1985 Pocono 500
motor car race
The 1985 Pocono 500, the 15th running of the event, was held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 18, 1985. Branded as the 1985 Domino's Pizza 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Rick Mears, his first victory since suffering severe leg and feet injuries in a September 1984 crash.
Background
In September 1984, Rick Mears suffered severe injuries to his feet in a crash at Sanair Super Speedway. Doctors in Canada initially wanted to amputate both feet but were convinced to transfer Mears to Indianapolis for reconstructive surgery. Mears returned to racing at the 1985 Indianapolis 500 where he finished 21st. He ran only races at ovals while continuing rehab for his injuries. At the Michigan 500 three weeks before Pocono, Mears won his first pole since returning, but fell out of the race after seven laps with transmission issues.
In the Michigan 500, Mario Andretti crashed and suffered a broken collar bone and hairline fracture of the right hip socket. He was forced to sit out the CART race at Road America on August 4, but made his return at Pocono.
During the CART race at Road America, Al Unser Jr.
“1985 Pocono 500” enters the record as motor car race. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Pocono, motor and race can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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