Indy 500

[ISUKappa]

Have you ever gone? Any one else going? We're going again this year with some of my husband's friends from college. $20 GA tickets and seats on the grass on turn 3 with a keg. I don't know much about racing, but hubby wants to go, so we are.

[AlphaSigOU]

Never gone to one, love to go to one. Simply, it's a faster version of NASCAR (Non-Activity Sport Centered Around Rednecks ) with open-wheel race cars.

Ya get to listen to Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) singing the traditional Indiana state song "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the call to "Gentlemen (and lad(ies), if any female race drivers qualify), start your engines!"

Highly recommend getting some ear plugs... the roar of those race cars hauling ass at 200+ mph will make you go deaf!

Official website: http://www.indy500.com/

ETA: Sarah Fisher qualified this year in Row 7, so it is "Lady and gentlemen... start your engines!"

[MSKKG]

I went in 1982 with my roommate who was from Indianapolis. I ate my 1st White Castle hamburger during the visit--similar to Krystal's.

The race is exciting for the 1st few laps and the last few laps. The rest of the time we just pretty much sat there and talked. Got some sun though!

If I remember correctly, A. J. Hoyt (I think that was his name) won by the narrowest margin at the time, something like .51 of a second!

It was a fun experience--I'd recommend going.

[ISUKappa]

Oh, we're definitely going. We went last year but most of it was spent talking and drinking until the 1.3 seconds the cars whizzed by and then it was back to talking and drinking again. I just wish I understood more about it.

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally posted by MSKKG
If I remember correctly, A. J. Hoyt (I think that was his name) won by the narrowest margin at the time, something like .51 of a second!

It's A.J. Foyt. His grandson, A.J. Foyt IV starts on Sunday at the Brickyard. He's only 19. (The Brickyard is nickname for the track - it was originally paved with bricks; only a small strip of bricks marks the start/finish line today.)

[mmcat]

it's all about the party...
been there done that and would do it again if i could.

[MSKKG]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
It's A.J. Foyt.

Thanks! I was close though--pretty good since it happened so long ago.

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally posted by MSKKG
Thanks! I was close though--pretty good since it happened so long ago.

No problem at all... Those who live in Houston oughta be familiar with the name, as A.J. Foyt Sr. owns a couple of car dealerships there.

[msn4med1975]

Anyone headed out to the track this weekend and in need of souvenirs (that looks wrong), stop by my sorority's booth. We'll be working the track all weekend and I'm sure at least one of the women there will have on a shirt with our letters on it. I'll be there Sunday from 9 to about 2.

[lindsay_iu]

I've gone to the race since I was 7. We've had tickets in the family for over 50 years. Our seats are in turn 1, in my opinion, one of the best places to sit at the speedway. On a clear day, we can see the cars come out of turn 4. Also, we can see any battles when they're coming out of the pits. Of course, the prices for grandstand seats are way more expensive than general admission...$90 versus $20, but it's worth it.

ISUKappa, be sure to wear sunscreen! Especially since you'll be in the sun all day. Eek!

If anyone else is going, be sure to bring your own food and drinks too. My brother and I went to Carburation Day yesterday and spent $18 on 2 hot dogs, 2 fries, and 2 Cokes. Yeah. Also, bring some earplugs. And dress in layers. Well, maybe not this year since it's unusually hot, but in the past, I've had to wear a sweatshirt all day and I was still cold. Bring ponchos or plastic sheeting in case it starts to rain.