Back to Indy-- Part 26: Going Home

Well, considering that next Sunday this time I will be sitting way up those stairs at the Indy 500 race, I think I should finish this account of the 2021 race.  We sure had fun, but not as much as in the pre-Covid days.  Hopefully this year will be back more to the norm, especially Carb Day on Friday which was not held this year.

MONDAY, MAY 31ST

Leaving day.  Quite a few RVs remained at the Legion overnight, but it was mass-moving day on Monday.  The Legion itself was completely closed down.

Sue and Paul are old hands at packing things up, much of which was done last night.  My main job was to hold the leashes on the dogs.  This was made harder by the many little yipping dogs.

We left at 8:30 am. and we left, driving on Georgetown Road out to the interstate.

Closer to the IMS, we could see local groups out doing cleanup on the bigger parking fields.  And, there was a whole lot of garbage, and, of course, beer and pop cans.  A  good money-maker for them.

Next, we saw blocks and blocks of small homes, some of which were fully landscaped and pretty as a pin, but others looking straight of of the slums.  The  past few days, and especially Sunday, they had friends and regulars parking in their yards.

We hit I-65 and we're headed home after a stop near Lebanon to pump out the black water waste.  It is just $10 at the station, but $40 and more if you do it at the Legion.

Good to Have Been Back.  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 25: After the Race

Stuck around for the various ceremonies involving the winner of he race, including the milk and victory lap.  More power to Helio Castroneves!!

Going back down those mean old stairs is a bit better than going up, but there is a fear of a misstep and going down that would be bad.  Pitching forward headfirst on those closely placed aluminum stairs would not be a good idea.

I did buy one souvenir this trip, a small Alexander Rossi Indy car model.  Gotta back my guy, you know.

Met the others at the Legion bar which remained open to 7 pm.  John bought his obligatory round for being the big winner among us.  

Those poor Legion folks had been working their tails off since Wednesday and they were dragging.  But, obviously this is a HUGE moneymaker, one that they missed last year.

By 6:48, we were back at the RV.  Sitting outside for a cocktail and looking across Georgetown Road at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and could see the flags atop the Pagoda.  I tell you, it would be hard to get any closer to the place.  Talk about your convenience.

In past years, we would watch the complete race replay at night.  Always all sorts of things we didn't see if it happened out of our field of vision.  But, the last couple times, we were all asleep by the last part of the race.  Must be getting old, you know.

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 24: Helio Wins His 4th Indy!!

On Lap 128, Graham Rahal's tire came off.  I bet someone is going to catch it for that.  He was the one signing autographs at Daredevil Brewing.

Conor Daly led for 40 laps in the race.

At lap 135, Alex Palou was in first.  We somehow had not put him into the pool for our little side bet action.  That brought up some discussion as what we would do if he won.  He didn't.

At Lap 170 Helio Castroneves was in first.  Don't you know friend Terri was yelling her hard off somewhere over by the Pagoda.

Helio won the race for his fourth time.  He climbed the fence as he does.  He is the oldest ever to win the Indy 500.

I called Liz who said she had watched the last 30 laps.  She said that Terri had already posted what  happened on her Face Book page.

John had Castroneves so won the big money, but will have to buy us losers a drink back at the Legion.

--RoadNeves

Back to Indy-- Part 23: My Guy Rossi

Scott Dixon is a huge favorite in Indianapolis and had the pole position for the race and many thought he would win it.  Whenever he was in first, many in our section would let out a roll as he zoomed by.  Of course, without my glasses and how fast they go by, I wouldn't know.  

The cars all have prominent numbers on them, but go by so fast, there is no way of knowing who is who unless you know the color scheme of their car.

My guy in the race, and new favorite along with James Hinchcliffe, is Alexander Rossi.  That guy always comes to race and race hard. Unfortunately, he had a gas problem on Lap 45 and ended up a lap down.  He became my favorite after he won the 2016 Indy 500 as a rookie when he crossed the finish line on fumes and his car ran out of gas half way around the track.

Conor Daly was first in Lap 53.  He was still leading in Lap 100.

Those cars are loud, but not too bad up where we're sitting.  I'd best describe the noise they make as a bunch of real mad bees.  However, this race it sounded more like "Oy, Oy, Oy, Oy" when they came around.

--Road500

Back to Indy-- Part 22: They're Off and a Lil' Side Betting

Sunday, May 30.  Race Day

Danica Patrick took the cars out and around for three laps.  She was my favorite racer for some time.  I was always pulling for her ton win it.

Green Flag and the race started at 12:49 pm.

There were an amazing 51 passes in the first five laps.

I think there were definitely more than 135,000 people there, but the huge size of it makes that hard to say.

Everyone around us was maskless, including us.

On the 35th lap, there was a crash.  It was one of my racers in our four-person pool.  We all get one choice to win and then the remaining ones are divvied up.  The winner at the end of the race gets $40 and has to buy the first round back at the Legion afterwards.  My personal pick was Alexander Rossi, one of my two favorite racers.

At Lap 37, Helio Castroneves is winning. I could almost hear friend and former co-teacher Terri cheering somewhere in the stands.  She is a huge Helio fan.  I mean HUGE.  (Three of the four of us are former teachers, two of us in Round Lake, Illinois.)

--RoadRace

Back to Indy-- Part 21: Jim Cornelison and 'Drivers Start Your Engines'

Well, got up those stairs and in our seats on the catwalk and ready for some racing and, of course, all those wonderful Indy 500 traditions.  

Jim Cornelison sang "Back Home Again in Indiana."  He has inherited the honor from Jim Nabors who sang it for all those years.  Of course, we know him for singing the "National Anthem" at Chicago Blackhawk games.  He does a great job.  In addition to being in Chicago, he is a graduate of Indiana University,  When he hits that final word in the song, "home," my GOODNESS!!

Personally, I would have to guess that there were more than the reported 135,000 people there.  The place was crowded, but there were some empty seats around us.  The couple from Texas weren't there, nor were the group that sits in front of us.  (There are only two rows on the catwalk.)

This year's field included 9 previous Indy winners, 2 rookies and racers from 15 countries.

Roger Penske, the chairman of the IMS (International Motor Speedway) got on the PA and said those words that get the adrenaline going "Start your engines."

Danica Patrick led the racers around for three laps and then out came the Green Flag at 12:49. 

The Race Was On!!

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 20: About Those Stairs

May 30, 2021,  Sunday

Here we have arrived at the biggest Memorial Day commemoration in the United States, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing!"

The line we saw yesterday by the Daredevil Brewing Co. was for fans getting the autograph of Graham Rahal, a popular Indy car racer and son of Indy 500 racer Bobby Rahal who won the Indy in 1986.  He is also an Indy team owner.

Well, now we prepare to go up those damn stairs.  I hate those stairs.  I can handle them when there is a slow-moving crowd where you'll stop every so often, but to walk straight up them is rough.  It feels like my knees are empty.  Unfortunately, today was a straight walk up.  It took me three stops to get to the top.

Once there, I remain until the end of the race because I am NOT going down those stairs and then back up again.  That means no bathroom breaks for me.  Now, at the Indy you're allowed to bring alcohol inside as long as it is not in glass.  I don't know of any other major sport like that where you can.  I can drink beer at that price.  I will not pay $8 and up for a beer.  I'm cheap that way.

What this means is that I don't drink anything until the last third of the race.

Don't Want to Go Back Up Those Stairs Again, You Know.  --RoadStairs

Back to Indy-- Part 19: Race Day

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Well, it's here.

RACE DAY!!

I was awakened at 5:30 am by the track PA system.  (We are right across the street from the Speedway and, of course, RV walls aren't that sound proof.

At 6 am, they set off some fireworks.  Why fireworks.  I don't know.  But it is my sincere hope that it wakes up some of the local yokels who were out partying  to the wee hours this morning.

Walked over to the Shack and got coffee and a sausage biscuit.  Bought a Challenge Coin.  Supposedly, if you go into the Legion and plunk the coin down and no one has a matching one, they have to buy a drink for you.  Regardless, it is about as big around as a baseball and quite neat looking, so I would have bought it anyway.

After getting packed up with food and drinks, we went across the street and entered the Motorway with little delay.  I saw very few masks, but it turns out you had to have one to get to the seats.  (Fortunately, we all had ours with us.)

Then, there were those stairs.  Those horrible, killing stairs.  They were hard on me the first time I encountered them about ten years or so ago, but every year they get worse.  It is like my knees grow empty.  I had to stop and sit down three times for those knees to recover, before I got to the very top of what is referred to as the catwalk.  The fence behind us is the outside of the Motorway.

--RoadHateStairs

Back to Indy-- Part 18: Cornfield Mafia Band

May 29, 2021, Saturday

We went over to the Legion and really enjoyed their entertainment, the Cornfield Mafia Band.  That was a neat name for a band, one that I would definitely want to see with a name like that.  Some other bands with good names are the Turnpike Troubadours or Drive-By Truckers.

Then, back to the RV and sat outside enjoying music both from us and from several other RV parties.

I did notice that there was not a lot of souvenirs to buy as there was the possibility that the race would not even be open for fans again because of the pandemic.  I generally like to buy the dates license plates and refrigerator magnets, so this was a savings for me.

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 17: Let the Party Begin

May 29, 2021, Saturday

We had a long walk back to the American Legion from Daredevil Brewery along Speedway's Main Street.  There were even more people in the bars and restaurants and sitting outside (as every one of the places had sidewalk seating).  Nowhere was there anyone wearing masks.  That was very rare.  I think everyone had gotten to the point that they were ready to go beyond the Covid.

I was happy (in a way) that Paul was having back problems so he would have to stop every so often to rest.  They are very fast walkers.  Much too fast for me.

Paul did the outdoor grilling for today and tomorrow cooking up BBQ, Italian sausage and Hebrew National Hot Dogs.  Just heat them up.  Plus, of course, we were still working on the Sliders.

Today became more like a typical Indy 500 weekend.  I don't know if I like the race or the party atmosphere more.

--RoadIndy

Back to Indy-- Part 16: Walking to Daredevil Brewing and a Shock

May  29, 2021, Saturday.

There were large crowds of people all around as we walked over to Main Street, Speedway, Indiana.  This area used to be a bit rundown, but now is enjoying a renaissance and has become an Indianapolis destination even when the races aren't being run.  Lots of urban renewal as well as many new bars and restaurants.  Streetscaping as well.

The crowds were out the whole street.  Every restaurant and bar was packed and a lot of people sitting outside on their sidewalk cafes.    We headed to one of our favorite places, Daredevil Brewing.  We like to order flights of their brews and do taste testing to find a favorite one and then order a full pint.  

We saw huge lines outside of the place and were disappointed until we found out that one of the lines were waiting to get a racer's autograph.  However, there still was a line to get into the place.  They have a big outside area and that was packed as well.  

Once we got inside, we found that we had to sit in the back room and, worse of all, there were no Flights of beers, so just had to order blindly.  Sue and Paul bought the first round, then I got the second and was surprised when the $20 bill I gave Paul didn't cover the price.  They had raised the price of pints from $5 to $7.  

The big reason I don't drink craft beers is the cost.  Five dollars is too much, but $7 is completely out of then ballpark for me.  I don't plan on walking all that extra distance to the place next year.  I'll just stop at one of the closer-in bars.

--CheapDog

Back to Indy 2021-- Part 13: The Shed and Indy Facts

Continued from June 29, 2021.  I figured since we're getting ready to go back in a few weeks, I should try to finish this thread.  To see the previous posts, just click on the Back to Indy 2021 label below.

SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2021.

No rain, but man was it cold.  Coffee at the Shed (run by the Legion Auxiliary) was up to $2.  I bought a poppy and found that they again did not have newspapers.

From a newspaper article from yesterday's paper, there was an article about how much Indy car drivers get paid.  The answer is that nobody knows for sure.  There is no public information available.

Another article mentioned  that the race will be televised live in the Indianapolis area for only the 5th time ever.  The other times:  1949, 1950, 2011, 2020 (pandemic).  The race is shown in its entirety in the evening.  WE like to watch it to get the bigger picture, but the last several years we have a problem staying up the whole time.

The 2021 race is a sell out at 135,000 people.  This is way less than the Indy can hold, but there is still the coronavirus going on.  This will be the largest group assemblage sine all this began in 2020.

Masks are required.

Since there was no way of knowing whether there would be a race this year, I did notice a definite lack of dated souvenirs which will save me some money.

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 12: American Legion Post 500 and the Race, TV Stations, Cut-Throughs and 'How the West Was Won'

The American Legion Post 500 in Speedway, made a special effort to get that number (for some reason).  The Indy 500 and NASCAR race is "All Hands on Deck" for these folks, a huge money-maker for the year.  They are all really worn out by the end of the several days.

It had to be rough on them last year when the Indy 500 didn't have any spectators.  That was a major hit for them.  We already had our RV spot paid for in 2020, but let it roll over instead of getting a refund as they offered.

Back at the RV, we were amazed at the number of stations we could pick up just on antenna.

On several occasions, people actually walked right through our campsite.  That just isn't too cool.  Paul got after several and then put up a traffic obstacle horse to stop them.

I started watching the movie "How the West Was Won" and I hadn't really seen that since it was first out.  All I remembered was that there sure were a lot of stars in it.  Sue and Paul decided to go back over to the Legion, but John and I decided to watch the movie.

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 11: What I Forgot and Those Pork Tenderloins

On the way to Indianapolis, I realized I had forgotten two things.  I always forget things.  It wouldn't be a trip of I didn't forget something.  I forgot my glasses, which meant reading the standings boards at the racetrack on Sunday was going to be difficult.  Plus, I didn't bring my flip-flops, which meant that I had to put on my gym shoes anytime I wanted to go outside.

We had considered walking over to downtown Speedway today, but the off-and-on rain negated that idea.

So, after welcome back cocktails, we went across the parking lot to the Legion bar.  It would be hard to find a better locale for the RV than at the Legion.  The racetrack itself is right across the street from us, and the Legion bar is just a short walk across the parking lot.  Just perfect for us.

I decided to have a pork tenderloin sandwich at the bar.  When in Indiana, it is suggested that you have one of these fantastic pork tenderloin sandwiches.  It is not the state food, but ubiquitous across the state.  It traces its history back to German immigrants as wiener schnitzel in the 19th century. It cost $8 and more than filled me up.

Draft beers were $3 and they had a deejay playing music.

--RoadTenderLoin

Back to Indy-- Part 10: All That Crummy Weather, Quite Chilly

FRIDAY, MAY 28. 2021

The weather was pretty crummy the whole way down to Indianapolis.  It was unseasonably cold and rained off and on.  This was definitely bot shorts and tee shirt weather at all.  The wipers (and those RV wipers are huge) were busy most of the way.

As a matter of fact, it was quite cold every morning we were there.  I wore  my long pans and jacket everywhere in the morning.  It would warm up a bit as the afternoons progressed.

Anyway, we arrived in plenty of time to get our usual parking spot.  remember, we had a call when we were close that they were closing the RV parking area to newcomers at 4.  Actually, they told us they would have let us in anyway.

Paul has become quite the master at getting the huge RV into a small looking area to me.  I sure would not even want to think about doing what he does.  

I helped a bit on the set up and then went over to the Shed where the Ladies' Auxiliary sells stuff like ice to get a bag of ice.  I see the price has gone u from $3 to $4 a bag this year.  However, the Shed was closed with a note to see "Ozzie" inside for ice.  I went inside, but found no "Ozzie."  I did tell a table of ladies of my iceless dilemma and they said they'd get me some.  

One lady came out, but was unable to open the Shed's lock, went back inside, but didn't come back. I finally gave up and went back to the RV. No ice for us.  Paul, however, was able to get a bag from a street vendor, so we had ice for our cocktails.

--Road500

Back to Indy-- Part 9: Which Is Bigger? Talladega or Indy?

Last night at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, I was conversing with a guy whose family are major BASCAR fans and go to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama every year.  He said  that Talladega was the biggest racetrack in the world with seating for 400,000 people.  I'd always heard that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the world's biggest with seating for 250,000 in the grand stands and 400,000 throughout the grounds.

I looked it up and it said total maximum capacity for Talladega is around 175,000 with main grandstand at around 80,000.

So, the Indy 500 is still the biggest.

Like myself, however, he and his family were greatly disappointed in the one NASCAR driver's anti-anything Confederate stance.

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 8: Tony Stewart and A.J. Foyt

From the May 28, 2021, Indianapolis Star "Stewart marks 60 years  since Foyt's first Indy win" by Jenna Fryer.

Another article in the May 28, 2021, Indy Star was about NASCAR race car driver Tony Stewart and his favorite racer, A.J. Foyt.  This year marks the 60th anniversary of Foyt's first Indy win.  Stewart makes no bones about it, but he is a huge Foyt fan.  For the 2021 Indy 500, Stewart was to be sitting next to A,J.. 

A.J. Foyt won the Indy 500 four times: 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977.  

I didn't know it, but Tony Stewart grew up in nearby Columbus, Indiana, and always hoped that one day he would get a chance to race in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."  It turns out that he did run the Indy 500 five times, even starting at the pole position as a rookie in 1996, but never finished higher than fifth.

--RoadStew

Back to Indy-- Part 7: Those Little Moneymakers

Very few persons know how much the Indy Car racers make a year.  There are a lot of variables as to what they make.  An Indy 500 win will very likely get a bonus.  As a driver wins more races and gains more experience, they will earn a higher percentage of the purses.

One source says that the average purse  used to be about 40%, but has inched up to near 50%. 

There are also perks.  This could include a motorhome as well as its expenses.

So, who might be the Indy Car driver getting paid the most money?

Most people will answer Scott Dixon.  But, then again, his contract is not public, but sources speculate the six-time series champion makes between $3.5 million and $4.5 million.  This would make him the highest-paid driver in the series.

So, then, what is the lowest paid?   One source guessed $250,000 to $350,000.

What do the majority of the drivers make?  One source speculated that 14 to 16 drivers make $1 million or more.

So, How Much Money Did You Make This Year?  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 6: How Much Money Do IndyCar Drivers Earn?

Continued from June 8.

Another article in the Friday, May 28, 2021, Indy Star newspaper was titled "How much money do Indy Car drivers make?" by Jim Ayello.

You know how much athletes in other professional sports earn.  You know that baseball player earning $12 million a year with the Cubs and batting .186.  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz signed a four-year, $128 million contract in June 2019.

But, how much do those IndyCar drivers we'll be watching Sunday earn?

The answer, like the answer to how many attend the Indy 500 race, is not known.  It is all top secret.

When a driver signs a new contract in North America's premier open-wheel series, the details seldom leak out.

One possible reason for that put forth in the article is that everyone operates on such a fine line.

Many are not paid a flat salary but things are dependent on a variety of factors.  One likely is the number of sponsorships they bring in.

--RoadRace

Back to Indy-- Part 5: 135,000 Fans Can't Be Wrong

Back in the RV and we're off and hoping to make it to the Speedway American Legion Post 500 before 4 pm, EDST.  Now, if we don't get lost, we're there.

I crack open the Indy Star newspaper which has, obviously, quite a few articles on the upcoming race on Sunday.

One article said the Indy 500 was set to become the largest sporting event as far as fans are concerned since the pandemic hit back in March 2020.  There is a sell-out crown of 135,000 expected even though that is at reduced capacity.

The Speedway is the largest sporting facility in the world with more than 250,000 grandstand seats and the ability to host up to 400,000 through the whole property.  Not surprising in that the course is two and a half miles around.  

The 135,000 represents 40% capacity.

In addition, the track had lifted its local blackout ban so Central Indiana fans can watch it as it happens.  That is a rare thing.

Sadly, a lot of the other events that make the race so much fun were canceled.  We especially miss the Carb Day activities which take place on Friday.  We usually get to the Legion on Thursday so that we can have fun at Carb Day.

--Road500