1993 Michigan 500

The 1993 Michigan 500, the thirteenth running of the event, was held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, on Sunday, August 1, 1993. Branded as the 1993 Marlboro 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Nigel Mansell, his only Michigan 500 win. The event was race number 10 of 16 of the 1993 PPG Indy Car World Series.

Background
During the offseason, four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears announced his retirement from racing. Mears' last victory in Indy car came in the 1991 Michigan 500. Penske driver Paul Tracy was elevated into the ride, taking over full-time after finishing second in the 1992 Michigan 500.

The biggest story going into the season surrounded Newman/Haas Racing. Michael Andretti left the CART series and signed with McLaren to drive in Formula One. Taking Andretti's place would be reigning Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell. Mansell came to the American open wheel series with considerable fanfare and huge media attention. Mansell joined fellow former World Driving champion Mario Andretti as teammates. Mansell won the CART season-opener at Surfers Paradise. At the 1993 Indianapolis 500, Mansell finished third.

On Friday, July 30, the head of Ford's Director of Special Vehicle Operations, Michael Kranefuss announced he would step down from his position and start his own racing team. Kranefuss was instrumental in Ford's return to Indy Car racing in 1992.

On Sunday, August 1, Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman announced he had become a part-owner of the Galles Racing team and intended to attend all Indy car races in 1994.

Practice and Time Trials
For the first time, the Michigan 500 had a reduced schedule of only three days of on-track activity. Practice began on Friday, July 30. Nigel Mansell posted the fastest practice speed at 231.120 mph. Teammate Mario Andretti was second fastest at 230.664 mph.

Mansell was unapproving of the bumpy asphalt surface, saying, "It's very impressive to average 230 mph on any track, but I must confess, it's the bumpiest circuit I've driven anywhere in the world. I'm certainly not happy and don't mind voicing it. They (drivers) asked for the track to be resurfaced a year ago. Nothing was done. When someone gets killed it's too late."

Mansell walked back his comments on Sunday, saying, "The track itself is a fantastic circuit. It stands alone. As an oval, it's totally different to Indianapolis. It's tremendous. I'd just like it to be smoother, that's all."

Danny Sullivan was sick with Giardiasis. Adrián Fernández practiced Sullivan's car and was 12th fastest. With two minutes left in practice, Fernandez scraped the wall and suffered significant damage to the right side, necessitating a backup car.

Qualifying was held on Saturday. Nigel Mansell made his qualifying run early and posted a lap of 233.462 mph. Later in the session, 53 year-old Mario Andretti ran a lap of 234.275 mph to take the pole away from his teammate. At the time, it was the fastest speed ever run in an Indy car. Andretti had also won the pole for the first Indy car race at Michigan in 1968, 25 years earlier.

Danny Sullivan decided he was too ill to drive in the Michigan 500 and returned to his home. Adrian Fernandez qualified Sullivan's backup car 20th fastest, but the car was withdrawn from the race. Team owner Rick Galles said he never intended for the inexperienced Fernandez to race in the Michigan 500.

On Saturday, the International Race of Champions competed at Michigan. Geoff Brabham won the 100 mile race. Davey Allison posthumously won the championship after he lost his life on July 13. Al Unser Jr. and Arie Luyendyk were the only two drivers to compete in IROC and the Michigan 500.

Race
Spectators estimates ranged between 60,000 and near 70,000 for the Michigan 500. That marked a sizable increase since the crowds of 50,000 in the 1991 Michigan 500.

From the start, Mario Andretti took the lead and led the first 27 laps. On lap 28, Nigel Mansell caught his teammate and made the pass for the lead on the outside of Andretti in turns one and two.

Stefan Johansson crashed exiting turn four on lap 37. When the race restarted, Mansell continued his domination. He lapped fifth-place Arie Luyendyk on lap 76, fourth-place Scott Goodyear on lap 90, third-place Andretti on lap 95, and second-place Raul Boesel on lap 101.

Paul Tracy blew an engine and brought out the second caution on lap 119. When Mansell took a more conservative pace, Andretti was able to unlap himself on lap 145. The bumpy surface was taking its toll on Mansell. On his final pit stop, he asked for an aspirin pain reliever.

Marco Greco brought out the third and final caution on lap 206 when he blew an engine. For the lap 212 restart, Andretti was now close to Mansell's rear wing. But Mansell's car was too fast and he pulled away from Andretti. Mansell won the Michigan 500 by 9.434 seconds. He led 222 of the 250 laps. It was his third victory of the year and propelled him into the Indycar points lead.

An exhausted Mansell had to be helped from his car, but was joyous over his first 500-mile race victory. "This stands alone," he said. "I've never been in a race like this with the G-loading and passing. It's tougher than 120 degrees in Brazil and I'm beat. But this is one of the greatest victories of my career."

Ford engines led every lap and swept the top-five finishing positions. It was the first win for Ford in a 500-mile Indycar race since Joe Leonard won the California 500 in 1971.

Broadcasting
The Michigan 500 was broadcast live on television by ABC. Paul Page was the lead announcer and was joined by Bobby Unser and Sam Posey as color commentators.