INDY 500-- Part 16: Pace Car Leads in Early Part of Race

Then came the words, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines."  The first four laps are practice.  For this race, since Hinchecliffe wasn't in it, I was pulling for Scott Dixon.  John, Paul and Sue always pull for Tony Kanaan.

I see the Pagoda and Gasoline Alley to my left.  The sun is shining and there is a nice breeze keeping us cool.  What a great day for a race, and, as they say, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Out there on the track, we have 11 American drivers and five former Indy 500 winners.  There are now eleven rows of three cars as they get into position for the green flag and go.  This is its 99th Running as they refer to it.  Next year's 100th should be something else.

They start and there is an accident right away on Turn One.  Lots of debris and we saw it all taking place right by us.  This led to a 10 lap precaution where there is no passing.  At this point, the Pace Car had led for most of the race.  Not exactly what we hoping for.

These cars always sound like a lot of angry bees to me as they by.

The early laps were a battle between Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.

And, They're Off.  --RoadDog