Posted on 05/29/2011 9:25:20 AM PDT by archivist007
The Indianapolis 500 celebrates 100 years of competition Sunday. From the first winner, American Ray Harroun in something called a Marmon "Wasp," to the latest, Englishman Dario Franchitti, the Indy 500 has become the most famous race in the world.
This year, observers say it boasts the strongest 33-car field it has seen since the CART-Indy split in 1996. It’s a regular stop for the Izod IndyCar Series drivers, but the race also includes former champions and non-IndyCar regulars who are in a ride for one shot at glory at The Brickyard.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bostonherald.com ...
Green
I was there for the 1981 Indy 500. The cameras with long lenses really don’t give a sense of how fast those cars are going.
I searched ealier and couldn’t find an official Indy thread.
I’ve been to 3 - the last was, by far, the best. That was due to the great seating we had that year.
National Anthem was very nice today. One of the few “enhanced” versions that I’ve really enjoyed.
Great Anthem. The military tribute was very moving, too.
I did a quick search and couldn’t find any.
I love this race. If I were to name the races I am most likely to see in a year this is on it.
I missed Monaco this morning. I usually try and watch all three.
I was at the 1965 Indy. Jim Clark, a Brit won.
Meyer,
I would love to eventually see this race in person.
Danica has picked up 5 spots, but I don’t expect her to be a factor. De Silvestro, the other girl, has had problems....... now we have 1st caution.
There was no NASCAR, but every kid in the country knew the Heroes of the Brickyard.
I guess Will Poewr won’t be a factor either.....
Four women drivers in the race. All started close to or at the rear of the bus. As it should be.
Better than ever? Nah, I far prefer the days when A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Johnny Rutherford, and Rick Mears blazed around the Brickyard. You know, back when most of the drivers were Americans, and the cars actually had to be driven rather than just steered.
LMAO
The G-forces the modern cars put on the drivers is incredible.
Their heart rate goes way up for the duration of the race because the braking pulls all the blood into their feet. They have to be in great physical shape just to overcome the side G-forces they encounter in the turns.
The cars have so much downforce that if you could turn the entire racetrack upside down while they were running...the cars would still stay on it.
Me also.
Remember Foyt always had his elderly father as a crew member in the pit?
A. J. didn’t care if his old man slowed them down.
Showing such love and respect. Priceless.
That kind of racing is still around, those cars were just big-league sprint cars. It can be found as the USAC Silver Crown Series.
Of course now they use big front mounted American V-8s.
It will probably be awhile for an American to win.
Kannan is out rats.
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