INDIANAPOLIS -- A major change rolled into Indianapolis in the middle of the night in March 1984 - Mayflower moving trucks moved the Colts football team from Baltimore to Indianapolis, where they would call the brand new Hoosier Dome home.
Then-Mayor Bill Hudnut proclaimed March 29, 1984 "one of the greatest days in the history of this city."
Just two months later, history was in the making in racing.
The 1984 Indianapolis 500 still holds the record for most entries: 117!
On Pole Day, Tom Sneva became the first to qualify with a speed over 210 miles per hour.
Another first: Sportswriter turned racer Pat BeDard became the only journalist to ever qualify for the 500. He started on the inside of Row 7, but wrecked on lap 58.
In the front row was two former winners, Sneva and Rick Mears. Both were looking to add a second win to their resume.
Sneva and Mears traded the lead back and forth several times until mechanical trouble ended Sneva's day on Lap 169. After that, it was Mears' race to lose.
Mears led 119 of 200 laps and cruised to an easy win on the back of a two-lap lead ahead of second place with an average speed of 163.612 mph.
It was the fourth win for team owner Roger Penske.
Also notable in the 68th running of the Indianapolis 500
MORE ON THE ROAD TO 100
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Tune in to RTV6 News at 6 p.m. every night for our Road to 100, where we take a look back at each of the races leading up to the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
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