Mike Nish (December 10, 1959 – December 14, 2022)[1] was an American racing driver who competed in the CART Championship Car series and competed in world land speed record events.

Mike Nish at speed in the Royal Purple 'Frankenstein' streamliner, September 2010 (Photo by Ray the Rat)
Mike (and father Terry) receiving FIA certificate of record, September 2010 (Photo by Ray the Rat)

Nish competed in four CART races, one in 1984 at Phoenix International Raceway and 3 more in 1986 where he recorded his best finish of 10th place at Portland International Raceway. He qualified for the Indianapolis 500 in 1985 and 1986. At Speed Week in August 2007, Nish captured the SCTA AA/FS (Unlimited Fuel Streamliner) record with a speed of 377.715 mph (607.8732 km/h). He was also awarded the Hot Rod Trophy for achieving the top speed of the meet on the Bonneville Salt Flats.[2]

On October 8, 2007, Nish attempted to break the world land speed record for carbureted vehicles set in 1965, but his engine failed after 30 seconds. Mike Nish, as well as his father Terry and brothers Jeff and T. J. have successfully broken 14 different world land speed records over the years.[3]

On September 23, 2010, Nish broke the world land speed record for the FIA Category A, Group 2, Class 9, 1 Kilometer, [Flying Start] and Category A, Group 2, Class 9, 1 mile, Flying Start class with a speed of 285.359 mph (459.242 km/h) for the Kilometer and 285.305 mph (459.155 km/h) in the mile.[4]

American open–wheel racing results

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(key)

PPG Indycar Series

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points Ref
1984 Dick Simon Racing LBH PHX INDY MIL POR MEA CLE MCH ROA POC MDO SAN MCH PHX
15
LAG CPL
DNQ
NC 0 [5]
1985 A. J. Foyt Enterprises LBH INDY
DNQ
MIL POR MEA CLE MCH ROA POC MDO SAN MCH LAG PHX
EX
MIA NC - [6]
1986 A. J. Foyt Enterprises PHX LBH INDY
DNQ
30th 3 [7]
Machinists Union Racing MIL
DNS
POR
10
MEA
25
CLE
Rpl1
TOR
22
MCH POC MDO SAN MCH ROA LAG PHX MIA
1987 Machinists Union Racing LBH
DNQ
PHX
DNQ
INDY MIL POR MEA CLE TOR MCH POC ROA MDO NAZ LAG MIA NC - [8]
1 Replaced by Johnny Parsons

Indianapolis 500

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Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
1985 March Cosworth DNQ A. J. Foyt Enterprises
1986 March Chevy V6 DNQ A. J. Foyt Enterprises

References

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  1. ^ Mike Nish
  2. ^ Chevy High Performance [1] November, 2008
  3. ^ Grass, Ray, Nish clan is driven to break land speed record, Deseret Morning News, October 11, 2007
  4. ^ Nish Motorsports [2] records page
  5. ^ "Mike Nish – 1984 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Mike Nish – 1985 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  7. ^ "Mike Nish – 1986 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  8. ^ "Mike Nish – 1987 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 17, 2023.