1993 Michigan 500

The 1993 Michigan 500, the thirteenth running of the event, was held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, on Sunday, August 1, 1993. Branded as the 1993 Marlboro 500 for sponsorship reasons, the race was won by Nigel Mansell, his only Michigan 500 win. The event was race number 10 of 16 of the 1993 PPG Indy Car World Series. 42°03′58.68″N 84°14′29.18″W / 42.0663000°N 84.2414389°W / 42.0663000; -84.2414389

During the offseason, four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears announced his retirement from racing. Mears' last victory in Indy car came in the 1991 Michigan 500. Penske driver Paul Tracy was elevated into the ride, taking over full-time after finishing second in the 1992 Michigan 500.

The biggest story going into the season surrounded Newman/Haas Racing. Michael Andretti left the CART series and signed with McLaren to drive in Formula One. Taking Andretti's place would be reigning Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell. Mansell came to the American open wheel series with considerable fanfare and huge media attention. Mansell joined fellow former World Driving champion Mario Andretti as teammates. Mansell won the CART season-opener at Surfers Paradise. At the 1993 Indianapolis 500, Mansell finished third.

On Friday, July 30, the head of Ford's Director of Special Vehicle Operations, Michael Kranefuss announced he would step down from his position and start his own racing team. Kranefuss was instrumental in Ford's return to Indy Car racing in 1992.

On Sunday, August 1, Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman announced he had become a part-owner of the Galles Racing team and intended to attend all Indy car races in 1994.

For the first time, the Michigan 500 had a reduced schedule of only three days of on-track activity. Practice began on Friday, July 30. Nigel Mansell posted the fastest practice speed at 231.120 mph. Teammate Mario Andretti was second fastest at 230.664 mph.

Mansell was unapproving of the bumpy asphalt surface, saying, "It's very impressive to average 230 mph on any track, but I must confess, it's the bumpiest circuit I've driven anywhere in the world. I'm certainly not happy and don't mind voicing it. They (drivers) asked for the track to be resurfaced a year ago. Nothing was done. When someone gets killed it's too late."

Mansell walked back his comments on Sunday, saying, "The track itself is a fantastic circuit. It stands alone. As an oval, it's totally different to Indianapolis. It's tremendous. I'd just like it to be smoother, that's all."