Indy 500 Weekend. Carb Day (on Friday) is much better than it used to be. Most of the cars are fine tuning for dozens of laps and it gets me pumped up for the race. Try to hit the museum. It is not spectacular, but pretty neat because of the history and advancements in technology through the decades. Witnessing the insanely fast sense of speed down the straightaways and through the corners is spectacular. Open wheel cars at that speed passing and side by side is crazy cool. Best sporting event in sports.
A buddy of mine has gone a handful of times through some corporate connections and the way he tells it is that if you can finagle your way into one of infield tents, you have an amazing level of access to the drivers.
He likes to tell a story of turning around from the buffet table and nearly trucking Mario Andretti.
This is more important than standing for “God Bless America”, which there is no rule about anywhere.
Purdue will bring their big stupid drum.
Went to my first in 1976 and was instantly hooked. Have attended nearly every year since. We sit in the very top row between Turns 3 & 4. Our seats since 1989. It’s terrific up there.
Essentials : cooler (must fit under your seat), sunscreen, cheap compact rain poncho (It hasn't rained at the race since 2007, but just in case).
Optionals : earplugs (cars aren’t as loud as they used to be, so I no longer use them), radio headphones to hear what’s going on in the race. The cars generally drown-out the PA announcer.
Recommendations : Take your own food. Get parked on race day butt-early to avoid traffic and park strategically to exit easily. Remember it’s 300K people all going to the same place, so heavy traffic is given. There are two races that day : the one on the track and the one to get the hell out of there when it’s over. We like to be among the leaders in that 2nd one.
If you have enough time to attend Carb Day on Friday, do so. And the Carb Night Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway on Friday night is fun as well, a great racing primer for the weekend.
The Indy 500 Festival Parade on Saturday is nice, but we haven't attended that in years.
There are a dozen goosebump moments at the Indy 500. It’s my favorite sporting event of the year, mostly because I don't care who wins. I’m there for the show and it's always a good one.
You can bring coolers in, but they have to fit under your seat on the bleachers. No glass bottles. Bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. The area immediately south of the track has gentrified and has some nice restaurants/bars. Charlie Brown's is a great place for breakfast. I'm camping in Lot 4.
For anything else, I'd need specifics.
in the “14” inches allotted to your ass.
He’s known there
I've been to so many I've lost count. Probably about 15. I'm sure there are others here who have been to more.
Do you know where you're sitting and staying? Are you a race fan or just there as a bucket list type thing?
a Roman chariot race, now.
Have Fun, Fun, Fun.
...murder in Vietnam.
That snail is fast.
It is in Indianapolis. That area.