Attending My First Indy 500 Race

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Attending My First Indy 500 Race was a bucket list item which I didn’t really think I would get to check off.  Walking through the tunnels to the track area was a bit emotional for me.  More on that later.  Even if you aren’t a race fan, it’s one of those events you should attend then you will be hooked.

Have you ever attended the Indy 500 or an Indy Car race?  Can’t make it to Indy, there’s this style race all over the world probably within driving distance to you.  The other we attended was in NASHVILLE.

How Much Do You Know About the Indy 500?

When you hear the phrase “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” you can only be referring to one thing: the Indianapolis 500, or for short, the Indy 500. That phrase was trademarked by the Hulman family in 1986, who owned the speedway for many years.

The race is traditionally held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

 

A Little History About the Indy 500

The speedway was built in 1909 featuring the 2.5-mile oval track, with the first actual race being held in 1911. And not many people can name the race winner that year as Ray Harroun.  There’s a name to store away for trivia contests.

 In the 1910s and 1920s the race quickly gained popularity, with the 1920s featuring increased speed and competition.

In the 1930s through the 1960s, the race continued right through the Great Depression years, then joining the Formula One World Championship in the 1950s.

The “Super Bowl of Motor Sports,” another superlative it’s known by, was put on hiatus during World War II but started up again in 1946.

From the 1970s through the 1990s, rear-engine cars were introduced and the Indy Racing League, which led to a split in open-wheel racing.

The 2016 running of the Indianapolis 500 marked the 100th anniversary of the race and this turned out to be quite the historic event.

When you hear that phrase, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” you instantly think of the Indy 500. And since 1936, the winner has traditionally had a bottle of milk to drink in Victory Lane.

The winner is presented with the coveted Borg-Warner trophy. This iconic prize features the face of every Indy 500 winner since 1911.  It is the largest trophy for most major sporting events and valued at over One Million Dollars.

Another phrase you may hear people use to refer to the race is “the most important race in the world.” When you walk onto the property and see all those tens of thousands of seats, then you know it really is “the most important race in the world.”

Attending My First Indy 500

We attended the race last year and were fortunate enough to see Josef Newgarden win, a fellow Tennessean.  Another note, he was the 6th driver to win this race in consecutive years.

We also attended the Indy 500 parade through downtown Indianapolis, which was another first for our family. 

Most of the drivers ride in the back of trucks, often with their families.  This is a huge event not only attendees of the race, but a great time for families to come out and enjoy the racing atmosphere.

We saw Kyle Kirkwood win in Nashville in 2023.

Ken Griffey, Jr., the pace car driver last year, was also in the parade. We had the opportunity to meet him the night before the race.  He’s quite personable and enjoys meeting fans of racing. And he does not mind having his picture taken.

 

Rainy Race Day

Saturday was a great day – bright and sunny, a perfect day for practice and the parade.

Then Sunday came, and the rain.  It had been in the forecast, but everyone was hoping it would not happen, but it did along with storms which cleared the stands.

The next thoughts were if it would stop in time and the track would dry enough for the race on Sunday, or would it be postponed until Monday. 

The rain stopped and the track dryers came out to make it happen.

The Thrill of Victory

Watching the Indy 500 Through the Years on TV

Most of my growing up years, we grew up watching one channel, ABC.  Cable wasn’t around then, and an antenna didn’t always work out in the country.  So, we would watch whatever was on ABC and this included the Indy 500 for many years.

That’s not to say we sat in front of the TV and watched every minute, but at least part of it and especially the ending.  As a child and teenager, I would dream of attending things I saw on TV like this race, the Kentucky Derby, and even college or pro basketball games.  I still have the Derby to mark off.

Last year when I got to attend the Indy 500 as part of the media, it was a dream come true.  Walking through the tunnel to the infield area, I got emotional telling my husband and son how I never thought this would happen. 

And it was even more special getting to attend with them.

Attending My First Indy 500 Race 

Was it all I thought?  Yes, and more. 

A few of the special things:

• Standing on the actual track
• Walking by the cars just minutes before the race started
• Seeing some of my favorite drivers and cars
• Meeting Danica Patrick
• Seeing Josef Newgarden win in a thrilling finish
• Being just above the Winner’s Circle to see the trophy presentation

• Meeting Ken Griffey Jr.

One part I’m always in awe of is the pit crew – how they can add fuel, clean the windshield area, change the tires, and more – most in less than 8 seconds. 

Here’s a few more photos for you to enjoy, along with some of the traditions.

Thunderbirds Flyover

Kissing the Bricks

Parade in Downtown Indianapolis

 

Colorful Cars and Drivers

Driving Simulation at Fan Experience

Cars from the past

 

We do have tentative plans to attend again this year on May 25th.  I’ll keep you posted.  Find many details HERE –  to plan – more will be posted closer to race day.

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