The Penske PC-6 is a USAC and Champ Car Open-wheel car, designed by British designer Geoff Ferris at Penske Racing, which was constructed for competition in the 1978 season. It won the 1979 Indianapolis 500, being driven by Rick Mears.
Background
The Penske PC-6 was introduced to racing in 1978 at the 62nd Indianapolis 500, driven by Tom Sneva, Rick Mears, Mario Andretti, and Larry Dickson. It would place 2nd, later going on to achieve 1st place at the 1979 Indy 500 with Rick Mears behind the wheel, cementing his
Gould Racing #9 livery as one of the most famed on the PC-6. Other drivers would later try out the car, like Dennis Firestone, albeit without much success. From this point on not much is known about the PC-6. It may not have raced at all until more recent recreational races.
Notable achievements
Tom Sneva made history in his Penske PC-6 qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1978, setting a record four-lap average speed of over 200 miles per hour that became- and still is- a famous milestone of automotive racing. While laps crossing 200 miles per hour had been achieved at the speedway, none had been done on a hot track, though many had tried. Sneva also set the record for the first official lap crossing 200 miles per hour at the Indy 500 just one year prior, albeit in a McLaren M24 owned by
Roger Penske.
Photo Gallery
