Indy 500 Thread

[Hovadipo 61,540]

I've been meaning to make this thread for a while, but keep forgetting. About 2 and a half months until the greatest weekend of the year. This year will mark my 14th straight 500 and I don't plan on missing one anytime soon. We usually go up on Friday for Carb Day and leave either Monday morning or directly after the race, so it is an entire weekend of fun. If you've never been, I demand that you experience it at least once, if you have been or regularly go, what are some memories?

Also: The Carb Day concert is a major event for me during the weekend and the announcement of the band is tomorrow morning. Rumor has it that Sublime will be opening for Sammy Hagar.


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[coachmayhew 1,414]

I love the atmosphere, nothing like it at all. Every year I know TK is gonna win it and finally he did. See you there.


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[Hovadipo 61,540]

Great part about the race is that there aren't really villain type guys. Only fan favorites and unknowns. Everyone loves TK and I was so happy to see him get it last year. Helio is a always a crowd favorite. Everyone loved Dan too.


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[Hovadipo 61,540]

It's Indy week!


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[LIHoosier 27,799]

Today would've been a lot more fun if more than 33 cars were quailfying. I'm impressed with Kurt Busch running really competitive with the full time guys. If he had stayed at Indy this afternoon, I feel he could've been in the top 9 for the pole tomorrow.

[Hovadipo 61,540]

Very little drama with 33 cars. Especially when about 12 are competitive. Can't argue with the racing the past few years though.


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[Parakeet Jones 4,028]

You beat me to starting this thread.  I have been going to the track at least one day every May since 1985 and to the race since 1990.  The day of the Indy 500 is like Christmas for me.  If there is anything that comes close to my love of IU basketball, it's the 500.

 

I absolutely hated the new qualifying procedure.  The problem was not the old format, it's that there aren't more than 33 cars qualifying.  I can't put into words how much this new format disgusts me. 

 

I can't wait for next Sunday.  I'll be pulling for Andretti, Carpenter, Hinchcliffe, Hunter-Reay, and Bell.  

[LIHoosier 27,799]

 

I absolutely hated the new qualifying procedure.  The problem was not the old format, it's that there aren't more than 33 cars qualifying.  I can't put into words how much this new format disgusts me. 

 

Then do you hate the format or that Honda/Chevy couldn't lend a few engines so some underdog teams could take a try at making the 500? If 35-36 teams were trying to make the race, this format would've been fine save for ending the session at 5:50 instead of 6:00.(WTF?)

 

In the past few years, Sunday was a lot of waiting around and having NESPN/NBC Sports interview every one on the premises because nothing was happening on track. At least with this format, there will be continuous action on both days.

[Parakeet Jones 4,028]

Then do you hate the format or that Honda/Chevy couldn't lend a few engines so some underdog teams could take a try at making the 500? If 35-36 teams were trying to make the race, this format would've been fine save for ending the session at 5:50 instead of 6:00.(WTF?)

In the past few years, Sunday was a lot of waiting around and having NESPN/NBC Sports interview every one on the premises because nothing was happening on track. At least with this format, there will be continuous action on both days.

Honda/Chevy getting us to 35-37 would have helped I admit. I wish teams would have had to withdraw their times to go back out. That would have helped a lot.

Much like I don't want names on IU's jerseys or the candystripes to ever go away, I love the tradition of Indy. I hate how much we've gotten away from that.

[Hovadipo 61,540]

Another tradition ends this year. Jim Nabors' last year.


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[Parakeet Jones 4,028]

The nee format got decent tv ratings. I will have to adjust. I just wish they would make them withdraw times to go back out and cap the number of attempts.

On to the race: Everyone chime in with your pick, dark horse, and ROY picks. I'll start.

Winner: Hinch. I could pick about a dozen guys but Andretti has been strong all month. Don't sleep on Dixon though.

Dark horse: Pagenaud. He is smart, fast, and consistent.

ROY: Busch. Heck of a driver and with Andretti.

[LIHoosier 27,799]

I think the NESPN crew said that there were two different lines for going out; a local lane for going out and keeping your existing time and an express lane for withdrawing your time but being able to make an attempt immediately. I remember Marco having to make a late adjustment already on the slow line and ended up having to go to the express lane to make their changes and had to withdraw their time when they left pit road.

 

Like I posted the other day, it's something that would've been much more interesting and dramatic if the car count was over 33.

 

My picks

 

Winner - Helio. Not that I want him to win, just have a feeling he'll join the 4 club.

Darkhorse - Newgarden.

Rookie - The popular pick is Kurt Busch, but I'll take Hawksworth to be different.

 

and Mark Cuban will be waving the green flag.

[Hovadipo 61,540]

Busch crashed today in practice. That can't help his chances.

Winner: I think Marco finally gets one. Watched the '06 race on ESPN Classic today and I'm feeling him now.

Dark Horse: Carlos Munoz. Young and fearless and has been fast most of the month.

Rookie of the Year: I'll deviate and say Juan Pablo. I know he isn't technically a rookie, but he's been out of IRL for long enough that this isn't the same race he won in 2000.

I think I saw that Munoz was a rookie when I went to practice the other day, but I swear he raced last year.


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[LIHoosier 27,799]

I think I saw that Munoz was a rookie when I went to practice the other day, but I swear he raced last year.


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I believe Munoz is a rookie for the season championship, but isn't eligible for any of the Rookie awards at the 500 since he won it last year.

[Hovadipo 61,540]

[quote name="LIHoosier" post="67195" timestamp="1400541930"]I believe Munoz is a rookie for the season championship, but isn't eligible for any of the Rookie awards at the 500 since he won it last year.[/quote]

Ah that makes sense.


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[Parakeet Jones 4,028]

I am already wavering on Hinch. Leaning toward RHR now. This is the time of year I wish I had ESPN Classic.

[Hovadipo 61,540]

[quote name="Parakeet Jones" post="67200" timestamp="1400544284"]I am already wavering on Hinch. Leaning toward RHR now. This is the time of year I wish I had ESPN Classic.[/quote]

I think I watched 4 Indy 500's today lol.


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[Parakeet Jones 4,028]

I think I watched 4 Indy 500's today lol.


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Well done. I am jealous.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Bump. Pre-show on.

[Naturalhoosier 15,478]

Kanaan is going back-to-back. That's my call. ;)


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