INDY - the highs and lows

[TOSTO RACING]

Thanks Tom

And as always I forgot to add your pics are always nice especially when you got my car lol..

Bret Kepner is a very cool guy he is our local track photographer.

[Dallas Kelly]

Highs: the "Moroso Racer Appreciation Parties" (a few will remember)

Low: witnessing a careless racer run over another racing family's pet that was tied to their trailer step

[Don Kennedy]

Pets should not be at a race track. they have no protection for their ears and some racers don't pick up after their dog goes to the bathroom

[John Quinn]

I only went to Indy once, sometime in the early seventies. The only low I remember was the motel running out of hot water when I needed to shower, Brrrr,

The only high I remember was watching the B/SM class eliminations It was waaay better than anything else.

[dwydendorf]

The Highs of Indy- Working all week to finish up your new Motor with 0 passes on it,Getting lucky to win class by beating the heavily favored car, having Travis invite you to the Teardown party,Passing teardown and getting the car back together again, collecting your Class Trophy and getting your picture taken. I also seem to meet new friends every year and get to visit with old ones. That alone makes the trip worthwhile. The Lows- Working all week to finish your new motor with 0 passes on it, beating the ---------------Collecting your class trophy and getting your picture taken, then getting beat in the first round of the Eliminator. Even the lows make the trip worthwhile and every Indy is a learning experience whether your are racing or just visiting and I am thankful every time I go.

[X-TECH MAN]

The low....the pollen count seem very high for us hay fever sufferers......The High.....Just being there. The 60's and early 70's were the best times for me.

[Superfan1]

The highs - 6 straight days at the track, that is pure heaven for a hardcore fan like me.
Seeing cars that you may not see again until Indy next year.
Class eliminations in Stock and Super Stock including the Hemi Challenge.
Renewing acquaintances that you have made with racers and fans.
Just being at the oldest, biggest, and best drag race in the world.
The lows - None!
I am counting the days until Aug.30 when I will leave CT about 5:00PM in order to check in to my motel on Aug. 31 about 1:00PM. I will be at the track on Sept.1 before the gates open; hope to see you all there!

[Bob Shaw]

My biggest low.............Winning class, qualifying #1, and then getting disqualified in teardown for 2 lbs inner valve spring pressure.

[Jimi B]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Over the years have had plenty of highs and lows at Indy -- most of the lows came while in the employ of the NHRA ................

Got caught coming into the motel at 6:30 am by Dave Danish on a work day -- he made me work extra hard and long that day .........and then told me that if I wanted to play with the "big dogs" I should be prepared to pay .That incident gave new meaning to the "Lady in Red" .

A year later some NHRA staffers "found" me in my room with another lady that had a full leg cast on - took years to hear the end of that .

While getting driving lessons from a fellow worker the rear suddenly went bye-bye on a NHRA rental car in my possession -- more explaining to Danish -- I'm probably the reason for his gray hair .
My first time going to the Ford dealer to work teardown I got lost -- more explaining .

These are just a sample of my NHRA Indy lows -- I could go on and on .............These may be lows but I wouldn't trade the memories for anything .

Highs -- Not many but -- My one and only Indy class trophy in 1975 -- even that had its problems -- while at the AMC dealer for teardown "they" forgot about me and I was there around the clock - 25 hours in teardown ! ! ! And then there was the time "Big Stuff" took me for a ride in his new PT Cruiser - well , thats another story for another time .

You just became one of my new favorite old timers hahaha.

[BlueOval Ralph]

1976 34 cars for 1st round of class C/SM
1977 39 cars for 1st round of class B/SM
Had to win class to run on Monday all that changed in 1978

Originally Posted by John Quinn

I only went to Indy once, sometime in the early seventies. The only low I remember was the motel running out of hot water when I needed to shower, Brrrr,

The only high I remember was watching the B/SM class eliminations It was waaay better than anything else.