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| DAN'S PHOTO JOURNALS |
| Brickyard 400 Sunday - August 4, 2002 |
My friend Joe and I were up late last night discussing philosophy at the local pub.
Joe decided to crash on the couch back at my place since he lives in Bloomington
and he was going to watch the Brickyard 400 at my house the next day anyway. I
was planning on having a few friends over to watch the race since I didn't have a ticket.
The next morning, my friend Rick called and told me he had two tickets if I wanted to
drive up and get them. He lives about 40 miles north of me in Pendleton. They were
top row tickets too! Cool!
Joe is not a race fan. However, he had never been to the Speedway before so he was
up for going. I packed up some beer and we high-tailed it up to Pendleton, got the
tickets from Rick, caught a quick look at his nice new home, and was off for Speedway.
On the radio I could hear them start their engines. By the time we hit the west side of
Indy the race had already started. We were a little late, BUT there was NO traffic.
I pulled right up to Lot 1, near Turn 4, and pulled in to a aisle parking spot for free.
We were surrounded by campers and flags.
Joe decided to crash on the couch back at my place since he lives in Bloomington
and he was going to watch the Brickyard 400 at my house the next day anyway. I
was planning on having a few friends over to watch the race since I didn't have a ticket.
The next morning, my friend Rick called and told me he had two tickets if I wanted to
drive up and get them. He lives about 40 miles north of me in Pendleton. They were
top row tickets too! Cool!
Joe is not a race fan. However, he had never been to the Speedway before so he was
up for going. I packed up some beer and we high-tailed it up to Pendleton, got the
tickets from Rick, caught a quick look at his nice new home, and was off for Speedway.
On the radio I could hear them start their engines. By the time we hit the west side of
Indy the race had already started. We were a little late, BUT there was NO traffic.
I pulled right up to Lot 1, near Turn 4, and pulled in to a aisle parking spot for free.
We were surrounded by campers and flags.
In no time we were up in our seats with steaming hot hamburgers and hotdogs.
Our seats were in section H, on the straight coming out of the last turn.
We only missed the first 15 laps or so. The race is for 160 laps. It was a very
hot, slightly hazy day, but there was a nice breeze up at my seats where I could
stand and hang against the fence.
I noticed a lot of doo rags in place of hats this year. One bald headed guy in
front of me had a wet hand cloth on his head all day and another had his head
smeared white with some sunscreen. People were pouring water on themselves.
Many girls had electric fans that blew out a water mist. Good idea I guess.
The temperature was 98 degrees and muggy. Track temperature was 134 degrees.
Jeff Gordon said it was the hottest race he's seen.
Our seats were in section H, on the straight coming out of the last turn.
We only missed the first 15 laps or so. The race is for 160 laps. It was a very
hot, slightly hazy day, but there was a nice breeze up at my seats where I could
stand and hang against the fence.
I noticed a lot of doo rags in place of hats this year. One bald headed guy in
front of me had a wet hand cloth on his head all day and another had his head
smeared white with some sunscreen. People were pouring water on themselves.
Many girls had electric fans that blew out a water mist. Good idea I guess.
The temperature was 98 degrees and muggy. Track temperature was 134 degrees.
Jeff Gordon said it was the hottest race he's seen.
| We were straight across from a big TV screen. |
| Camaro Event Cars lined up along the infield road course. |
| The bleachers in front of the suites above C Stand look empty. They were probably hiding out in the air-conditioned suite! |
| The 4th Turn |
Steve Park and Rusty Wallace
Eye in the sky.
| Under Caution |
Joe Nemechek
Pit stops
Bill Elliott, 46, showed off a superior car all day, easily running away from everyone
except Jarrett, and he had a stop-and-go penalty. If there had been no caution periods
to bunch the field, he would probably have been lapping everybody. I know he went
from 2nd to 1st with 11 laps to go, but I knew at lap 100 he had it.
except Jarrett, and he had a stop-and-go penalty. If there had been no caution periods
to bunch the field, he would probably have been lapping everybody. I know he went
from 2nd to 1st with 11 laps to go, but I knew at lap 100 he had it.
A lot of people started leaving early, maybe because of the heat.
We left a little early to try and get a jump on the traffic.
It worked and we were downtown in no time.
Hungry, we stopped at St. Elmo's, one of the finest restaurants in town.
There were lots of wait staff and they were all dressed in tuxedos. Nice.
I was sweaty and wearing a tank top and shorts. I would never have normally gone
there in such a state, but it was Race Day!
We were fortunate and they seated us.
Ahh, air conditioning!
The race ended right after we got there. We ordered a couple filet mignons.
Our waiter looked like Helio Castroneves!
The service was super and the food was excellent. I'll have to return (in a suit.)
We left a little early to try and get a jump on the traffic.
It worked and we were downtown in no time.
Hungry, we stopped at St. Elmo's, one of the finest restaurants in town.
There were lots of wait staff and they were all dressed in tuxedos. Nice.
I was sweaty and wearing a tank top and shorts. I would never have normally gone
there in such a state, but it was Race Day!
We were fortunate and they seated us.
Ahh, air conditioning!
The race ended right after we got there. We ordered a couple filet mignons.
Our waiter looked like Helio Castroneves!
The service was super and the food was excellent. I'll have to return (in a suit.)
I did miss some of the race, but after being stuck in traffic for 3 hours at the Indy 500
this year, I was very pleased with today's commute!
this year, I was very pleased with today's commute!
Well, time to start thinking about the 3rd U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis!
I've got my tickets. Have you?
I've got my tickets. Have you?
| Jeremy Mayfield had engine trouble on Lap 79. |
| Kenny Schrader |
Bill Elliott