Top 10 Indy 500s of all time: No. 2 - Johncock edges Mears in 1982 thriller | Motorsports on NBC

After battling Rick Mears up front and fighting handling issues, Gordon Johncock edges Mears at the line to win for the second time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in one of the closest Indy 500 finishes in history.
NBC Sports is counting down the Top Indy 500’s of all-time heading into this year’s race. Each week, fans can see which races made the Top 10 by checking out NBCSports.com and the Motorsports on NBC TH-cam channel. An esteemed panel of drivers, broadcasters, and historians weighed in to create the Top 10. #NBCSports #IndyCar #Indy500
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Top 10 Indy 500s of all time: No. 2 - Johncock edges Mears in 1982 thriller | Motorsports on NBC
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[@cjs83172]

A couple of notes. First, I've always considered it ironic that, in the first Indianapolis 500 that had a finish similar to what's often seen in NASCAR, that the driver who won was effectively carrying a version of Richard Petty's paint scheme to victory lane at the one major speedway where Petty himself never raced. Johncock and Petty had been with STP since about the same time and both won their sport's most prestigious races in 1973, and when STP returned to be the primary sponsor for Pat Patrick's team in 1981, the paint scheme used in Johncock's car was, more or less, a tribute to Petty with that blue and red paint scheme.
Sadly, as thrilling as this win was for Johncock, especially in light of the fact that his other previous Indianapolis 500 win came in the rain and tragedy-marred 1973 race, it was also a win he was not able to celebrate for very long, because Johncock's mother died the following night as Johncock was receiving his deserved accolades at the victory banquet. He learned about his mother's death later that night in what had to be one of the cruelest tricks of fate any champion has ever had to endure, regardless of the sport.

[@monica93304]

Those were the cars that made me love Indy. Such great sound! And the cars didn't look all the same.

[@ronhulvey1787]

1st race. high school kid. $15 seats on wooden bleachers inside turn 3. Amazing, the energy ripping through the crowd as Mears / Johncock fight to the end.

[@windwhipped5]

This is the most intense 500 i can remember growing up!!!

[@nickmVasilatos]

A. J. Foyt and Rick Mears....Tops..

[@joeyager8479]

I grew up watching Gordy win a whole lot of supermodified races at Toledo (first on dirt then when paved) and Sandusky Speedways. He won in almost everything he drove.

[@jons7955]

There may have been closer finishes since but i believe we still haven't seen a Finish Like That!!!

[@DavidBayliff]

i remeber this racei listed to it on radio great win for gordon rick would win 4 times overall

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

1982 Indianapolis 500 Greatest Photo Finished Before 1992

[@arthurvillegas5586]

Al Unser is the best !

[@jolisan3920]

Alright who came up with the title?😂

[@adude8046]

Bah! this is easily #1. It basically was the start of the aerodynamic/close finish/TV era that blew this series up.

[@arthurvillegas5586]

AJ Foyt

[@arthurvillegas5586]

TW NO !

[@413TomaccoRoad]

Dixon is the Tiger Woods of Indy Car. A.J. is Jack.

[@pumpkinking5174]

Why would you denigrate Dixon like that?
Dixon is a very likable guy, Tiger Woods is a monumental POS.

[@kmjaeger1970]

Dixon would need to win way more than one Indy 500 for that to be even remotely comparable.

[@413TomaccoRoad]

@@kmjaeger1970 I didn't say Indy 500