Round 6: The 100th Indianapolis 500, 16th-29th May.

[BudLightJaguar]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

And Indiana weather is bonkers this time of year. Hope they get a dry 500 miles and hope it is indeed a special one. I'll be watching every lap!

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ind...weather/348323

I really hope the high humidity won't turn into rain. Though a postponement till Monday is not a big deal.

[gert]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

The greatest spectacle in racing it is indeed!

It's certainly not too bad as a warm-up for Le Mans

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by BudLightJaguar

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ind...weather/348323

I really hope the high humidity won't turn into rain. Though a postponement till Monday is not a big deal.

My flight from Indianapolis to 0'hare is at 16:40 on Monday. That will be cutting it fine if it's a long race.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

quali... I used to plan around it in May.

!

As did I. The live broadcasts and the newspaper the following day, and each day after. Back in those days when 50 plus cars were entered, and drivers were jumping around like musical chairs, trying to find a car in tune to play on race day.

I watched yesterday, for the first time in years. Despite a bit of frustration as the broadcast was breaking up and choppy, groan. I did stick with it, glad I did. The pole sitter story was thrilling, exciting.

I hope the race is safe and the weather is good. I don't have a favorite, I don't follow enough to even recognize half the names in the field.

As I said, I hope it is safe and a 'good' race and that it will help to restore the level of glory the race had.

[BudLightJaguar]

Any TenTenthers going to Lucas Oil Raceway on Friday? The Freedom 100 will be at noon so there's plenty of time between the events.

PS: I arrived to Chicago few hours ago.

[Lanky Turtle]

Anyone who's been have any race day tips? Best place to park? Can you go down to gasoline alley before the race if you're sitting in the outside stands (I'll be near turn one on the frontstretch). I plan on getting to the track about 630 AM.

I'll be arriving via a practically free one way rental car Saturday morning after an overnight drive with my wife and plan on seeing the downtown parade and definitely the museum.

Hoping for no rain as I'll be flying home form Chicago about 6AM Monday morning. I had to cut the trip a bit short because of work but this is still the most excited I've been about seeing a race in a very long time.

[canamman]

Here is a good guide for you guys.
http://www.indymotorspeedway.com/index.html

I am not sure you could get to Gasoline Alley and back
before the race. Don't think I would try that. There is
so much on track stuff going on, marching bands , pushing the cars out,
celebrities milling about , etc. etc. Before you know it the
balloons are flying. I would get to the seats and set up camp, then
work your way as close to the fence as you can for some pictures.

Last thing you want to do is get caught in a bottle neck somewhere
with 10,000 other fans when the green flag drops.

There may be a tunnel you can take to the inside of track from the front straight.
Check the maps from the above link.

There is a slim chance there may be a gate open on the front stretch
to cross the track. Saturday is your best day for Gasoline Alley.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by BudLightJaguar

Any TenTenthers going to Lucas Oil Raceway on Friday?

Is this the former IRP? Very neat little track!

I'll be watching all from the couch....

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by canamman

Here is a good guide for you guys.
http://www.indymotorspeedway.com/index.html

I am not sure you could get to Gasoline Alley and back
before the race. Don't think I would try that. There is
so much on track stuff going on, marching bands , pushing the cars out,
celebrities milling about , etc. etc. Before you know it the
balloons are flying. I would get to the seats and set up camp, then
work your way as close to the fence as you can for some pictures.

Last thing you want to do is get caught in a bottle neck somewhere
with 10,000 other fans when the green flag drops.

There may be a tunnel you can take to the inside of track from the front straight.
Check the maps from the above link.

There is a slim chance there may be a gate open on the front stretch
to cross the track. Saturday is your best day for Gasoline Alley.

This is my first time to the 500, so how time should I allow for getting to the track, before the Green Flag drops?

[canamman]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

This is my first time to the 500, so how time should I allow for getting to the track, before the Green Flag drops?

I would be pulling into a parking space where ever that may be
by 8:00 a.m. local. Make it a goal to be at your seats between
9 and 10 a.m. Anytime you bring 300,000 people together, plan
for long lines and short tempers. There is so much to take in
the 2 hours before the race, it goes by very quickly. Hopefully
you have a scanner or at a min. a radio / headphones.

Wave to us so we can see you on T.V.!

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Is this the former IRP?

Yep

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by gert

It's certainly not too bad as a warm-up for Le Mans

I concur

[BudLightJaguar]

Originally Posted by canamman

Hopefully
you have a scanner or at a min. a radio / headphones.

What's the frequency? I have a pair of musician's ear monitors with me.

I hope the weather at the speedway on Sunday will be like it is here in Chicago today. It's around 28C with a relatively pleasant level of humidity.

[canamman]

Here is the link for scanner freq's.
http://www.indymotorspeedway.com/500scanner.html

If you have an FM radio, the station carrying the race
should be posted in the program or just ask someone.
There may be signs posting the station or use your friend
google.

You still may want to use a pair of over the ear headphones
(with out the electronics) to hear better. Most hardware
stores have them for $10 -$15 . Probably $20-$30 at the track.

[Paradise City]

Scattered thunderstorns is the forecast for the big day.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Scattered thunderstorns is the forecast for the big day.

Mother Nature is a cruel.....

We can't get any rain down here while the Midwest has been hammered by the worst of the worst. Here's hoping the weather holds off long enough.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Scattered thunderstorns is the forecast for the big day.

Sod's law, as they say.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by BudLightJaguar

What's the frequency

Kenneth?

(Sorry, had to do it, I have a disturbed mind or something )

[canamman]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Kenneth?

(Sorry, had to do it, I have a disturbed mind or something )

Yeah that crossed my mind too. That was one of my favorites
of REM. Stupid piece of trivia, but I went a couple years to the
same high school as the lead guitarist Buck.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Kenneth?

(Sorry, had to do it, I have a disturbed mind or something )

Originally Posted by canamman

Yeah that crossed my mind too. That was one of my favorites
of REM. Stupid piece of trivia, but I went a couple years to the
same high school as the lead guitarist Buck.

No kidding?! I've known Stipe's parents my whole life.

Back to the race, I mean forecast watching...have they ever moved the start of the race up to avoid the weather? I don't think they have...

[canamman]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

No kidding?! I've known Stipe's parents my whole life.

Too funny. I will throw the annual in my truck for the next race,
where ever that may be.

For those at the speedway this weekend, PLEASE give updates
and reports as much as possible. Nice crowd there today. Internet
on , HD tv on.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

have they ever moved the start of the race up to avoid the weather? I don't think they have...

I have never heard that was done, even in the early days. I think now the logistics would make it insurmountable, not just the track, but the traffic flow going to the Speedway and all associated with that. That event can not be easy, plus the egress aspect after the race has to staged but fluid, as the time can vary. It all sounds daunting to coordinate in the electronic age, must have been mind numbing in the analog age, and prior to that-I think they were using stone tablets?

Anyway...so I don't really follow this series anymore, I didn't even see the race last year, for probably the first time in 50 years or radio and then tv. Who is favored? Who should I hope for in my love of underdogs (almost seems wrong to think of the pole sitting team/driver in that role, but I can do that, it is a captivating story)?

Certainly Montoya has to be on a favored list, given his talent and his team. But who else?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by skycafe

I have never heard that was done, even in the early days. I think now the logistics would make it insurmountable, not just the track, but the traffic flow going to the Speedway and all associated with that. That event can not be easy, plus the egress aspect after the race has to staged but fluid, as the time can vary. It all sounds daunting to coordinate in the electronic age, must have been mind numbing in the analog age, and prior to that-I think they were using stone tablets?

Anyway...so I don't really follow this series anymore, I didn't even see the race last year, for probably the first time in 50 years or radio and then tv. Who is favored? Who should I hope for in my love of underdogs (almost seems wrong to think of the pole sitting team/driver in that role, but I can do that, it is a captivating story)?

Certainly Montoya has to be on a favored list, given his talent and his team. But who else?

I don't mind the race being delayed but I really hope it isn't postponed and carried over on to Monday. My flight for O'Hare leaves at 16:30 on Monday.

As for any others on the favored list, I would include any of the drivers on the front row, as well as Castroneves, Pagenaud and even though he's 13th on the grid Scott Dixon. It's a funny old race and the unexpected can happen.

[skycafe]

Ok, there we go, Pagenaud! Groovy in sportscars, lets get him going on from there!

[Armco Bender]

Me and 40 million sheep say Dixon will win..