The Official Blog of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

1983 Steve Chassey

He drove a car called the Genesee Beer Wagon. He drove for a rookie woman car owner. He is one of two Vietnam War veterans to make a “500” field. He sold insurance to teams for on-track crash damage.

Steve Chassey made his mark at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with three starts in the hallowed Indianapolis 500 and has stayed involved in different ways through the years.

He had a best finish of 11th in 1983, but he took a lot of different cars to the line, innovations, like the two-tone blue Jet Engineering Eagle, one of arguably the prettiest race cars ever to run on the 2 ½-mile oval.

“I was pretty proud of that,” he said of his ’83 finish. “In ’83, we finished the race with a stock block (engine).”

That was the Genesee Beer Wagon, fielded by Dick Hammond.

The whole experience at the Speedway is something Chassey treasures.

“Growing up in open-wheel  racing, that was the pinnacle of racing,” Chassey said of the Indianapolis 500. “In our careers, it’s what we all looked for. I love the Speedway. They treat me nice.”

Chassey built stock cars, then went into the service. He was scheduled to go to Vietnam as a communications specialist, but that changed and he became part of a howitzer battalion as a sergeant E-5. Pete Halsmer is the only other Vietnam War veteran to make the show at Indy. He was a helicopter pilot.

When Chassey returned to the United States from the war, he started racing sprinters, on his way toward the Midwest and Indy. In 1981, he drove for female car owner Lydia Loughery, but they failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Chassey started the “500” in 1983, 1987 and 1988. After he retired as a driver, he went into the racing insurance business for on-track physical damage. Generally, at that time in the late 1980s, teams figured about a crash and a half per season in their budgets.

“At one time, we had 16 to 18 cars insured,” Chassey said. “There’s not one of the teams now that I know of that is insured for on-track crash damage now. They look at the premium and say, ‘I can buy a whole car for that.’ But what if you knock off the same corner four or five times during the season?”

Chassey moved from Indianapolis to Glendale, Ariz., in October. He was elected a year ago to serve on the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers organization.

He would get back into insurance if he found a company that wanted to get involved in motorsports. And he’ll certainly be at the Speedway this month.

Billy Boat 1998

Billy Boat went through some trials and tribulations before he grabbed the pole position for the 1998 Indianapolis 500.

“We crashed in practice right before qualifying,” Boat said. “I knew we had the speed, but we had some other issues. I knew we had an awesome race car.”

The pole came when the legendary A.J. Foyt gave Phoenix native Boat his shot at Indianapolis.

But mechanical problems in the race kept Boat from Victory Lane that year. But the pole was quite an achievement, and kitchen magnets featuring his picture appeared the next year.

“Any time you can see the leader with 25 laps to go, you’ll have a shot to win it,” Boat said. “We had the best car in ’98.”

In 1999, Boat finished third, his best in seven starts at Indy.

“The third behind Kenny (Brack) was a great accomplishment,” Boat said. “In the heat of the moment, you always want to win.”

Boat joined IndyCar at a time when opportunities opened up for sprint and midget drivers around the country.

“That was always my goal,” he said. “I was at the right place at the right time. I was happy to be there. I did my own team with Cary Agajanian and Mike Curb in 2001 and 2002. But for 2003, the budget was going to go from $1.8 million to $3 million, so we just couldn’t do it.”

Boat was operating an automotive exhaust business in Phoenix before he came to the Speedway.

“I started Billy Boat Performance Exhaust in 1990,” he said. “Since then, I’ve taken a more active role in the company. We work on Corvettes, Camaros and BMWs, high-end performance cars.

“My son Chad was only 8 or 9 when I was racing Indy cars, and I’ve taken an active role in his racing. Now he’s living in North Carolina. He’s going to be 21, and he’s been running some NASCAR and ARCA. He hopes to be in the Nationwide Series next year.

“My brother Mike is still here doing sales for us. My daughter Trisha works in the social media department for Chip Ganassi in Charlotte. My other two daughters, Emily, 17, and Brooke, 18, are into cheerleading, and Brooke goes to Arizona State next year.”

Boat said his IndyCar Series victories at Texas were rewarding, and he was in Victory Lane with Foyt in ’97 when a scoring question arose and Arie Luyendyk came to Victory Lane with his team to protest. A.J. promptly shoved Luyendyk into a flower bed. Through a long audit, Luyendyk was declared the winner.

But Boat confirmed something that has floated around the paddock for a long time: A.J. still has the trophy.

This week was an exciting one for IMS! Dan Wheldon was here with the 2012 INDYCAR for a few days of testing. It’s always an honor to have Dan at the speedway, but it was an even bigger honor to have him here in the 2012 INDYCAR. The IMS oval has had the rare opportunity of seeing the complete evolution of the INDYCAR race over its famed 2.5 miles – think about how the cars have changed over the years. The sleek 2012 model looked great crossing the yard of bricks.

2012 INDYCAR

Dan had great things to say about the new car, and the testing program this year. “The evolution lately, over the last few tests, has been phenomenal,” Dan says about the new model.

It was great to see the 2012 INDYCAR on our oval, and we can’t wait to see a field of 33 race around the track next May. What do you think of the new model? Thoughts, opinions, concerns?

We’ve been getting all of our fans hyped on Twitter and Facebook for the Ben Spies tweet up for the past 2 weeks! Today was finally the day. The first 5 fans in line outside of the Oakley retail garage received a free pair of Oakley Batwolf sunglasses and Ben signed autographs for about 20 minutes for a line of fans that stretched from one row of garages to the other!

A big crowd for Ben Spies and Oakley

Fans were armed with sharpies, posters, framed pictures and helmets. We knew this would be the appropriate place to find our Fan of the Day, and who better than the first person in line? Jennifer had been waiting in line since noon (the tweet up was at 5pm). She didn’t even leave to eat lunch, she had family and friends deliver food to her.

Jennifer waiting for Ben Spies with her Oakley Batwolf sunglasses

Jennifer has followed Spies through pretty much his entire career. She has watched him race for about 10 years she said, and has even met his mother! She has attended the Red Bull Indianapolis GP every year at Indy and her favorite racing memory was the first time MotoGP came to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Ben finally arrived and the fans cheered for him as he took his seat outside of the Oakley garage. Jennifer was first to get an autograph. The line of fans took their turns getting autographs, shaking hands and wishing Ben good luck this weekend.

Jennifer got to walk away with a free pair of Oakley sunglasses, an autograph from her favorite driver and a great memory! What more could a fan ask for?

Indy 500 weekend is officially here (yes, I start my weekends on Thursday) and I don’t know about you but I’m ready to get this party started! While the race may not be until Sunday, there’s plenty of action to check out between now and then. Here’s a rundown of the events on my schedule. You’ll also find information about each event as well as their Twitter handle if available and of course you can follow my weekend on Twitter too (@lesalina)!

Where will you be?

Thursday, May 26

Jocktails at the 500 / Jocktails After-party

7 pm – 10 pm Invite Only Event

10 pm – 3 am After-party, open to the public

Jocktails at the 500 will feature some of the biggest names related to the Indy 500, and other local celebrities using their star power to raise money for this year’s beneficiary, Racing for Cancer (www.racingforcancer.org). 100% of the tips raised from the event will be donated to the organization. While the event may be by invite only, the after-party is open to all and will be hosted by yours truly!

Info: Jocktails Celebrity After-party Hosted by Leslie Bailey, Blu Lounge, 240 S. Meridian St.
Indianapolis. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jocktails/131277730281798?v=info for more information.

Follow this event on Twitter: @Jocktails, @RacingForCancer

Friday, May 27 – Carb Day

Firestone Freedom 100

12 pm

One happy Carb Day fan

Don’t miss the 9^th Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is your chance to witness the future stars of IndyCar in action! And it’s only 40 laps which means you’ll have plenty of time to get to the rest of the Carb Day activities.

Info: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Miler Lite Carb Day Tickets: $20

Follow this event on Twitter: @IndyCar

Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Staind with Special Guests Papa Roach

3:30 pm

Remember them? This concert is free with Carb Day admission so get your beer and prepare for a flashback to the 90’s. Grab yourself a beer and enjoy! (Please drink responsibly. Nobody likes that guy at a concert.)

Info: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Miller Lite Card Day Tickets:$20

Saturday, May 28

IPL 500 Festival Parade

12 pm

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper leads the two-mile procession of floats, marching bands and all 33 competing drivers. Fun for the whole family! If you’re not purchasing reserved seats, make sure to arrive early to get a good spot as you will be joining more than 300,000 spectators for this 54 year tradition.

Info: Pennsylvania and North Streets, Reserved seats are $14.50; $18 and $32. Visit http://www.500festival.com/parade/ for more information.

Follow this event on Twitter: @500Festival

FANtasy 500 Race Party

9 pm – 3 am

The 4^th annual FANtasty Race Party will be hosted by television personality Catt Sadler, recording artist and actress Christina Milian, and CNN’s ‘Morning Express’ host Carlos Diaz. Held at the historic Columbia Club on Monument circle, this event is sure to be the hottest party of the night.

Info: The Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN, Tickets: $75 General Admission/$100 Moet VIP Lounge. Visit http://www.fantasy500party.com/ for more information.

Sunday, May 29 – Race Day

The Centennial Indianapolis 500

12 pm

The green flag drops

Celebrate one hundred years of history on the track as 33 drivers race for the checkered flag. Personally, I’m looking forward to the Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500 World Record Jump Attempt at 10:40 am and watching the National Anthem performed by David Foster, Seal & Kelly Clarkson during the pre-race festivities, but nothing – I mean nothing, beats the sound of those famous words and hearing the engines roar.

Info: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tickets: $30 and up. Visit http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com for more information.

Follow this event on Twitter: @IMS

The National, the 1912 Indy 500 winner

The National, the 1912 Indy 500 winner

1956 Indy 500 winner Pat Flaherty

1956 Indy 500 winner Pat Flaherty

The 1977 Indianapolis 500 Parade Lap

The 1977 Indianapolis 500 Parade Lap

The month of May is a busy month for the IndyCar teams, employees and fans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway preparing for the Indianapolis 500. Preparation for a fan is key to having an exciting and unforgettable experience.

Before I was old enough to understand the importance of the Indianapolis 500, I was strutting through Lot 2 on Georgetown Road like it was my backyard. Little did I know, I would become a fan of the atmosphere the month of May presents, and many fans do not experience what I have the past three years working for the speedway.

When I think of experiences that are unforgettable, I immediately think of my first opening day for parking at last year’s Indy 500.  I woke up on a Thursday morning at 6 a.m., walked half a block on Georgetown to Lot 2 and noticed something I have never seen before at the speedway. Motorhomes galore is the way to explain it. Hundreds of RVs, campers and trucks were lined down Georgetown as far my 20/20 vision could see.

The lot opened at 7 a.m. as we spent the day parking every lined vehicle waiting for their 20 by 40 spot. As the fans waited patiently to be parked, I talked with familiar faces, but, more importantly, I met younger, first-time campers for the race.  Many fans shared their excitement for the upcoming weekend asking me to ‘park them where the party is at.’

The party takes place all weekend and they wanted to be a part of it. Thursday morning it was exciting to see new fans that come to enjoy their first 500, because the weekend was only beginning.

Always a big turn out at Indy

The party starts on the Thursday before the race; however, there are plenty of events to take place before drivers take the track for Sunday’s 500 miles. Thursday may not have any events, but there are events throughout the weekend.

Friday, traditionally known as the Miller Lite Carb Day, includes the final day of practice for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and continues to be one of the many living traditions of the Indianapolis 500. In 2007, Kid Rock held a concert behind the pagoda where thousands of fans crowded around. The day also includes a pit stop challenge and the Firestone Indy Lights race.

It's concert time!

Saturday does not have any on-track activity, but it will include driver’s meeting and the annual 500 Festival Parade through downtown Indianapolis.

The month of May has many exciting events for fans, but for fans wanting a true experience, there is more to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” than 500 miles. Fans should plan for an exciting Memorial Day weekend as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrates 100 years of world-wide leadership in motorsports.

The Hall of Fame Museum in 1976

The Hall of Fame Museum in 1976