Indianapolis 500/Coca Cola 600
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and, for many, it will mean a weekend of travel to celebrate what is traditionally the first holiday of the summer season. For those of us who are car junkies, and racing junkies, it is a doubleheader on
Sunday. The Indianapolis 500 will celebrate the 100th running of, arguably, the greatest race in the world. Fitting that an event so prestigious takes place in Indiana, and that is not a knock on this great Midwestern state. On the contrary, it doesn’t get any better than staging such a great race in our nation’s heartland, where it belongs.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hallowed ground for those of us who celebrate the marriage between man (and now woman) and machine. The place just wreaks of history, with the fabled Gasoline Alley leading to the pits and, ultimately, the track. The track consists of two long straightaways and two short turns, called short chutes, making a rectangular oval. It is mainly a flat track with little banking, and speeds reaching upwards of 225+ mph.
The infield at the fabled facility contains part of a golf course. Several Rose Bowls can fill the infield with space to spare. With the exception of time off for two World Wars, the speedway has staged the worlds’ greatest race every year. There were times when the speedway was left for dead and was filled with weeds way back in its early years. But those who had a vision decided to revive the speedway and the race and those of us who are race fans are glad they did!
Even those who are just casual fans, or maybe just watch one race, have at least heard of the Indianapolis 500. The name Mario Andretti is always uttered and is synonymous with speed. Andretti is one of those legendary drivers associated with Indianapolis, as he won the race in 1969, his only victory there. Other drivers who have become famous because of the speedway are four time winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., and Rick Mears. Three time winner Bobby Unser, brother of Al, and Al Unser Jr., a two time winner.
Winning the Indianapolis 500 puts you on the map as a race car driver and it goes with you forever. The prize is the Borg-Warner Trophy, where the winner gets his face’s likeness molded into it, the average speed, and the time of the race. It is etched there forever. The winner also gets money and a ring. The traditional winner’s drink is a bottle of milk. Essentially, the 500 is a part of Americana and a portion of one of the most important holiday weekends of the year.
The race airs on ABC, which is mostly owned by Capital Cities that owns ESPN. Race coverage begins at 11:00 a.m. EST and the race starts a little after noon East
Coast time. The drama and excitement associated with the race lends to the fact that almost anything can happen at the speedway. All eyes always seem to find their way to Danica Patrick, the most successful female driver in terms of marketing, as she awaits her first victory at the speedway. She led the race a few years ago before finishing fourth. However, when she is on the track, she is just another competitor in the eyes of the men she is racing against. All are out to win the most famous race in the world.
Because my dad was a car guy, loved racing and followed the sport, it became ingrained in me. This is a part of my Memorial Day weekend and I carry on the tradition of watching the race. The Indianapolis 500 is one race on the open wheel schedule for the Indy Racing League, but it is the most famous by far. One driver’s life will change forever at the conclusion of the competition when he, or she, takes the checkered flag.
Not to be outdone, NASCAR will take center stage in the evening, as the longest race on the Sprint Cut schedule will take place Sunday evening on Fox beginning at 6:00 pm. The Coca Cola 600 mile race used to be called the World 600 back in the day when the pioneers of the sport raced. What is notable about this race is that it starts during the day and ends at night under the lights. Track conditions change as dusk falls. Drivers need to exchange shaded face shields for those that will allow in the light at night.
In NASCAR lore, the Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the year, the Southern 500 at Darlington the toughest, and the Coke 600 the longest. All three are crown jewels of the sport. The length of the race takes it toll on the drivers, their crews, and their cars, namely the engines. It is truly survival of the fittest.
Last week, the Sprint All Star race took place at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is where the 600 will be run this weekend. Carl Edwards walked away with the top prize last weekend of over $1 million, setting the stage for the second of two weekends, the nightcap, in Charlotte.
It is important to acknowledge that Charlotte is the race hub of most of the teams in NASCAR, so family and friends will be in attendance Sunday night. One of two places the race teams really want to win is Charlotte because it is the hub of the teams and the business. The other site being Michigan because of Detroit and the home of the Big Three manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Dodge/Chrylser).
All Sprint Cup races have a strong military presences, but this race will especially because of the magnitude of the weekend. NASCAR and the military enjoy a very solid and strong alliance, so the Coke 600 will have a very special feel to it for that reason. Much like the Indy 500, the Coke 600 is a very special race and one that all race teams really want to win.
So, for those of us who are diehard race fans, and car guys, this weekend is going to be a racing smorgasbord and it just doesn’t get any better than that! The only thing better would be to be able to attend each race in person. Despite the tough economy and gas prices that have been rising and are now starting to fall just a bit, there are those who are diehards and plan their vacations around these two races. It is sure to be a fun weekend!
*The Pirates took two out of three last weekend against the Detroit Tigers in interleague play. Unfortunately, they couldn’t close the deal on Sunday and who took the mound for the Pirates but, guess who, Paul Maholm. This guy just can’t buy a break and he is not the kind of pitcher his record reflects. He has received little to no run support from the offense, for whatever reason. Something has to give or this will be cause for concern if the bats don’t get some run production for Maholm as the season continues to take shape. As of the weekend, he is 1 – 7. Flip that record around and the Pirates might be flirting with first place.
This is not the same Pirates team of recent seasons because Clint Hurdle will not let it be. He has brought an enthusiasm and accountability to this franchise that has been lacking for years. There are demands and consequences if they are not met, which is the way it should be. He is fiery without being a goof and a fool. He backs up his guys and shows that be going onto the field and question umpires calls. Enthusiasm is contagious and it is showing this year as the Pirates continue to flirt with the .500 mark. As long as the NFL lockout continues, the Pirates will be center stage in Pittsburgh, and they are delivering.
Sunday. The Indianapolis 500 will celebrate the 100th running of, arguably, the greatest race in the world. Fitting that an event so prestigious takes place in Indiana, and that is not a knock on this great Midwestern state. On the contrary, it doesn’t get any better than staging such a great race in our nation’s heartland, where it belongs.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hallowed ground for those of us who celebrate the marriage between man (and now woman) and machine. The place just wreaks of history, with the fabled Gasoline Alley leading to the pits and, ultimately, the track. The track consists of two long straightaways and two short turns, called short chutes, making a rectangular oval. It is mainly a flat track with little banking, and speeds reaching upwards of 225+ mph.
The infield at the fabled facility contains part of a golf course. Several Rose Bowls can fill the infield with space to spare. With the exception of time off for two World Wars, the speedway has staged the worlds’ greatest race every year. There were times when the speedway was left for dead and was filled with weeds way back in its early years. But those who had a vision decided to revive the speedway and the race and those of us who are race fans are glad they did!
Even those who are just casual fans, or maybe just watch one race, have at least heard of the Indianapolis 500. The name Mario Andretti is always uttered and is synonymous with speed. Andretti is one of those legendary drivers associated with Indianapolis, as he won the race in 1969, his only victory there. Other drivers who have become famous because of the speedway are four time winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., and Rick Mears. Three time winner Bobby Unser, brother of Al, and Al Unser Jr., a two time winner.
Winning the Indianapolis 500 puts you on the map as a race car driver and it goes with you forever. The prize is the Borg-Warner Trophy, where the winner gets his face’s likeness molded into it, the average speed, and the time of the race. It is etched there forever. The winner also gets money and a ring. The traditional winner’s drink is a bottle of milk. Essentially, the 500 is a part of Americana and a portion of one of the most important holiday weekends of the year.
The race airs on ABC, which is mostly owned by Capital Cities that owns ESPN. Race coverage begins at 11:00 a.m. EST and the race starts a little after noon East
Coast time. The drama and excitement associated with the race lends to the fact that almost anything can happen at the speedway. All eyes always seem to find their way to Danica Patrick, the most successful female driver in terms of marketing, as she awaits her first victory at the speedway. She led the race a few years ago before finishing fourth. However, when she is on the track, she is just another competitor in the eyes of the men she is racing against. All are out to win the most famous race in the world.
Because my dad was a car guy, loved racing and followed the sport, it became ingrained in me. This is a part of my Memorial Day weekend and I carry on the tradition of watching the race. The Indianapolis 500 is one race on the open wheel schedule for the Indy Racing League, but it is the most famous by far. One driver’s life will change forever at the conclusion of the competition when he, or she, takes the checkered flag.
Not to be outdone, NASCAR will take center stage in the evening, as the longest race on the Sprint Cut schedule will take place Sunday evening on Fox beginning at 6:00 pm. The Coca Cola 600 mile race used to be called the World 600 back in the day when the pioneers of the sport raced. What is notable about this race is that it starts during the day and ends at night under the lights. Track conditions change as dusk falls. Drivers need to exchange shaded face shields for those that will allow in the light at night.
In NASCAR lore, the Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the year, the Southern 500 at Darlington the toughest, and the Coke 600 the longest. All three are crown jewels of the sport. The length of the race takes it toll on the drivers, their crews, and their cars, namely the engines. It is truly survival of the fittest.
Last week, the Sprint All Star race took place at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is where the 600 will be run this weekend. Carl Edwards walked away with the top prize last weekend of over $1 million, setting the stage for the second of two weekends, the nightcap, in Charlotte.
It is important to acknowledge that Charlotte is the race hub of most of the teams in NASCAR, so family and friends will be in attendance Sunday night. One of two places the race teams really want to win is Charlotte because it is the hub of the teams and the business. The other site being Michigan because of Detroit and the home of the Big Three manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Dodge/Chrylser).
All Sprint Cup races have a strong military presences, but this race will especially because of the magnitude of the weekend. NASCAR and the military enjoy a very solid and strong alliance, so the Coke 600 will have a very special feel to it for that reason. Much like the Indy 500, the Coke 600 is a very special race and one that all race teams really want to win.
So, for those of us who are diehard race fans, and car guys, this weekend is going to be a racing smorgasbord and it just doesn’t get any better than that! The only thing better would be to be able to attend each race in person. Despite the tough economy and gas prices that have been rising and are now starting to fall just a bit, there are those who are diehards and plan their vacations around these two races. It is sure to be a fun weekend!
*The Pirates took two out of three last weekend against the Detroit Tigers in interleague play. Unfortunately, they couldn’t close the deal on Sunday and who took the mound for the Pirates but, guess who, Paul Maholm. This guy just can’t buy a break and he is not the kind of pitcher his record reflects. He has received little to no run support from the offense, for whatever reason. Something has to give or this will be cause for concern if the bats don’t get some run production for Maholm as the season continues to take shape. As of the weekend, he is 1 – 7. Flip that record around and the Pirates might be flirting with first place.
This is not the same Pirates team of recent seasons because Clint Hurdle will not let it be. He has brought an enthusiasm and accountability to this franchise that has been lacking for years. There are demands and consequences if they are not met, which is the way it should be. He is fiery without being a goof and a fool. He backs up his guys and shows that be going onto the field and question umpires calls. Enthusiasm is contagious and it is showing this year as the Pirates continue to flirt with the .500 mark. As long as the NFL lockout continues, the Pirates will be center stage in Pittsburgh, and they are delivering.
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