Rick Mears: Left Helmet Unbuckled for Indianapolis 500!
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2024
- When a Motorsports icon walks into the room, that room changes. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis welcome four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears to the table for a fascinating discussion about his storied racing career. Mears' style was calm and calculated. Rick admits that his demeaner led to an embarrassing and potentially dangerous moment in the opening laps of his first Indy 500. It was so bad, that he didn't even want to cue the radio to tell Roger Penske. It's a story you have to hear to believe.
Always signed his autograph as "Rick Mears, thanks" All you need to know about that guy. Class act.
Yep. Got one. Penske didn't hire drivers without talent, determination and class.
@@CopelandNY Sounds like the opposite of an Andretti.
That's weird because I always sign my autographs, "Kerry Smyth, you're welcome"
Another superstar/great human.
I had the extreme pleasure, of meeting Rick Mears, late 90's at Indy time trials. We were walkin behind the bleachers and they put the barricades out to pull a car back to the garage. I forget who the driver was. Rick was walking with the car and I yelled, there's Rick Mears! I didn't mean to say it that loud! Me and my husband were the only two standing on the one side and he walked over and shook our hand, took a picture with me and signed my shirt! I'll never forget that! I got the picture blown up and framed with the shirt and gave it to my father on Fathers Day! My Father has passed but, Rick is still hangin up in his shop along with all his other racing memorabilia! He also raced and he lived, ate and breathed AJ Foyt! So, thank-you Mr. Mears for that awesome memory you have no idea how you made my day back then even tho I was embarrassed for yellin that loud!
I adore Rick Mears. My favorite Indy driver. So happy you had him.
All racecar driver's should be as pleasant as Rick Mears. This is a true racer.
Rick Mears
One of my All time Favorites!
“Cool” as they come!
Class Act!
Left everything on the race track. 🏁🏁
"If I run any harder for a 'Bonus', you oughta just fire me." Says it all.
Thanks Dale, I've always admired Rick Mears and this is the first time I've really heard him talk about his career, what a humble man and fantastic racer.
RM is a class act. I always enjoyed watching him race. Great interview.
Thank you for the insight into Rick Mear's character ... absolutely fascinating especially when compared to racing today,
Brilliant, solid, humble guy. He was my favorite driver from 1982 onward. Love Rick Mears.
I also love Rick as a racer class act and a great person.
I drove from the East coast to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1984 and watched Rick Mears Win his 2nd 500 race. He Won in a March Cosworth 84C fresh out-of-the-box. It was a Spectacular day. Great feelings and memories !
Rick Mears, one of the all time greats , I met him at laguna seca in the 80s , camped at laguna next to his family , " the Mears gang" Joe Montana even hung out with the Mears gang , great times !!!!!
We grew up 2 streets away from him in Bakersfield. My Dad tells stories of the "Mears Gang" get togethers, and this was after his racing days.
Pure class! I had the pleasure of chatting with his dad at practice for the 1992 Indycar race at New Hampshire - proud dad showing me the watch Rick gave him from one of ‘500 wins. Cool memory
In 92 at Indy, I met his mom and dad. They were manning a 'Mear's Gang' souvenir stand where I bought a t-shirt. They were such nice 'down to earth' folks. They loved to talk Indycar Racing.
I was a big off road fan in the early 1970s and a bunch of us attended an off road race outside of Sacramento. I had heard of the Mears gang but hadn't paid a lot of attention to them until watching the racing that day. Rick and his brother, Roger, both drove that day and I was blown away at their speed and the smooth gentle way they both drove. After the race, Rick won by the way, we wondered over to their pit and I was amazed again with how cordial and accessable and humble he was. Here I was having a relaxed conversation with one of the best drivers I had ever seen drive. I have been a fan from that moment and have remained so.
Love this mans attitude and approach. A purposeful humility.
Rick Mears…. YES. Gonna have to go listen to the whole podcast now.
There is a podcast called dinner with racers where they interview Rick. It's from a couple years ago so you have to go back through the archives but worth a listen.
I go to Indy every year. Rick Mears was always one of my favorites. So quiet, humble, and methodical. I can see why he lasted so long at Penske, because he and RP are so much alike in their approach.
Rick Mears was who brought my attention to Indy Car. He was my favorite driver in the 90s. I was lucky enough to make Indy Car pit fueling hoses In the early 90s from Rahal to Mears and Andretti.
Rick Mears was my hero driver. Such a great man and excellent driver.
Listened to the whole interview yesterday. Well worth it. Became a fan in 1979 because he was from Bakersfield. Then got to see him win Riverside in person in 1981.
Growing up in SoCal I was a big off-road fan, a big Rick Mears fan well before he moved up to Indy cars, lots of memories of Mears, Walker Evans, Bob Gordon, Parnelli, Mikey Thomson, Chenoweth Wedge, Baja Bugs. In El Cajon CA, where Jimmy Johnson grew up, you could purchase everything you needed to build a complete off-road race car in just a few square miles.
J .................you just named all the Racers I use to read about , before big TV coverage !!!
I've always had respect for Rick Meats but after this interview I have a lot more respect for him now.👍
Love that guy. Always been my dude since that first race. Always wanted to meet him! But so far I haven’t!
Rick Mears was absolutely as good as it gets. A real shame that so many race fans never had the opportunity to see "The Rocket" tear them up on an Oval. Cool as a Cucumber...Smooth as a Satin Sheet.
Ayrton Senna was as good as it gets.
I loved to watch Rick Mears when I was a kid... he is probably the reason I like open wheel racing so much.
Grew up 2 streets over from him in Bakersfield, even delivered welding supplies to his race shop. If you didn't know the man was a living legend, you'd never know it by just being around him.
My Indy 500 favorite driver and Tom Sneva back when I graduated from High School the year he started.
In an age where EVERYONE has an ego the size of Jupiter, and where anything that goes wrong is ALWAYS someone else’s fault, Rick Mears is how I remember being taught to approach things. Talk yourself down, don’t get cocky, focus on what needs to be done, check your attitude (meaning don’t be narcissistic and pump everyone full of your own PR) and do the work. This ethos is extinct today in our society. It’s a shame.
I remember Rick hanging out with the course workers at Laguna Seca after things shut down on Saturday, though I can't remember just which year (I'm thinking '91 or '92). He and his Chris were just having a cold beverage, relaxed and enjoying being with "Racing People" up near Pit-out, while sitting on the back of one of the tow trucks. When it was time to wrap things up, they just rode on the tow truck back to Penske's transporter. No ego, no attitude, just racing folks enjoying racing folks. One of the classiest pro drivers I've ever met (and in 28 years on track, I've met a few). Richard Petty is probably the only other driver that I've ever respected as much.
Man that guy knew how to qualify!! Save a car. Very classy. His parents took care of his souvenir trailer Bought a shirt from them talked about Rick. Very nice people.
Sometimes I am schocked at the realization of just how OLD I am.--from the Mears era!
Thanks so much for this interview...great to hear from Rick
INDY is Everything !!! I was born 1966 in Detroit Michigan. My 1st experience @ Indy was when I was 4 years old... 1970.... I still remember peeing on the side of I-75 on the way to the promise land... THIS was IT !!! My Father , my uncles ... My Godfather... This was the place... ! If you don't understand , you never will !!!! It is not the same. It never will be again !! No offense to Rick Mears , but as a kid that equaled Penske to the Star Wars evil Empire... And Remember 1982 as the greatest 500 I ever listened to... Please interview Gordon Joncock
Incredible perspective. He completed to a much different drum, than most anyone, or corporation pushes people to perform. I always liked him as a racer, but now more than ever as a human.
Thank you for watching!
Rick is a and will always be a GREAT person who is very hospitable and friendly!
The single best interview with Rick Mears I have ever seen or heard.
My dad owned a house about 3 miles from the track. He worked for Grant King who was a Indy car owner back in the 70s-80s. My FAVORITE driver was Rick Mears growing up. Named my cat after him. When he retired I was done with racing until I discovered NASCAR and Jeff Gordon. Rick the man in Indy & Jeff the man in NASCAR. Sorry Jr. No disrespect to Sr
I grew up in southern california a couple blocks away from Ascot Raceway. There were several times when the track announcer would say "Rick Mears is here with us tonight" up in the booth during the CRA sprint car races. Being an off road racer before indy car always really impressed me.
Ahh...A show about the history of racing. Thank you Dale Jr!
The most dominant driver in Indy 500 history, in my opinion. Thank you, Rocket Rick! 🏎
My favorite driver of all time. I always respected him because of the way he is. When he won he said it was the car and team. When he had an accident or incident, he blamed himself. Don't see any other drivers like that.
I happened to be at the track during a practice (1992, I think) when between turns 1 and 2 he tagged the wall the car was "upside down" against the wall and slid all the way through turn 2. He wasn't hurt, but everyone was shocked that Mears could make such a mistake....It was later that day or perhaps the next that he retired, very suddenly. In motorsports when it is time to quit, you better quit. Always liked him, greatly respected him the way he ended his career.
He had a mechanical failure in the race car that day. A radiator hose blew off from the right side and dumped all the engine coolant right onto the rear wheel. Even a master like Mears couldn’t have kept the car from spinning that day.
He crashed at the race as well. Ran a couple more races and then at Michigan he just parked it because he wasn't feeling it anymore. I had to check racing-reference to make sure on this because I was 7 when this happened.
There's another video from this interview where Rick talks about that crash, and his thoughts on retirement before that crash. Great Interview!
7:40 I like that mentality. Don't hear it expressed that often but I've always said that. I completely understand it for regular 9-5 jobs and such but at that level of any highly skilled profession he's absolutely right
Right on! An engineer tried to give me a recognition for something routine - I tossed it in the trash right in front of him
those first three or four years at Indy for Mears were nuts.....Sits on the pole as a rookie and almost loses his helmet.....Next year wins and then in 81 catches on fire and almost loses his nose......But still one of the greats
He started 3rd in his first year he qualified for the Indy 500
For 1978 Indy 500 that’s still a pole position they start them 3 abreast.
My opinion of Rick Mears just goes up and up. Mears and Penske...those two were a perfect match.
His trip into the turn 1 wall upside-down definitely made him reflect on his career as he retired after that accident
Retired soon after that accident. He still ran the 500, Portland, Milwaukee, Loudon and Michigan that year.
My old neighbor was a mechanic for a team that ran Indy in the 40’s and 50’s. He talked about running Indy with all smiles. Even though the driver he worked with was killed. I just don’t happen to remember the drivers name. It’s a big fkn deal to drive in the 500.
So Mears acting like it’s not that big deal of a deal, well I’m gonna have to call BS !!!
Even Jr and Mike said it is a big deal, then Mears says yeah it is. Come on lol.
I guess, but I'm assuming he was just in his 20s and didn't fully appreciate the gravity of the race. He more or less explained he grew to understand. If you're not around something just seeing a shitload of people in the stands wont do it the full justice it deserves
I agree with Mr Rick Mears. We shouldn't be doing anything any different for the job that we are asked to do regardless of the pay involved. We were hired to work, not to get paid; being paid is extra, it's about the work that we are asked to do.
Your think about a straight up pay check where he’s talking about bonus incentive money for poles, fast laps, and wins.
@@zacharyradford5552 It's the same for me. I am who I am, and I do what I do. My grandfather taught me to always give your best. That way the top of the heap is always the top.
Class Act Rick Mears- Four time Indy 500 Winner's Club, not many people can say that- AJ Foyt, Al Unser and Helio Castroneves are the only other racers that won the Indy 500 four times.
The most humble guy I've ever heard.
Class act very humble
I agree with you
Rick was my man back in those days at Indy.
Great interview , Rick is one of the greats .
Totally agree with his opinion on bonuses and contracts.
I just received his autographs on some old test photos I had he’s retired in Jupiter Fl. Still cool as hell
Love3 Rick, one of the greatest...! Very humble guy... Great job Dale Jr. ...!
Coolest Indy racer ever. Calm demeanor. Calm driver.
Rick was one of the greatest at the speedway that ever sat in the cockpit...there was alot of negative comments sometimes on his driving style...that he was always laying back and wasn't a hard charger....well that's how you win four Indy 500s....it's an endurance race...he would save his equipment until the last 50 lap's...and if you were a guy who had run hard all day long you were going to get sucked under by Rick...🏎️🏎️🏎️
Thanks For Uploading ☺😎
After hearing this and especially towards the end, Rick Mears sounds so much like Chuck Noll in the way that he describes incentives, bonuses and motivation that it is scary. 😲
No wonder that one won four Indianapolis 500s and the other won four Super Bowls.
My all time favorite indycar driver !
A true legend Rick Mears is da man !!!
This is terrific! Thank you.
Great to listen these guys. What a story about the helmet. So much insights, very interesting…
I did Fifth though Eighth Grade With Rick Mears in Bakersfield Ca. He nick named me Gotha while we played Flag football. I wonder if he remembers me?
Great interview. Thanks
Thanks for your realistic insight !
Used to watch Rick Mears drive a single-seat buggy in the Mickey Thompson's off-road World Championships at Riverside before he got into Indy cars and his brother Rodger had a Nissan truck used to Bicycle it
Legend!
Super great interview Dale! Rick still is, that ultra 'humble' down to earth Desert Rat.
Rick is one class act. Love the shirt Dale is wearing where does he get those shirts I’m a big Foyt fan.
Another great interview! How does this channel have only 247K subscribers?
Rick Mears was 100% business. He OWNED the Indy track during the 500
I was at Milwaukee Mile when he won in 78🙂🏁
Good stuff!
what a great guy so humble
Rick Mears once sucker punched me in a roadside bar. While bent over from the punch, Mr. Mears proceeded to reach into my back pocket and took my wallet. When I looked up, Rick slapped my face. As he walked out the door he looked over his shoulder and said "Thanks, I'm Rick Mears."
🤣
I would guess that after that "Brush With Greatness" then you weren't a big fan?
What a total pro! Respect.
I loved Rick's comments about contract incentives potentially screwing-up a system that is working.
Rick mears was my favorite Indy driver back when I was a kid he could drive the wheels off of it 💪💪
Thank you very much
Told Penske to 86 the bonus- one reason he'll work for him as long as he wants.
Maybe someone should send this clip to Ty Gibbs with a note saying that this is how a professional driver thinks and conducts himself.
Thanks Rick.
I left my snap on my left side of my Hutches device...
HI Mr .Fox.
Another great episode with a fucking legend
Get a thesaurus….
Dale, it would have been great if you had Juan Montoya on this show.
I can’t believe I am commenting on this.
Everyone who loves racing needs to understand that these are two completely different animals. Comprehend this: You stop on a busy freeway. The cars passing you running by at 60 mph plus.
Those are IndyCars, you’re in a NASCAR…
Put that car on a 31 degree banking, it could probably run at 260 mph before GLock hit the driver in 2 laps. Look up Texas Motor Speedway…
I need to know the intro and outro track names please! 🙏
Where does Dale Jr. get those cool vintage T Shirts?
Probably the greatest oval driver of all time....and a very nice man....no ego apparent
Roger must have treated him well, he's still there.
4 500’s…….crazy good
What’s the intro music ??
He's about 2.5 seconds from being a 6 time winner.
He is the way it should be. Not worried about the purse or the fame. He just wanted to race and win.
Just a racer from Bakersfield, CA …..
I did not recognise Rick,, got quite jowely. But a very good racer and seemingly a very nice man.
The Flash !
"Meeeeeeeaarrssssssssssss," -Superfans
The Rocket
Mike Davis, laughing like he forgot to wipe today.