Throughout it’s history Indianapolis has always had a means of creating it’s fair share of heart-warming and emotional stories, and for most Speedway aficionados one of it’s most poignant moments came in 1986, in what proved to be the last hurrah for one of Indycar racing’s most devoted friends.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1935, Jim Trueman remains one of the most unlikely success stories in the world of both auto racing and business. After studying for an engineering degree at Ohio State University, Trueman first began racing competitively in 1962, earning a reputation as a strong and forceful racer on his way to two SSCA championships in 1975 and 1978. Worn down by the cross-country commute needed to participate in racing events, Trueman grew increasingly concerned of the need of inexpensive lodging services across America, and in 1972 opened the first Red Roof Inn just on the outskirts of Columbus. The ventures proved to be an unprecedented success and by 1986 over 155 Red Roof Motels were operational across the entire United States America, and helping to turn Trueman into a Wall Street success story almost overnight.

As his own motor racing career began to wind down, Trueman began using his riches from the Motel Business to further expand his racing interests, purchasing and renovating the Mid-Ohio Sports car course in 1982 and quickly establishing the Truesports Indycar team into one of the sport’s powerhouse outfits in the space of four years, and helping to turn young rookie driver Bobby Rahal from failed Formula One reject to one of the most well respected drivers in the entire Indycar field. Fresh off the back of a third placed Championship finish Truesports went into the 1986 season high on confidence, but behind the scenes all was not well with Trueman’s personal health. Unbeknownst to many in the industry Trueman had been battling terminal cancer since 1984, and although the businessman had attempted to dissuade any suggestions surrounding his health by the 1986 500 issues surrounding his health had began to take control. Only those close to Trueman were fully aware of the extent of his illness, and Bobby Rahal vowed to his boss that he would do everything he could to give Trueman the 500 victory that he had longed for.

At the 500 miler itself Rahal qualified in fourth place, and after leading the race during the middle stages was soon engulfed in a fierce battle alongside Rick Mears and Kevin Cogan for first place. With 14 laps remaining Rahal was balked by the lapped car of Randy Lanier, allowing Cogan to take advantage and pass the Budweiser sponsored machine going into turn one. Free from traffic, Cogan began to pull out a sizable advantage over the rest of the field, whilst Rahal had begun to struggle with fuel conservation issues whilst still attempting to hold off the hard charging Mears behind him in third place. With ten laps remaining it looked as if the story of the race would be that of Cogan’s redemption rather then Rahals’ fairy-tale win.

Fate however would have a different story to tell, with seven laps remaining in the race Arie Luyendyk spun his car just on the exit of turn four, prompting a full course yellow to be thrown and eliminating Cogan’s 3 second lead over the rest of the field. As the field returned to green with just two laps remaining Rahal got the jump on Cogan at the restart, taking the lead away from the Patrick Racing machine with just two laps to go. The Californian was unable to fight back, instead having to hold off Mears for third place and allow Rahal to extend his lead. Despite concerns over his fuel Rahal held on for the win, and setting off jubilant celebrations around the Truesports garage and across the pitlane. An emotional Rahal burst into tears in Victory Lane, where a visibly frail Trueman joined him and wife Debbie to taste the victory milk. It sadly however would be Trueman’s last public appearance, too frail to attend a victory parade in his own town, he would eventually succumb to cancer just five days after his 500 victory.

Although the team would win the Indycar championship in both 1986 and 87, Truesports would quietly fade away following Trueman’s passing, before going out of business altogether following the 1992 season, but the love and enthusiasm that Jim Trueman brought to the sport continues to live on, and should be held as a shining example of dedication to Indycar racing.

In today’s video we relive the final two laps of the 1986 500, where Bobby Rahal passes Kevin Cogan on his way to victory:

In tomorrow’s update Indy’s first Hollywood star enters the spotlight with one of the most spectacular saves ever seen at the Speedway.