10 Stories to Watch at the Indy 500

The Scalectrix given to my brothers for Christmas one year grew and grew - we added extra cars, track and bridges when my son inherited this toy, it was further added to when passed on to my youngest brothers children, and it still going strong with the nephews ...... it's great fun to go into the basement where they have their den and play with toys that were a part of my childhood and my sons.

Odd.  I haven't even thought about the Indianapolis 500 in many years, much less watched it.  I know that some of the innovations in the race cars do wind up influencing regular cars and their design.  Perhaps this new chassis is one example.  Otherwise, the Indy 500 just feels irrelevant.

Native Tennessean 21 year old Rookie Josef Newgarden is my favorite of course and a good showing will furthrr his meteoric rise. He looks like a model, has the gift of gab and he can drive! As Speed Racer explained all those years ago as I ate my Fruit Loops: "It's no use talking any further, Racer X. All I'm interested in is winning."

Good morning Hazel! Its gorgeous here and I was awakened by the sound of my 2 yr old granddaughter outside playing with her dog. Her dog named Roush. After some NASCAR fellow. Her name is Shelby, yes like the car. I bought my daughter a Nascar crockpot as a joke...her husband was thrilled. For me, watching the Indy 500 and or the like is akin to watching a cake bake in the oven, but de gustibus non es disputandum.

All traditions are great. Eat hearty everyone.

Living in Indy, as we did briefly about forty years ago, you can get bitten by the race bug!  While never an avid fan, the 500 pricks my interest a bit every year and I enjoy the pace lap and the winning laps.   Other than that I think you'd have to be pretty die-hard to enjoy that lengthy spectacle.  (Noise and all....)  xxxxxxx--Hazel, I hope things have cooled off a bit for you...

My ex put himself through college racing at the Tri-City Speedway.  He and his father, who was the lead mechanic at a local car dealership, worked on "The Grim Reaper" preparing it for racing every weekend in the summers. They enjoyed the time spent working together, the thrill of racing and the winnings!  I never developed into a fan, but remember the drone of the TV during the race.  The closest I get to thinking about racing is when I see the Superbowl commercial with the "fairy dust" and the Victoria's Secret model raising the flag starting the race!  Be careful on the roads this holiday weekend.

"Gentlepersons, start your engines....."

When we were kids, my brother and I would scrape a “race track” in the gravel driveway at our home in the country.

We would use small scraps of wood as our “cars.” We would push them along on our track.

We would provide our own roaring engine sounds:

“Vrrooommmm.”

“Vrrooommmm.”

“Vrrooommmm.”

Round ‘n’ round the track we would go.

Just like the big boys at the big track.

Hours on end.

Fun times.

Cherished memories.

Mostly off topic, but a little bit on topic as far as transportation goes...has the conductor of TheSepia Train aka Mr P. Lake taken a leave of absence?

Oh my! Such a slow day.  The entire village must be off at the races.  I have been to an Indy race in Atlanta, but not to the Indy 500.  I can't say it is on or in my bucket list.  The concept reminds me of that John Lennon song only faster.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp9dc9im3-M
 I know it's not much but it's a mighty slow day for race day.  I hope you are all enjoying it.  

Classic JL. I'm still trying to figure out how to run my business from my bed. I was listening to a little Jesse Colin Young and Van Dyke Parks earlier today and Neon Philharmonic's version of Morning Girl with a jar of joy. Our local driver had car problems in today's race but held his own. Just finished my third cookout of the weekend burgers, sausages, and BBQ chicken. I listen to the laughter from inside and laugh aloud, a Blessed Man doing my best to hold back time. Sisyphus and I do what we do.

Errors? A kick in the Arrear?

My little Mazda Miata says "Zoom, Zoom".

Not a race fan here....went to college near Daytona so attended one Daytona 500, and could not see the thrill of the big oval and the noise, the heat, the rowdy fans, and the whole scene. Like at a hockey game, I think some go hoping to see a wreck.

Never had an inclination to go to a car race again, tho' one friend insisted I see (hear?) the drag races out at the Atlanta track up off I-85. Again, ONE time. Noise, smoke, more noise.....sorry, no amount of rooting for one driver could get me to go again.

Somehow, I like the quiet of the woods, the songs of the birds (who are vocally very loud and busy these mornings), and as few cars as possible on my little street that is a long loop/circle. Took the grandkid to the big pool today for 2+ hrs. and read my book. Watched her make friends with some other girls her age, and kept an eye on them diving for weighted rings in the deep end, playing games, and squirting each other with water cannons.

Watched the Memorial Day musical tributes from the Wash., DC mall on TV, and now have read about a dozen memorial emails and seen videos that friends have sent.....Several of whom served in uniform, Vietnam and peace time. It seems that the only way to deal with bully type countries is to be stronger than they are, but the resulting wars sure do hurt our young men and women.

Have a thoughtful day of remembrance on Monday, All.

I do not now nor have I ever got the point of the Indy 500. It's not exactly irrelevant, it's awfully relevant to a whole lot of people, but to me it's watching cars spin around a track - hopefully on a yellow flag, which means some sort of crash has occured or something like that, which I think is the point, crashing.  The bigger the crash the better the Indy.  I know I'm wrong about that - I am right? - or not, but I like most sports, but this one just gives me a headache from the gas and the tedium of round and round and round they go - it's a bore.Of course, I'm from the North, home of most people who find auto racing to be something to be avoided in favor of almost any other diversion.