2015 Indy 500 thread

[BigDGarciaFan]

tomorrow is the big race. last week there were too many crashes happening during practice, James Hinchcliffe wont be able to race.

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/12933880/weird-month-indy-edge

lets hope the drivers drive extremely safe and entertain the fans with some great racing tomorrow.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Love this race and have followed it every year since the 60's. Back then it was radio coverage only. Then this invention called television aired the race on tape delay so you had to hope you didn't hear who won. Once the race began airing live I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately the series isn't close to what it once was but that is a discussion for another thread.

I remember when the pole speed hit 170 mph and everyone wondered how the cars would stay on the track going that fast. The whole month of May was spent at Indy and every weekend we watched the Indy time trials and couldn't wait for bump day and the drama it always brought.

Now the excitement has dwindled causing lower TV ratings and attendance. The big names and racing families everyone knew have all but left. The starting grid is filled with people most have never heard of before. Sure there is 8-10 names some will know but it's not the same. Even the NASCAR boys have given up running both races any more.

I'll watch it tomorrow just as I always do. Jim Nabors won't be there singing but the ballons will fly and I expect a pretty good race. With any luck there won't be any serious accidents and no one will get hurt. I'm sure drivers wives will get too much air time (happens every year) and I'll complain about that (happens every year) but just like football if it's on I'm in do not disturb mode.

Oh my prediction? Not going out on a limb here. Starting from the pole I'll go with this guy:

 

[Keifer]

Love this race and have followed it every year since the 60's. Back then it was radio coverage only. Then this invention called television aired the race on tape delay so you had to hope you didn't hear who won. Once the race began airing live I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately the series isn't close to what it once was but that is a discussion for another thread.

I remember when the pole speed hit 170 mph and everyone wondered how the cars would stay on the track going that fast. The whole month of May was spent at Indy and every weekend we watched the Indy time trials and couldn't wait for bump day and the drama it always brought.

Now the excitement has dwindled causing lower TV ratings and attendance. The big names and racing families everyone knew have all but left. The starting grid is filled with people most have never heard of before. Sure there is 8-10 names some will know but it's not the same. Even the NASCAR boys have given up running both races any more.

I'll watch it tomorrow just as I always do. Jim Nabors won't be there singing but the ballons will fly and I expect a pretty good race. With any luck there won't be any serious accidents and no one will get hurt. I'm sure drivers wives will get too much air time (happens every year) and I'll complain about that (happens every year) but just like football if it's on I'm in do not disturb mode.

Oh my prediction? Not going out on a limb here. Starting from the pole I'll go with this guy:

Hated to hear about Hinchcliffe, that was a scary injury and he is lucky to be alive. I will be watching as always hoping an Andretti finally gets to drink the milk again but I think the Chevy's have it covered this year. Just out of curiosity, which side of the split were you on during the civil war years?

 

[Doc50]

Love this race and have followed it every year since the 60's. Back then it was radio coverage only. Then this invention called television aired the race on tape delay so you had to hope you didn't hear who won. Once the race began airing live I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately the series isn't close to what it once was but that is a discussion for another thread.

I remember when the pole speed hit 170 mph and everyone wondered how the cars would stay on the track going that fast. The whole month of May was spent at Indy and every weekend we watched the Indy time trials and couldn't wait for bump day and the drama it always brought.

Now the excitement has dwindled causing lower TV ratings and attendance. The big names and racing families everyone knew have all but left. The starting grid is filled with people most have never heard of before. Sure there is 8-10 names some will know but it's not the same. Even the NASCAR boys have given up running both races any more.

I'll watch it tomorrow just as I always do. Jim Nabors won't be there singing but the ballons will fly and I expect a pretty good race. With any luck there won't be any serious accidents and no one will get hurt. I'm sure drivers wives will get too much air time (happens every year) and I'll complain about that (happens every year) but just like football if it's on I'm in do not disturb mode.

Oh my prediction? Not going out on a limb here. Starting from the pole I'll go with this guy:

Similar thoughts and memories.

Went to school with Jim McElreath's daughter, and we used to sneak onto Rolling Hills CC golf course in Arlington through their property.
Watched him and Rutherford and Foyt with excitement and angst. Didn't like the Unsers - they weren't Texans.

Agree that it's been diluted with hype and corporate pretense, but it's still the Great American Race. Will pull for Foyt's team, and hope for close finish.

Next year is the 100th race - hype and build up with old stars and race highlights should be fun.

 

[burmafrd]

I was a 500 junkie for decades. Then that stupid split and the idocy of all involved all but destroyed the Indy series and they will never recover what they had.

Reminds me of what happened in the NHL with the moronic behavior on both sides that turned Hockey into a minor sport.

There just is not anyone in racing anymore - NASCAR or anywhere else- that has in any way shape or form the attraction of the group that was in the 500 in the 70's and 80's and in NASCAR about the same time. Earnhardt Sr kind of kept it up for a while but once he died NASCAR has kind of become really blah. They are just run better then the Indy series.

BUT I guess you could not sustain Indy for a month like they did for so long- not in this day and age of instant gratification and no patience and no appreciation for much of anything really solid.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Hated to hear about Hinchcliffe, that was a scary injury and he is lucky to be alive. I will be watching as always hoping an Andretti finally gets to drink the milk again but I think the Chevy's have it covered this year. Just out of curiosity, which side of the split were you on during the civil war years?

Hinchcliffe's accident was preventable IMO. Overreaction led to adding parts to cars without proper time to test. At least the cars are staying on the track today.

The Chevy's seem to have the edge this year and if they dominate I'm anxious to see what that leads to next year.

The stupid stupid civil war. It almost killed the sport. I think it's pretty clear which side the public favored. Tony George....argh! Unfortunately the public didn't matter and basically got screwed over royally. Here we are in 2015 and I still don't feel like the sport is making progress in getting back to what they once were and it is a big shame. The equipment is light years better and safer but it just feels like something is still missing. I'll stop rambling now.

Car owner Dan Gurney rubs Bobby Unser's
head after Unser won the second of his three
Indy 500s in 1975. ISC Archives/Getty Images

 

[big dog cowboy]

Went to school with Jim McElreath's daughter, and we used to sneak onto Rolling Hills CC golf course in Arlington through their property. Watched him and Rutherford and Foyt with excitement and angst. Didn't like the Unsers - they weren't Texans.

Agree that it's been diluted with hype and corporate pretense, but it's still the Great American Race. Will pull for Foyt's team, and hope for close finish.

Next year is the 100th race - hype and build up with old stars and race highlights should be fun.

Great story about McElreath. Love that stuff. I liked old man Unser but Jr was a hot mess. Next year all the stops need to be pulled out. That will be the best chance to promote the series and try to get the fans interest back into the sport. Back in the day I would see Indy 500 promos on soda cans and potato chip bags just all over the items in the grocery store. Not any more. That is what I want to see them get into again.

 

[Keifer]

Man that was a good finish. Hate to see Marco not win it but I've always liked Johnny Pablo, the guy is an open wheel master. He is back to where he belongs.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Chevy engines in Penske cars. Should have known better than to pick against them.

Despite the horrible start it was a great finish.

 

[Doc50]

Great story about McElreath. Love that stuff. I liked old man Unser but Jr was a hot mess. Next year all the stops need to be pulled out. That will be the best chance to promote the series and try to get the fans interest back into the sport. Back in the day I would see Indy 500 promos on soda cans and potato chip bags just all over the items in the grocery store. Not any more. That is what I want to see them get into again.

Penske 1 & 2.
That's the most wins by an owner, 16.
He never raced at Indy, though.
Was offered a rookie try-out once in the early 60's, but he turned it down; another young rookie, Mario Andretti, stepped in and landed his first ride.

 

[Keifer]

Penske 1 & 2.
That's the most wins by an owner, 16.
He never raced at Indy, though.
Was offered a rookie try-out once in the early 60's, but he turned it down; another young rookie, Mario Andretti, stepped in and landed his first ride.

Some people were just meant to lead. I have never been a Penske fan but there is no question that the captain owns the brickyard.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Couple of side notes:

The group that sang "Back Home Again In Indiana" sucked big time. Really let me down.

Mrs. Hulman needs replaced on the command to start engines. It's time to turn that page.

As predicted the wives found a way to get on air the last 10 laps. Never ever understood why. I watch to see what happens ON the track.

Really hated to see TK wreck.

Hope the crew members who got hurt on pit lane are OK. (BTW that was completely avoidable)

Jeff Gordon driving the pre-race pace car? Good Lord. What the hell were they thinking? Because he is from Indiana and won there in NASCAR? I almost threw up. Yes I may be a little bias but I can't stand that pip squeek. Luckily I recovered from that just in time to see Patrick Dempsey wave the green flag. All that just added to the pre-race suckness.

Glad there wasn't any rain issues.

What the hell was Sato thinking trying to pass, while 3 wide, in turn 1 on the 1st lap? The defination of stupid right there.

Overall it was a good race with the last 100 laps drivers really getting frisky.

Next year I'm picking a Penske driver to win.

 

[Keifer]

Couple of side notes:

The group that sang "Back Home Again In Indiana" sucked big time. Really let me down.

Mrs. Hulman needs replaced on the command to start engines. It's time to turn that page.

As predicted the wives found a way to get on air the last 10 laps. Never ever understood why. I watch to see what happens ON the track.

Really hated to see TK wreck.

Hope the crew members who got hurt on pit lane are OK. (BTW that was completely avoidable)

Jeff Gordon driving the pre-race pace car? Good Lord. What the hell were they thinking? Because he is from Indiana and won there in NASCAR? I almost threw up. Yes I may be a little bias but I can't stand that pip squeek. Luckily I recovered from that just in time to see Patrick Dempsey wave the green flag. All that just added to the pre-race suckness.

Glad there wasn't any rain issues.

What the hell was Sato thinking trying to pass, while 3 wide, in turn 1 on the 1st lap? The defination of stupid right there.

Overall it was a good race with the last 100 laps drivers really getting frisky.

Next year I'm picking a Penske driver to win.

They really should have retired Back Home Again in Indiana with Jim Neighbors, it will never be the same. I think they just unhook Mary Hulman from a machine and wheel her out for the command, she has looked like the crypt keeper for years. I completely agree about the wives, it almost looks like they are trying to act nervous, Ashley Judd was the worst but they all do it.

 

[Fletch]

Man that was a good finish. Hate to see Marco not win it but I've always liked Johnny Pablo, the guy is an open wheel master. He is back to where he belongs.

Yeah, dude couldn't drive a stock car for ****. Only time he did well was road courses where set ups don't matter all that much.

 

[Keifer]

Yeah, dude couldn't drive a stock car for ****. Only time he did well was road courses where set ups don't matter all that much.

Yeah I expected more out of him in Nascar but to be fair Chippys stockcars aren't exactly top of the field. He had some strong runs on ovals and a couple races he should have won if not for bonehead mistakes at the end.