Photo from: Espn.go.com
500 miles. 200 laps. 9 degree turns. Memorial Day weekend. Snake pit. Indy 5. This can only be describing nothing other than The Indianapolis 500 Race. As an Indy native myself, let me tell you, whether you think so or not, the Indianapolis 500 (aka “the race”, “Indy 5” or just “the 500”) definitely has something for everyone. Located in Indianapolis, aka the racing capital of the world, it is a part of what makes Indianapolis wondrous. To me the race, is a huge part of my childhood, partially because I could/can hear the race cars as they speed around the track from my bedroom window. I remember as a kid, the two weeks before the race meant fun activities were coming up. My dad and I always went the week before just to talk to some of the drivers, while seeing and learning about pit crew’s point of view. Getting to know some of the background behind the race only began to gear up my excitement.
Photo from: Indianapolisspeedway.com
Next stop: qualifications. This is the time where my family and I would begin to place fake bets on who we thought would be in the actual race. It was a few couple of days (in between their practice days) of waiting to hear the results and find out who was fortunate in their bets. Following the qualifications, is the one, the only, Miller Light Carb Day! This is probably the most insanely fun day, other than the race itself, of the entire week. Going on inside the Motor Speedway is the car unveil at the Pagoda Plaza, the field autographs in the Midway, and the pit-stop competition. This is the day when the big and small race fans begin their weekend full of fun and usually some pretty heavy drinking. Like hanging grilling, being outside, and hanging out by the bonfire? The campgrounds are your heaven. Basically during the day, the campgrounds turn into (usually) a major country party, and everyone gathers around to hang out and make some great old memories. Part of the younger crowd? The coke lot part of the campgrounds is probably the place for you. It is always where the college partiers usually take over. When I was younger, I remember having the best time getting the chance to watch, laugh, and make fun of all the drunk people as they staggered around trying to look alive. Let’s just say that whichever side of the spectrum you fall in; carb day is day for everyone to enjoy. I mean what’s not to like? It’s the kick-off summer and believe me, with the weather that we usually have here in the Midwest, summer is a god sent gift. Mid-westerns look forward to the sunshine and carefree weather that is craved all year, and once we get it, we will for sure let you know how thrilled we are.
Photo from: Indystar.com
Saturday continues the buildup of excitement at the IPL 500 Festival Parade in Downtown Indianapolis. This is where the entire city, those going to the race or not, come together to watch the special of all the race car drivers being showcased down the track and throwing candy to the sidelines. I don’t know about you, but as a young kid I was in paradise with being showered in candy. Following the parade early at night is the time when an array of famous country singers come for the country concerts! Trust me, you don’t even have to be a country fan to have a good time at these concerts. It’s all about the hype.
Photo from: Meltcreative.net
Sunday. The day that everyone has been waiting for. The day that around 400,000 people will gather in one place to witness (some sober, some not) the extraordinary event of the running of the Indianapolis 500. The race itself is enough to get anyone excited, but if you’re old enough, or willing, there is always the party continuing inside the 2½ mile long track: The Snake Pit. I have had my fellow race go’ers tell me that someone can almost forget that there is even a race going on. That’s the insanity that is the snake pit.
Photo from: Foxsports.com
The day usually started, for most, around 6 a.m. and ends after one of the racers finishes their 200 laps around the track. The winner then drinks some buttermilk, gets covered in a wreath of flowers in victory lane, earns the great pleasure of kissing the legendary bricks on the start/finish line, and gets presented the Borg-Warner Trophy. Congratulations! You also win by having attended and viewed a legendary race in the racing capital of the word, all while making lifetime memories of a weekend that you won’t forget.
