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1992 Indy 500 was closest finish ever

1992 Indy 500 was closest finish ever
1992 Indy 500 was closest finish ever
Posted at 5:51 PM, May 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-04 17:51:20-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- In February of 1992, an Indianapolis jury found Boxer Mike Tyson guilty after a two-week trial and a months-long ordeal that drew world-wide media attention. 

Days earlier, a fatal fire at downtown Indianapolis's Athletic Club claimed the lives of two firefighters. Also tragic that year, Jovy Marcelo, an IndyCar rookie, was fatally injured in a practice session for the Indianapolis 500.

A different spotlight shined on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for race day of the 76th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

The field in 1992 may have been the greatest ever assembled with 10 former winners and a combined 20 wins among them. The race marked the final Indy 500 for A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Tom Sneva and Gordon Johncock.

With temperatures hovering near 50 degrees and steady winds, weather led to a crash-filled day, the most ominous of which was on the pace lap, when pole-sitter Roberto Guerrero spun and hit the wall on the back-stretch. Thirteen cars were ultimately eliminated during crashes.

Michael Andretti dominated the race by leading 160 laps as he looked for his first win, but with 11 to go, his fuel pump failed and his day was done.

The final 7 laps were a battle between Scott Goodyear, who started 33rd and worked his way up to second, and Al Unser, Jr.

Their final dash to the checkered flag left them separated by just .043, that's 43 thousandths of a second. 

It was Little Al's first win and still the closest finish in the history of the Indianapolis 500.

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