'Spin and Win' Danny Sullivan Wins 1985 Indianapolis 500

Danny Sullivan led the last 61 laps of the 1985 Indianapolis 500 en route to his only victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” But Sullivan will be forever remembered for one lap, one moment, in which he took the lead for just a brief second before losing it. Sullivan stalked leader Mario Andretti just past the halfway point of the race, trying to find the speed and the proper line to seize the top spot for the second time that day. Sullivan’s No. 5 Miller American March/Cosworth pulled to the inside and even with Andretti’s No. 3 Beatrice Foods Lola/Cosworth as the two cars crossed the Yard of Bricks to start Lap 120. The huge crowd roared in anticipation as two of the biggest stars of the day roared into Turn 1, with Sullivan dipping under the white line on the apron while Andretti hugged the racing groove. Sullivan cleared Andretti’s car and popped above the white line and into the racing groove exiting Turn 1. Then one of the most memorable moments in Indianapolis