The 1983 Pocono 500, the 13th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 14, 1983. Branded as the 1983 Domino's Pizza 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Teo Fabi, the first rookie to win the Pocono 500.
On March 8, 1983, Domino's Pizza announced they would offer a one million dollar bonus to any driver who could win IndyCar's Triple Crown of 500 Mile Races: The Indianapolis 500, Michigan 500, and Pocono 500. In 1982, Gordon Johncock won Indianapolis and Michigan before breaking a gearbox while running second at Pocono. If no driver won all three races, Dominos would award a $10,000 prize to the driver that scored the most points in the three races.[1]
In May, Tom Sneva won the Indianapolis 500, the first of his career. In mid-July, John Paul Jr. won the Michigan 500. This meant no driver was going for the Domino's Triple Crown million dollar bonus at Pocono.[2]
Rookie Teo Fabi was attempting to become the first driver to win the pole at all three 500 mile races in one year, having already won the pole at Indianapolis and Michigan.
At Pocono, Johnny Rutherford made his return to Indy Car racing after suffering a broken left foot and ankle at Indianapolis.[3]
Wednesday's practice session saw Teo Fabi post the fastest speed at 193.1 mph. Al Unser Jr. was second fastest at 189.0 mph.[4]
Practice and qualifying scheduled for Thursday was canceled. CART required a medical helicopter at all tracks before on-track activity was allowed; due to fog and poor visibility, the helicopter was unable to land at the track when it attempted in the morning. A rainstorm around 2:30 p.m. prevented another landing attempt from the helicopter and washed out any chance of practice.[5]
Bobby Rahal led a practice session on Friday at 189.5 mph, followed by Mario Andretti and Danny Ongais. Rain cancelled qualifying for the second straight day.
In a practice session on Saturday morning, Dick Simon crashed in turn one. Without enough time to repair the car, Simon withdrew from the race.[6]
On Saturday, Indianapolis 500 winner, Tom Sneva, won the pole with a speed of 191.848 mph. Teo Fabi qualified second. Due to CART rule changes since 1982 limiting ground effects, Sneva's pole speed was nine miles per hour slower than Rick Mears' 1982 pole speed.[7]
Kevin Cogan, Danny Ongais, and Steve Chassey had their qualifying times disallowed due to illegal rear-wing heights. That moved Al Loquasto into the field. A promoter's option was invoked which expanded the starting field to 34 cars and allowed Cogan, Ongais, and Chassey to all make the field.[6]
Heading into the race, Pocono was criticized by drivers for the very rough and bumpy frontstretch. While the track was wide, there were large bumps as it went closer to the pit wall. Teo Fabi was quoted as saying, "The track is not very safe. It makes you very anxious. The straightaway is just impossible."[8]
Pete Halsmer added, "You just can't have 700 horsepower cars jumping up in the air. If I had to rate the safe tracks against those that are unsafe, I'd have to say this one is near the back end."[8]
Rick Mears said, "If you stay in the groove, and there's only one of them in the front straightaway, you're in pretty decent shape. But if you leave the groove, there's a lot of surprises."[8]
Polesitter Tom Sneva said, "It's so rough that passing becomes a serious situation. There are places out there where you just can't pass and keep the car on the ground."[8] He also added, "Drivers make a track unsafe, not the track itself. You just have to use your head more and stay out of trouble. If it feels uncomfortable at 192, then slow down to 188. You have to realize your limitations."[9]
Because of the bumps on the frontstretch, the race was started two-wide instead of the usual three-wide that had been done for over a decade. After the race, Pocono repaved the entire mile-long frontstretch ahead of the 1984 season and eliminated the bumps.
When the race began, Tom Sneva led the first 13 laps. Don Whittington collided with Chip Ganassi and crashed into turn three wall with the right side of the car on lap 12, bringing out the first of a record 10 cautions.[10] Teo Fabi took the lead during pit stops and led for the next 19 laps.
Rick Mears took the lead during pit stops under a caution for debris on lap 36. When the race restarted, the field was led by Desiré Wilson, who was on the tail end of the lead lap. Wilson lost control at the exit of turn one and hit the outside wall. Michigan 500 winner, John Paul Jr drove over the car of Scott Brayton and nearly flew over the wall.
Tom Sneva retook the lead on lap 52 and led for the next 14 laps before stalling in the pit lane on a pit stop. He lost a lap while the crew tried to restart his engine.
After 91 laps, Johnny Rutherford blew a right-front tire and crashed in turn one near the point where he crashed in the 1982 race.
Rick Mears lost radio contact with his crew and resorted to using hand signals to communicate with his crew.[11] Unable to discuss changes for the car, Mears suffered from handling problems and led for the final time on lap 136. After completing 152 laps, Pete Halmer crashed in turn three. Halsmer suffered a fractured left ankle.
Fabi led 116 laps, including the last 64. The Italian earned his first career win. Al Unser Jr. finished second to make a 1-2 finish for rookies.[12]
Rick Mears finished third and clinched the Triple Crown points title. By scoring the most points at IndyCar's 500 mile races, Mears won a $10,000 bonus.[11]
Jim McElreath finished 23rd in what would be the final Indy car race of his career. At 55 years-old, McElreath was the oldest man to run a 500-mile race, a record he held until A. J. Foyt broke it in 1990.
The Pocono 500 was broadcast by NBC's Sportsworld. Paul Page was the lead broadcaster, joined by Gordon Johncock. Gary Gerould reported from the pits. A one-hour delayed broadcast was aired two weeks after the race on August 28.[13]