Anatomy of a Rivalry
A deep dive into the 1987 CART PPG Indy Car World Series, a season defined by legendary drivers, technological shifts, and a championship fight to the finish.
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Season Overview
A Champion Defends His Crown
The 1987 CART PPG Indy Car World Series was the ninth season of competition sanctioned by CART. The year culminated in a fierce championship battle that saw Bobby Rahal secure his second consecutive national title. The season, comprising 16 races and one non-points exhibition event, was a showcase of intense competition, with Michael Andretti finishing as the runner-up for the second year in a row. Italian driver Fabrizio Barbazza was distinguished as the Rookie of the Year.
The Upset at the Brickyard
The season's keystone event, the 1987 Indianapolis 500, was sanctioned by USAC but critically counted towards the CART championship points. The race produced one of the most stunning upsets in motorsport history. After Mario Andretti dominated the month only to suffer a late-race engine failure, Al Unser, who had started the month without a ride, drove to a remarkable victory. This win marked Unser's record-tying fourth triumph at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Triumph and Tragedy
The season was also marked by dramatic turns of fortune. Roberto Guerrero, after a spectacular win from last place at Phoenix, was a strong championship contender. His momentum was tragically halted in September following a severe testing crash at Indianapolis. The accident left him in a coma for seventeen days and sidelined him for the remainder of the season, a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the sport.
The Great Rivalry
Bobby Rahal: The Consistent Champion
Defending champion Bobby Rahal and his Truesports team made a significant technical shift, moving from the March chassis to the ascendant Lola T8700, while retaining the proven Cosworth DFX engine. This strategic choice paid dividends. Rahal's season was a testament to consistency and seizing opportunities. He took the points lead with crucial back-to-back victories at Portland and the Meadowlands. His charge to a second-place finish at Nazareth and a decisive win at Laguna Seca ultimately allowed him to mathematically clinch his second straight title before the final race.
Michael Andretti: The Relentless Challenger
For the second consecutive year, Michael Andretti was Rahal's primary adversary. Driving for Kraco Racing, Andretti showcased formidable speed, winning the prestigious Michigan 500 and dominating the inaugural race at his home track in Nazareth. He consistently pressured Rahal, closing the points gap throughout the season. However, a blown engine at Mid-Ohio cost him a key opportunity, and a devastating alternator failure at Laguna Seca ended his championship hopes, cementing his status as the season's runner-up.
Mario Andretti: Dominance & Disappointment
The 1987 season was a microcosm of Mario Andretti's legendary career: unparalleled speed plagued by heartbreaking misfortune. Piloting the Ilmor-Chevrolet powered Newman/Haas entry, he was often in a class of his own, dominating races like the Indianapolis 500 (leading 170 laps) and the Michigan 500, only for engine failures to deny him victory. He secured wins at Long Beach and Road America, but crashes and injuries, including a separated shoulder at Pocono, prevented a sustained championship challenge, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
Technological Battleground
The Ilmor-Chevrolet Revolution
A major storyline of 1987 was the expanded presence and success of the Ilmor-Chevrolet 265-A Indy V-8 engine. After its debut, it quickly became the powerplant of choice for top-tier teams, including Penske Racing and Newman/Haas. Mario Andretti gave the engine its first-ever Indy car victory in the season opener at Long Beach. This marked a significant challenge to the long-standing dominance of the Cosworth DFX, signaling a new era in the engine wars that defined high-level open-wheel racing.
New Power & Chassis Drama
The season saw the full-time entry of the Judd AV V-8, initially badged as the Brabham-Honda, which showed promise with Geoff Brabham securing two second-place finishes. In a highly anticipated move, Porsche also made its official Indy car debut late in the season. On the chassis front, Team Penske's ambitious in-house program struggled. The Penske PC-16 proved uncompetitive, forcing the team to abandon the cars during practice for the Indy 500 in favor of the previous year's March 86C chassis.
Championship-Winning Combination
The season's champions, Bobby Rahal and Truesports, demonstrated the power of a well-balanced package. Their decision to pair the new, highly effective Lola T8700 chassis with the reliable and powerful Cosworth DFX engine proved to be the winning formula. This combination provided the consistency and performance needed to outlast the raw speed of the Chevrolet-powered cars, ultimately securing the PPG Indy Car World Series title.
Season Schedule & Results
The 1987 Campaign
The 1987 season spanned 15 points-paying races across a diverse set of tracks, from tight street circuits to high-speed ovals. A notable addition was the newly paved Pennsylvania International Raceway in Nazareth. The season concluded with the non-championship Marlboro Challenge all-star event. Explore the full schedule and race-by-race summaries below.
Teams & Drivers
The Field of Contenders
The 1987 season featured a deep field of talented drivers and iconic teams, all competing on Goodyear tires. From established powerhouses like Penske and Newman/Haas to rising challengers, the grid was packed with legends and future stars. Explore the full list of teams and drivers who competed during the season.
Final Championship Standings
The Final Tally
The 1987 championship was decided by consistent high-point finishes. The points system awarded drivers for their performance in each of the 15 championship races. Below is a detailed breakdown of the final top-10 driver standings, illustrating the season-long battle for supremacy.
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References
References
- Andrettis Glad This Race Day Is History Pocono Quaker State 500
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