page_title: 1988 Indianapolis 500
section_title: Race summary
hierarchical_section_title: 1988 Indianapolis 500 / Race summary
caption_attribution_description: English: The front row for the 1988 Indianapolis 500 during the pace lap. From left to right: Al Unser Sr (outside), Danny Sullivan (middle), Rick Mears (pole)
context_page_description: The 72nd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday May 29, 1988. Team Penske dominated the month, sweeping the top three starting positions with Rick Mears winning the pole position, Danny Sullivan at the center of the front row, and Al Unser, Sr. on the outside. Mears set a new track record, becoming the first driver to break the 220 mph barrier in time trials. On race day, the Penske teammates proceeded to lead 192 of the 200 laps, with Rick Mears taking the checkered flag, his third-career Indy 500 victory. The race represented the milestone 50th victory in Championship car racing for owner Roger Penske and Penske Racing.
  The victory was the first of six consecutive Indy 500 wins by the Chevy Indy V-8 engine, and seven consecutive overall by Ilmor-constructed powerplants. The victory also marked a triumphant return of success for the Penske chassis, after dismal results in 1987, and sparse use in the previous four seasons.
  The race was the third round of the 1988 CART PPG Indy Car World Series, and was sanctioned by USAC.
caption: The front row during the pace lap. From left to right: Al Unser, Sr. (outside), Danny Sullivan (middle), Rick Mears (pole position)
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