Rick Mears Biography

Richard Ravon Mears, born on December 3, 1951, is an American former race car driver. Mears won the Indianapolis 500 four times in 1979, 1984, 1988, and 1991 and holds the record for six pole positions in the race. He captured three Indycar series championships in 1979, 1981, and 1982. In 1980, Mears was offered a Formula One test with Team Brabham by team boss Bernie Eccelstone. The 1981 and 1982 seasons saw Mears win two additional championships. In 1990, Mears reflected on breaking his road course dry spell during a winner's circle interview. That same year, 1990, marked Mears' final season in the Pennzoil paint scheme as Marlboro became the team's new sponsor.