Event Coverage The Indy 500

Great story, Ryan.

 

Iz still be jealous. While I was born in Indy and most of my family was from there, and we listened to the race no matter where we where in the world, I've only been to the race once - opposite pit exit and in full view of the jumbo-tron and scoring pylon. WOW. I only wish I had your inside views. Gary

 

I was at the museum once and enjoyed it very much most from what was stated above and the roadsters which I love. I know I will never attend the race but Ryan's comment about 1st lap experience is so true even at your local race track and if side by side are are used on every yellow flag it gets even better.

 

Thank you for sharing. Great pics- as always.

 

Ryan great story and I believe you have a few stories to tell during the great era you attended. The Indy 500 is one of those races that every car guy should experience and Ryan is right to be in your seat when it starts. I used to go regularly in the late 70s and 80s (before the split) and I also got to take part in some of the 100th anniversary activities in 2011, but the first lap of every race was always special. It gave me goosebumps every time. I also was a huge fan of the track announcer Tom Carnegie (since deceased). His deep voice and expressions made the experience even more special. It goes without saying that the museum is great. If you want to kiss the bricks they have a bus tour you can take and get out and kiss the bricks if you like but I believe you have to do it on one of the off weekends.

 

Glad you got back on the horse.

 

I went Friday with some friends who had parking in the infield, the access is incredible, nothing like being that close to the track when a group of cars fly pass you at 200mph

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On instagram you did a live feed with Unser and a mechanic for Ed Jones I think? How do I watch that again?

 

It is still vivid in my memory on race day in the 50's when my dad would host a pancake breakfast for the San Diego Roadster club. Everyone would be leaning forward in their chairs to hear the latest lead change and then solemn silence when a major crash would happen. I was blessed to have my parents take me to the '59 race, what an experience for a 10 year old.

 

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Do they do the exhibition lap(s) every year? That must be something else to see and hear.

 

Jeff Britton. And yes he is widely known as one of the smartest guys out there.

 

to most people who live in Indy, the race is a pain in the ass

 

Thanks for the story Ryan. I've been in love with the hole Indy thing from the time I know about racing,it was in the late 1940's, I first was glued to the radio for the race an every time from then on tell it started on TV for actully seeing. Point being,always wanted to go there,and finely did in a odd way; I raced my own designed an home built 2 racers on the Indy 500 track, two years in a row in the mid 1980's,in a race that was$10,000 to win. I got 10th the first year an 7th the next,nearly 90 others racing as well.
I was "Team Strange",we had two racers called "Strange One" an "Too Strange" an a ton of fun. Yes it was pedal bikes,but fully aero streamlined custom built { hotrod bike's} at over 50 MPH+ across the bricks. Here a shot of some speed testing at local track.

 

Amazing. It's on the list now for sure

 

I will have to agree about the museum; it is not to be missed. Plus it has the advantage of having so much ephemera (trophies, plaques, jewelry, etc.) that is the only car museum my girlfriend enjoyed going to with me.

The race? When I was a kid, we spent weeks waiting for it and listened to every minute on the radio. This year, I didn't realize it was on until it was half over.

 

Thanks for the great story Ryan, I have a similar feeling about the U.S. Nationals in Indy. Every year when we would be at the Nationals we would swing by the 500 track and take in the size and history of the place. One year we even managed to drive into the 500 track briefly before security came running !

 

Man, thanks for sharing that. I've never really considered the possibility of going to Indy for the race. I don't know why, I just never have. I have a good buddy that I've been friends with for almost 40 years. He's not a car guy but he's a race fan, if that makes sense. Hell, he probably knows a lot more about Indy than I do, actually. The older I get, the more I realize there is really no time for fucking around. You only get so many laps. So, I just made a decision. Me and my buddy are going to the Brickyard for the big one. Done.

 

Love the video of the Foyt cars. If the visceral sound of a race car (in this case, numerous ones) up close doesn't make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, better check your pulse.

 

Probably the only televised race that I look forward to. It just screams AMERICA.

 

Good read. Thank you. It's the only Indy car race I watch.

 

Great story...thanks for the info and pic's!
On my families bucket list, my wife and kid are looking forward to it too. I have been watching the 500 since the early 80's and don't recall ever missing a race on tv. We planned on going last year but it didn't happen...need to go in the next few years.

 

Great story @Ryan!

Here's another great Indy story ... with lots of connections to "Traditional Hot Rodding" ... and HAMB Member Emeritus @lil' john:

• HOT ROD: When Drag Racers Invaded the Indy 500

 

the US Nats in Indy is a better time IMO

 

Been to Indy twice but both times not for the race.
First time when my family move from Canada to Los Angeles in 1961.
Did the museum.
Secocond time moving feom L.A. back to Canada in the late 80's.
Did the museum and the bus ride around the track.
Such a great place to visit.
On the bucket list boys if you have not been!