1984: On his first qualifying lap, Mario set a one-lap track record, and appeared on his way to a front row starting position. On the fourth and final qualifying lap, his car quit coming off of turn four, and he coasted across the finish line. His average speed dropped to 6th on the starting grid, and he would line up behind his son Michael. On race day, Mario was in contention to win most of the afternoon, but a broken exhaust pipe was causing his engine to lose rpms. On lap 154, he came into the pits for a routine stop, but Josele Garza cut in front of him down the pit lane. The two cars made contact, and damaged Mario's nose cone. The car was too damaged to continue, and he was out of the race (17th finishing position).