Video courtesy of IndyCar.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

IMS Hard Hat Media Tour 9/9/15. Special thanks to IMS Productions for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Interviews with Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves, Juan Pablo Montoya, Marco Andretti, Josef Newgarden, and Ed Carpenter

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Replicarz Johnny Lightning 1:43 1970 PJ Colt Indy 500 Die-Cast

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to Honda Racing HPD, IMS Productions, and IndyCar for footage.

To enter send e-mail to indy44@earthlink.net and tell me what you love about IndyCar and how you became a fan. In subject line of e-mail use tag #IndyCarSlotCarSet. Be sure to include twitter user name in e-mail. Winner will be notified through e-mail and on twitter. Contest starts at 2 PM ET 3/13/15 and ends 3/15/15 at 2 PM ET. I will read all e-mails and post winner’s submission here at contest end.  Good Luck! Matt @indy44

Congrats to #IndyCarSlotCarSet winner Rick Weber (Twitter handle @rickweber). Hope you and your family enjoy the Slot Car track!

Here’s Rick’s winning submission.

What comes to mind when I think about Indycar?

Tradition. History. Emotion. Memories. Hallowed ground. Flashbacks. Heritage. Emotion. Pageantry. Milk. Back Home Again. Drama. Balloons. Enormity. Heroes. Emotion. Colors. Sounds. Speed. Emotion.
These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of what Indycar means to me.
To this day I can’t make it through the pre-race ceremonies without getting choked up. I am a huge Indycar fan and a huge race fan, but the Indianapolis 500 is so much more than just a race. It is an American institution. It is a celebration. It is a rite of passage. It is magic and goosebumps. And it is where I received my passion for Indycar.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, some of my favorite childhood memories involved going to IMS for qualifications with my dad and my uncle. In 1979, I remember listening to the 500 on the radio and hearing Rick Mears win. As an eight year old, I thought it was so cool that the 500 winner shared my first name. In 1982, I remember going to Pole Day with my dad. Sadly, that was the day Gordon Smiley died in a Turn 3 accident. I remember hearing that the accident was bad.
We didn’t see it since we were on the the front stretch and in those days there were no jumbotrons showing replays. But, I’ll never forget hearing the announcement an hour or so later that Smiley had been fatally injured in the crash. It was a couple hours before the track re-opened for practice. My dad and I talked for a long time after that and for him it brought back memories of when Eddie Sachs was killed during the 1964 race. My dad talked about how he had a hard time continuing his love affair with the race after Eddie Sachs was killed. Sachs was one of my dad’s favorite drivers. I went though similar emotions after Wheldon’s death at Las Vegas. But somehow (almost against all logic), Indycar has a way of pulling you back in.
In 1982, I listened to the race with my dad on the radio. I was cheering for Rick Mears and I was walking laps around our dining table picturing where the duel between Johncock and Mears was taking place. Dad was leaning forward in his chair and I remember him just repeating ‘I can’t believe it’ over and over after what was at that time the closest finish in 500 history. The next year we had to be there in person.

So in 1983, I finally got to go to my first Indy 500 and witness the drama in person. In 1983 the battle that year of Sneva and Big Al, with rookie Little Al a lap down (assisting his Dad late in the race by possibly blocking when his car was between Big Al and the Gas Man). As a 12 year old that year, I remember thinking that I would totally do that for my dad. I also remember that year hearing that earlier in his career that Tom Sneva had been a school teacher. As a middle school student at the time, I thought that was kind of cool.
The next year, I got to see in person my radio hero from 1979 win his second 500. The following year (1985), we were sitting on wooden bleachers on the inside of turn one (these bleachers no longer exist). They weren’t very good seats overall, but we had the absolute perfect view of Danny Sullivan’s famous ‘spin and win’ as it happened right in front of us. From 1986-1989 we moved our seats and sat in the Southwest Vista. One of my favorite memories from those years was Big Al’s 4th win in 1987. I was always a fan of the Unsers, and not the Andrettis.

Since then, I have had to miss some race days over the years, but I have been to 24 500’s in all and this year will be my 25th. Since 2004, my wife and I have been sitting in Stand A. I love these seats and enjoy that we are covered on rainy days and shaded on hot days. We also have a great view if the front straight, the pits, and Turn 1.

Sadly, my dad passed away 14 years ago and my uncle is now gone as well, but I can still see them in their prime in my mind’s eye when I step through the gates at 16th and Georgetown.

Now, I take my two young sons to the track. I tell them how I use to come to the track with my dad when I was a little boy. I stand in wonder looking at that enormous track and hearing the echoes of generations past. I hope that they will have memories like I do of the speedway. Memories built traditions after all. Little Al said it best in 1992 with tears in his eyes (and he wasn’t speaking just for drivers). “You just don’t know what Indy means.”
So my love for Indycar started with the Indy 500, but it quickly transferred to the entire Indycar season. For the past 5 years, I have made it in person to at least 3 Indycar races each season and I watch the rest on TV. We know to schedule family events around Indycar races. This summer, I am taking my sons to Mid-Ohio, Milwaukee and Iowa for races. In the past, I have made it to Kentucky, Kansas, Pocono and Fontana. We are also looking forward to attending the Grand Prix of Indy for the second time this year.
That’s what Indycar means to me!
Rick

Release Date:

27 February 2015 (USA)

Official site

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

1/43 True Scale TSM 1980 Porsche Type 940 Interscope Racing Danny Ongais Car #25

Special thanks to Daniele Sanfilippo @DanSanfy13 for the great work.

Special thanks to IMS Productions, IMS, and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to NBC Nightly News for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to NBCSN and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

My #1 pick as always for an #IndyCar return would be @PhoenixRaceway. What's yours?

— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Michigan International Speedway

— Dylan (@Dylan_TLR) May 30, 2014

@indy44 I know they go to belle isle. But michigan intl speedway

— XIII (@GJHoover) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Michigan

— Jeff Carder (@Indyvipers) May 30, 2014

@indy44 I would like to see PIR, Gateway, KC, Nashville, KY back on the schedule. It would make 4 a #greatvariety of tracks

— alex cain (@alexcain33) May 30, 2014

Hands down… Michigan RT @indy44: My #1 pick as always for an #IndyCar return would be @PhoenixRaceway. What's yours?

— Jeff Matthews (@matthews500) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway Phoenix! I live in Mesa and would go and bring friends who aren't IndyCar fans! I just hope it happens before I move

— Chris Albrecht (@trumpetchris) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Road America and Portland

— Brian Wilson (@bwilson_27) May 30, 2014

@indy44 : Concur on Phoenix. I'd also add Cleveland.

— Steve Singiser (@stevesingiser) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Nazareth. (Sigh)

— All The Cups (@AdamLarson14) May 30, 2014

@indy44 I'd vote for @KySpeedway or @RIRInsider #IndyCar

— Alan Stewart (@_alanstewart) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Gateway

— Chris Blackstock (@BlackstockChris) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Richmond

— Daniel Burnett (@frosdigital) May 30, 2014

@indy44 – @PhoenixRaceway @roadamerica and Portland 1a 1b and 1c

— Stephen Simonds (@spsimonds) May 30, 2014

@bwilson_27 @indy44 Cleveland & Michigan…somewhere in there…in the shadows, Disney World Speedway!

— Jerry Cruz (@IndyCar_Raider) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway ky speedway, michigan, phoenix

— Eric Bull (@Snowmobiler2855) May 30, 2014

-@indy44 I choose Watkins Glen as my return choice for #IndyCar @WGI

— Kelsey Minier (@KelseyUSA) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Cleveland and Kentucky

— Aaron Pfeifer (@a_pfeifer3) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Homestead maybe!

— Tyler Swihart (@tylerswihart6) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Road America, Phoenix, Michigan. Also, Nazareth. Maybe Pikes Peak. How am I supposed to make a short list?

— Aaron Foster (@_aaronfoster) May 30, 2014

@indy44- tangent but I’d like to see IndyLights paired with another series visit O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indy. Big fap in their schedule!

— Adam Yoder (@adam_yoder) May 30, 2014

@indy44 toss me in for Chicagoland #hometrack

— Jeremy Scott (@jscottontheair) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Then put me down for one, although PIR would be a close second

— DZ (@HalfShaftBlues) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @kansasspeedway Night racing #Indycar at Richmond was fun . More ovals please . I am good with Kansas . More night time racing ?

— Davis (@davisracing322) May 30, 2014

@indy44 im for a Chicago Race! Is that what we are voting for??!!

— jennifer caldwell (@jennifercaldw18) May 30, 2014

@indy44 back to Sparta!

— Jeremiah Morrell (@jeremiahmorrell) May 30, 2014

@indy44 oh … CHICAGOLAND!!

— Bill Zahren (@pressdog) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Cleveland and Portland.

— Adam Heidrick (@adamheidrick) May 30, 2014

@indy44 count me in for Chicagoland. That track made me see Indycar drivers as heroes

— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Baltimore (hometrack) charlotte, homestead, RIR

— Care Bear™ (@AndrettiAngel25) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Really need about 6 more races on the schedule. Let's go Kentucky, The Glen, Phoenix, Road America, Portland, and Chicagoland

— Jeremiah Morrell (@jeremiahmorrell) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway I totally agree…along with Michigan…even though I'd never make it to either race I wanna see them back!

— Douglas Knopp (@daknls2006) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Phoenix, Road America, Cleveland, Portland, Kentucky all good choices

— chris guthier (@guutness) May 30, 2014

@indy44 either Kentucky or Nashville. Both ovals and both reasonably close to indy.

— Chris Cunningham (@CunninghamCE) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Road America!

— Michael Friedman (@mfriedman_63) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Michigan & Road America. I would be so happy!!!

— Ed Johnson (@hockeypimp17) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @pressdog Laguna

— John Hendricks (@JohnHendricks3) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Rd America

— kathy evans (@luvindy) May 30, 2014

@indy44 I'll vote @GatewayMSP never seen a bad race there, 2nd choice @ChicagolndSpdwy it's only an hour and and a half away

— Daniel D (@dddavi2) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Cone back to Cleveland but race a downtown circuit.

— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Road America. Sentimentally, I wish it was possible for it to return to Vancouver.

— Stephen King (@stephenVking) May 30, 2014

“@JohnHendricks3: @indy44 @pressdog Laguna” Watkins Glen

— Paul Peters (@PMPRacing7) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @pressdog road america, laguna, glen, michigan, kentucky,kansas,chicago,sao paulo, surfers,miami,motegi

— Guilherme Borghezani (@guilherme2203) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Phoenix!!! Richmond, Cleveland or Road America. Oh and Chicagoland and Laguna Seca. DW12 would perform well at those tracks.

— Juan (@ChromeHorn08) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Laguna seca, road america and maybe portland… good old times

— Jorge Cruz (@Georgecross85) May 30, 2014

@indy44 More ovals, IndyCars seem to run better on flatter tracks: Phoenix, Gateway, Nashville, Pikes Peak, Disney.

— Kevin Henry (@kevinphenry) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @pressdog Road America

— Vincent Venegas (@vindesigns2013) May 30, 2014

@indy44 EuroSpeedway

— David (@1102boomsoon) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Twin Ring Motegi (oval). unique, crowd was loving the new date & packing the place last 2 years before they stopped

— Allen Wedge (@AllenWedge) May 30, 2014

@indy44 / @PhoenixRaceway also!

— A r i e l Melchor (@ArielMelchor) May 30, 2014

@indy44 We always had great times at Nashville. Would love to see the DW12 there.

— curtis boggs (@curtisboggs) May 30, 2014

@indy44 patriotically speaking, Gold Coast, Australia #indycar

— Michael Shaw (@elephino_) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @pressdog Laguna for sure…..

— MJ24proRD41 #BeatCHI (@mj24proRD) May 30, 2014

@indy44 put me down for Michigan

— Chris Blackburn (@ChBlackburn23) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway pure and simple Road America…let those car run

— Fake Graham Rahal (@RahalGraham) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Michigan, Gateway, Road America, Cleveland

— Sam Klein (@sklein31) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway Yes #1 followed closely by @KySpeedway

— Maury Williams (@bigmo500) May 30, 2014

@indy44 1: MIS 2: Vegas (rip) 3: Road America 4: Cleveland 5: Homestead

— James (@IndyCar_Rebirth) May 30, 2014

@indy44 as much as it'd hurt for a return to the track that took Dan, i'd love for Las Vegas to be back. it'd be a great tribute to keep it.

— Rampaiger ❤ (@TheDavidFoxy) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @IndyCar Mexico City… but I see it as a long shot

— Eduardo Olmos Ayala (@EOlmos) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Rockingham (UK), would love to be part of putting on a great show for fans here! Chicagoland in US

— IndycarUK (@IndycarUK) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway -I'd have to say Cleveland Lakefront

— BryanBe (@bryanbe75) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @pressdog Kansas (closest) & Watkins Glen

— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorMLIS) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Loudon. With good weather this time though! That's solely based on my selfish desire for a race that's relatively nearby though.

— Rebecca F. (@hermione278) May 30, 2014

@indy44 loving this. If only we could make them happen. My list: Chi-Land, KY, PHX, Watkins Glen, Montreal, Laguna Seca, R America, Portland

— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Ovals I've been to and would like a return: @PhoenixRaceway @RIRInsider. Ones I'd like to add to my list: Nashville and @GatewayMsp

— Kevin Tennant (@openwheelKT) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @PhoenixRaceway mis and road america

— Steve Whiting (@swhiting62) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Michigan!!!

— Gord Smith  (@elgordo99) May 30, 2014

@indy44 I'd choose @MISpeedway @ChicagolndSpdwy @KySpeedway @PhoenixRaceway @roadamerica

— Bill Bowsman (@Indyman70) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Richmond as far as lost tracks go @ririnsider

— Fake Doctor Will (@isitmayyet) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Road America.

— Jacques N. Dresang (@TheOtherJacques) May 30, 2014

@indy44 Ditto. I have a PS2 IndyCar game from the early 2000s and that Phoenix is damn near impossible to master. #dogleg #flatout

— Michael Miller (@MadMike294) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @IndyCar Cleveland. Portland

— Armond Ealey (@armond_ealey) May 30, 2014

@indy44 @pressdog damn. Tough to pick only 1. Torn btwn Laguna/Watkins/MIS/RA/VIR/CHI. I was thrilled when Pocono came on and MIL stayed.

— DZ (@groundedeffects) May 30, 2014

Thanks again for all of the replies!

Special thanks to IMS Productions for footage.

Thursday, May 8 GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS PRACTICE – Free Admission
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Public Gates Open
10 a.m-5:30 p.m., Verizon IndyCar Series & Mazda Road to Indy Practice
10 a.m.-10:45 a.m., Verizon IndyCar Series practice
11 a.m.11:45 a.m., USF2000 Practice
Noon-12:45 p.m., Pro Mazda Practice
1 p.m.-1:45 p.m., Indy Lights Practice
2 p.m.-2:45 p.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Practice
3 p.m.-3:30 p.m., USF 2000 Practice
3:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m., Pro Mazda Practice
4:30 p.m.5:15 p.m., Indy Lights Practice
5:30 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Track Laps Begin

Friday, May 9 GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS QUALIFYING / RACE
$20 admission, 12 and under free
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Public Gates Open
10 a.m.-10:45, Verizon IndyCar Series Practice
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m., USF2000 Qualifying
Noon-12:45 p.m., Pro Mazda Qualifying
1 p.m.-1:45 p.m., Indy Lights Qualifying
2:00 p.m.-3:10 p.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Qualifying
3:30 p.m.-4:10 p.m., USF2000 Race #1
4:30 p.m.-5:10 p.m., Pro Mazda Race #1
5:30 p.m.-6:10 p.m., Indy Lights Race #1
7 p.m. Rev Methodist Health Foundation, in Partnership with Indiana
University Health, Event Begins (Separate Admission)

Saturday, May 10 GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS RACE DAY
Tickets start at $25, 12 and under free
7 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
7 a.m.-4 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles
10 a.m. Firestone “Race Car” Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11:00 a.m.-11:50, USF2000 Race #2
12:10 p.m.-1 p.m., Pro Mazda Race #2
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Indy Lights Race #2
2:45 p.m., IMS Grid Girl Entrance – Pagoda Yard of Bricks
3:50 p.m., Grand Prix of Indianapolis Race Begins

Sunday, May 11- INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE – $15 admission, 12 and under free
Thursday, May 15 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
Noon-6 p.m., Practice

Friday, May 16 FAST FRIDAY PRACTICE – $15 admission, 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public gates Open
Noon-6 p.m., Practice

Saturday, May 17 QUALIFYING DAY 1 – $20 admission, 12 and under free
7 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Group 1 Practice
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Group 2 Practice, 500
Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard Begins
9 a.m.-10 a.m., Verizon IndyCar Series (All) Practice
10 a.m., Chevy Pin Distribution Begins – Pagoda Plaza
10:15 a.m., Qualifying Pre-Race Show, Pagoda Plaza
11:00 a.m.-5:50 p.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Qualifying
2 p.m., LIVE Concert, Pagoda Plaza Stage

Sunday, May 18 OLD NATIONAL ARMED FORCES POLE DAY
$20 admission, 12 and under free
7 a.m.-4 p.m., Public Gates Open
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Practice
9:45 a.m., Enlistment Ceremony Begins – Plaza Stage
10:15 a.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Group 1 Qualifying Begins (Positions 10 – 30)
11 a.m. Rapid Fire Concert, Plaza Stage
12:15 p.m., American Dairy Pin Distribution Begins, Pagoda Plaza
12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Group 2 Qualifying Begins
(Positions 31 – 33)
2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m., Verizon IndyCar Series Fast 9 Qualifying
3:00 p.m., Verizon Pole Award Celebration

Monday, May 19 INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE – $15 admission, 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
Noon-5 p.m., Practice

Tuesday, May 20 NO TRACK ACTIVITY

Wednesday, May 21 AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY
Day (No Track Activity) $10 gate admission, 6 and under free
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10 a.m.-10:50 a.m., 500 Festival Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11 a.m.-Noon, Indy Lights Drivers Autograph Session, Pagoda Pavilion
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Indianapolis 500 Driver Autograph Group #1, Pagoda Pavilion
(Wristbands Required)
3 p.m.-4 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Driver Autograph Group #2,
Pagoda Pavilion. (Wristbands Required)
4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Driver Autograph Group #3,
Pagoda Pavilion (Wristbands Required)

Thursday, May 22 INDY LIGHTS PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING – Free
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Public Gates Open
9:00 a.m.-Noon, Indy Lights Practice
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m., Indy Lights Qualifying

Friday, May 23 COORS LIGHT CARB DAY – $30 admission, 12 and under free
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., Vintage Car Exhibition
10 a.m.-11 a.m., Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11:00 a.m.-Noon, Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Begins
12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m., Indy Lights Race Begins
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Pit Stop Competition Begins
3:30 p.m., Carb Day Concert Begins Featuring Sammy Hagar and the Wabos and
Sublime With Rome

Saturday, May 24 LEGENDS DAY HONORING MARIO ANDRETTI PRESENTED
BY FIRESTONE – $10 admission, 12 and under free
8 a.m.-8 p.m., Public Gates Open, Vintage Car Display, Memorabilia Show
8:45 a.m., Rookie Chat – Pagoda Plaza Stage
9:00 a.m.-10 a.m, Full Field Autograph Session Pagoda Plaza
9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m., Vintage Race Car Laps
10:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Legends of IMS Radio Q&A, Pagoda Plaza Stage
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Former Driver Autograph Session A, North Chalet
2:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Q&A with Mario Andretti – Pagoda Plaza Stage
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Former Driver Autograph Session B, Mario Andretti Meet and
Greet (Wristband Holders Only)
5:30 p.m., Tyler Farr Concert Begins followed by Jason Aldean Concert at
6:30 p.m. on Turn 4 Stage (Separate Admission)

Sunday, May 25 98th INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY – Tickets start at $40
5:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8 a.m., Parade of Bands
10:50 a.m., Vintage Car Laps
11:33 a.m., Driver Introductions
Noon, Start of 98th Indianapolis 500 (200 laps)
***
(Schedule courtesy of IMS PR)

The first car race I ever heard about in my house was the Indy 500. Memorial Day weekend, my dad would lug the cooler outside loaded with his favorite beverage, some sandwiches, and other snacks. He would turn up the radio so loud I’m sure the neighbors would hear it. I don’t think he cared. It was the Indy 500 he was listening to, for crying out loud. My Mom would tell all of us, “Don’t be bothering your dad, the race is on.” That was a time he was the happiest I’ve ever seen him. He would jump out of his lawn chair and yell at the top of his lungs at the radio. Then he would do it all over again when they would show the replay hours later on TV. He was always using drivers’ names when comparing things: “That guys thinks he’s Mario Andretti, the way he drives.”

AJ Foyt was one of his favorites back then. I think it was because AJ wore his heart on his sleeve. I would hear him say, “These guys should know better than to mess with AJ, don’t they know what they’re going to get?”

When I was a kid in Cub Scouts, he made me a car for the pinewood derby. It was fluorescent red. I didn’t like the color at all. “Dad, it’s pink,” I said. “I can’t race that.” Eventually, I did, and not until years later did I realize it was the STP #70 turbine car, exact same shape and all. If I’d only known then what I know now — it was a masterpiece.

Years later, when I started watching, I was in awe of what I saw. Everything that goes into that race can make a man speechless. Back Home Again in Indiana, to this day, gives me a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. The song is great, but the emotional feeling it can give someone is overwhelming. All the memories — for me, it was all the good times I had seeing my dad at his happiest and me years later. The roller coaster of emotions that a driver goes through during qualifying. The three wide start, the danger, the celebration — the Indy 500 has it all.

We used to go to a lot of the IndyCar races in Phoenix, being closer to where we lived in New Mexico. I remember the first time I went, seeing all the drivers close up in the pits. It was like we were looking at movie stars. I had a little notebook and got it signed by all the drivers. I think my dad was more excited than I was on the inside, but he had to be cool on the outside. Great memories. I’ve been going to Phoenix for years, up until the IndyCars stopped racing there.

My dad used to race at local dirt tracks in our area for years. He won a lot of trophies and a few championships, but he had one dream that he could never let go, and that dream was to race at the Indy 500. He worked hard all his life. He saved and saved. One day, he was looking through a motorsports classified section and saw an IndyCar for sale. He lit up and called the guys selling it right away. They said that if he bought it, they would deliver it to him. He spent his life’s savings and borrowed the rest from the bank to purchase this car. It had quite a few problems that he and his mechanics had to fix to get it running properly. He got permission from the city to test it out in an industrial complex that was a mile around. It ran a few good laps and then went off-track. One of the lower suspension pieces broke, causing the crash. He got all that fixed and waited to try and get permission to run it at Phoenix. The car was never right, and the IndyCar officials wouldn’t allow him to run due to his lack of experience.

I have copies of the newspaper and magazine articles that were written about him. He even wrote a long letter to Roger Penske that I still have. The car was sold soon after the attempt to race at Phoenix, and the dream was over. I’m sad to say that my mom and dad have passed away since then, but the memories will always be with me. I guess you could say that I’ll be carrying the IndyCar torch for years to come. It’s in my blood.

I’m blessed with being able to go to races, write about them, and take pictures of the sport I love. I’m far from being a journalist, but what I say comes from the heart and always will.

The Indianapolis 500 will always be a part of me for as long as I live. I even got married on Memorial Day weekend. When I went to Indy for the first time, the feeling that I got when I entered those hallowed grounds was breathtaking. I was in heaven looking at the pagoda, staring at every inch of the track. That will always be a very special place. I can’t turn back time, but I can enjoy all of the good memories that went along with the Indy 500 for me and my family. There are a lot of people who have passed who watch the Indy 500 from the front row now, and I’m sure they’re enjoying it.

This is what the Indy 500 means to me.

Special thanks to Texas Motor Speedway for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to NBC Sports Network and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to The Late Show with David Letterman and CBS for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for video and audio.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

2014 Indianapolis 500 Ticket Unveiling with Tony Kanaan and Doug Boles. Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Want to win one of 5 DreamWorks Turbo Blu-Ray/DVD combos? Here’s how to enter. If you’re on twitter just reply to @indy44 and tag #TurboDVDGiveaway in post and you will be entered. For those that are not on twitter you can enter by sending e-mail to indy44@earthlink.net and put #TurboDVDGiveaway in subject line. Be sure to include name in e-mail. I will take names until 7 PM ET 11/13/13. Five names will be randomly drawn after deadline and winners will be notified through twitter/e-mail. Good Luck!

Race Highlights and Interviews. Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to The Henry Ford Museum for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar or footage.

Special Thanks to The Indy Channel RTV6 for footage.

Jungle Jack Hanna Rides Two-Seater with Mario Andretti. Includes interview with Graham Rahal. Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

In this gameplay video we show the Dallara IndyCar racing at the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The IndyCar Pack — featuring two extra routes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Circuit plus the Dallara IndyCar and Indy 500 Pace Car liveries for the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition.

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Bump Day

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Multiple angles of Conor Daly’s crash

Fast Friday

Carb Day

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Jon Beekhuis explains how the shaker rig works at the Dallara factory in Italy.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and NBC Sports Network for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Indy Lights

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IndyCar, Pocono Raceway, DEIx15x8, Rob Parker, John Corsale, phanatic87 , poolmaster298, Jackson Lincoln Lopes, and Adirondack Video for YouTube and Vimeo videos.

Townsend Bell and Wally Dallenbach take a pace car lap at Barber Motorsports Park.
Special thanks to NBC Sports and IndyCar for footage.

Special thanks to IMS Productions and IndyCar for footage.