Luyendyk at full speed
The 1990 Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on Sunday 27 May. Dutchman Arie Luyendyk, driving a Doug Shierson Racing Lola-Chevy, took the lead with 32 laps to go, and earned his first Indy 500.
Picture above: Arie Luyendyk waves to the crowd, after his 1990 victory. Bobby Rahal, the runner-up follows. Luyendyk completed the 500 miles at an average speed of 185.981 mph (299.307 km/h), a record that stood for 23 years.
Defending champion Emerson Fittipaldi started on pole position and dominated the first half of the race. He then fell victim of blistering tires, fell a lap down, and finished third.
Bobby Rahal, the 1986 winner, was then in position to win his second Indy 500, but he suffered handling problems, which dropped him to second. A.J. Foyt, making his 33rd (!) consecutive Indy start, finished in sixth place.