INDY - the highs and lows

[thomas sheehan]

We are just weeks away from making our annual pilgrimage to the racing Mecca, otherwise known as INDY. I've had the "privilege" of attending/or racing at INDY since 1968. Over those years, the magic of INDY keeps bringing me (us) back year after year.
There are many highs (and lows), that contribute to us returning. Please share your highs and lows of this awesome event. I'll start it off with a few of the obvious ones.....

high - just qualifying for the ever-so-tuff field

low - having to get there on the saturday before (10 days early) just to beat the bowling green racers to a decent parking spot

high - seeing all the racers/cars from all over the country that don't make it east to often

low - being late and getting parked at the end of the track where our radio won't even pick up the tracks station

[CBS]

Highs...
The barbeques......
The chance of winning Indy....
Class Elims....
seeing cars you don't normally see.....

Lows...
Possible teardown
the length of time you're there

[Tim Kish]

Originally Posted by CBS

Lows...
the length of time you're there

Rock - would you rather be at work the whole week? - lol

[Rick Bailey]

Add to the lows

$105.00 for a freaking crew ticket



Sorry.
Rick

[Herbie Null]

Originally Posted by Rick Bailey

Add to the lows

$105.00 for a freaking crew ticket



Sorry.
Rick

That equates to only $17.50 a day. What a bargin in this economy, and to top it off your at the Grand Daddy of all races.

[Greg Turk]

Highs..... well just an opportunity to win THE biggest race of the year.
usually, maybe not lately...the larger than normal fields...esp COMP
...5 sessions of Pro Stock Qualifying
Lows....DNQing...
...losing in the finals twice..once having someone covered index wise...they were used up we were clean, only to have the wire for the trans brake fall off in the pan prior to staging...the other time opponent had 5 red lites in previous rounds...we were used up...the knife to gun fight dealie
..having Roy Hill drive down the side of your race car with his motorhome in the staging lanes while waiting to tech in , telling me later that every one waved him on as there seemed to be ???? plenty of room.....a$$clown
...going red in the finals of class ruining a chance to qualify
..oiling the track 3 out of 4 runs with a mysterious leak....hence looking like we never ran a race car let alone a Comp Elim car!!!
Need I say more....we are coming back, as we do every year....sometimes I ask myself...WHY..then I wake up!!!
Turkman

[Chuck Beach]

Highs:
1) vacation
2) a chance to qualify and win the biggest race of the year
3) class eliminations (win or lose)
4) hanging out with friends
5) meeting new people and making new friends
6) seeing cars from other divisions
7) eating and drinking with friends
8) beautiful sunny days
9) competition with the best
10) best car show in the country
11) did I mention eating and drinking with friends
12) HEMI's
13) this race is only 207 miles away
14) and of course, eating and drinking with friends
15) bench racing between qualifying and racing
16) watching stock and super stock
17) trading performance secrets
18) getting a great parking spot
19) not breaking anything
20) and last but not least, eating and drinking with friends

Lows:
1) entry fees
2) cost of fuel
3) getting whipped in class
4) oil downs
5) rain
6) not qualifying
7) tear downs
8) lousy pit spot
9) running out of adult beverages
10) coming home and going back to work
11) not being able to get to minumum weight cause you ate and drink too much with your friends

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

I agree with Chuck, but after winning Indy there isn't anything any better. I know I didn't win but when my father did in 05 and my mother was runner up in 91 there isn't any better feeling then that

[Jeff Teuton]

Chuck, the eating and drinking with friends is first. I hope I am in your 'friend' column. Biggest problem I have is as I approach 67, I can't remember anything anyway, add a couple of cold 'retardents' and memory just doesn't exist. I'm thinking this year maybe some crawfish or non-oiled shrimp etoufee'. Bring that already done so the altitude don't screw it up and do the rice at the track, a good martini, don't get much better. Gotta check my schedule on what night. Maybe some french bread too. I will have to check with my social director. More later.

[Joe Martens]

Chuck, looks like the highs out weigh the lows! You are right on.
Jeff, hope to hook up for some adult beverages with the Southland bunch!!!