1983 CART Series Results

[Blaise Zebrataur]

The field has finished qualifying for the 1st race of the season the Kraco Dixie 200 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Rick Mears won the pole, with a time of 32.962 seconds, beating Al Unser by 0.414 seconds.

Other Noticeables:
Rick Mears won his 1st pole of the year,
Mears won his 10th career pole in the CART Series and his first since 1982 at Riverside; 4 races ago,
Mears, who won this race one year ago, will be starting 1st,
Gordon Johncock, the 1982 CART Series Champion, will be starting 6th

1.1-Rick Mears
2.7-Al Unser
3.5-Tom Sneva
4.56-Steve Chassey
5.41-Doug Heveron
6.20-Gordon Johncock
7.3-Mario Andretti
8.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
9.66-Pete Halsmer
10.30-Howdy Holmes
11.12-John Paul Jr.
12.17-Al Unser Jr.
13.34-Derek Daly
14.33-Teo Fabi
15.18-Mike Mosley
16.6-Kevin Cogan
17.21-Pancho Carter
18.40-Johnny Rutherford
19.2-Bobby Rahal
20.23-Jim McElreath
21.38-Chet Fillip
22.9-Roger Mears

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Race #1 - Kraco Dixie 200

The CART Series made their 1st stop of 1983 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, in Hampton, Georgia, for the Kraco Dixie 200.

Rick Mears led the field to the Green Flag but it was Al Unser who would lead the first three laps around the mile and a half track as the CART Series entered it's fifth ever season with defending CART Series Champion Gordon Johncock looking to become the first driver to win back-to-back championships, and would lead early on in the race, but it was Al Unser's son, Al Unser Jr., who would be the class of the field, leading 97 of the event's 132 laps, only to lose the lead late thanks to a late race caution that set up a five lap shootout. Johncock would assume the lead with two laps to go and was leading entering the final lap, but was passed in Turn 1 by Al Unser Sr., who would hold off the hard challenge of Johncock to score his first win of 1983.

Other Noticeables:
Al Unser scored his 1st win of the year,
Unser led 6 times for 26 laps, including the final lap,
It was the 5th win of his career in the CART Series and his first since 1981 at Michigan; 15 races ago,
Doug Heveron(7th) and Teo Fabi(17th) made their CART Series debuts,
Al Unser, who finished 1st, has a 4 point lead over Gordon Johncock

1.7-Al Unser (26 laps led)
2.20-Gordon Johncock (5 laps led)
3.66-Pete Halsmer (2 laps led)
4.17-Al Unser Jr. (97 laps led)
5.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr. (2 laps led)
6.23-Jim McElreath-1 lap
7.41-Doug Heveron-1 lap
8.6-Kevin Cogan-1 lap
9.2-Bobby Rahal-1 lap
10.56-Steve Chassey-1 lap
11.9-Roger Mears-1 lap
12.38-Chet Fillip-1 lap
13.1-Rick Mears-1 lap
14.3-Mario Andretti-2 laps
15.5-Tom Sneva-2 laps
16.21-Pancho Carter-2 laps
17.33-Teo Fabi-3 laps
18.34-Derek Daly-7 laps
19.30-Howdy Holmes-11 laps (Accident)
20.40-Johnny Rutherford-34 laps (Camshaft)
21.12-John Paul Jr.-61 laps (Gearbox)
22.18-Mike Mosley-125 laps (Camshaft)

Rick Mears-Pole
Al Unser-1-3
Gordon Johncock-4
Al Unser-5
Gordon Johncock-6
Al Unser-7
Gordon Johncock-8-9
Al Unser-10-22
Al Unser Jr.-23-61
Pete Halsmer-62-63
Tony Bettenhausen Jr.-64-66
Al Unser Jr.-67-122
Al Unser-123-129
Al Unser Jr.-130
Gordon Johncock-131
Al Unser-132

14 Lead Changes among 5 drivers

Caution Flags: 3 for 12 laps
Lap 111 (Car #3 Stalled Turn 4),
Lap 118 (Cars #38 and 41 Spin Turn 1),
Lap 124 (Cars #30 and 56 Accident Turn 3)

Margin of Victory: 0.261 Seconds

Time of Race: 1 Hour, 32 Minutes and 44 Seconds

Rick Mears leads the field to the Green Flag.



Al Unser passes Rick Mears for the lead in Turn 3 and would go on to lead the first lap.



Gordon Johncock passes Al Unser for the lead on Lap 4.



Al Unser passes Gordon Johncock to retake the lead on Lap 5.



Gordon Johncock passes Al Unser to retake the lead on Lap 6.



Al Unser passes Gordon Johncock to retake the lead on Lap 7.



While running in 15th, Mike Mosley's Camshaft breaks.



Gordon Johncock passes Al Unser to retake the lead on Lap 8.



Al Unser passes Gordon Johncock to retake the lead on Lap 10.



Al Unser Jr. passes Al Unser for the lead on Lap 23.



While running in 20th, John Paul Jr.'s Gearbox breaks.



While running in 17th, Johnny Rutherford's Camshaft breaks.



The first caution comes out on Lap 111 when Mario Andretti stalls in Turn 4.



The second caution comes out on Lap 118 when Chet Fillip and Doug Heveron spin out in Turn 1.



Al Unser passes Al Unser Jr. to take the lead on Lap 123.



The third and final caution comes out on Lap 124 when Howdy Holmes and Steve Chassey wreck in Turn 3.



Al Unser Jr. passes Al Unser to retake the lead on Lap 130.



Gordon Johncock passes Al Unser Jr. for the lead on Lap 131.



Al Unser passes Gordon Johncock for the 14th and final lead change on Lap 132.



Al Unser takes the Checkered Flag.

[Blaise Zebrataur]

The field has finished qualifying for the 2nd race of the season the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Rick Mears won the pole, with a time of 56.777 seconds, beating Al Unser by 0.124 seconds.

Other Noticeables:
Rick Mears won his 2nd pole of the year and second in a row,
Mears won his 11th career pole in the CART Series and his first since Atlanta; 1 race ago,
Johnny Rutherford, who won this race in 1980, is not entered in this race,
Al Unser, who will start 2nd, has a 4 point lead over Gordon Johncock

1.2-Rick Mears
2.7-Al Unser
3.16-Kevin Cogan
4.30-Howdy Holmes
5.21-Pancho Carter
6.25-Danny Ongais
7.22-Dick Simon
8.20-Gordon Johncock
9.37-Scott Brayton
10.12-Geoff Brabham
11.19-Al Unser Jr.
12.72-Chris Kneifel
13.56-Steve Chassey
14.5-Tom Sneva
15.66-Johnny Parsons
16.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
17.60-Chip Ganassi
18.29-Michael Chandler
19.18-Mike Mosley
20.4-Bobby Rahal
21.90-Dennis Firestone
22.33-Teo Fabi
23.55-Josele Garza
24.43-Steve Krisiloff
25.94-Bill Whittington
26.9-Roger Mears
27.35-Patrick Bedard
28.91-Don Whittington
29.1-George Snider
30.34-Derek Daly
31.3-Mario Andretti
32.14-A.J. Foyt
33.38-Chet Fillip

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Race #2 - Indianapolis 500

The CART Series made their 2nd stop of 1983 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Speedway, Indiana, for the Indianapolis 500.

Rick Mears led the field to the Green Flag to begin the 67th annual running of the Indianapolis 500 and would lead the first four laps around the two and a half mile track before losing the lead briefly to Al Unser before the first caution came out on Lap 6 for a three car wreck on the Backstretch. A tight and dangerous pit road would be a factor during the race as 11 of the field's 33 cars would be knocked out due to pit road incidents. Unser would lead for a short while before Geoff Brabham would take over. In just his 3rd career attempt at the event, Brabham would have his best showing to date, dominating the race by leading 130 of the event's 200 laps but due to a long green flag run, pit strategy would determine who would win with Unser making his stop first and got a better entrance and exit, passing Brabham for the 9th and final lead change on Lap 180. When Brabham made his own stop he fell behind by fifteen seconds before cutting it down to seven over the remaining laps but Al Unser went on to win his second race in a row in 1983.

Other Noticeables:
Al Unser scored his 2nd win of the year and second in a row,
Unser led 4 times for 65 laps, including the final 21 laps,
It was the 6th win of his career in the CART Series and his first since Atlanta; 1 race ago,
Al Unser, who finished 1st, kept his points lead, leading Geoff Brabham by 23 points

1.7-Al Unser (65 laps led)
2.12-Geoff Brabham (130 laps led)
3.60-Chip Ganassi
4.56-Steve Chassey-1 lap
5.2-Rick Mears-1 lap (4 laps led)
6.16-Kevin Cogan-1 lap (1 lap led)
7.21-Pancho Carter-1 lap
8.72-Chris Kneifel-2 laps
9.29-Michael Chandler-2 laps
10.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.-3 laps
11.18-Mike Mosley-3 laps
12.4-Bobby Rahal-3 laps
13.34-Derek Daly-5 laps
14.14-A.J. Foyt-5 laps
15.35-Patrick Bedard-6 laps
16.3-Mario Andretti-7 laps
17.43-Steve Krisiloff-8 laps
18.25-Danny Ongais-9 laps
19.37-Scott Brayton-23 laps (Accident)
20.20-Gordon Johncock-52 laps (Ignition)
21.94-Bill Whittington-53 laps (Accident)
22.38-Chet Fillip-83 laps (Accident)
23.19-Al Unser Jr.-118 laps (Accident)
24.30-Howdy Holmes-119 laps (Accident)
25.66-Johnny Parsons-120 laps (Engine)
26.90-Dennis Firestone-157 laps (Accident)
27.22-Dick Simon-158 laps (Accident)
28.33-Teo Fabi-164 laps (Header)
29.5-Tom Sneva-192 laps (Accident)
30.9-Roger Mears-193 laps (Accident)
31.91-Don Whittington-193 laps (Accident)
32.55-Josele Garza-195 laps (Accident)
33.1-George Snider-195 laps (Accident)

Rick Mears-1-2
Al Unser-3
Rick Mears-4-5
Al Unser-6-23
Geoff Brabham-24-83
Kevin Cogan-84
Geoff Brabham-85-152
Al Unser-153-177
Geoff Brabham-178-179
Al Unser-180-200

9 Lead Changes among 4 drivers

Caution Flags: 2 for 8 laps
Lap 6 (Cars #55, 38 and 1 Accident Backstretch),
Lap 43 (Car #29 Spin Frontstretch)

Margin of Victory: 7.940 Seconds

Time of Race: 3 Hours, 32 Minutes and 3 Seconds

Rick Mears leads the field to the Green Flag.



Al Unser passes Rick Mears for the lead on Lap 3.



Rick Mears passes Al Unser for the lead on Lap 4.



Al Unser passes Rick Mears for the lead on Lap 6.



The first caution comes out on Lap 6 when a three car wreck breaks out on the Backstretch.



During pit stops, a pileup breaks out on pit road, knocking three drivers out of the race.



Geoff Brabham passes Al Unser for the lead on Lap 24.



While running in 24th, Teo Fabi's Header breaks.



The second and final caution comes out on Lap 43 when Michael Chandler spins out on the Frontstretch after contact from Bobby Rahal.



While running in 21st, Johnny Parsons's Engine blows up.



While running in 9th, Gordon Johncock's Ignition breaks.



Al Unser passes Geoff Brabham for the 9th and final lead change on Lap 180.



Al Unser takes the Checkered Flag.

[Blaise Zebrataur]

The field has finished qualifying for the 3rd race of the season the Dana Rex Mays Classic at the Milwaukee Mile.

Rick Mears won the pole, with a time of 35.834 seconds, beating Bobby Rahal by 0.021 seconds.

Other Noticeables:
Rick Mears won his 3rd pole of the year and third in a row,
Mears won his 12th career pole in the CART Series and his first since Indianapolis; 1 race ago,
A.J. Foyt, who won this race one year ago, is not entered in this race,
Al Unser, who will start 7th, has a 23 point lead over Geoff Brabham

1.1-Rick Mears
2.2-Bobby Rahal
3.70-Tom Bigelow
4.33-Teo Fabi
5.18-Mike Mosley
6.5-Tom Sneva
7.7-Al Unser
8.17-Al Unser Jr.
9.9-Roger Mears
10.3-Mario Andretti
11.22-Dick Simon
12.66-Pete Halsmer
13.28-Gary Bettenhausen
14.20-Gordon Johncock
15.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
16.21-Pancho Carter
17.60-Danny Ongais
18.61-Jerry Karl
19.30-Howdy Holmes
20.11-Bill Alsup
21.46-Phil Krueger
22.56-Steve Chassey
23.6-Kevin Cogan

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Race #3 - Dana Rex Mays Classic

The CART Series made their 3rd stop of 1983 at the Milwaukee Mile, in West Allis, Wisconsin, for the Dana Rex Mays Classic.

Rick Mears led the field to the Green Flag for the third race in a row in 1983 and would quickly build up a lead around the one mile track as a short distance would give drivers only once chance as making adjustments to their cars, and by the time the lone caution came out on Lap 63, Mears had lapped up to 15 place. After pit stops, Mears remained the race leader, while Al Unser had moved up to third. After working his way through lap traffic and passing Pete Halsmer, Unser would catch and pass Mears for the lead with fifty laps to go and would easily go on to score his third straight win of 1983.

Other Noticeables:
Al Unser scored his 3rd win of the year and third in a row,
Unser led 1 time for 50 laps, which were the final 50 laps,
It was the 7th win of his career in the CART Series and his first since Indianapolis; 1 race ago,
Al Unser, who finished 1st, kept his points lead, leading Rick Mears by 31 points

1.7-Al Unser (50 laps led)
2.1-Rick Mears (100 laps led)
3.66-Pete Halsmer
4.18-Mike Mosley
5.5-Tom Sneva
6.2-Bobby Rahal
7.17-Al Unser Jr.
8.33-Teo Fabi
9.9-Roger Mears
10.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.-1 lap
11.70-Tom Bigelow-1 lap
12.28-Gary Bettenhausen-1 lap
13.22-Dick Simon-1 lap
14.60-Danny Ongais-1 lap
15.30-Howdy Holmes-2 laps
16.3-Mario Andretti-2 laps
17.11-Bill Alsup-2 laps
18.6-Kevin Cogan-2 laps
19.46-Phil Krueger-2 laps
20.61-Jerry Karl-2 laps
21.21-Pancho Carter-3 laps
22.20-Gordon Johncock-3 laps
23.56-Steve Chassey-89 laps (Engine)

Rick Mears-1-100
Al Unser-101-150

1 Lead Change among 2 drivers

Caution Flags: 1 for 4 laps
Lap 63 (Car #56 Stalled Backstretch)

Margin of Victory: 5.046 Seconds

Time of Race: 1 Hour, 40 Minutes and 36 Seconds

Rick Mears leads the field to the Green Flag.



The lone caution comes out on Lap 63 when Steve Chassey, who was running in 22nd, stalls on Backstretch due to a blown Engine.



Al Unser passes Rick Mears for the lone lead change on Lap 101.



Al Unser takes the Checkered Flag.

[Blaise Zebrataur]

The field has finished qualifying for the 4th race of the season the Budweiser Cleveland 500 at the Burke Lakefront Airport.

Al Unser won the pole, with a time of 91.602 seconds, beating Pete Halsmer by 0.083 seconds.

Other Noticeables:
Al Unser won his 1st pole of the year,
Unser won his 7th career pole in the CART Series and his first since 1981 at Mexico City; 16 races ago,
Geoff Brabham, who won this race one year ago, is not entered in this race,
Al Unser, who will start 1st, has a 31 point lead over Rick Mears

1.7-Al Unser
2.66-Pete Halsmer
3.9-Roger Mears
4.1-Rick Mears
5.21-Pancho Carter
6.18-Mike Mosley
7.37-Scott Brayton
8.17-Al Unser Jr.
9.5-Tom Sneva
10.34-Desire Wilson
11.30-Howdy Holmes
12.56-Steve Chassey
13.46-Phil Krueger
14.94-Bill Whittington
15.42-Herm Johnson
16.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
17.12-John Paul Jr.
18.60-Chip Ganassi
19.20-Gordon Johncock
20.11-Bill Alsup
21.2-Bobby Rahal
22.40-Danny Ongais
23.33-Teo Fabi
24.3-Mario Andretti
25.72-Chris Kneifel
26.55-Josele Garza
27.6-Kevin Cogan
28.15-Bill Tempero

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Race #4 - Budweiser Cleveland 500

The CART Series made their 4th stop of 1983 at the Burke Lakefront Airport, in Cleveland, Ohio, for the Budweiser Cleveland 500.

Al Unser led the field to the Green Flag as for the second year in a row the CART Series returned to the 2.480 mile road course that was held on the Cleveland airport as the fans in attendance would be given a good showing by the drivers, but also saw almost half of the race ran behind the pace car, with twenty cautions flying during the event, allowing for multiple drivers to find themselves in the lead, with no driver truly dominating the race until the last half when Rick Mears found himself in the lead and would drive away over the final quarter of the race, scoring his first win in 1983.

Other Noticeables:
Rick Mears scored his 1st win of the year,
Mears led 4 times for 54 laps, including the final 33 laps,
It was the 13th win of his career in the CART Series and his first since 1982 at Riverside; 7 races ago,
Desire Wilson, who finished 16th, made his CART Series debut,
Al Unser, who finished 24th, kept his points lead, leading Rick Mears by 11 points

1.1-Rick Mears (54 laps led)
2.46-Phil Krueger (16 laps led)
3.94-Bill Whittington (6 laps led)
4.21-Pancho Carter (10 laps led)
5.30-Howdy Holmes (4 laps led)
6.42-Herm Johnson
7.66-Pete Halsmer (5 laps led)
8.33-Teo Fabi-1 lap
9.2-Bobby Rahal-1 lap (2 laps led)
10.15-Bill Tempero-2 laps
11.55-Josele Garza-4 laps
12.72-Chris Kneifel-9 laps
13.37-Scott Brayton-40 laps (Camshaft)
14.11-Bill Alsup-63 laps (Accident) (1 lap led)
15.3-Mario Andretti-71 laps (Accident)
16.34-Desire Wilson-74 laps (Accident) (1 lap led)
17.9-Roger Mears-75 laps (Accident) (14 laps led)
18.17-Al Unser Jr.-75 laps (Accident) (5 laps led)
19.56-Steve Chassey-75 laps (Accident)
20.40-Danny Ongais-80 laps (Camshaft)
21.18-Mike Mosley-84 laps (Accident) (5 laps led)
22.6-Kevin Cogan-101 laps (Engine)
23.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.-104 laps (Clutch)
24.7-Al Unser-109 laps (Clutch) (2 laps led)
25.5-Tom Sneva-111 laps (Accident)
26.12-John Paul Jr.-116 laps (Accident)
27.60-Chip Ganassi-120 laps (Accident)
28.20-Gordon Johncock-121 laps (Accident)

Al Unser-1-2
Roger Mears-3-16
Al Unser Jr.-17-21
Pancho Carter-22-24
Desire Wilson-25
Howdy Holmes-26-28
Mike Mosley-29-33
Bobby Rahal-34-35
Pancho Carter-36-42
Bill Alsup-43
Rick Mears-44-46
Howdy Holmes-47
Rick Mears-48-59
Pete Halsmer-60-64
Phil Krueger-65-79
Bill Whittington-80-85
Rick Mears-86-91
Phil Krueger-92
Rick Mears-93-125

18 Lead Changes among 13 drivers

Caution Flags: 20 for 42 laps
Lap 2 (Cars #34 and 40 Spin Turn 4),
Lap 6 (Car #34 Spin Turn 4),
Lap 13 (Car #17 Spin Turn 8),
Lap 16 (Car #46 Spin Turn 8),
Lap 20 (Car #55 Spin Turn 6),
Lap 23 (Cars #9 and 66 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 26 (Car #1 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 29 (Cars # 17. 33 and 9 Spin Turn 6),
Lap 33 (Car #34 Spin Turn 8),
Lap 41 (Cars #56 and 18 Spin Turn 6),
Lap 44 (Cars #37 and 17 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 47 (Car #40 Stalled Turn 8),
Lap 50 (Car #37 Spin Turn 4),
Lap 54 (Cars #30 and 37 Spin Turn 6),
Lap 58 (Car #42 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 62 (Cars #21 and 42 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 77 (Car #1 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 83 (Car #55 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 90 (Car #55 Spin Turn 7),
Lap 112 (Debris Turn 1)

Margin of Victory: 9.284 Seconds

Time of Race: 4 Hours, 2 Minutes and 10 Seconds

Al Unser leads the field to the Green Flag.



The first caution comes out on Lap 2 when Desire Wilson and Danny Ongais spin out in Turn 4.



The second caution comes out on Lap 6 when Desire Wilson spins out in Turn 4.



The third caution comes out on Lap 13 when Al Unser Jr. spins out in Turn 6.



The fourth caution comes out on Lap 16 when Phil Krueger spins out in Turn 8.



While running in 16th, Al Unser's Clutch breaks.



The fifth caution comes out on Lap 20 when Josele Garza spins out in Turn 6.



While running in 22nd, Tony Bettenhausen Jr.'s Clutch breaks.



The sixth caution comes out on Lap 23 when Roger Mears and Pete Halsmer wreck in Turn 7.



The seventh caution comes out on Lap 26 when Rick Mears spins in Turn 7.



The eighth caution comes out on Lap 29 when a three car spin breaks out in Turn 6.



The ninth caution comes out on Lap 33 when Desire Wilson spins out in Turn 8.



The tenth caution comes out on Lap 41 when Steve Chassey and Mike Mosley spin out in Turn 6.



The 11th caution comes out on Lap 44 when Scott Brayton and Al Unser Jr. spin out in Turn 7.



The 12th caution comes out on Lap 47 when Danny Ongais, who was running in 18th, stalls in Turn 8 due to a broken Camshaft.



The 13th caution comes out on Lap 50 when Scott Brayton spins out in Turn 4 after contact from Pancho Carter.



The 14th caution comes out on Lap 54 when Howdy Holmes and Scott Brayton spin out in Turn 6.



The 15th caution comes out on Lap 58 when Herm Johnson spins out in Turn 7.



The 16th caution comes out on Lap 62 when Pancho Carter and Herm Johnson spin out in Turn 7.



While running in 21st, Kevin Cogan's Engine blows up.



The 17th caution comes out on Lap 77 when Rick Mears spins out in Turn 7.



The 18th caution comes out on Lap 83 when Josele Garza spins out in Turn 7.



While running in 8th, Scott Brayton's Camshaft breaks.



The 19th caution comes out on Lap 90 when Josele Garza spins out in Turn 7 after contact from Chris Kneifel.



Rick Mears takes the Checkered Flag.

[Blaise Zebrataur]

The field has finished qualifying for the 5th race of the season the Norton Michigan 500 at the Michigan International Speedway.

Rick Mears won the pole, with a time of 43.438 seconds, beating John Paul Jr. by 0.034 seconds.

Other Noticeables:
Rick Mears won his 4th pole of the year,
Mears won his 13th career pole in the CART Series and his first since Milwaukee Mile; 2 races ago,
Gordon Johncock, who won this race one year ago, will be starting 25th,
Al Unser, who will start 6th, has a 11 point lead over Rick Mears

1.1-Rick Mears
2.12-John Paul Jr.
3.18-Mike Mosley
4.17-Al Unser Jr.
5.21-Pancho Carter
6.7-Al Unser
7.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
8.2-Bobby Rahal
9.60-Chip Ganassi
10.72-Chris Kneifel
11.3-Mario Andretti
12.86-Dick Ferguson
13.91-Don Whittington
14.22-Dick Simon
15.56-Steve Chassey
16.55-Josele Garza
17.37-Scott Brayton
18.33-Teo Fabi
19.6-Kevin Cogan
20.11-Bill Alsup
21.40-Danny Ongais
22.5-Tom Sneva
23.78-Tom Bigelow
24.34-Geoff Brabham
25.20-Gordon Johncock
26.42-Herm Johnson
27.19-Michael Chandler
28.66-Pete Halsmer
29.61-Jerry Karl
30.23-Jim McElreath
31.35-Patrick Bedard
32.30-Howdy Holmes
33.8-Johnny Parsons

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Race #5 - Norton Michigan 500

The CART Series made their 5th stop of 1983 at the Michigan International Speedway, in Brooklyn, Michigan, for the Norton Michigan 500.

Rick Mears led the field to the Green Flag but it was John Paul Jr. who would lead the first laps around the two mile track as the fans in attendance would see a good showing by the drivers as Paul would dominate for much of the early half of the race before points leader Al Unser would work his way into the lead as well as Mario Andretti, with all three swapping the lead for much of the race until Paul would be knocked out of the race due to a mechanical problems. With Paul out of the race it allowed for Unser to be the class of the field, leading 132 of the 150 laps and would assume the lead for the final time with 43 laps to go and had built up a five second lead at the time the race's lone caution came out with two laps to go, giving Unser his fourth win of 1983.

Other Noticeables:
Al Unser scored his 4th win of the year,
Unser led 7 times for 132 laps, including the final 43 laps,
It was the 8th win of his career in the CART Series and his first since Milwaukee Mile; 2 races ago,
Al Unser, who finished 1st, kept his points lead, leading Rick Mears by 15 points

1.7-Al Unser (132 laps led)
2.1-Rick Mears (8 laps led)
3.3-Mario Andretti (32 laps led)
4.60-Chip Ganassi-1 lap
5.2-Bobby Rahal-2 laps
6.86-Dick Ferguson-2 laps
7.21-Pancho Carter-2 laps
8.17-Al Unser Jr.-2 laps
9.72-Chris Kneifel-3 laps
10.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.-3 laps (1 lap led)
11.23-Jim McElreath-3 laps
12.18-Mike Mosley-4 laps
13.37-Scott Brayton-4 laps
14.33-Teo Fabi-4 laps
15.56-Steve Chassey-4 laps
16.40-Danny Ongais-4 laps
17.22-Dick Simon-5 laps
18.11-Bill Alsup-5 laps
19.55-Josele Garza-5 laps
20.61-Jerry Karl-6 laps
21.34-Geoff Brabham-6 laps
22.5-Tom Sneva-6 laps
23.6-Kevin Cogan-6 laps
24.30-Howdy Holmes-7 laps
25.42-Herm Johnson-7 laps
26.20-Gordon Johncock-8 laps
27.78-Tom Bigelow-9 laps
28.19-Michael Chandler-9 laps
29.12-John Paul Jr.-46 laps (Camshaft) (77 laps led)
30.35-Patrick Bedard-82 laps (Camshaft)
31.8-Johnny Parsons-190 laps (Clutch)
32.91-Don Whittington-221 laps (Header)
33.66-Pete Halsmer-225 laps (Camshaft)

Rick Mears-Pole
John Paul Jr.-1-38
Al Unser-39-47
John Paul Jr.-48-49
Tony Bettenhausen Jr.-50
Al Unser-51-64
Mario Andretti-65-67
John Paul Jr.-68-96
Mario Andretti-97
Al Unser-98-100
John Paul Jr.-101-108
Al Unser-109-135
Mario Andretti-136-147
Al Unser-148-150
Mario Andretti-151-166
Al Unser-167-199
Rick Mears-200-207
Al Unser-208-250

16 Lead Changes among 5 drivers

Caution Flags: 1 for 2 laps
Lap 248 (Debris Backstretch)

Margin of Victory: Under Caution

Time of Race: 3 Hours, 19 Minutes and 14 Seconds

Rick Mears lead the field to the Green Flag.



John Paul Jr. passes Rick Mears in Turn 4 and would go on to lead the first lap.



While running in 27th, Pete Halsmer's Camshaft breaks.



While running in 26th, Don Whittington's Header breaks.



Al Unser passes John Paul Jr. for the lead on Lap 39.



While running in 22nd, Johnny Parsons's Clutch breaks.



Mario Andretti passes Al Unser for the lead on Lap 65.



John Paul Jr. passes Nario Andretti for the lead on Lap 68.



Al Unser passes John Paul Jr. for the lead on Lap 109.



Mario Andretti passes Al Unser for the lead on Lap 136.



While running in 23rd, Patrick Bedard's Camshaft breaks.



While running in 22nd, John Paul Jr.'s Camshaft breaks.



Al Unser passes Rick Mears for the 16th and final lead change on Lap 208.



Al Unser takes the Checkered Flag.

[Blaise Zebrataur]

The field has finished qualifying for the 6th race of the season the Provimi Veal 200 at Road America.

Pancho Carter won the pole, with a time of 120.989 seconds, beating John Paul Jr. by 0.287 seconds.

Other Noticeables:
Pancho Carter won his 1st pole of the year,
Carter won his 2nd career pole in the CART Series and his first since 1981 at Michigan; 23 races ago,
Bobby Rahal, who won this race one year ago, will be starting 3rd,
Al Unser, who will start 4th, has a 15 point lead over Rick Mears

1.21-Pancho Carter
2.12-John Paul Jr.
3.2-Bobby Rahal
4.7-Al Unser
5.3-Mario Andretti
6.17-Al Unser Jr.
7.56-Steve Chassey
8.40-Danny Ongais
9.9-Roger Mears
10.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
11.55-Josele Garza
12.66-Pete Halsmer
13.33-Teo Fabi
14.30-Howdy Holmes
15.5-Tom Sneva
16.90-Derek Daly
17.86-Drake Olson
18.34-Desire Wilson
19.32-Dick Simon
20.1-Rick Mears
21.64-Greg Leffler
22.20-Chip Ganassi
23.6-Kevin Cogan
24.18-Mike Mosley
25.48-Tom Klausler
26.72-Chris Kneifel

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Race #6 - Provimi Veal 200

The CART Series made their 6th stop of 1983 at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for the Provimi Veal 200.

Pancho Carter led the field to the Green Flag as for the second time in series history, drivers raced at the four mile 14 turn road course, as Carter would lead for the first fifteen laps before losing the lead to John Paul Jr. who would show his talent for the second race in a row and appeared on his way for redemption after dropping out late at Michigan, but a late race caution would set up a short dash to the finish. When the green flag came back out, Paul Jr. tried to block and fend of his challengers, but Mario Andretti would power by with sixteen laps to go and would build up an impressive eight second lead over the remaining laps to score his first win in over two years.

Other Noticeables:
Mario Andretti scored his 1st win of the year,
Andretti led 1 time for 16 laps, which were the final 16 laps,
It was the 3rd win of his career in the CART Series and his first since 1981 at Milwaukee Mile; 26 races ago,
Tom Klausler(12th) and Drake Olson(26th) made their CART Series debuts,
Al Unser, who finished 8th, kept his points lead, leading Rick Mears by 20 points

1.3-Mario Andretti (16 laps led)
2.56-Steve Chassey
3.21-Pancho Carter (15 laps led)
4.12-John Paul Jr. (19 laps led)
5.55-Josele Garza
6.17-Al Unser Jr.
7.9-Roger Mears
8.7-Al Unser
9.5-Tom Sneva
10.2-Bobby Rahal
11.20-Chip Ganassi
12.48-Tom Klausler
13.10-Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
14.40-Danny Ongais
15.33-Teo Fabi
16.90-Derek Daly
17.64-Greg Leffler
18.1-Rick Mears
19.30-Howdy Holmes
20.66-Pete Halsmer
21.32-Dick Simon
22.6-Kevin Cogan
23.34-Desire Wilson-12 laps (Accident)
24.18-Mike Mosley-21 laps (Clutch)
25.72-Chris Kneifel-34 laps (Accident)
26.86-Drake Olson-38 laps (Accident)

Pancho Carter-1-15
John Paul Jr.-16-34
Mario Andretti-35-50

2 Lead Changes among 3 drivers

Caution Flags: 2 for 4 laps
Lap 12 (Cars #86 Accident Turn 10),
Lap 30 (Car #30 Stalled Turn 14)

Margin of Victory: 8.073 Seconds

Time of Race: 2 Hours, 10 Minutes and 34 Seconds

Pancho Carter leads the field to the Green Flag.



The first caution comes out on Lap 12 when Drake Olson wrecks in Turn 10.



John Paul Jr. passes Pancho Carter for the lead on Lap 16.



While running in 14th, Chris Kneifel runs into the back of another car and is knocked out of the race.



The second and final caution comes out on Lap 30 when Mike Mosley, who was running in 21st, stalls in Turn 14 due to a broken Clutch.



Mario Andretti passes John Paul Jr. for the 2nd and final lead change on Lap 35.



While running in 15th, Desire Wilson crashes in Turn 10.



Mario Andretti takes the Checkered Flag.