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This is the 65th Indianapolis 500, run on May 24, 1981.

NOTE: While I use the host segments for the Indy 500: The Classics airing of the highlight film, this is, in fact, a combined version between the SpeedVision version and ESPN's Legends of the Brickyard series.

The 1981 Indianapolis 500 was, quite possibly, the nuttiest and most controversial race in the more than one century history of the event.

Much like in 1980, there was a bumper crop of rookies ready to tackle the speedway, including Geoff Brabham, who's father Jack had begun the rear-engine revolution two decades earlier, and Tony Bettenhausen, Jr., who's namesake father had been killed at Indy that same year (1961). But the brightest (and most controversial) rookie was 19-year old Mexican Josele Garza, who came to Indy in 1981 with a false birth certificate stating he was 22 years of age (the rules still stated you had to be 21 to race at Indy).

Practice and qualifying saw it's share of controversy and crashes. Among those who crashed trying to make this race was Steve Kinser (yes, THAT Steve Kinser), who's cousin Sheldon was to have a memorable race driving one of Bobby Hillin, Sr.'s Longhorn Racing cars.

Of course, rain played it's usual role in the qualifying drama, as rain on the first weekend of qualifying resulted in only nine cars qualifying (one of which was later bumped), and Mario Andretti having to leave to compete in the Belgium Grand Prix, resulting in retired driver and Patrick Racing veteran Wally Dallenbach qualifying the #40 car that he had raced himself for a number of years. While Bobby Unser took the pole position at just over 200 MPH, Tom Sneva was actually the fastest qualifier, but because he, Danny Ongais, and Rick Mears all were classified as late qualifiers, they started 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Sneva was driving the new March chassis that was to dominate in later years. Joining Bobby Unser on the front row were Mike Mosley, in a stock-block Chevy-powered car for Dan Gurney's All-American Racers and Foyt.

After qualifying ended, Jerry Sneva, who had bumped Jerry Karl, was disqualified, with Karl replacing him in the line-up. Tim Richmond, who had also been bumped, was tapped to replace George Snider in A.J. Foyt's team car. The pre-race craziness was was not over yet. On Carb Day, Karl was arrested on pit road for something that stemmed from a 1978 case, and Bob Harkey practiced his car, but Karl would be in the car on race day.

The mood was set for the race, and on the start, no fewer than seven cars passed the S/F line BEFORE flagman Duane Sweeney dropped the green flag to start the race. Bobby Unser dominated the front of the field, while Tom Sneva charged to take third inside 15 laps, though his charge was not mentioned in the film. Johnny Rutherford's run lasted just 25 laps before a bad fuel pump knocked him out of the race. Also, during the caution for Don Whittington's crash (also not shown in the film), both Tom Sneva and Bill Whittington passed the pace car, but were not penalized because they let the pace car repass. On the 56th lap, a bizarre pit sequence began, which knocked four cars out of contention, during which came the fire in Rick Mears' pit, which should have brought out the caution, but didn't. Another contender knocked out of contention during that series of pit stops was Danny Ongais, who suffered a horrific crash on lap 68, in which he broke both his legs and suffered other injuries.

After that, the race calmed down, with Unser trading the lead with Gordon Johncock, Mario Andretti, who'd charged from the last row, and Josele Garza, who led for 13 laps during two series of pit stops. Garza crashed on the 138th lap, and on the ensuing restart, Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. cut a right front tire, sending him into Gordon Smiley, who crashed. That set up the infamous pit stop sequence during which Bobby Unser and Mario Andretti pitted together, with Unser passing 8 cars and Andretti 3, igniting a controversy that exists to this day. After that, the remainder of the race was marred by cautions for minor things. Unser dominated the rest of the way, with Johncock running second and Andretti third. When Johncock's engine blew with 6 laps remaining, Andretti up to second, while Unser crossed the finish line to win his third Indy 500. However, Unser was penalized one position, and Andretti was moved up to the winner's spot, resulting in court battles that weren't resolved until October, when Unser was reinstated, officially making him a 3-time Indianapolis 500 winner, the third driver to do so in four years.

Vern Schuppan finished third, with rookies Kevin Cogan and Geoff Brabham fourth and fifth (1981 was a BIG year at Indy for Australians), followed by Sheldon Kinser, Tony Bettenhausen, Jr., and Steve Krisiloff in positions 6, 7, and 8.