and I did not hear about the spectator’s death till the car ride home.