Indy 500

May 25, 2009 | No Comments | @andrewmarcec

It’s the greatest spectacle in sports entertainment.  Some see racing as a strictly hillbilly sport, others see it as a more high class sport you have to actaully see to enjoy.  I’ve been a going to the Indianapolis 500 for around fifteen consecutive years now, and I must say, it’s something I look forward to every January 1st.  This is definitley a sport you have to go and see to really appreciate.  Sure, to most people it’s cars driving in circles, but if you aren’t there you can’t feel the engines rattle your insides, or see the cars turn to quick blurrs in front of your eyes.  This isn’t a sport where if you make a mistake you can sit on the sidelines or go to the team trainer to ice your knee.  This is a sport where you risk death with every turn, one mistake could be fatal.

Yesterday’s race was hot, damn hot, but the beer was cold and the race was exciting. Before each race starts they sing the National Anthem, and every year they have a military grade plan fly overhead.  This year it was two B-52 bombers, those suckers are HUGE!  I am always in awe when I see those in real life, and makes me realize how terrified I would be if I lived in some wartorn country and saw one of those guys fly overhead.  The only thing I would be able to think would be…RUN!

Tony Kannan, one of the favorites to win crashed right in front of us, see picture below.

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Every year my family and I put ourselves through the most grueling 36 hours one can imagine.  Saturday we depart and drive to Anderson, IN, where we spend the day catching up with family friends and drinking.  Then, after we have had quite a few, we go go-karting.  This year I was victor!  Then Sunday morning we’re up early and out the door before 9 and on our way down to the track.  The highlight of the morning race is usually the people camped out in front of the Coca-Cola factory.  This year there were tons of hungover/still drunk people holding signs that said “Free pap smears and mamograms” or there is always the stuffed parrot with a sign around its neck reading “Polly wants Tits”.  So, classy people.

We sit in turn 4, lots of action around here.  The racestarted this year around 1:12pm and we had perfect weather.  It’s rare that we don’t have to worry about a rainstorm, or cold.  After the race is done we pack up, say our goodbyes and head back home.  It’s one of the best experiences, and if anyone ever has the chance to attend the race…do it!  You can check out my race day tweets via my Twitter page.

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