Official Indianapolis 500 Thread

[joeychitwood]

I've been a fan of open-wheel racing my entire life. I attended many races, especially the pre-split Indy car road races. I reserve the Memorial weekend Sunday for watching the race, followed by the DVRed Grand Prix of Monaco. It's the best racing weekend of the year. Is anyone attending? Any interesting car/track photos? Here are a few of mine from the 1990s.











And, of course, the Tecate girls:

[The Joker]

Great photos.

Is that a Rolex she's wearing.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Great photos.

Is that a Rolex she's wearing.

I've never noticed the watch before.

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I've never noticed the watch before.

[NYC6]

Great pics.
Looking forward to Indy for sure. Watched nearly all of them since the early 70's. Sadly, have never attended, yet.
Also waiting for Le Mans. As A C6 Corvette owner I love the ALMS series. C6's last year before the C7 debuts. C6 has had a stellar run in ALMS. Many checkered flags and already winning 2 of the 3 races this season already. Have tix for Julys race at Limerock, Ct.

[james1787]

Cool shots! I've never been to the Indy race but I was at the track / museum once. My sister/brother-in-law used to go every year when they lived out near Indianapolis.

[Boothroyd]

Danny Sullivan doing the impromptu 180 and still winning in 1985 was one I remember well.



But Andy Granatelli finally winning one with Mario Andretti for STP in 1969 in their backup Lotus was one of the highlights for me. Remember him running to the winner's circle. "STP--It's the racer's edge"..loved those TV ads and jingle.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Danny Sullivan doing the impromptu 180 and still winning in 1985 was one I remember well.

Probably one of the greatest feats of driving ever, all at 200 mph. I'd guess both Andretti and Sullivan needed a change of underwear after that one.

[theloxmyth]

Yep, it's in my blood too.

1970's...


Here's a recent one...

[dddrees]

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing‎.

The Granddaddy of all car races!!!!

Back Home Again in Indiana.

Where's Jim Nabors when you really need him?


Ladies and Gentlemen START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!!

[Boothroyd]

The names.
A.J. Foyt, Al Unser (senior), Johnny Rutherford.

But my all-time favorite driver name (Mario Andretti is up there) is.....Emerson Fittipaldi. Or "Em-mo" as they called him. That really was a great era.

[427shark]

I always was into drag racing, but recently decided to start following NASCAR and open wheeled racing. Very exciting stuff

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

The names.
A.J. Foyt, Al Unser (senior), Johnny Rutherford.

But my all-time favorite driver name (Mario Andretti is up there) is.....Emerson Fittipaldi. Or "Em-mo" as they called him. That really was a great era.

Then came Rick Mears.........................................

and for owners you just can't forget Roger Penske.

[Bangel]

It's certainly a big weekend for motorsport.

Over here in Australia, the Monaco GP is screened live at 10pm Sunday night while live coverage of the Indy 500 starts at 1am Monday morning.

As such, I do the opposite of you joeychitwood. I watch the F1 live and DVR Indy to watch later. Looking forward to both.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by dddrees

....and for owners you just can't forget Roger Penske.

Here is an early-generation digital camera photo of the Captain:





And a photo of Walter Payton, the nicest man to walk the Earth. (He owned Payton-Coyne Racing.) Shortly after I took this photo, he invited me and my friends into his hospitality tent to escape a sudden rain shower. He proceeded to talk with us for 25 minutes until it stopped raining.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Here is an early-generation digital camera photo of the Captain:





And a photo of Walter Payton, the nicest man to walk the Earth. (He owned Payton-Coyne Racing.) Shortly after I took this photo, he invited me and my friends into his hospitality tent to escape a sudden rain shower. He proceeded to talk with us for 25 minutes until it stopped raining.

Ah, two of my all time favorites.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

But my all-time favorite driver name (Mario Andretti is up there) is.....Emerson Fittipaldi. Or "Em-mo" as they called him. That really was a great era.

Fittipaldi was my favorite as well. I took these photos of him at the Detroit Grand Prix.

[Boothroyd]

Remember the 50th Indy 500 from when I was a kid. Hopefully, nothing like this ever happens again. No one was seriously hurt, amazingly.



Note that a first time driver, English "clock-maker" won the race!

[427shark]

Btw anyone know what time and station ?

[Boothroyd]

Sunday, ABC TV. You will want to tune in prior to the Noon Eastern start. Here is the schedule of events:

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway...is-500-may-26/

[427shark]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Sunday, ABC TV. You will want to tune in prior to the Noon Eastern start. Here is the schedule of events:

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway...is-500-may-26/

Thanks Daniel !

[skprd13]

Love open wheel racing. I have a back spoiler from Emo's car from the Long Beach Gran Prix back in the 80's. he even signed it for me!

Love to watch Indy live one time in my lifetime!

[Boothroyd]

Very cool, Tom!

[Watchflair]

I'm actually most looking forward to seeing the 14 C7 Vette Pace Car take a lap :)

[gt3pilot]

Been to every Indy 500 since 1963. From 1987 to 2004 I worked as a crew member/mechanic for a few different CART and IRL teams. I'll be there again tomorrow. Just hoping the weather holds off, as they're calling for rain tomorrow.


-Scott B.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by gt3pilot

Been to every Indy 500 since 1963. From 1987 to 2004 I worked as a crew member/mechanic for a few different CART and IRL teams.

-Scott B.

Very cool. Do you have any interesting photos you can post? What teams? I might have your picture among my many paddock photos.

[gt3pilot]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Very cool. Do you have any interesting photos you can post? What teams? I might have your picture among my many paddock photos.

Don't have any pic's handy, but will look and see what I have. Mostly just team qualifying pictures and such. Camera's weren't so convenient back then :) I worked at Bettenhausen('87-95) Bradley('96-99) and PDM('00-'04). I was definitely at the Belle Isle race where I believe a lot of you're pics are from. Was also there when it was on the old street circuit by the Renaissance Tower. Remember when Michael and Mario both hit the emergency vehicle !!


-Scott B.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by gt3pilot

I was definitely at the Belle Isle race where I believe a lot of you're pics are from. Was also there when it was on the old street circuit by the Renaissance Tower.

A group of us would go to Detroit every year for the race on Belle Isle. We'd stay at the Renaissance Center and walk to the island. We'd go to Mario's Italian Restaurant or into Greektown after a day at the track. I haven't been back since the series returned to Belle Isle.

[vitix]

I'm a fan too!! Great pics!







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[theloxmyth]

Must be thousands of them, but I got one...



And a few others...


At 7:30am, the Monaco Grand Prix and then...

"Ladies and Gentlemen..."