Event Coverage The INDY 500 == 2024

I copied the nose design of Indy cars of that era, notably A.J. Foyt's, when I built my drag car.

 

So, I actually watched the end of this race for the first time if I remember right. Probably watched the last 25 laps or so and they sure changed leaders lots of times. Is that normal?

 

They set a record for most different leaders. The end was fairly unusual, quite exciting. The Captain prevailed for win number 20.

 

I won't watch a race dominated by the lying CHEATER Roger Penske, he can go to h)&%

 

They were running hard all race which is unusual, I think it was because of the weather and expecting more rain.

 

Long for the Roadster Era. I did watch the race, first time in a LONG time but it really was to follow Kyle Larson, a driver that to me has a touch of the old era, like him a lot.

Speaking of graves I have alway wanted to pay my respects at Mark Donohue's site. August 1975 so long ago my hero left us.

 

I may be wrong but don't believe that the Indy track is lit all the way around. The talking heads were saying that if the race started by five there would still be time to finish it. By time to finish I took that to be before sunset.
With the rain delay I managed to get some things done and get back inside to watch most of it and it was a pretty good race, far better than current Nascar with all their nonsense.
The last few laps were wild but no crashes and no caution flags to bunch the cars up again.

 

As far as the Novi goes even though it was only 183 cu in I think the sound came from the 180* crank and the large centrifugal blower screaming away at 43,000 rpm. I wish I could have experienced that!
I only watched the race once the long weather delay ended, as others have said there were plenty of lead changes, 16 IIRC, and a thrilling last few laps.

 

As far as the Novi's go, remember time trials in 1958 and going for the first time as a very excited 10 year old. My dad spoke of the Novi and the screaming noise it made. But, no description could match the actual ear piercing noise you heard and felt as they came by! I am very happy to have experienced that moment. Both cars came out late in practice on pole day and it was extremely obvious they were on the trac there was a lull in qualifying in mid afternoon, the track was empty we were sitting in the stands at the exit from turn 4. All of a sudden. This unreal scream could be heard. I looked across the track and we could see turn 3 and the short chute from where we sat. All of a sudden these two shark finned cars appeared, one red and one blue. They entered turn 3, through the short chute, into 4 and then blasted down the front stretch! Man O man. What a thrill that was! I was 10 then and now coming up on 77. Yet the sight and sound are as clear now,as it was all those many years ago. I am glad that I was there in person to experienced that magic!

 

No lights at Indy, they wanted to be finished before dusk to get the crowd out before dark.

 

I think they announced it was a local ordinance they had to be finished by dusk 8:15.

 

I have a couple friends who live within walking distance of the speedway (races/hot rodders) they can hear the cars when they are in 1 and 2.

I asked them once what they did on Memorial Day weekend.

The told me the stock up on all the groceries they can the weekend before, get home from work as early as possible on Friday and they try not to leave the house again until Tuesday morning!

 

I have not followed Indy cars or NASCRAP for many years, I have attended the 500 twice years ago. I watched the last part of the 2024 race and found it to be somewhat exciting but not enough for me to have interest in the next race. A number of years ago I attended an event at IMS for vintage Indy cars, my friend owns a ‘15 Stutz race car and was invited to display it at the event. We were able to run the car on the track for a few laps which for me was an experience. I rode in the mechanics seat, nothing to hold onto and no seat belt, now I see why those guys had a short lifespan!
I am fortunate to live near the Milwaukee Mile track one of the oldest in the country. Every year the Harry Miller Club rents the track for two days and hosts the “ Millers at Milwaukee” vintage Indy car event.
https://harrymillerclub.com/
If any of you have the opportunity I would recommend you attend this event at least once, the cars in attendance are from the Golden years of Indy, up until this year limited to front engine models. This year they are allowing a rear engine car to attend but it must be authentic and pre approved by the club. Also last year and again this year the event will be held at IRP in Claremont Indiana instead of Milwaukee because of construction on the Milwaukee track. It should return to the Mile in 2025. Note:I said IRP not IMS.
There are a number of videos out there from the past Milwaukee events, but hearing and seeing the vintage cars in person is much more of an experience.

 

Old number 66 participates in the Miller event every year as well as numerous vintages races.
In 1934 it was the first Ford flathead powered racer to complete the Indy 500.

It is driven by my good friend Rex.

 

Bobby Green has run the Miller event many times. He has some great old racecars.
The last laps of this years race was very exciting. No leader hitting the wall, and losing, running out of gas, finished under green!!! Felt bad for Larsen, speeding in the pits...rookie move(i know, he's a rookie there, lol).
Honda wasn't the engine to have this year....
I miss the old front engine Roadsters, from when I was a kid.

 

I love all forms of motorsport and have since my grandfather took me all around the country when I was seven years old. There was real scope for invention and ingenuity back then. Everything is so regulated now and I think it takes some of the interest away. I was lucky enough to see in action the great formula one drivers, Jim Clarke, Graham Hill, Bruce Mclaren etc. Of course it would have been great to experience the likes of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti who could drive and win in anything. I guess Larsen is the closest to doing what they did. Reading Smokey's book about his exploits at Indy was really entertaining and well worth reading as is the whole book if you get a chance ( The Best Damn Garage In Town ) He really was the best example of thinking outside the box.

 

Thanks Deuces, that was my reaction too. If his businesses can generate 22 Billion a year and 50,000+ people get a paycheck every Friday, I think things are rolling along just fine.

Bob

 

I enjoyed The Spectacle. I plan to watch more races this year. Now I am pumped to go racing.

 

WRGB our local (CBS affiliate) a feature on Lee Wallard at the start of the 7 o’clock news!
I recorded it when I get home from work I will see if I can post it.

 

Just a heads up to all that have been reading this INDY-500 thread.
The various pictures I have posted, came from this very cool little spiral bound book, that I found at a swap-meet on a table for $1.00.
If you ever see one of these, snag it, they are a great little resource book for race fans.
They are not very big and wont take up a lot of space on your bookshelf.
Thanks from Dennis.

​

 

Not just indycar , ALL forms of racing have been adapted to a "no advantages allowed" format , one of the most boring was the Iroc " challenge". Somewhat akin to watching paint dry , yawn !

 

I will be there tomorrow all day if anyone else on here is going, post up on here.

 

The INDY 500 was last month on Memorial Day weekend, what are you watching?

 

He must be referring to The Miller Meet at the Milwaukee Mile, it’s tomorrow and Saturday. There’s a chance of rain tomorrow, I think I’ll go Saturday.

 

Thank you! The MILLER MEET is in the Top Six things on my "Bucket List in Life" Have fun, post photos.

 

Yes the Millers at Milwaukee, sorry for the confusion.

 

The 1st Indy car race I remember seeing on TV when I was a kid, there was a big fiery crash and drivers died.
The second Indy car race I remember seeing on TV as a kid, there was a big crash where a couple cars hit the wall, and one of them died.
I didn't want to watch any more Indy car races after that, and have not watched a full Indy car race since. Those cars seem too delicate, and too dangerous, every time they crashed, the tires and parts flew off, and the carted the driver off to the hospital. The old Stock cars were much better, when they crashed, the drivers often walked away.

Flash forward 20 something years later, my BIL convinced me to take him to a Mopar show (maybe at the Milwaukee Mile). The car show entrance fee included a lap around the track, if your car passed the inspection. I had a car we knew would pass the inspection (and his wouldn't), and we got to make a "parade lap" around the track @ about 65 mph). They were having a practice day for an upcoming Indy car race there. The cars that could do the parade lap were able to meet some of the Indy car drivers, and look at the cars.
They ran a few practice laps with the Indy cars while we were there. We could watch them practice from the grand stands. Hearing 3-4 cars on the track with the high rpm motors screaming around the track, sounded like a bunch of angry bumble bees.
It was a neat experience to have one time. Still don't follow Indy car racing, and NASCAR isn't worth watching these days.

 

Again sorry for any confusion, this is the event for today and tomorrow.