Dale Coyne Racing unveiled a special livery for this year’s upcoming Indianapolis 500 on Friday, showing off a throwback scheme that many fans of the sport will remember.
The team has partnered with Molson Coors to put together a livery for Jacob Abel’s #51 entry featuring the Miller High Life brand that is reminiscent of Danny Sullivan’s look for his win in 1985.
That year featured the historic ‘Spin and Win,’ when Sullivan spun while racing side by side for the lead in Turn 1, but amazingly completed a 360 without hitting any walls and continued on his way.
Sullivan went on to win the race, cementing his place in racing lore ever since.
The scheme on this year’s car is nearly identical, with red side pods, white rear bodywork, and a prominent logo placement on the side.
Abel is contesting his first Indy 500 this year, and is more than pleased to carry the iconic look as he learns the ropes of the biggest race in American motorsports.
Tying into history
“It’s been a super cool thing,” said Abel at the unveiling. “This is obviously the 40th anniversary of the Spin and Win. Everything that Miller and Coors are doing for that, we just wanted to help them have a special element to it.
“We also have Mecum Auctions on this car, and also Mecum on the car this weekend [for the GP].
“We’ve been talking to Danny and it all came together relatively quickly. We came to Molson Coors and had the idea, and they loved it.
“It perfectly tied in to everything they were already doing this month. Danny’s on the Bronze Badge as well.
“Tying into all that and they were all for doubling down on everything they were doing.
“It’s going to be a cool month. We’ve learned some things, I have a very experience team-mate in Rinus VeeKay as well. I’m looking to lean on him a lot and all of his experience.
“You can definitely tell that Dale Coyne Racing understands what the Month of May means.”
The first practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 gets underway on Tuesday, when the special car will see the track for the first time.
See all the angles of the new livery below:
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