“It’s better to retire too soon while you’re still on top than to stay too long and embarrass yourself.” -Jim Brown

When I was a kid back in the 80’s, I wrote him a fan letter. Many months later, I got an autographed picture, a team photo, and a couple of action driving pics too. The Gould Charge!

I worked at the IMS Motel in 1992 and I took laundry to his room that day, after that horrific crash. He was in bed and he started to get up to give me a tip! I told him absolutely not, stay in bed and I'd put them in the cabinet. He was super gracious and friendly, even in obvious pain. Great man and fantastic driver.

It was more than leg injuries: Mears pulverized his feet at Sanair in 1984 and I was surprised he ever walked again. I met him at the 1992 auto show in Toronto in the Chevrolet booth and he was gracious and a kind man. He signed his autograph the same he always did: Thanks! Rick Mears. He was thanking you for taking the time just to meet him.

No ego, level headed, and he won races. How many drivers do we have like that today?

We're proud of Rick Mears in Bakersfield, Ca.

One of my best memories of Rick was Indy 1992, my son wanted an autograph but Rick's wrists were all taped up and he was unable to sign autograph at the time. So he grabs the boy plops him on his lap and says how about a picture instead. My son still has that photo on his wall at home. Rick was always a class act.

Rick is my all-time favorite IndyCar driver. Some of what came out of this interview I had heard before through other shows, but to hear him tell the story brought a new depth of understanding. He didn’t follow a traditional route to Indy, and things happened so quickly. It really is an amazing story. I had the privilege of meeting Rick at Texas Motor Speedway in 2011. At 42 years old, I felt like a kid seeing one of my childhood heroes in person for the first time. He was kind and professional as he posed for a photo and signed my pit pass. Great interview!!

Now here is a smart man. Watched his money throughly, analyzed his train of thought, wanted to retire on his terms with what he felt was right...etc etc. Rick Mears, you did it your way! I was extremely sad you climbed out of the car.....but myself and other's know exactly why now. Your a Legend!

I'm 54. Rick was my hero back in the early to mid 1980's. Now, 40 years later, I think I picked a pretty good guy to look up to. I don't regret or laugh at my choice, like so many of us do.

Perhaps the most "class act" to ever have raced in any type of racing. An articulate spokesperson, tremendous competitor, unbelievable talent. Helio Castroneves gives much credit for his success to Rick Mears in his time as driver's coach for Team Penske.

The "Master of Faster". I loved watching this guy race his entire career. One of the smartest drivers ever, plus incredible natural talent.

Such a class act, one of my childhood racing heroes.

Mark Donahue is a Penske legend. I have heard that Mark's death (when he really had wanted to stop racing) was on Rick Mears' mind, too...stop now...don't do what Mark did...Mark was miserable at the end...and I also heard that Mark did not want to let Roger Penske and the team down, as Rick referred to. So, he kept racing and even came out of retirement. I am glad that Rick is still with us.

Rick Mears is one of my heroes of racing. He is wise to leave on his terms. I respect him for not staying too long.

Riverside CA 1976 Rick Mears came out of his trailer with all of his gear on helmet and all and with all the fans (a dozen of us I think) standing around gave a demonstration and speech of his entire uniform and he stripped down to his fire suit in front of all of us. I will never forget that day. The greatest race car driver to ever grace the sport of racing.

This Man is one of the reasons I fell in love with Indy Car racing. Thanks Rick.

Rick was my favorite driver when I was a kid and I was so hoping he’d be the first to win 5. When he retired I was gutted. But I’m happy that he’s happy.

Rick Mears. One of the most prolific racers of all time. Fearless

Thanks For Uploading ☺😎 Awesome Driver Rick Mears 4 Time Indianapolis 500 Championship 1979 1984 1988 And 1991

What an absolute superb insight into the thought process to retire. I recently stopped after over 30 years of racing and it is frightening how similar my feelings were to those of Mr. Mears. For me Rick Mears will always be one of the all time greats and this interview really solidifies why he was so exceptional. In the words of Mike Hawthorne decades before 'being asked why did you retire is much more pleasant than why don't you retire'.

Epic interview. Rick Mears will always be the man

Watching Rick Mears race at Indy in the early 80s got me into racing and made me want to be a driver. He made it look SO easy, and as we all know, it's not. Years later, when CART still came to Portland for races, my dad got us tickets and walking through the paddock, I got to the Penske pits and who comes out, but Rick Mears. I'm standing there as a 13-year-old kid in front of my idol, and couldn't say a word. Next to me was a memorabilia hog with a literal STACK of stuff he wanted signed. Mears put a hand up and politely told him no, then got on his scooter and rode off. I still have the picture I took on a crappy little disposable camera of him, but to this day, I regret being rendered speechless in his presence. Thanks for the interview, Junior!

This is the best insight to all motorsports. Stock car, Indy, F1, Dirt, motocross. The door is wide open for Dirty Mo. Hell they could bring in a go cart driver and I'm glued in! Racing history and stories never get old.

Rick could effect the stagger in the car (intentionally) by the way he turned in to the corner… he had methods figured out the other guys hadn’t even thought of …not just a brilliant driver but also a great technician

Rick is an icon. He will always be one of my favs. I loved watching him at the Cleveland Grand Prix (the airport circuit)... He would be the slowest to get up to speed during the first practices, but when he did he was an artist... I always admired the seeming patience he had at tip toeing up to the limit, I think it was the key to his greatness... Again, he's an icon Thanks for posting Dale... really dug this!

These interviews are gold. Wow, awesome perspective from one of the best.

Another great discussion. I loved watching Rick Mears.

I love these videos with the veteran drivers we learn so much about the racing world from these guys.👍

He comes off as humble as I had hoped. He was my favorite open wheel driver when I was growing up. What a career… thank you, Rick.

Rick always has been and continues to be a class act. Thank-you for everything!

My late son worshipped Rick Mears -- when we talked about any Indycar race, his question was always, "how did Rick Mears do?"

I still remember Rick as the fresh faced kid in the early eighties.I'm only a few yrs younger & I'm thinking back to my grandmother telling me how fast the yrs go by.Thanks for the memories Rick.

I saw Mr. Meats standing on top of his trailer in the Laguna Seca pits, in the early ‘90s. I shouted hello to him from the ground with my camera in my hand. He graciously waved back with a smile for a great photo. That’s a true gentleman racer.

My friends and I would drive three hours to Indy to watch time trials on pole position weekend. That was when the Snake Pit still existed on the infield, and state troopers walked around in groups of ten or more. We got to watch all the legends qualify and chase the poll. Rick was always super fast. AJ Foyt, Al Unser Jr, The Andretti's, Aurie Luyendyk, Danny Sulivan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Allison and Bobby Unser. We got to see them all. I never got to see a race in person, but pole qualifying day was still worth the trip!

I wasn’t much of an IndyCar or CART follower growing up, but always watched the Indy 500 and rooted for either Mario or Michael Andretti, Rick Mears, and of course, A.J. Foyt. Those drivers WERE the sport to me! So it’s really great to see “Mr. Four Timer” still active in the sport - although from the outside looking in…

I damn near cried when Rick retired as I wanted to see him win that 5th Indy. And even if he wasn't 100% into it as he mentions, I'm sure he would have if he had struck around a few more years.

3:30 The thought of Rick driving a PC23 with the Beast has never crossed my mind until now. And it’s a frightening thought. Rick was always so smooth and so technical, the thought he may have gotten more out of it than Little Al and Emmo did…..wow….

He was my favorite race car driver ., the only person I asked for a autograph in my life n I'm 56.

When I was a kid there were 2 posters with racecars on my wall: Mario's Lotus 79 and Rick's Penske PC6. He is such a legend.

Major respect for the open wheelers.todays stock cars are so safe,I believe these young guns don't fear crashing.put em all in an Indy car and turn em loose.i bet they learn to respect each other real fast.

What a class act Rick is! He is my hero from childhood watching him set “a new track record” @Indy and meeting him (on my dads shoulders) @ Laguna Seca later that year🏁

Excellent interview with one of the best drivers ever. Good to see he looks good 🏁✌️

Dale, you conduct fantastic interviews. Handled perfectly. Just like your interview with little Al. Great respect here.

Thank you for documenting these amazing drivers.

I never met Rick but he's the one I looked up to and tried to emulate. Watching him he always made it look so dam easy.

Just listened to the podcast and it was great, Rick is an absolute racing legend.

I ♡ Rick Mears!! I was lucky enough and extremely happy to be there at the Indy 500 to see his last 2 wins. I thought sure he was going to be the first 5-time winner! ♡🏁

Mears, my favorite driver of all time. Loved that 1991 Indy win in the PC-20!

So many things about Dale Jr. that make him so likeable and relatable. But these podcasts are just gold because he approaches them as a fan , 1st and foremost, who wants to better understand the mindset of the drivers he looked (looks?) up to. He's having the conversation most of us would LOVE the opportunity to have. So good.

I always wondered the same thing about just racing the Indy 500 and nothing more.

"Losing the desire". That was always my biggest concern growing up and choosing a profession. It's not always possible to just walk away once you decide. I give Rick a ton of credit and really miss that era when he raced.

Terrific interview! The indycar driver interviews this season are really great!

Smart man. Love Rick Mears and will always remember him. Awesome person and a great part of automobile racing ! May he always stay a part of the sport !

What an incredibly honest conversation. I feel like a better man for having watched this.

Rocket Rick was my child hood hero….great interview

"I don't need this ----" ... I've been there.

A class act for sure Always a professional Always a gentleman Always a racer

Great interview Dale ! I remember having a beer with Rick 40 years ago in Indy. A super soft spoken class guy.

Always been a Rick Mears fan. My son and I met him 2 years ago at Indy time trials. He was in the Indy museum in the new display honoring him. It was just the 3 of us. He took a few minutes and talked with us and let us take pictures with him. Gave us a each a side hug. Damn but that was cool seeing him at the museum display for him!

One of my all-time favorites. What a well-spoken and thoughtful guy and a great driver.

Amazing driver and man, then and now

Rick raced my fathers car and my step fathers car back in the Ascot Park dune buggy days. He had talent at a very young age and a father that backed his children's talent. Mears Gang !

Rick is the greatest Indy 500 racer

I was a diehard fan of Rick Mears back then so for me it was the saddest non-fatality day in my life as an IndyCar fan when I saw the announcement on Sportscenter that day in 1992 that Rick had announced his retirement. I felt like for sure he would keep going until at least the 95 or 96 season & I felt like that he was going to win that 5th 500 in one of those races. The race he's speaks of where he got out the car with it still running was the 1992 Michigan Marlboro 500 which was also his final CART start, he just pulled down pit road and got out & I think they said at the time that the car had handling issue's plus Rick was still nursing his damaged wrist as well. He had qualified that chassis pretty well that weekend towards the front with that bum wrist, a healthy Mears may have sat on the pole and won that race just like he did the year before when he won both the 500's. Paul Tracy & Al Unser Sr filled in for him for the remainder of the season. Had he not retired, he probably coulda won in 93 or 94, I remember when they mentioned something during one of the interviews that month about his thoughts on the BEAST & the minor quick thought of jumpin in one the cars and running that years 500, I really wish he had BUT respect his decision to retire when he did hell if I had been a pro racer I would probably have retired before my time as well IF I had a resume like his...

Yeah Rick's feet were pulverized and if I remember it correctly the last time I saw him on pit road at the speedway he still walked with a limp..I was at the speedway that day he hit the turn two wall and got upside down...it was one of the nastiest hits I had ever seen at the speedway and I have seen alot of bad licks at the speedway... Rick is a great guy and a great champion 🏆🏆

I met him at the 2023 Indianapolis Induction gala a few days ago and had a 5 minute uninterrupted chat about the days the USAC guys came over to the UK in 1978 when I marshaled at Brands Hatch. A most pleasant and gracious man.

Rick became my favorite driver when he and Roger were off road racing. I couldn't believe it when he was given a ride in Indy cars...and he didn't disappoint. He was an amazing talent in addition to being a great guy from all accounts. Good to see him here!

RDP: OK, second, but at least I am going to mention what an awesome clip from the entire interview . . .had forgotten about that Indy 500 crash . . . love and admire these two racers . . . can't wait to see interview (NBC) of all four 4X Indy 500 Champs (Rick being one of them) this weekend before Indy GP.

My Dad was racing Baja (Where The Mears Gang began) during Rick's heyday. We lived a few miles from Bakersfield and had mutual friends, so he was always my favorite as a kid. I remember him and his brother Roger showing up to the OffRoad World Championships and racing any class that someone would give them a car for and winning a bunch.

The Mears Gang is a special group I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Rick & Roger’s Dad so I understand why those guys are as smart as they are!

I think it was in the early 80s and I was at Pismo Beach on a legal off road driving area along the California coast. The first evening There I saw Rick Mears, being one of my hero’s come into the area with his motorhome parking near us to enjoy some sand sports. It was early the next morning I was warming up my sand rail which resembled a 1923 Tall T. He was curious enough to stop by my camp in his sand machine to chat with me and compliment me on my vehicle. That was a pretty special moment that I think about when I hear his name. I believe it was the year he had won the Indy 500 after doing a 360 in the final lap to win the race.

Love this , thanks for letting us in and giving us insight.

started my indy 500 at pole day 1983 I was 8 years old. Teo fabi got the pole at 208 mph and the place went berserk. but I became a Rick Mears fan and it was such a pleasure to watch and root for this guy to do what he did. he was such a humble class act and just such a nice guy you couldn't have a better sports hero. the entire month of May in 1991 was just a script you couldn't write. seen many a car race over the years but nothing will ever come close.

Darn good interview.

One of my racing heros, Thanks Dale.

I have always had the utmost respect for "Rocket" Rick Mears! A true gentleman out of the car and a fierce competitor behind the wheel. One of the few drivers that I've had the pleasure to meet who had the same attributes was Jimmy Vasser. Having been an avid fan of IndyCar racing and especially "The Indianapolis 500" since 1961 Rick is my #3 all time favorite driver/hero of Indy 500 drivers. The #2 is none other than Jimmy Clark the "Flying Scot" and #1 is (of course) "Super Tex" A.J. Foyt Jr. Which IMO puts Rick "The Oval Meister" Mears in very rarefied company indeed. Thank you Dale for this very candid conversation with one of the all time greatest open wheel racing drivers!

Incredible introspection and professionalism. Class act.

Rick Meats could teach todays drivers what class is.

Been watching this podcast off and on since it started and wow have Dale and Mike improved their interviewing skills. Impressive.

That was a beautiful interview. Thoughts that apply well beyond just racing. Thank you.

Rick was one of the easiest drivers to run into in the pits at any race. I had a dozen encounters over a 15 years period. One of my all time favorites, I enjoyed every meeting.

I got to play a round of golf with Rick at Thorntree Country Club in DeSoto Texas back in the early 2000's. Aside from the sheer magnitude of his presence, what I came away with most were his stories about his feel for "the wall" ... on ovals (Indy in particular) he could feel how far from the wall he (his car) was ... and I mean with an inch-perfect tolerance. Damn. Amazing driver, amazing competitor, amazing man. That afternoon was a life changing highlight of my club professional career.

You can see how much Junior understands his point of view

Love Rick !!! Be well. As I neared my retirement, I got a bagger motorcycle and had great fun for 10 years. Many great trips. One day I lifted that heavy bike off the kick stand.... and it hurt me a moderate amount. It clicked in my brain.... hey, I don't care to do this anymore. The fun, great great fun,,,,, was gone.

To this day I remember being a little kid on my big wheel in the front yard pretending to be Rick Mears racing in the Indy 500 and we won every single time on a last lap pass taking the double checkered flags to the adoration of the thousands in attendance. This fantasized achievement and to add a dramatic effect always came with a crash that would prove that the day would be an utter failure to any driver except for the great Rick Mears. Thank you Rick for being one of my heros.

Always admired Rick when he was active, seemed very professional, consistent and calm.

LOVE the end of the clip with the voice of Indy, Tom Carnegie. I'm old enough to remember when Indy qualifying was a big deal and his booming voice would thunder, "Its a NEW track recooord". Chilling.

Truly one of if not the best Indy car drivers ever. Total respect for this man.

I was at Indy for all 4 of Rocket’s wins. This man could drive like no one, except maybe Senna, that I’ve ever seen. He was a machine, it didn’t matter if it was a big oval, small oval or road course. He was as close to perfection in motion as it gets.

He may not drive any more, but Rick Mears is a racer's racer. Kind, professional, knowledgable.....and utterly ferocious behind the wheel. Never a dirty racer. He didn't have to be. I've always admired Rick Mears. Not so much for his prowess as a racer. He had the guts and forethought to say "I've had enough" and walk away when no one else really understood.

Rick Mears was always may favorite we used to go to the track every weekend during the month of may and my uncle had a van called the Saturday night special he parked it against the fence in the short chute between turn one and two and almost every time Rick came out on the track he would wave to us. So so cool I’ll never forget it and I bet Rick remembers that van too

Whenever I see these legendary Indy Car Drivers, I always enjoy their insights but in the back of my head that the Greatest Champion at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was That Black 3 Car...😊

I still have my Rick Mears Indy 500 edition Snap-On toolbox commemorating his 1984 Win.

Wow great interview. Rick was the man in open wheel back in the day.

What a very wise and smart man. I’ve always admired his racing yet know nothing about him. Now I’m a big fan.

Great interview with 'Mr. Speed'. Rick Mears.

Rick was one of my favorites of all time!

Followed nascar since 1979 Indy early 80's because of Rick mears F1 1993 Michael Schumacher when he was with Benetton.

Rick Mears is why I love racing.