IndyCar honors legendary 4x Indy 500 winner Rick Mears with birthday tribute

IndyCar's X (formerly Twitter) account sent out a special birthday message to motorsports legend Rick Mears, who turned 73 on Tuesday.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Bakersfield, California, Mears rose to prominence in the racing world at a young age.

Mears made his USAC Champ Car debut at 25, impressing with his performances and quickly gaining attention. By his third season, he had caught the eye of racing mogul Roger Penske and was offered a part-time position with the team in 1978.

Initially a substitute for Mario Andretti in the races he was unavailable for, Rick Mears claimed his first victory and the "Rookie of the Year" award in his debut season. His success led to a full-time position in 1979 after teammate and series champion Tom Sneva's departure.

From there, Mears' career flourished. He won three National Championships in subsequent seasons and secured four Indy 500 victories, cementing his status as one of the greatest Indianapolis drivers in history.

As Mears celebrated his 73rd birthday, well-wishes poured in from all around. IndyCar's official X account commemorated the occasion with a heartfelt message on X:

"There’s only one Rocket 🚀

"Happy birthday to the four-time #Indy500 winner, Rick Mears!"

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Rick Mears on missing out on a fifth Indianapolis 500 victory

With victories in 1979, 1984, 1988, and 1991, Rick Mears solidified his place among the all-time greats of the Indianapolis 500. However, his legacy extends beyond these wins.

In 1982, Mears narrowly missed a fifth victory in one of the most thrilling finishes in the event's history. Gordon Johncock beat Mears to the finish line by the thinnest of margins (0.16 seconds).

Reflecting on the near-miss, Mears expressed no regrets, noting how his early success in 1979 shaped his perspective on the significance of the Indy 500 (via Indianapolis Monthly):

"People constantly say, 'Wow, 0.16 of a second. You would have been the only five-time winner!' But I never beat myself up over it. We did everything we could do.

"So you win it, and you go a few more years and don’t win it. By then, you’re older and wiser, and you realize not a lot of people even get the opportunity to be there. I’m fortunate just to have done that, so I don’t worry too much about 1982."

Rick Mears' four wins at the Indianapolis 500 place him in elite company. Alongside A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., and Helio Castroneves, Mears is one of only four drivers to achieve this remarkable milestone.