Rick was one of the fairest, cleanest drivers in racing history.

“Rick Mears-Thanks” tells many great stories, and answers several questions including…

When Rick found A.J. Foyt’s “bark to be worse than his bite.”

After failing to make the field for the 1977 Indy 500, how did Rick qualify in his first Indy 500 with Penske in 1978? (Third)

How many races did it take Rick to win with Penske? (Four: Milwaukee,1978)

Rick won his first pole and first Indy 500 in what year? (1979…only his 2nd Indy start.)

There were no “team orders” at Penske. The only rule was “Don’t crash into each other.”

Bernie Ecclestone offered Rick a test drive in 1980. What type of car was it? (Brabham BT49 F1 car.) Rick tested at Paul Ricard in France and at Riverside where he was quicker than test driver Nelson Piquet. Bernie offered Rick a Formula 1 contract, but Mears decided to stay with Penske in CART.

Rick’s career could have come to an end after a horrific crash at Sanair in Canada . Both feet were crushed and the Canadian doctors were talking about amputation. “Every one of the twenty-seven bones in his right foot were broken and both of Rick’s Achilles tendons were detached.” Rick said, “I remember the first time I looked down and saw both feet were still on my legs. I knew I was going to drive again. Everything else on my body was working, so stopping never crossed my mind. There was no thought of retirement.”

Thank goodness. What a career Rick Mears had. 4 Indianapolis 500 wins. 3 CART Championships. 29 CART/USAC race wins. 40 CART/USAC poles. 109 Top Fives in 204 races…that’s over 53%!

“Rick Mears-Thanks” is a remarkable story. It tells of Rick’s exemplary driving career, his retirement from driving and his advisory role as a driver coach for the Penske operation. Kirby’s biography is excellent….documenting Mears’ career highs and lows. Kirby does not sugar-coat his work. The Epilogue: “Life’s Challenges Never Cease,” tells of Rick’s day by day battle with the disease of alcoholism in a most honest and forthright manner. My respect for Rocket Rick grew even stronger when I read that he is only human and has to deal with many of the same issues his millions of fans have to deal with on a day to day basis.

“Rick Mears-Thanks” rates four out of five lug nuts.

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Gregg Leary is a Researcher/Writer for 'Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain','The SPEED Report', book reviewer and columnist for SPEEDtv.com. (SPEED Photo)

Gregg Leary is a Researcher/Writer for "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain" and Book Reviewer for SpeedTV.com.


Leary was track announcer for Hooter's IHRA Drag Racing at National Events in the USA and Canada and entertained event crowds during "down time" by conducting "crowd participation" and product giveaways with the Hooter's Girls. He was Marketing and PR Director and track announcer at Lake Erie Speedway.


As Photo Editor, feature writer, columnist and swimsuit calendar chief photographer for "Sports Jam Magazine," Leary covered Auto Racing, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association. He has photographed dozens of celebrities from A-Z?including Mario Andretti, Jim Brown, AJ Foyt, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Mark McGwire, Paul Newman, Walter Payton, Alex Zanardi and Presidents Gerald Ford, George Bush and Bill Clinton. Gregg's wife, Lynn and daughter, Caitlynn live in Jefferson, Ohio and his son, Sean is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.


Leary has conducted motivational seminars and performed stand up comedy around the country. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and Exeter University in England. Gregg has hitchhiked 40,000 miles through 36 states and 10 European countries and is a licensed pilot and skydiver. Leary is available for motorsports consulting on a limited basis. Contact him via email at gleary@speedtv.com .