Planning to get here early on A.J. Foyt Day (May 28th) to score one of only 100 autograph session wristbands with the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 100th Anniversary Indy 500 Pace Car driver?
To celebrate A.J. getting the keys to the Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car, we’re giving away the very first wristband of A.J. Foyt Day. Avoid the lines, forget camping out the night before to ensure a spot in line at 9:00 am, we’ve got you covered.
It’s simple to win, comment below to share your plans for May. How many days will you be out at the track? Do you come with family, friends, or alone? Do you get tickets in the same spot every year? How many years in a row is this for you?
We’re looking to save a spot in A.J.’s exclusive, 100-person autograph line for the most enthusiastic fan of the Indianapolis 500 — so tell us why you’re it!
Go to the 500 with my traditional group of friends and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the track. Cant Wait
My husband and I will be coming for the 3rd year from Oklahoma. We will be there 11 days from May 20th to the 31st. Our tickets have been in a different spot every year so far.
There is nothing like Indy in May! Look forward to it evey year, it is the kick off to a great summer.
I live in Bedford, IN. I grew up at IMS, I was basically born there. Each year I spend every weekend in May at the Speedway. I love that place and an opportunity to be near one of the greatest drivers in the track’s 100-year history would be an honor and a memory that lasts a lifetime.
Each year I bring my girlfriend (no fiance’) and my best friend from high school. We usually get our tickets close to race day, but we like to get different seats each year to see each vantage point. The facility is so large why not enjoy it all?
This will be my 6th year back since my father’s contract with the Speedway expired in 1995. Basically since I was able to go out on my own and have a little bit of spending money each summer.
I decorated my living room in IMS Centennial Era memorabilia and it bothered me all winter that there was no racing. I made it a point every couple of weeks to visit the museum and one of my favorite employees of the gift shop.
We’ve already been out to Emerging Tech Day, and followed that up with a Grounds Tour the next day – both were was fantastic! Coming back with our office for Carb Day and of course, Race Day. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I’ve been coming! We live downtown besides being able to watch the parade, we’ll walk to the shuttle bus stop and ride the bus to the track early and then back at the end of the day.
May is the best month of the year in Indianapolis!
My family (4 kids, hubby and I) and one of our kids friends are headed to Indy from WY on the 25th. We will spend Thursday-Sunday at the track. Can’t wait, this is our third year (fourth for my husband). My kids are so excited for the autograph session, especially the legends session
I was at the track today for the ROP and a visit to the museum! I will be there for at least one practice day, one qualification day and Community Day. I wish I could be there every day! I don’t get to go to the actual race very often, but I LOVE listening to the radio broadcast just down the street where I help park cars at my brother-in-law’s house. I’ve been listening or attending since I was five! I follow all the drivers on Twitter, read WAY too many blogs, and I’m just an all-around fan. I also have a deep appreciation for the IMS itself. My grandfather helped design the museum and several grandstands!
My brothers and I will be out there everyday possible. My oldest brother is there every day in May no matter what. He eats sleeps and breathes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The month of may is the greatest. We have spent many years in various seats. Not a bad seat in the house. From my grand parents, to my parents and no my siblings and I keep the tradition alive. We bring our kids and friends. Carb Day is pretty much a HOLYday for us, turn 3 every year. This year will be no different. I have been going to the race and attending the track since i can ever remember. May is just another month to the many ordinary people out there, but for my family and friends its a life style. A life style most dont understand…Sitting on the porch right now watching planes fly over now…practicing for the fly over…Cant wait should be an awesome year and many more to come after this 100th anniversay!! INDY 500!!! Experience it!!
I havent missed an Indianapolis 500 since 1992. I was just 6 years old when I attended my first and I turned 25 in march. I will be attending opening day, pole day, carb day and the Indianapolis 500. Im pretty die hard!
My Dad has been going since 1961 – only missing one year 1989 – the year I graduated from college. I have been going every year since 1980 – only missing the ’89 race. My brother joined us in 1982 and missed only the ’90 race (prom). We have been in Paddock since my Mom and Dad went to the 500 since the mid 70s. We now are bringing our next generation (my son and nephew who will be enjoying their third race this year) and we now do this as a generational family affair. We so love the Speedway that I began coming to the Brickyard 400 even though i wasn’t a NASCAR fan. It is the ONLY NASCAR event I attend – I do it because I love everything about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I am so geeked that the month of May is here!
My family has had tickets for four generations. We have the same four seats in Turn 1 every year. I fly in from Vegas now to enjoy the carb day and race day and cant wait for the Vegas race. I bought tickets as soon as they went on sale.
How many days will you be out at the track? 5 (Pole Day, Bump Day, Carb Day, A.J. Foyt Day, and RACE Day!!!)
Do you come with family, friends, or alone? Defiantly Family and Friends. Why would you want to go to IMS alone?
Do you get tickets in the same spot every year? Same Spot every year Stand A, Box 39 Row UU can see all the action in the pits it’s great!!!
How many years in a row is this for you? 10 in a row.. 22 total (had to take 4 years off for exams school)
We get into Indy on the Thursday before the race. We are going to TRY to get to the #beatcancer bash to raise $ for racing for cancer but not sure if we’ll get in town in time.
Now that Friday is Carb day we spend most of the day out at the track. “we” is always my wife and I and then our friends Jose, Cheryl, Bill, Donna and David.
Saturday is always the Parade and we take it a bit easy on this day knowing that we have a full day ahead of us on Sunday. However after the parade and later in the evening we head out to the Speedrome to watch some stock and late model (plus it’s close to our hotel). NOthing beats a pole race the night before the 500.
Sunday is almost a ritual every year, early wake up call and head into Speedway. We have parked in the yard of the same couple every year for the last 13 years now (right on 24th, just west of G’town) as our tickets have always been in J Stand. We start tailgating around 7:30-8:00am and stay long after the race until almost 5-6:00 (why sit in traffic when you can grill out and continue the tailgating plus Beverly & Jim (homeowners) love having us around. We park here for the Brickyard and did for the USGP as well.
This will be my 18th year but we had to miss one because in 2005 we got married the Saturday AFTER the race and just couldn’t afford the time away from the last minute planning.
Superglad that AJ is the Pace Car driver now. ’nuff said.
My dad and I go to the 500 every year and follow pretty much the same schedule. We will arrive on Wednesday. On Wednesday night we’ll be going to one of the local tracks. It varies year to year. We’ve been to Anderson, Gas City, etc. On Thursday night, we’ll be at Terre Haute for the best race of the entire week. The sprint cars are awesome. On Friday we’ll be at the Fairgrounds for the Silver Crown race. On Saturday, we’ll be at IRP (or whatever they call it now) for the night before the 500 race. On Sunday, of course, we’ll be at the big race. We get there early, walk around, and pray for NO RAIN.
Going to enjoy pole day and bump day with my dad and wife. Then take in carb day and stick around for the concert. Saturday head out to raceway park that’s alwys a great show. And raceday sitting with my dad and wife to watch the greatest race ever
I plan on being out at the track for all of the TT’s and the entire race weekend, Thurs-Sun. 2011 will mark my sixth consecutive year for the 500 and eighth total. I come out to have the time of my life with the same group of friends except for one who is currently part of the USMC stationed in Hawaii prepping for his second tour. Currently hold tickets within the same few rows in the Northeast Vista turn every year. Real excited to be there on the 28th, either a winner or not!!
this will be my my 25th year out at the track during the month of May. My father who started with the USAC certification team in 1986 and then worked his way up to Indycar tech team before passing away suddenly in April 2009. Growing up at the track around the many drivers and teams has been an experience unlike any others. The sights, sounds and wonderful memories made will never be forgotten. From meeting the drivers, to being old enough to get in the garage and pits, the basement at the museum, the Oldtimes Hall of Fame dinners, watching my dad help Danica out of her car in victory lane in Japan is just some of the many memories I have. This year I have taken my 3 yr old daughter out to the track so far to begin a new tradition with her. Plan on being there every weekend, Carb day and the rest of the race weekend. USe to sit in C stand for years, but now have seat in the upper Penthouse Paddock at the start/finish line. This year will be the toughest with the Centennial Era coming to a close. I rememeber dad and I talking about how much fun these past 3 years will be and he wasnt able to enjoy it with his family and friends.
My dad has been attending the race for many years, I joined in in 1998, and have always enhoyed taking the trip with my dad. It has always been a special time for me. Back in 2008 it became even more special, I got to share the history and tradition with my 3month old son.
We always start our trip out the same, Leave from Oklahoma on Tuesday morning to make the 8hour drive to Indianapolis. Wednesday is Community Day, possibly my favorite day now as a Mom, getting to share that day with my racecar loving son just can’t be beat. Thursday is an all day event at the Speedway followed by USAC Sprint Cars at Terre Haute, just to wake up bright and early on Friday morning to head to Carb Day. Especially excited for that day this year, get to watch 2010 USAC NAtional Midget Champion Bryan Clauson race in the Freedom 100. Friday night is best spent at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds for USAC Silver Crown cars at the Hoosier 100!! Saturday is normally the parade and a little souvenir shopping to rest up for the BIG RACE on Sunday.
For my family, there is no better way to spend the week of the Indianapolis 500 than at the Speedway during the day and a dirt track at night… Just how Foyt did back in the day!!
My dad gave me the passion for racing and with that, AJ Foyt became a household name. I would have given anything to see AJ wheel a car, whether it be an Indycar or a USAC Sprint Car. Afterall, AJ is MR. INDY!!
My first race was 1987 and it was a tour group ride from hell from Cleveland. Started buying my own seats the next year and eventually ended up in North Vista 3 rows from the top. Now I move….this year….South Vista with my two sons (10 and 11) and am looking forward to double file re-starts.
The Wissler Men will be at the Track all 3 weekends, Fast Friday, find speed or a new driver Thursday, and Community Day. After filling up two hats with autographs the past 3 years..my sons started a Winners Only Hat and a Penske Hat (only Penske drivers). Year one garnered 12 winners. My favorite memory is made each time we’re out there watching 2 young men/boys learn to love the 500 and Indy Car as much a I do and to see them actually get to meet the drivers they root for. Highlight last year was having Ryan Briscoe give them a lesson on how to do a lap around the Track on Community Day (video is on my Facebook). Find me on Facebook, Mike Wissler and you can check out my sons and I in action over the past 5 years…. PS..if I win…. can I have 2 bands for the boys and I’ll just stand back and watch with a huge smile. Thanks.
I plan on coming to the track at least 3 or 4 times. I will be going to the race with my wife.My father, stepmother And brother from Georgia, my other brother and his wife from Arizona, my mother from Virginia. Most of us sit in grandstand H where we have been sitting since 1987 my first Indy 500 when AL Unser won his 4th Indy 500. This one will make 24 years in a row. First started going to the track in the late 70s.
This is my fifth year in a row attending Indy 500 events. This is my third year attending the Indy 500. I go to these events with my parents and my younger brother. We’ve had the same seats each year along pit lane, just behind the scoring pylon, near the entrance of turn one.
I first visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 6, 2007. That day, the speedway recognized A.J. Foyt. They honored the 50 years he had spent in racing.
In 2008, we attended pole day. It was fun and I got some great pictures of the drivers. I decided after watching the Indy 500 on TV in 2008 that I wanted to attend the race. I asked my parents to get tickets as a graduation present (I graduated from college the week before the 2009 race).
So in 2009, we were already going to be attending the race, but we again attended pole day. I also went to the track with my aunt for a day of practice. (That was my graduation present to myself). That year, I met so many drivers. They were all amazing.
Attending my first Indy 500 in 2009 was so emotional for me. I believe I was crying before the green flag even waved. I burst into tears of joy the moment I hear Mari Hulman-George say those magnificent words.
2010 was my second year at the Indy 500. Once again I was there for pole day. Race day was full of fun, too. I saw the celebrities as they walked the red carpet in front of the pagoda. I cheered with the crowd as we watched Tony Kanaan charge to the front. It was a great day.
Now 2011 is here, the 100th anniversary of the first race and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. My family and I will be there May 14th for the first day of practice, May 21st for qualifying and Tom Carnegie Day, May 28th for A.J. Foyt Day and all the autographs, and of course, May 29th: Race Day!!
I will be attending my first 500, my wife and I are attending with our friends (who also have never been to indy). arriving late friday night and planning to attend as many things as possible on saturday and sunday! can’t wait. tickets just arrived yesterday, parking pass ordered. i’ve watched every 500 since i can remember and the though of actually watching them come off turn 4 to take the green flag is keeping this 45 year old awake at night with 20 days still to go…. what am i going to on the 28th (won’t be able to sleep)!
I will be taking my children (9, 5) to time trials. For race weekend, I get the same amount of ticket in the Paddock. We camp out in the Coke Lot right across the street. I have gotten so many people excited about the Indianapolis 500 now! Looking foward to this years. BTW, the only race I missed since 1992 was 2005. I came 8 months pregnant the night before the race. My son was born that night at Methodist!
Cannot wait -the Saturday events are sounding better and better! Looking forward to seeing so many legendary drivers in one place at one time. Hoping Dan Gurney in particular will be there!
If I didn’t have a full-time job I would set-up residence in Indianapolis for the entire Month of May! I’ll be in Indy by Thurs, May 26th. Still working out details for Pole/Bumps Days.
For the 9th consecutive time I’ll be attending with my friend and long-time 500 veteran, John.
When I was 12 my grandfather took me out of school and brought me to the speedway for the first time back in 1988 and I haven’t missed a year since. He spent the day telling me stories from years past. It’s a day that I will remember the rest of my life. Seeing the cars on the track for the first time is something I will never forget. Now 20 years later I get the chance to take my 12 year old daughter to the speedway and share my stories with her the sameway my grandpa did with me. I can’t wait!
First off, I was born May 30th 1977, just 1 day after Foyt won his forth Indy 500. I have been to every Indy 500 since I was 10 (1987). I will be present at the track everyday the track is open in 2011. Most the time I will have my son with me. Did I mention my 4-year old son’s name is AJ! I would love to be first in line to get AJ’s autograph. I have a lot of cool items that would look even better signed by Mr. Foyt.
I will be flying in to Indy (from Houston) on Friday the 20th to attend Pole Day and Bump Day with my dad. He took me to my first 500 when I was in the first grade, and now I get to take him to his first qualifying weekend. Then I will head to South Bend to visit family for a few days. My buddies and I will head back down to Indy (loaded down with food, tents, and plenty of adult beverages) on Thursday to set up our camp site at the same house we have been camping at since High School. The family that lets us camp plays host to over 60 of the same campers on race weekend. Everyone there has become friends over the years and it makes for the most memorable weekend of the year. We will then be enjoying the great Indiana spring weather (hopefully) as well as all of the festivities on Carb Day, Saturday, and my 21st consecutive Race Day. Our hosts always finish up the weekend with a huge feast waiting for all of the campers when we get back from the track on Sunday. The only thing that would top this weekend would be getting to meet Super Tex while we were at it!
I grew up blocks from the historic IMS. I have lived in South Florida for about 6 years and have not been to a 500 since I have been away (1300 miles away) but not this year. I plan on driving 18 hours each way to come witness history in the making. The IMS has always produced great races and the history there is long and great. I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. I plan on being at the track for Carb day as well the world’s largest autograph session and of course the race. I will be traveling alone but I am meeting friends at the track. I have been to 23 Indy 500′s each on was special but I have a feeling this one will be epic.
This is my first year to go for the 500. I have watched it for years on TV but never made it out there to see it in person. I will be out there from Wednesday thru Sunday of the 500 with my 2 daughters & husband. We all are getting VERY excited as the momentum builds.
Going to be at the track for Pole Day, Carb Day, Race Day and hopefully Community Day and this Sunday for practice. We’ll see. I’ve been to the race 5 times and to Carb Day for 10. Usually just sit wherever we can the highest we can, but my favorite seat is up high in turn 1. And I usually go with friends and family, but Pole Day I go sit with some really good track buddies in turn 4. Good times. Can’t wait for Pole Day!!!!!
We live in Speedway, so we love May in our town! This is the 18th year for my husband and I in the same seats!! 1997 was quite a challenge with being very pregnant and the race getting rained out twice!! We are so looking for to celebrating the 100th year!! Last year I drove my Camaro around the track during Community Day!! All of our family is at the track as much as possible!! Love, love the Indy 500!!!
I am 20 years old and this will be my 17th Indy 500 I will be attending. I love going to the Indy 500 every year with my family. We always also attend community day each year so I have gotten to meet my favorite drivers time and time again. To me the month of May is the best time of the year. Race day has become my favorite holiday, way better than even celebrating my birthday. Hearing the cannon fire at 6AM the morning of the race signaling the opeening of the track is exhilirating. The moment the engines fire up and take that first fast lap around the track is unbelievable, words can not even begin to describe the feeling. I’ve grown up loving every moment of the month of may and I will contiue to do so until I can’t anymore. Oh and p.s. GO MARCO ANDRETTI!!!!!
This will be # 8 in the tower terrace for us. Coming out Wednesday and staying till Sunday. Would love to have AJ’s autograph!!!
Be at the track for the freedom 100 as well at the 500. Just can’t wait til that last full week of May, Anderson on wed, terre haute on thurs. IMS and the fairgrounds Friday, little 500 Saturday and then the 500 and kokomo on Sunday. GREATEST WEEK OF THE YEAR.
I began going to the 500 with my Dad in 1965 when I was 8 years old and have only missed 2 since. In the same tradition, my husband and I have taken our 3 children since they were 3, 3, and 5 years old, and when we lived out of state in Louisiana for 8 years we returned each year for the race. We still purchase tickets for our family and now our adult children’s spouses… and soon will include the grandchildren as they get old enough to join us. For now we take them to the parade.
I love the Indy 500 and have many wonderful memories of sitting with my dad and rooting for AJ when I was a young girl. We spend as much time at the track in the month of May as we can and will do so again the next 2 weeks through race day. For me, the family tradition we have established and our love for the 500 is as important as being together at Christmas. There’s absolutely no place else I would rather be than at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with my family in the month of May and on race day. 
I will be there Carb day and the weekend. This is my third trip to the 500. Plan on meeting friends and bringing friends too. Have sat somewhere different every year to take it all in and can’t wait for the weekend!
We go every year with the same routine – wake up at 4AM, pack the kids in the van, drive up 65 to Meridian and take 16th to the track. The last two years have been so busy, we weren’t able to park in the infield, so I did the next best thing. I bought a house on 16th street this year as my “Vacation Home”, and we will be waking up to the sounds of the cannon come race day. This is race #2 for my oldest son, race #3 for my middle son (he’s 3) and the first race for my toddler and two daughters, #13 for me (12 in a row). The last few years, I’ve made it a point to bring someone with me who’s never experienced a 500 race, and they always plan to come back. I’ve put in my vacation days at work, so I’ll be there on the 18/20/25/26/27 and of course the weekends. When I retire (20-25 years out), I’ll move into my speedway home and become a yellowshirt!
My name is Julie and I’m writing because my husband is an Indy 500 fanatic, and has been going since the early 80′s. I feel horrible because once he married me, his years of going stopped. I went to the 2005 race with him, but it was a trial because I have rheumatoid arthritis. It is difficult for me to walk and plus I can’t be out in the heat for long periods of time. Not having the money for covered seats or the suites, we set on the backstretch and i got horribly burnt (depsite sunscreen) So every year we now listen to it on the radio and tape the later tv broadcast. I encourage him and say he can go with buddies but he won’t go without me. However, it still doesn’t mean we miss much of the other activities during May. We save up all year for bronze badges and go out for as many practice days as we can, Fast Friday, Pole Day, and Carb Day. We even went to the balloon glow this past weekend (stinks it was rained out). We also just got back from ROP today. We have gotten quite a few autographs over the years but never the infamous AJs! It would make both of our days to meet such a legend!
Me and my 3 girls spend every bump day in turn 3 on the grassy infield. Grace and Ava love to run and play as they watch the cars. Neither one of my daughters have ever missed a day at the track since their birth. May is their favorite month, they ask about it all year. Is it may yet?? We hear nonstop. Raced is reserved for daddy till girls are older! Thanks IMS for the memories
I was at the track the last time AJ was in the car. Surrounded by so many fans who were sad to see his last lap, i learned to appreciate every time a driver practiced, qualified, and practiced. My husband proposed at the start/finish line almost 20 years ago. We moved to Indy a few years ago and host a huge weekend extravaganza for family & friends every year. Now we share our memories with the nephews so that they can appreciate IMS as more than a track. I’ll be at IMS both weekends and carb day and race day. Can’t wait for Saturday!
I have been to every Indy 500 since 1981. I will be out there as many days that I can be, work allowing. Sunday will be the first official day I’ll spend there this month. We go to the museum and gift shop several times a year in the off season. I will be there for fast Friday, pole day and bump day. My son graduates from high school on carb day, so I may miss that for the first time in years. And I will be there on race day of course!!! I will definately try to sneak in a few practice days too. I love the month of May in Indy because it means racing!!!
The month of may…..I can just hear the sounds of the track right now! I remember the very first time my family let me attend the Indy 500! My family has gone every year since sometime in the late 1930′s or early 1940′s. It started with my great grandfather holding the tickets, then they were passed down to my grandmother and grandfather. The number of us going has grown over the years and the seats have changed a little due to the fact that they have added more stands. One thing that hasn’t changed is my love to attend the Indy 500! I have been every year since 1993 when my family said I was old enough. I enjoyed going with my grandfather, my mother, my uncle and my cousins! Although my grandfather had to quit going about 5 years ago and he passed away 3 years ago I know he is smiling down from heaven on A.J. Foyt! A.J. Foyt was his favorite driver ever! He even once jokingly told me that if I wasn’t an A.J. Foyt fan I couldn’t go to the race with him! It was hard for me to go to the race the first year that he couldn’t attend anymore I told him I would carry him all 10 miles just so he could go! He lovingly smiled and told me to go and when I got back home he wanted to hear everything good that happened in the race! This race is especially important to me because of A.J. Foyt driving the pace car and the love for him as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the Indy 500. This love was instilled in me by my grandfather who was his biggest fan!! We always sit in the Northeast vista and we currently hold 13 tickets and we only attend the race. It is a day that I look forward to every single year……..Even though A.J. Foyts biggest fan (my grandfather) isn’t here on earth anymore I would enjoy the opprotunity to meet A.J. Foyt because of all the wonderful things my grandad said about him as a driver and I know that my grandfather would be smiling even more on us down from heaven if I was able to have this chance…… I look forward to seeing the race!!!!
I’ve only been a couple times to Indy but was treated to one of the best times ever with the Andretti/Green Racing Team. I was fortunate enough to have a seat with the Andretti family in their box seats above pit row.. What a fantastic experience!! This year as fate would have it.. I am attending with a good friend of mine who has never missed an Indy 500 in 45 years!! This year will be his 46th consecutive race.. I’m honored to have been invited. His knowledge of the race, drivers, winners, automobiles is incredible.. We arrive on the 26th and plan to be at all the events that weekend.. If you see us.. My name is Bill and his name is Greg Lehr.. we call him “The Jet Man”!! Look forward to seeing everyone there!!
The Schamel Family has sat in Turn 4 for 40 years this year! This will be my 16th year sitting in Turn 4, Grandstand J, Section R, Row 23, Seat 1-4 or 7-10. We add seats every year in the same section when we have more and more people coming. Those have always been our core seats though. Every year we come from all over to enjoy race weekend. This year we will be coming from North Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania to attend the race. I will be getting there Thursday night to Lot 4. We used to park in a lawn on Georgetown until we expanded and needed more room! Our usual weekend consists of visiting the track Friday, Saturday, and of course Sunday! We have a traditional steak dinner Saturday night and a movie on the side of the RV (it’s a double feature for the older crowd) and a walk on Georgetown to mingle with the other Indy fans! In the past we would hit the Gun Club for lunch before the parade and have a wonderful time in downtown Indianapolis for the parade and sight seeing especially the War Monument. Though the gun club is now closed we still have a wonderful time at the parade! I think that this year though we will be hitting the autograph session that Saturday!
The Indy 500 is something my dad and me have enjoyed together for some time now. Its a way for us to bond sense we don’t get to see eachother that much during the year. When it gets to May I start to get excited and count down the days. This year my mom has finally given in and is going on the vacation as well. We always come out a week early and go to the same KOA. We plan to go to as many qualifying days and races we can. We also go to the night before the 500 which is always exciting. We also try and go to eldora speedway because we love Tony Stewart
. We also go to the state fairgrounds too! As a family we go to the IMAX if we can. This year we plan to golf as much we can fit around the racing. I tired to surprise my dad with a tee time to the speedways course but I was out of luck! One year we will get to play. Race day is always the best, we get up really early and have bloody Marys and then go to the track and check out all the trailers stuffed with merchandise. We check out all the people who are brave enough to camp out on Georgetown ave. We have the same sets every year but this year my dad decided to move from turn 3 to right between turn 3 and 4 so we can see the cars come down te straight-a-way. It’s always a rush walking up to the seats, seeing everyone and watching everyone in the infield. At the 2009 race people started spelling out indianapolis 500 with beer cans in the fence, but they didn’t get too far! Lol. So that’s my story, I’m sure this year we bring something exciting again and I can’t wait !
Indy’s been a family affair for us since the 50s, different members of our immediate family over the long haul would go each year beginning with our parents, but undiminished enthusiasm flows still through the next generation. This year, David holds the family banner and will be there cheering AJ on his day & hopefully sporting one of THE wristbands to do it right. He’ll be at the track with friends he introduced to Indy 2 years ago and now they are hooked, as well, & have their own annual tickets!
Our family got the Indy racing bug in the 50s from the same Italian born gentleman (F.S.) who gave AJ a little career boost many MANY years ago in Italy. In any case, we most often over the years, and always in recent years, sit in the first turn. Miss looking at the old infield crowd antics! But still love the first turn seats. And, our family loves how Indy has kept up with the times but retains its essence. At least a parent and/or sibling or myself has been at Indy consecutively for over 50 years, & wherever each immediate family member who can’t be there is on RACE DAY, he/she tunes in to the max to….Back Home Again in Indiana! AJ & Indy in 2011….WOW! Can’t wait!
Coming into town with wife on Thursday night to soak up the whole 500 weekend atmosphere including the parade and our Ruth Chris steaks. Our 1st child is named “A”my “J”o and that was by design as our AJ was our all time fav. To meet him on Saturday would be great.
My son’s dad has been attending Indy since he was 13. He is now 30. He lives all year for it. Him, his friends and co-workers go on thursday and camp all weekend. One of the highlights for him is the Hall of Fame Museum. They wait in line for hours for that. He also brings new fans whenever he can. One weekend and they’re hooked. His group has gotten bigger by the years. Daniel has given us a great life. He gives to us, even when he can’t. I would love to surprise him with a chance to meet one of the greats of the league. He deserves it. If anyone does, he does.
I’ll be at Tom Carnegie Day (Pole Day) and then back for the race! For the 100 anniversary, how can you not be at the race? I remember being at the IMS in 1977 for AJ’s 4th win. Back then you could go out on the track after the race. I was out there when AJ came by on a parade lap and high dived me! Awesome!
Have never been to the 500. F1 in Nap Town yes but no 500′s yet.
My Indy 500 weekend starts with a 10 hour (one way) Roadtrip to the race, in a van with 3 video screens, 4 Guys and about 150 hours of the best racing/Guy Movies available. One full day at the track pre-race followed, the next day, by “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. I can’t wait.
My husband and I started coming to the 500 twenty three years ago. We worked our way around the track to the paddock area a few years ago. I was happy to get out of the infield as we have always brought the kids with us. My most interesting memory was the Stan Fox reck. It happened in front of us when we sat in the short shoot. Simply incredible. I will also always remember watching Lyn St James as she was the first woman I watched run in the 500. My saddest memory was the day AJ retired. So sad but inevitable. Having him in the pace car this year will really make this race memorable!!
I will be attending the 500 once again this year. In addition to running the IndyCar Series blog on Bleacher Report, I also do a few things for Open Wheel America. I plan on making it to the track for at least six days, seven including the race. I will definitely be there this entire weekend, a couple of practice days during the week, and then of course Pole/Foyt Day and Bump Day. I may even decide to attend the public driver’s meeting. There is nothing else like this in the world. Every year the countdown begins to May here in Indy. When you grow up here your entire life, there really isn’t anything else that can compare to the history and tradition of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. I am so ready for this Saturday, might as well be Christmas!
I will be there from the 19th until after the race. I have a picture I took of AJ in 1971 at the IndyCar race at Phoenix, I would like to have signed. We had a Dirt Champ car in the late 70′s and have fond memories of when Super Tex and other Speedway guys would show up and run the USAC races.
I’ve been to the 500 35 times and I’ve never missed a Brickyard 400. I’m 46 so I went to the race holding Dad’s hand, then later as a crazy college kid and now I’m actually a responsible adult. My girls are 10 and 12 and qualifying weekend is a family weekend for us. We head for Indy on Saturday and use the pool at a hotel. On Sunday we get into the track early and spend the entire day there. Why Bump Day and not Pole Day? All the qualified cars from Saturday are doing full tank runs in traffic. Less drama, but more activity. We move around quite a bit. THE BEST WAY to introduce the Speedway to a child is a qualifying day. It’s less crowded, less expensive, you can move around more.
Race weekend is Guy’s Weekend and we’ll get to Indy early on Saturday morning and enjoy AJ Foyt Day. After that we’ll make the rounds and visit the Indy Friends we only see once a year. Grab some dinner and head to ORP for the Night Before the 500 midgets. On Raceday we’re up early so we can be in the Speedway by 8am. We’ll be in NE Vista section 12 in the seats I’ve had since 1996. Seeing the older winning cars make laps is going to be special.
The most emotional time in prerace always seems to be the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” I’m not a Hoosier and my eyes get pretty moist sometimes. I think seeing Supertex leading the field once more at Indy just might open the floodgates. Whether you cheered for him (like I did!) or against him, if you ever saw AJ Foyt race you saw greatness.
This will be my 27th Indy 500 in the 32 years of my life. And to make this an extra special 500…..it will be the first time I have gotten to share the day with my eldest daughter. So you can understand how excited I am. This wristband would me the world to me and I would LOVE to share the experience with her also! Thank IMS, Hulman Family, and everyone who makes this month the best month of the year!
……Ah, my first Indy 500 was my senior year of high school, 1990. We had our prom that Sat. eve. before the race, and instead of going to the after-prom, three buddies and I hightailed it to Gerogetown, spent the night parked in line and got in the infield that morning. Don’t remember much of that race but vowed to never miss another one. 21 yrs some years later, I haven’t missed a one, now sitting in the middle of turn 2, second row from the fence. Starting bringing my wife a few years ago after all the guys starting bowing out. I plan to keep the streak going and have also begun hitting some other venues (St. Pete is another fave). Our kids have been attending every Bump Day since they were 13 months old and look forward to the month of May as much as we do. This year we will be down next Monday for practice, Bump Day, Carb Day, AJ Foyt Day, and of course race day. When our kids turn 10, they too will begin the tradition of attending the Greatest Spectacle in Racing!!!! I couldn’t imagine doing anything else on Memorial Day weekend. Like Tony Hulman said, “it’s just something that gets put on the calendar every year, like going to Grandma’s every Christmas”. Amen, Tony.
So excited it’s the month of May in Indiana! Annual tradition is meeting my friends from Philadelphia who have been coming to the race over 55 years and 37 years.(and they bring a group of 12 -18 people). I love hearing their race stories over the years! We stay in Indy Thursday through race day and spend every day at the track. With our bronze badges we collect a lot of pictures and autographs as well as having an amazing time! This will be the second year my friend from TN will be joining all of us, it just takes one race to get addicted. I’m also fortunate enough to go up on Bump day, what an exciting day!! Can’t wait!!!
My son and I are travelling from Melbourne, Australia for our first Indy 500 experience. We are planning to spend as many days at the track as possible while we are in Indianapolis. We have been planning to come to the race for a few years and this seems like the best year to attend as it is the 100th anniversary. We are counting down the days until we leave Australia and embark on our 25hr flight to attend the greatest spectacle in racing.
In 1967 I was a paperboy in central Illinois only two hours from the track. I longed to go to the race, which my father had seen several times. Dad told me that he would go if I saved enough from my paper route to purchase tickets. I did, and we saw AJ somehow get through the chaos at the end to become the fourth 3-time winner.
I was at every race from 1967 through 1980 when life caused me to take a break.
I started taking my children to the track in 1999. (It was the perfect baby sitter) They got hooked riding the trams from corner to corner and getting autographs outside the media center. Later that month we saw AJ win his 5th race on TV, with Kenny Brack at the wheel. Going to the track again became an annual event over the following years.
In 2006 we returned to the race because my children demanded it. We have been each year since.
Something from my past always endeared them to AJ Foyt. When they were young I told them a story about an experience I had in the early 70′s. I was a student at Indiana University at the time. It was the Thursday before Pole Day and my room mate and I had hitch-hiked from Bloomington, to the track.
That day was the first and only time I ever was in Gasoline Alley. A member of Johnny Parson Jrs’ pit crew happened to know my room mate, Bob. (The man knew that Bob had two beautiful sisters from the south side of Indy)
His name was Donnie Marquette. (Folks around Indy might know his father) Donnie gave us his credentials and that is how we entered the garage area.
We spent some time walking around the garages before arriving at AJ’s.
Race fans will remember 1973 at Indy, as a year most would as soon forget. It was terrible. AJ was not happy with his car, even though he was awfully fast that day.
There I am in Gasoline Alley with my buddy and we’re at AJ’s garage. AJ decided it was time to go and suddenly came over to close the garage door. In those days they closed horizontally and the door came to rest on my hand as I leaned on the door frame.
To this day I can still get a laugh out of all of my children when I retell about the time that AJ closed his door on my hand. (It didn’t hurt though)
I will be attending my 20th “500″, 11th in a row, this year with my brother who took me to my first “500″ as a 16 year old in 1977. We were in the snake pit in 77′ and in turn one, on the infield in 78′. We got to see AJ’s 4th win. Native New Yorkers now living in MS, we will be leaving Thursday before the race making a stop in Terre Haute for the USAC Sprint cars Thursday night. Friday we will be at the speedway early for INDY lights race and final practice. Friday night will take us to the Fairgrounds for the USAC Silver Crown cars and memorabilia show. Saturday, back at the speedway when the gates open to get in line for autographs. Sounds like it is going to be a long day at the track on Saturday before heading off to Raceway Park for the Night Before the “500″ for USAC midgets. Sunday, back at the speedway before the gates open….love getting pictures of an empty speedway on raceday morning. We’ll be in the same seats we’ve had now for five years, right at the entrance to Gasoline Alley. (great spot for taking pictures). My brother and I plan to, at least, make every race up to the 100th running of the “500″ in 6 years or so.
I have been going to the Indy 500 since a little kid. My first 500 was in 1992 when I was 9. I always go with family and friends. This is going to be one of the best May’s of my life. My brother, whom I always go with to the 500, turns 21 on May 14th, and I am getting MARRIED on May 21st!! The following weekend myself, my brother, and my new bride will all be attending the race with other family and friends! Going to be an exciting May for myself. We are excited for the race and can’t wait to get down there early. I get goosebumps everytime during the flyover, and when I hear the famous words of “Gentlemen Start Your Engines!!!!” (sometimes Ladies and Gentlemen) I am ready for the race, and for all the fun it brings!!!
I grew up in Michigan, but in 1977 I attended my first Indy 500 (age 10) with my dad. We saw AJ Foyt win his 4th Indy 500. A couple of years later I returned to the 500 with my whole family and we sat in the Penthouse Paddock (only time sitting there…amazing seats). Since then I have been a regular at the 500. When I moved to Indianapolis in 1992 my best friend from college and I ordered 4 tickets. We started in the infield and as of last year we have worked our way to the the northwest vista (where we wanted to be in the end).
Every May starts with a trip to the track for Qualifications. My best friend arrives from Michigan the day before Carb Day. We attend Carb Day, get up the next day to attend the autograph session and then the Greatest Spectacle in Racing the next day.
This year is no exception. I have already been out to the museum to see the 67 previous winners cars on display and been out there for their easter egg hunt in the rain. Gonna be heading out to Quals next weekend and Carb day the following week. For the second year in a row, I will be bringing my fiance to the autograph session and race. She is a huge AJ Foyt fan. Hope she gets to meet him.
There is nothing better than the month of May in Indianapolis!
I had planned to come for qualification weekend, but switched my reservations after hearing about this special day. As I’ll be driving almost 500 miles to get there, I do hope to arrive in time!
I’m really looking forward to the 500 this year. This is my first year to purchase a Bronze Badge. I also got the inaugural youth garage credential for my 12-year old son, Cameron. He is really excited about visiting the garage area. It would be an awesome experience for him to meet a legend like AJ Foyt and be able to get his autograph. We have race seats in the NE Vista backstretch. This will be my 5th race and his 4th. We like to sit in different areas of the track. Let’s race!!!
I’ve been going to the 500 for the past 28 years. I will get up to the track carb day and stay all weekend. I love it up there so much, bought a house about two blocks away.
Usually I’m a commuter to the 500, driving back and forth from home for each event, but this year I’m camping out the entire weekend just outside the track! I don’t want to miss a single minute of the Centennial! When 6am rolls around on Race Day, I will happily spend every minute inside, happy and excited for the race to start. The Centennial Anniversary is too important to miss for even a single event!
I drive from North Carolina every year and spend the entire week. This will be my 20th 500. At the track every day for every event. I also go to Terre Haute for Sprints, Indiana Fairgrounds for Silver Crowns and IRP the night before the 500- all at night. I sometimes come with a friend or family member and often come alone. Nothing keeps me away from Indy in May. I sit in a different place every year so that I can soak in the atmosphere and the addictive smells of racing from every possible angle. I love the Speedway and the 500. It is my favorite place on earth.
This will be the second 500 for me and my kids. We came for the first time last year and car-camped in the Coke Lot with my friend (who had told me 20 years ago that he would like to go to the 500 with me). I used to live in Indianapolis but never got to go to the Race or any of the Month of May events as a child, so last year was a 40-year dream come true.
This year we are arriving on Thursday after a 400-mile drive from the hills of West Virginia, and all four of us are excited to spend the weekend at the track; we’re hoping to get to see some of our favorite drivers and I’d feel like the luckiest person on earth to get a bracelet for Mr. Foyt! Can’t wait to be “back home again in Indiana”!
This is the best May of my life. The 500 will be the icing on the cake and I can’t wait! Being from Louisville, this month started out perfect because of the Kentucky Derby where I get to spend quality time with my friends and family. I am also getting ready to marry the love of my life this month! We are holding off on our honeymoon because we just can’t miss the 500! This will be our first together as a couple and I can’t wait to kiss the bricks with him beside me. He is a regular at the 500, but I can’t wait to be a part of this tradition in Indianapolis! It’s a busy month, but the best one of my life and one that I will always remember!
I’ve been listening, watching, and attending the 500 since the early 1960′s. I really got the bug watching Foyt, Jones, and Hurtubise racing on the dirt track at Langhorne, Pennsylvania. I remember Sid Collins introducing a young man from England named Donald Davidson, whose hobby was racing, and the Indianapolis 500 in particular. I listened to Donald doing his usual reeling off of every fact imaginable about the drivers who raced at Indy, and I thought, Who IS this guy? And the silver voice of Tom Carnegie announcing qualifying: “And here he comes, to take the checkered flag!” There have been many storied racing venues over the years, but leading the pack, by far, is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Coming to Indy on May 26 ….grew up in INDY cant wait for the 100th ANNY
I’ve been going to Carb Day for almost 10 years now. It started as a work event when I lived in the Indy area, and has now become almost a “pilgrimage” now that I have moved away. I continue to get up every year at 3am so that I can make the drive to Indy and get there right about the time the cars hit the track. The reason I prefer coming for Carb Day is the access that it provides to the drivers and cars walking through the garage. 3 times in the last 10 years I’ve gotten close enough to A.J. on Carb Day to say hello or ask for an autograph, but he’s been on the move from pit road to the garage and couldn’t stop. A.J. is more than a hero to me, and always has been. I still have an autographed hero card that I received back after sending a letter to him in Houston when I was 14 years old. I now have a 7 year old son who has become a racing fan. I tried to name him Anthony Joseph, but couldn’t convince my wife, so we compromised on Adam Joseph, so I now have a little race fan named A.J. to hang out with! I plan to stay in Indy for the weekend this year, wouldn’t miss A.J. Foyt Day, and I want to see him drive the pace car. It would be a great day for me if I could get a wristband on Saturday to meet him!
I have been at every 500 from 1984 thru this year. My Dad started coming the year after I first did. My Sister and her husband started coming with us in 1992, and a few years ago their son ( my godchild ) started coming with us to the race. Dad & I have been in Tower Terrace Sec 47, row E seats 13 & 14 ( AJ’s #!) for the last 25 years. We are coming up a day early this year ( Friday ) for the first time to see our first Freedom 100 race, and as many of the other events as we can. A.J.Foyt is my all-time favorite driver and is my idol. I would REALLY appreciate the honor of being the first in line to meet him and get an autograph! Thanks to ALL of the people involved with putting this and all the events together for this very special anniversary race!!
On Wed. May 25th, I will be leaving on a thousand mile road trip to my first Indy 500!
I have been fortunate the past couple of years to have “paraded” Tony Kanaan and Ryan Briscoe through the streets of St. Pete, Florida in my Honda S2000!
In 13 short days I will be leaving Orlando, Florida, in my S2000 in search of my tent site in Lot 2 for a Month of May that I will never forget!
As an extra bonus, I see that my section 1 NW Vista grandstand seat will afford me an excellent view of the Fearless at the 500 spectacular!!!
I am so ready for this year’s Indy 500!
See you on the Brickyard,
Thraak
(David)
p.s. Here is a link to some videos/slideshows I have made on how we do it in FLA!!!
http://www.vimeo.com/album/1597373
Attended my first race in the 60s and several since, but moved to Tennessee in the mid 70s and have only made a couple since then. My daughter and I will be there for this one, her first race of any kind. I was there with a small bet on AJ when he outlasted the turbine. Foyt has always been at the top of the list to me. No other driver has shown the love for racing that he has over the years and I don’t believe any other ever will. See ya there…
My dad is such a big Indy fan that he named me Anthony Joseph Truelove after Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr. and my brother, Bryan Scott Truelove, after Jimmy Bryan. I’m making the trip from Detroit to take my son to Carb Day and A.J. day. A namesake has to get the first wristband, right?
I’m from Toronto Ontario, Canada. I’ve been an Indycar fan since I was very little, my Dad’s been a fan since before my time, so I guess you could say I was born into it, I literally was because as soon as I understood what Indycars were and what was going on I was hooked. My favourite driver and racing hero is Paul Tracy! I have nothing against A.J. Foyt, I admire him too! But I’m Canadian and have to support my fellow Canadians’ I’ve only been to the 500 once in person(last year) I went alone since my Dad couldn’t be present. I’m delighted to be returning again this year, and my Dad is comming with me this time! I’m sitting in the same seat as I was in last year(Paddock Penthouse) – I always want to be close to the pitlane so I can see all the action. I have a huge passion for Indycars and racing. We will be atending for 5 days, from May 26 – 30th. Unfortunately we can’t come for a longer period of time due to the work schedules, if it wern’t for that I’d come for the whole thing- Qualifying and all! I cannot wait to meet all the Indy 500 Legends! and see all the special events! – Most of all the Race, there’s nothing like seeing a race in person, watching from home just doens’t cut it – Especially the 500!
This is my 19th race in a row. I’ll be there 6 times this month. I am usually in turn one. Go Tony !!
This is my first Indy 500. I grew up my whole child hood 2 miles from the track I remember dad would grill out, we’d listen to the race on the radio while 2 miles away, also hear all 33 cars and the flyover would come right over our house. I’ve been wanting to go to this event all my life but never had the money and always teased by going to practices and qualifications. But now at age 19, I have the money and finally bought my first Indy 500 ticket in the paddock section. Every year my family and I go to practices and qualifications and every year, my first day at the track every May before I cross the yard of bricks, I always get on my hands and knees and kiss them lovely bricks. I will be busy with work but promise myself that I will go just about every day before work even if I don’t get to see practice. I can’t help myself from going to the gift shop at least twice a month but every time I arrive on the corner of Georgetown and 16th street I pound on my steering wheel in excitement. When I was in high school I’d skip lunch to get on a computer to watch live streaming of Gasoline Ally or practice session, the librarians at school always got mad at me and locked my computer ruining my day. And every May I decorate my living room with the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway flag stand and my background picture on my game system is this years emblem. I’ll be at the track just about everyday at the night before for the big party of the 100th anniversary. I may not be the oldest on here or been going the longest like most people on here but in the end I’m just glad to be alive during this time and be able to remember the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 as well as attending it being that it is my first Indy 500.
I will enjoy the track both weekends , carb day and this will be my 33nd race. I will hang out with about 40 family and friends in the infield of thrn 3 for the weekends and we sit outside turn 3 for the race. It will be great to see AJ driving the pace car this year. I also am looking forward to seeing the Hot Wheels jump this year. Am looking forward to a great race.
Coming out to Indy on Friday night from Albany, NY. This will be the 10th Indy 500 I’ve attended, having gone 3 times in the 80′s, and seven straight years including this year. Have plans to go to the speedway on Saturday for the World’s Largest Autograph Session, out to dinner, and early night so that Raceday we can get their early… Can’t wait…..
This will be my 35th year at Indy. My parents, two brothers and I always attend. Throughout the years many of our friends have also attended, but the family core always remains steady. We have the same seats in the Pit Row Terrace every year.
I have always been able to get to Indy even when the US Air Force stationed me halfway around the world. In 1990, I flew in from Guam to see Arie win the fastest Indy ever. Other times I came from California, North Dakota, Florida and Wisconsin.
This year I will be at the track eleven days, starting with Fast Friday. My work schedule is even helping me this year. I work at Kennedy Space Center, supporting the launch and landing of the shuttle, and launch is right before I leave, with landing the day after I return. Nothing will stop me from seeing the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.
On May 29, 1983–my 16th birthday–I attended my very first Indy 500 after years of watching my parents drive off from our home in Delaware to attend the race. Now, this year, again on my birthday, May 29, I’ll be attending the 500, my 20th, and using this occasion of the most important race in history for a fantastic family celebration:
–My 83 year old dad has said that due to his age, this will be his last 500. We’ll all be there to celebrate his 57 500s and to hear and relive the wonderful stories he has collected over the years–including the time that Jim Clark almost ran into him in the parking lot.
–My sister’s family will be driving in from Colorado to mark the occasion, and as a welcome home celebration for my brother-in-law, just home from his 2nd tour in Iraq.
–And of course, I’ll be celebrating my 44th birthday on race day, enjoying the biggest birthday gathering a guy could hope for, from my seats in the Paddock.
Finally–the only year that my dad has missed at the 500 since the early 50s was 1967. He stayed home in Delaware to witness my birth the day before the race, and missed AJ winning his third. How better could I repay my Dad than to present him with an AJ autograph, 44 years later?
I purchased a 4 day camping pass back in Febuary. I will drive over Thursday & camp in lot 2. I will drive back on Monday weather permitting. I 1st saw A.J. race live at Mid Ohio back in 1987. He is Indy & Indy is him. I am going to try and collect as many authographs from my heros as possbile and couldn’t imagine not getting his.
My first 500 was in 1963. I have been attending every year since 1979. We camp in lot 2 with friends we met at Indy and only see once a year. We sit in the 4th turn. AJ has been favorite since his first win in 1961. I have a picture of AJ in the Konstant Hot sprint car from 1962 that I would love to have autographed.
First race was 1966, Enjoy attending qualifying and practice days in person, then seen the race itself on TV. Guess I’m getting old! LOL
This will be my 5th year in a row. Always go to a practice day with the family, and try to get in carb day. I also make it a point to take someone new with me every year, to introduce them to Indy and hopefully make another fan out of them. This year we’re taking a family of 4 friends down with us for practice day, and then I’m taking another two friends down with me for carb day, including pit & garage access for both of them!
For the race we hold a bash at home, watch it on TV with any converts I’ve been able to make – the party gets bigger every year!
I will be out there for the 33rd year in a row and I love that AJ will be driving the pace car!!
I will be attending with my son, who has been to EVERY race that IMS has hosted since before he was born. He was only 6 months gestation when he attended the very first Brickyard 400!
I have listened/watched the race ever since I was born in 83. I did not have any other choice with my father. When my father passed (the day after the race in 95, he got to watch the race one last time), I have not missed one since. We take the Indy Star, a cup of coffee, and a cigar to his gravesite just so he can enjoy the race too. I was given the greatest gift last year of attending the race. I went with a great friend and sat in the paddock. I will treasure that memory, since we will probably not be able to afford it again. We spend the month of May with family grilling out and reading the program and enjoying the festivities at home. I would love to attend the autograph session if given the opportunity! Cant wait to see A.J. drive the car!
This is my 30th race. Stay with friends in Indianapolis. A tradition that precedes me by 50 years. Going to the 500 is a family birthright.
Looking forward to attending my first indy 500 ever! Coming out the 26th with two friends, and this would be a great souvenier to what I’m sure will be an amazing weekend!
This will be my 29th race. The seats we sit in have been in our family since the 1960s. The spirit of the track and the event itself are a part of my personal story. My earliest memories of activities with my father are coming to the race together. My father used to play in a golf league on the old 9-hole course in the infield….and I used to beg to pull his bag on practice days during the month of May just to get of glimpse of the cars going around the track. This year, I’m taking my 6-year-old son for the first time. I want him to be able to say that his first race was the 100th race. This is more than a race, it is a shared memory that binds families together. It’s part of our personal history and that’s a legacy and emotion that can’t be explained to most folks unless they experience it. I hope someday he is holding on to memories of his first trip to the race with his dad in the way that I cherish my memories. To meet Mr. Foyt and get his autograph on the weekend of the 50th anniversary of his first win and on the 100th anniversary of the Speedway would be a true thrill and the icing on the cake of what will be an unforgettable weekend.
I am 24 years old and this will be mine and my wifes 1st Indy race ever ! I decided to purchase tickets because she is currently pregnant with our first baby and in my family there has been a long time tradition of motorsports but even more crazy, there is the tradition of going to the races while pregnant and letting the baby inside the womb listen to the noise of the engines and feel the rumble of the cars. When my grandma was pregnant with my dad, she and my grandpa would attend the CARRERA PANAMERICANA in mexico and the story is that my dad would start turning and going crazy inside her, then as my mom was pregnant her and my dad attended Formula 1 Grand Prix and allowed me to enjoy the years of Senna and Prost inside the womb, my sister was able to go to the last Formula 1 race held at Indy in 2006 while pregnant and NOW ITS MY TURN ! If i had the chance to meet AJ, id ask him to sign something for our future baby so we could look back and show him how much we already loved “it” and maybe he or she could keep that tradition ! THANK YOU
We have been coming 5 yrs now same seats on the exciting pit lane. I love the roar of the cars and all the hipe. We will be at the track for 2 full weekends. I can’t wait for the autograph session!
My first race was in 1984 and have been going to the race ever since. I plan on going out to the track every weekend. I just stopped by a couple of days ago to go through the museum to look at all the winners. Great show case!!! I can’t wait to see the car show this weekend. Next weekend I am taking a couple of friends to pole day which they have NEVER been to the track. I can’t wait to see their face when they see how big it really is. It’s always fun to bring people to the track for their first time. I will also be going to carb day, the autograph session, and RACE DAY!!! 100 years WOW!!! It gets better and better every year!!
We will be out at the track family day, carb day and race day. A whole group of friends from out-of-state will pile into my home on Friday & Saturday for us to journey to the race together. It’s always a fantastic weekend!! I can’t wait for the 100th Anniversary festivities.
Here is the thing. I want to be out there as much as possible, but with work, I can’t make that happen except maybe a day or two during the week. I’ve missed going to the past 5 Indy 500′s with my dad for that same reason. But I have asked to have that day off for the reason of being at the track for AJ Foyt day Regardless if this entry is chosen or not, I will be there. Thank you for the opportunity regardless
I grew up on the race track as my dad raced in the SCCA. Our family loves racing so much that they were creative and named us kids after race car drivers. My brother Aaron J. (AJ) was named after AJ Foyt. He gew up working on cars and is now on an Indy Car pit crew! This will be my second Indy 500 race and I will be going with my family to watch and support my brother.. I also plan on attending the time trails with my father and community day with my sister-in-law and brothers kids. I’m so excited and can’t wait!
I have fond memories of the track since my Dad began taking me when I was little in the early 80′s. I remember years of waking up in the middle of the night to begin our journey down to Indy from northwest Indiana. Now, I live close enough to walk and still get the same chills and overwhelming feeling of excitement each and every time I see, hear, smell and feel the cars. A.J. Has been my favorite driver since I was big enough to cheer. I am beside myself knowing that we get to see him set the pace and lead the field down the front stretch to the green flag on race day. Friends and family from all over the country gather at our house for festivities beginning plenty early the week leading up to the race. We have walked over and taken it in from inside of turn 3 for the last 6 yrs and look forward to seeing a few hundred thousand of my closest friends again this year! HAPPY MONTH OF MAY TO ALL!
I live in Houston,texas and grew up with A J being my favorite driver . I have far too many AJ foyt t shirts to count as well as pit shirts ! My first indy 500 was 1977 when I was 7w9 years old and my best friend and I drove my 1967 mustang to the race with no idea where we were going or staying ! A J wan his 4(h year in dramatic fashion pushing johncock to blow his engine as as AJ was hunting him down near the end of the race ! I have not missed a 500 since then through hell high water and divorce here I am again ! I always represent aJ on race day with a cap and shirt !! And at Texas too every year including the old Texas World Speedway usac indy car races!
I will be at the track Thursday through Monday over race weekend. I wish I could be there more throughout the month but I just can’t make the 8.5 hour drive every weekend. I’ve been coming to the 500 for 9 years now with my parents (This will be my Dad’s 35th 500), my sister and some close family friends. My boyfriend will be attending his first this year. Watching those 33 cars come through turn 4 and fly down the front stretch towards the green flag gives me chills every time. I look forward to this weekend every year. Even before my parents started taking me to the race I would watch it on TV and wish I was there.
But, I don’t want the wrist band for me, I want it for my Dad. AJ has been his favorite for as long as I can remember. He loved watching him race and enjoys seeing him as a car owner. Coming to Indy for the 500 is his favorite thing to do and wouldn’t miss it for the world. This opportunity would be the best way to round out an already incredible weekend.
My 23rd year at the track. We will be there from the 15th til race day. Sit outside turn 4 during the race now but started in the snake pit in ’89 when Fittipaldi won. Have been a Foyt fan for 32 years.
I take my vacation every year during. I buy a garage pass and spend every day out at IMS that the track is open, rain or shine. Just being there is a thrill for me.
Indianapolis has been a family experience for a number of years. I grew up in Wichita, Kansas – the birthplace of 4-time winner Rick Mears. When I was a kid, my father and his brother went every year.
My dad’s first year was in 1989 when Emmo and Little Al had their classic duel. I first remember watching on TV when Danny Sullivan had the spin and win. I was hooked in 1986 when my favorite, Bobby Rahal drank the milk. In 2007, I made my first trip, very appropriately with my brother. I have been a fan of the 500 since I was a young child. Dad last went in 1995. Until this year.
Dad and my uncle and now my brother and I have always camped in the Coke Lot. We will do it again this year. That is such a great time – to see all the people as excited about race day as we are! I am so ready!
For the 100th anniversary, I’m excited that my brother and I are going once again – along with our dad. It will surely be a special weekend. The tradition has always been to leave Wichita on Friday afternoon, drive all day and arrive in the middle of the night for Saturday’s festivities. This year, we will be leaving a day early – Thursday – so we can be there for Friday’s AJ Foyt Day.
This will be an experience I will never forget. I can’t wait for the 26th when we can load up the car and make the near 800-mile trip to see the 500 again! I have goosebumps just thinking about it!
I live in Pennsylvania, about an hour outside of Philadelphia. This will be my 21st straight 500 and my 25th overall. My dad attended several in the 50′s and 60′s and I’m sure this will be well over 30 500′s for him. We will sit in our usual seats on the outside of turn 1. There is no better seat at the track. Seeing those 33 cars scream into turn 1 at the start of the race is a life altering experience. We get to Indianapolis on the Friday before the race. We love going to the track on the Saturday before to take in all the sights and sounds that lead up to the race on Sunday. Indy is truly a special place. The history of the speedway takes a hold of you and you know you are walking on hallowed ground. There is an overwhelming feeling of excitement when you walk through that gate on race morning. I get chills everytime the command is given to fire the engines. There are 3 guarantee’s in my life. Death, taxes and being at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Memorial Day weekend. I love that race and the month of May.
This will be my 22nd consecutive Indy 500. My seats are in the wheelchair accessible seating area across from the museum. I have Bronze Badges and will be at the track as many days as possible between the 14th and race day….its looking like 7-8 times if everything works out, to include all qualification days, Carb Day, some practices, and of course race day. I come with the same core group of friends every year…There is nothing better than seeing someone’s reaction to the speedway that has never been there, and seeing them enjoy it as much as I do…IMS is one of my favorite places on the planet, and I look forward to May every year.
Every year I think I have seen it all at the speedray, and every year I seem to find something new to enjoy. Last year it was the “Last Row Party” on Carb Day, and this year it will start tonight at Castleton Mall with the driver autograph session, and the Concours De Elegance Car Show at the track tomorrow. We will also be attending “Aggie trek to the track” tailgate event hosted by the local chapter of the Teas A & M Alumni association.
We’re planning on taking our son and daughter out to the track this May, and again in July. Our son has always loved the track, and has just begun to get interested in the history of the track and it’s drivers. He’s enamored by the pagoda as well, so I can’t wait to bring him and fill his little brain full of knowledge.
I have been going every year to the 500 since 1948 and have seen many changes over the years. We will be arriving for qualify and stay until after the race. Would never dream of being any where else, infact in 2004 I put off heart bypass surgery until after the race. The dr. want me in the hosiptal the beginning of May, but said I would not be able to go to the race if I had the surgery before so I waited until the two days after the race. I have seen A J Foyt in all of his race. Can not wait until I arrive again this year.
Wife and I cant wait for this day, I am so happy to be able to walk with the legends. My Dad started my at Indy many many years ago and oh how I wish he were still alive to see what Indy has become. AJ you are and still are the greatest driver to ever race at Indy and what a treat it would be to be first in line to meet you. Thanks all for the chance to let this happenn
I’ve lived in Indy my whole life and have been to races and autograph sessions since I was 7. I still remember FINALLY meeting AJ Foyt when I was 21. I was so starstruck I couldn’t even speak. Well my family doesn’t let me forget this and he is still my absolute favorite driver. I’ll be at the race this year. I haven’t made it every year to the race but definitely get out at some point to spend time at the Speedway. I’ve been all over from the the start line to where ever they needed an extra fan
So happy to see AJ at the race again this year. I’ll be the fan screaming from turn 4!!
Were going to be there for A.J. Foyt day and the race. Were very excited about this years race. were buying a lot of the cool 100th anniversary items. For me it will be my 19th 500. My 1st was in 1975 as a young 13 year old. I still remember it all very well. Were be at the track on race day at 6am and enjoying all the event the day will bring us.
The track is the place to be in May!!! I plan to be out at the track on the 22nd, 25th, 27th, and the 29th. I am actually out there volunteering with the USO on the 22nd supporting or troops for all they do! I usually go to the track with my dad and have been for many many years. My first race was when I was 7 and I have loved it ever since! This race is going to be my 5th in a row and I wouldn’t miss it! My dad had season tickets up till last year but due to finances had to give them up. I was able to get tickets as a father’s day present because I just could not see him miss AJ driving the pace car and the 100th anniversary of the greatest spectacle in racing!!
This past winter my friend I were talking about my birthday. It’s going to be my 50th. Well I was going to spend it alone for reasons. Well my Bday and Indy go together so he popped the the Question. Would you like to come spend your Bday with me at Indy? How could I say no to that. The Century race for the half century woman it just fits. So in a few day I will climb in my car and head out for the most amazing race and a Bday drink with a good friend. A dream come true to watch the race at Speedway, My 5 boys are all jealous lol. Been waiting months for this day, day lol we are there for 4 days going to see as mush as I can.
I will be at the track May 21 & May 28. I have been attending since 1961 & saw AJ win his first Indianapolis 500. Having won the Golden Anniversary 500, how fitting for AJ to be pacing the Centennial Race. My 14 year old Son is coming with me this year, and it is fun for me to share so many memories of 50 years with him.
I live in Wisconsin and use the name @rickfromwi on twitter. I talk Indycar with lots of people. I fell in love with the 500 the first year my family had a tv and I saw the race. This year will be my 5th time going to the race. This is our 3rd year for Carb day and the parade. I have been to the autograph session the last 2 years. If I had to stand in line for the whole 4 hours and only got A.J.’s autograph I would be happy. He was the first driver to be my favorite and he was retired over a decade before I picked a new favorite driver. My first trip to IMS they were honoring A.J. for his 50th year at the track.
Been going to quals since 1965, and the race since 1989. I will be at the track for pole day, carb day and the race. As a kid, I would take a piece of cardboard, paint a grey oval track on it, get together 33 of my favorite hot wheel cars, and have a race every May!!! Of course, AJ always won!!!
I have been a huge Indy 500 fan since I was a kid. Growing up just a couple miles from the track. I have always dreamed of racing a car there. I guess you can say I bleed black and white. So getting A.J’s autograph would be very special to me. Long live the KING.Ha! Ha!
My DAD is the biggest Indy fan. Every year he flies out for qualifications, comes back home, and then we all fly out as a family a week later. Our whole house here in Utah is decorated with Indy 500 memoriablia, not just the den, THE WHOLE HOUSE….dishes in the kitchen, checkered flag toilet covers, photos of Indy in every room, his license plate says INDYCAR, he has even painted his shed in the backyard to match the old white/green garages, and put Indy signs all over it. I remember waiting outside AJ’s garage a number of times in the hot sun for hours, in hopes of having AJ sign a car or a photo that my dad has had in his collection. We use to stay with family in Connersville during May, and on raceday my dad would wake us up before the crows pee’d so that we could make our way to Speedway and hear the canon go off at the butt crack of dawn….hours before the race even started. Growing up going to the Indy 500 with my dad has been one of the best memories I have, and now we have passed on the tradition to my twin boys…who my dad wanted to name AJ and Mario, but I said no…sorry dad. They now love going to the track in May with my parents and I, every American should be required to experience Indy during the month of May, you just don’t understand until you have been there, seeing everybody come together at the track, all there for the same reason, to enjoy The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Thanks to my dad for all these great racing memories.
I have been to every Indianapolis 500 since I was 6 in 1985. I sat in the (now gone) south tower terrace in the top row. One of my most memorable moments was sitting in J stand when A.J. Foyt announced his retirement over the PA system (long before video boards) clearly fighting back the tears. After years of sitting in seats all over the speedway, and always trying to get everyone together we now tailgate inside turn 3 starting at 6am, eventually we all disperse to our seats and meet back after the race. I will be there everyday there is track activity and even some when there is none. I have an original brick that needs an A.J. Foyt autograph, please pick me.
Ryan
@iamindy500
My first race was 1960,the year before I graduated from high school in Ohio.I have only missed on race since then when i was in the Army.Grew up not far from Eldora,and got hooked on racing watching AJ on the dirt.It has been great watching all the changes.I listened to my first race with my dad in 1952 when Troy Ruttman won.I worked at Methodist Hospital for 32 years,so I got to know a few of the drivers that way.I was head of the IV therapy dept.so i have started a few IV’s on some of the drivers.In the early 80s I took the whole month of May off and worked for UNO racing,driving a golf cart and running everyone all over the place.They even paid me for this.I would have gladly done it for nothing.Love the Speedway and every thing involved with.Hulman George family are the best.
Thanks for your consideration
John Mikesell
I am taking my daughter, 11 and son, 7 to their first 500 this year. They have been to practice and qualifications and simply love going to the track. We live in Cincinnati and have plans to be at the track for race and the autograph sessions on Saturday. My kids love Dan Wheldon! However, my request is for my son to meet Mr. Foyt. My son was born on the 100th anniversary of the first flight by the Wright Brothers back in 2003. We naturally wanted to be at any huge historical event that is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary. With the 500 turning 100 this May it would be another 100 to add to his list of things he has done with his Dad.
Cheers,
Mike Harris
This is my 55th Indy 500 – my first one was 1950 with my dad who had been going since the 20′s. I ended up with tickets in Turn 1, Sec 5 in the mid-80′s among mostly Terre Haute fans. We have become friends and it’s a reunion every year now. i have 6 tickets and we have a group from 6 states that come every year, except this year i am bringing my daughter from So.CA for her first race. I told her 10 years ago she could come to the 100th race and she has reminded me of that ever since. We park at AJ Watson’s house in Speedway and enjoy his stories. i am from Texas and have met AJ and naturally always root for his car to win. I am looking forward to another great time in Indy!
I will fly in to be there Friday of pole weekend for the PACE car show. Fly back home Sunday for work and then fly back on Thursday with the kids for race weekend. Have been to numerous races my 15 year old son has been to 11! Maybe I started him too young …. NAH
As one of the owners of CamaroPaceCars.com and 4 Camaro pace cars I was thrilled when Trump “got fired”. Having AJ drive is AWESOME after all he did win in 1967, oh yeah the Camaro was the pace car that year too! Now if he only knew where his pace car award was!!!!
In august my husband and I are expecting our first child so baby will be coming to Indiana from Colorado for its first 500 before it’s even born!!! So excited to start a tradition I grew up with our new family!
This will be my third time to the Indy 500. I have been an AJ fan since I was 15, listening to the 500 on the radio each Memorial Day. Got to see AJ run at Ontario Motor Speedway and have some great wins there. My wife and I will be sitting in the Paddock seating (handicap section). We will be there for Carb Day, Parade and the race.
Well looks like there are plenty of great fans out there, however I think my mom tops them all. This will be her 61st consecutive 500. That’s right, she hasn’t missed a one. Even through marriages living in Boston, sick kids, weddings, sick husbands and pregnancies she has been to everyone. I was raised out there during the month of May. I have been to 35 yrs of Quals and 25 consecutive 500′s as well. We are huge A.J. Foyt Fans and mom has been following him since before he ever ran at Indy. I have an entire room in my house devoted to the INDY 500 and a wall exclusively for A.J. Foyt.
We are 4 generations of race fans and not only attend INDY but my mom has been all over the midwest throughout the 50′s and 60′s. I have made it recently to Kentucky, Mid-Ohio, Milwuakee, Chicago and plan on getting to Texas this year for the race. I could go on and on about our love for this sport and THE race. Please, please please pick my mom for the number one fan!!!!!!! Kathleen Speicher Super Fan.
it would be extra special for me to win the wristband ,Ive been a Foyt fan since I can remember.Been going to the track since I was 4 years old,I have home movies of me and my late grandma Durham and my parents Mary & Ray in Gasoline Alley in 1964 we where all dressed up I had my man suit on and My Dad had his suit on and Mom and grandma looked like they where going to the Kentuckey Derby,with the fancy hats and all.My 2 favorite times of the year are Christmas and Indy in the month of May.The 1971 500 was my 1st actual race it scared the crap out of me ,we where sitting in the old stands between 3 & 4 when Mel Kenyon started that change reaction crash.Wanted Mark to win that day but it was cool to see BIG AL get his second straight.I ended up owning a 71 Challenger kinda cool I think,440 six-pack shaker,had to sell that baby last year at the auction in AZ that the tents blew down on lol,what a trip the last few years have been.I wouldnt miss the 100TH for anything sitting in Grandstand C in the shade ,and to meet AJ would really be cool
P.S. INDY RULES
For me it all started with my Grandpa Earl Gingles who taught me all about the Indy 500. And in 1968 he took me to my first Indy 500 (in Denver) Yes due to a heart condition that my grandfather had, he could no longer travel, so I saw Bobby Unser win his first 500 by my grandpa taking me to the piped in coverage of the 500 here at the “Denver theater” in downtown Denver. Is there anyone else out there that remembers that when you could go see the Indy 500 at the local theater?
Him and I use to also go to our 1/5th mile oval, Lakeside speedway where I saw the likes of Johnny Pearsons, Mel Kenyon and I’ll never forget meeting and getting (the late)Jim Malloy’s autograph. Then at 16yrs. having the 8th place finisher of the 1948 Indy 500 Johnny Mauro teach me to drive, since then, what an honor that was too me. There is so… much more to my story, but today I am a public school bus driver here near Denver Colorado, and I do have an obligation to the kids, but the day after school ends here, I’ll be headed to Indy. So I’ll be arriving on Thursday May 26th. and bring some dear friends to there first Indianapolis 500. So I hope I will not be to late to obtain a wrist band to finally get an opportunity to get an autograph from my Grandpa Gingles hero Anthony Joseph Foyt. A.J. the day you took that last lap at Indy, like you; before I could suck it up, I was crying right along with you, and I think my grandpa was looking down from heaven that day feeling the same.
Thank you for allowing me to write just part of my story.
Keith Dochterman
Denver CO.
P.S. A.J. Can you imagine what your dad would feel about you once again leading the field at Indy on race day… Cool deal
It’s been years since I’ve attended the Indy 500, but one of my favorite memories was getting to go to the track with my dad for raceday, and watching AJ Foyt race in the Indy 500! Would love to get an autograph for him as a thank you for the memory! THANKS IMS!!
I have been married to Warren for 28 years. For the first 15 I had never seen him on Memorial Day weekend. He kept asking me to go to THE race with him. I always said, “Why would I want to watch cars go around in a circle for 3 hours” ? I didn’t know about the about the electricity in the air or the whole event. He took my father and daughter with him. I always knew about his watching at the gates to catch a glimpse of AJ Foyt. This is his 42nd consecutive race. We live in Utah. This is my grandsons 8th Indy 500. They are only 7 years old. You figure it out. They think that “Back Home Again In Indiana” is the National Anthem. My husband, Warren, deserves a wristband to the AJ event. He thinks AJ hung the moon.
As a boy, growing up in Connersville, IN, our neighborhood would have a “block cook-out” every Memorial Day. Back then, Memorial Day was always May 30th and that’s when the Indianapolis 500 was ran. While the parents were talking and preparing the grills for the hot dogs and hamburgers, the backyard radios were tuned to WIBC and “the Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. During the early minutes of the broadcast, we boys were fine tuning our bicycles which were spit-shined and decorated, complete with streamers and numerous baseball cards attached to the spokes to imitate the engines of our favorite race car. As the preparations continued for the cook-out… we put the final touches to our bikes. There weren’t 33 boys in our neighborhood but we did number 9, so we recreated the “first three rows”. When “Back Home Again in Indiana” was heard on the radio we ended our “pre-race prep” and anticipated the start. When Tony Hulman gave the command to “Start your engines” we got on our bikes to perform our Parade Laps. Each of we “9 drivers” had secured a transistor radio to our handlebars in order to listen to the live broadcast of “the 500″ as we peddled each lap. “Our track” was riding around the block re-enacting the Indy drivers route… peddle fast – turn left – peddle fast – turn left and with each of us knowing that by wearing our PF Flyers we COULD peddle faster. Our parents and neighbors were cheering for us behind Mr. Poske’s hedges on Vermont Ave, our Front straightaway, giving us that surge of energy as we entered Turn 1. The families along 29th, the Short Chute, cautioned us about Turn 2. Our Back Straightaway ran parallel with Grand Ave. which led to Turn 3. The Sinclair Service Station located at the corner of 30th & Grand Ave served a dual role as Turn 3 & Pit Road. The Sinclair attendants had the broadcast of Sid Collins and his crew of reporters announcing the race going through the speakers outside the station. The station attendants would also give us words of caution as we exited PIt Road/Turn 3 and approached 30th Street, our North Short Chute. Then to Turn 4, 30th Street back onto Vermont Ave. and back to the roars of the cheering spectators along the Front Straightaway hedges. Eventually, the race would end, with one of us “9″ as that year’s WINNER. Our Victory Banquet was the neighborhood cookout. Our parents, neighbors and siblings recalling how heroic all 9 of us were earlier during “the race”. I attended my first Indianapolis 500 in 1969 and have attended every race since. My daughter, our only child, attended her first race in 1987 and my seven year old twin grandsons have attended every race since May 2003 – they were born in August, 2003. My family’s affliction and association with the Indianapolis 500 has spanned three generations and come this Race Day, May 29, 2011, when I hear “Back Home Again In Indiana” there will be a part of me that will go back to that old neighborhood in Connersville where on May 30th, in 1961, I was A.J. Foyt on a bicycle and the WINNER of the “neighborhood Indianapolis 500″.
My Dad and I will be at the track every day that we are not working… we bought bronze badges for the first time this year. We are taking my 84 yr old grandfather to qualifications on saturday. My Brother is comming home from the U.S. Army just for the race.
We will get to Indy Friday before the race. There will be 16 of us. I’ve been going to the race since ’91. My Dad has been to every race since “73. My Grandfather started going to the race in 1940 and only missed a handfull of races until his death in 2003. I still have his 1940 ticket and a photo album of pistures from the forties. We sit in the southeast vista every year. A good friend of mine just got back from his tour of duty in the middle east and will be flying into Indianapolis to join us for the race.
The Indianapolis 500 IS memorial day.
In 1996 my uncle gave me a shout that they were heading to Indy for the 500 and wondering if I’d like to tag along . I had a little time off , so off we went . I pick up my ticket walking to the track race day and the hook was set . It was cold and damp out but no one seemed to notice. Buddy Lazier did a great job and kept us on our feet for most of the race .My uncle likes to leave early to beat the crowds and I felt like I was missing something 96 . in 1997 I returned on my own but had to be back to Kansas Tuesday morning so I got soaked and only watched 15 laps . In 98 I let my friends talk me in to skipping the race and going to the lake . The day of the race everyone jumped on the jet skis and took off and I was left in the camp ground with no TV and couldn’t find the race on the radio . This is when I decided I’d rather be in Indy . I’ve made every 500 since . I’ve also found out my grandfather went to the 1947 race and have his 47 stub framed next to mine from 1997 . I have purchased my ticket from a scalper once ,a ticket broker once and from the ticket holders . I’ve set in NE vista,NW Vista , Paddock, Paddock Penthouse, Paddock press box and E Penthouse . In 2000 I was 3ft away from from the front of Juan Pablo Montoya’s Car when it passed tech after the race, pretty cool seeing the grime and abuse the front wing takes . Last years I ran into Jim Nabors at Meijers . Every year meet up with old friend at the fair ground and pit race till the wee hours . In late May there’s only one place to be “Back home again in Indiana “
SO WHO WON THIS??
When my dad took me to the track for the first time during qualifications in the early 60′s, the roadsters were dominant and fun to watch, then the rear engine cars and then watching my first race in 1968 when the turbines were there, and attending several other races, but none when my favorite driver (AJ) ever won. The only driver who’s done it all and knows how to get the job done. The smells of the tire compound and fuel to the crowds of people from all over the world makes the Indy 500 a really special place that pulls mankind together once every year to really celebrate what Memorial Day is all about. I hope to get your autograph some day Mr. Foyt.