I’m going to the Brickyard!

[tlawler]

It’s always been a dream of mine to see the Indy 500 live and in person. I’ve been to NASCAR races, mostly Daytona. Been to the Gatornationals(NHRA) a few times, seen the Sebring 12 Hour race a couple of times, and the St. Pete Grand Prix F1 back in ‘88 and again in the early aughts after it became an Indy Car race. But I’ve always longed to make it to Indy and see the race that really started it all.

Anyway, I’ve been up here in Indy for the past week teaching a class at my company’s headquarters and I mentioned to my boss that I’d like to see the race and mark it off my bucket list. He said, heck yeah, you should…and even got me a ticket for it! What a boss, and what a company to work for! I’m stoked! After the race, I’ve got to make a mad rush to catch a plane to spend the rest of Memorial Day with Mrs. Tlawler, but it will be worth it and she’s being understanding. What a wife too!

 

[tlawler]

Oh, and as an aside, I’m going to the Muncie, IN gun show tomorrow. I’ll post what I find, if anything worthwhile pops up.

 

[Protocall_Design]

The red brick road, almost as good as the yellow brick road...

 

[6518John]

Mr. Tlawler—I was astounded by the size of the place! It ain’t your Saturday night dirt track, sitting in the bed of a pickup, sipping corn liquor from a mason jar, type of racetrack. That is all I had ever seen. Never had a bad time at one either.

 

[alwslate]

Good luck with your trip to the track to see the race live. Weather forecast is for thunderstorms. I saw the race live once many years ago and that was enough for me. The track is so large that watching the race is about as exciting as sitting in a lawn chair and watching traffic go by on the highway. No way to actually keep track of the race. And if you don't get loud and drunk you may not enjoy the countless people that do. The Muncie gun show will be probably be more enjoyable than the race.

 

[Chuck24]

Catch a ride with Larson back to Charlotte and do the double, then just a short hop home.

 

[Abbynormal]

Prepare to get your mind blown after your previous experiences.

350k+ people in an area 1/2 mile by 1 mile and can encompass the Vatican.
Rolan Garos, Yankee Stadium, most NFL stadiums, Churchill Downs and Wimbleton.

It's a 2-1/2 mile oval, a 2-1/2+ road course and a 1/4 mile dirt track
and a 4 hole PGA certified infield golf course.

350K+ peeps, 33 cars and the greatest race course in the world will freak anyone out in their first time.

PS: Bring a rain coat, poncho, tarp or umbrella!

 

[robvious]

hope you have ear protection... it's kinda loud... lol... wave, I will look for you in the stands.

 

[Rudi]

Going to the Indy 500! Wow, something most Americans will never be able to do. Enjoy!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Lots of fun!
Most people I ever saw in one place.

 

[mike4sigs]

Its looking like rain so be prepared for all weather conditions.
Rain gear. Sunscreen.
Muncie Gun show is a hit or miss.
good luck at the gun show and have fun at the track.

 

[ladder13]

A dream trip.

The closest I have come to the Brickyard was meeting Mario Andretti in Carlisle PA about a dozen years ago at a big car show.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Back in the day, used to go to the Infield.
Sort of an Outpost for 100,000 or so Crazies.
Weirdest thing I ever saw?
Walk past this full size car. Trunk is open, two guys standing there.
Glance in the trunk.
It filled with beer and ice.
They didn’t need no stinking coolers!
Just dump in beers and ice, fill to the top and head to the Infield!

 

[MelvinWalker]

Infield

I went to the Indy 500 in 1989...Went to the infeld... Absolute party zone. When the race was over, somebody had driven an old van in the middle of the infield and set it on fire.

I remember Mario Andretti's engine blew up in turn two, (I believe). All the locals were cursing him through the fence.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

You get to the Infield by driving through tunnels under the track.
Old days - they opened the tunnels at Midnight.
So the Crazies would line up and wait for that magic hour.
Last time I drove through the South Tunnel was in the middle of the day going to the Museum.

 

[tlawler]

I made it! There’s a rain delay, but looking to start around 3:30. They are drying the track right now.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime.
Roger Miller

 

[lihpster]

I made it! There’s a rain delay, but looking to start around 3:30. They are drying the track right now.

The good thing about watching on TV? I get to see a replay of last year's race, not track dryers.

 

[lihpster]

Second turn? Really?

 

[LVSteve]

Second turn? Really?

I think the commentators have it right. Too much caffeine and sugar during the delay.