| Indianapolis Motor Speedway INDY 500 Race Day Sunday - May 28, 2000 |
We began race day by rising at 6 a.m.
This year, Johnny G was joining Buddha, E.T. and I.
We took I-465 around and bypassed the 10th Street and
Crawfordsville Road exits which were already backed up on
the interstate. We went up to 38th Street and took that to
Moller Road and then down to 30th Street and into the Coke
Lot where we parked for free!
We all bought some cheap $10 t-shirts off some guy in the
field.
Lots of campers had huge poles with flags and lights in the
huge field.
This year, Johnny G was joining Buddha, E.T. and I.
We took I-465 around and bypassed the 10th Street and
Crawfordsville Road exits which were already backed up on
the interstate. We went up to 38th Street and took that to
Moller Road and then down to 30th Street and into the Coke
Lot where we parked for free!
We all bought some cheap $10 t-shirts off some guy in the
field.
Lots of campers had huge poles with flags and lights in the
huge field.
We proceeded over to 24th Street and Georgetown
where Buddha's Michigan Tech fraternity brothers were
partying. They had rented a big U-Haul truck and had
parked it Wednesday along this party corridor. There
were about 30 dudes and by the looks of things, some
serious drinking had been going on the past few days.
Three TV sets were lying around smashed to pieces
thanks to a drop off of the top of the truck. They told me
one made a really good "pop". There were assorted
couches scattered about, a mountain of beer cans and a
campfire which blazed with weird colors thanks to the
various toxic items they would throw into it.
where Buddha's Michigan Tech fraternity brothers were
partying. They had rented a big U-Haul truck and had
parked it Wednesday along this party corridor. There
were about 30 dudes and by the looks of things, some
serious drinking had been going on the past few days.
Three TV sets were lying around smashed to pieces
thanks to a drop off of the top of the truck. They told me
one made a really good "pop". There were assorted
couches scattered about, a mountain of beer cans and a
campfire which blazed with weird colors thanks to the
various toxic items they would throw into it.
About six of the guys sat on top of the truck which had Tiki
Torches duct taped to the top corners.
Crowds of people began walking by on their way into the
track around 8 or 9am. The boys hurled down insults and
sex jokes. It was amusing.
They also had a "fireman's" pole for sliding back down to
earth!
Torches duct taped to the top corners.
Crowds of people began walking by on their way into the
track around 8 or 9am. The boys hurled down insults and
sex jokes. It was amusing.
They also had a "fireman's" pole for sliding back down to
earth!
E.T. and I walked around to some of the vendors lined
around the outside of the speedway selling racing souvenirs
and food. I wanted an Indian Taco, but they were still
cooking breakfast. Another batch of streetside party boys
set what looked like a live rat with its head caught in a big
trap out in the middle of the street for all to see. I walked by
and thought it was funny because it was so realistic. A little
later, E.T. told me it was real. If it was, then it was the sickest
thing I've ever seen anyone do.
We packed up the gear and headed toward the speedway
entrance at 10 a.m. I thought I'd try bringing in plenty of
supplies this time. I had a cooler full of beer and food,
another bag with junk and an umbrella. The one thing I did
not take was a camera.
We had not stepped 5 feet into the speedway when it began
raining! I pulled out my poncho and umbrella and I was one
of the few to keep dry. Hundreds of thousands of people had
already made it to their seats, many rushed to seek shelter
under the stands and in the tunnels. It was packed and most
people just had to sit in the rain.
We eventually made it over to the tower and Gasoline Alley,
walking around gawking at stuff. These guys hadn't been to
the track yet this year and there was plenty of new stuff to
see. I was really tired of carrying my junk around. Next year
if I feel the need to take my own food and beer, I am going
to get a wagon or a large cooler with wheels!! Many people
use wagons and there are spots behind the stands where
you can leave them while you watch the race.
around the outside of the speedway selling racing souvenirs
and food. I wanted an Indian Taco, but they were still
cooking breakfast. Another batch of streetside party boys
set what looked like a live rat with its head caught in a big
trap out in the middle of the street for all to see. I walked by
and thought it was funny because it was so realistic. A little
later, E.T. told me it was real. If it was, then it was the sickest
thing I've ever seen anyone do.
We packed up the gear and headed toward the speedway
entrance at 10 a.m. I thought I'd try bringing in plenty of
supplies this time. I had a cooler full of beer and food,
another bag with junk and an umbrella. The one thing I did
not take was a camera.
We had not stepped 5 feet into the speedway when it began
raining! I pulled out my poncho and umbrella and I was one
of the few to keep dry. Hundreds of thousands of people had
already made it to their seats, many rushed to seek shelter
under the stands and in the tunnels. It was packed and most
people just had to sit in the rain.
We eventually made it over to the tower and Gasoline Alley,
walking around gawking at stuff. These guys hadn't been to
the track yet this year and there was plenty of new stuff to
see. I was really tired of carrying my junk around. Next year
if I feel the need to take my own food and beer, I am going
to get a wagon or a large cooler with wheels!! Many people
use wagons and there are spots behind the stands where
you can leave them while you watch the race.
I didn't take a camera today and the photos on this page were supplied by someone else.
After the race, Johnny-G and I went back to the U-Haul truck.
Seven hours had passed and the frat boys hadn't slowed
down. They yelled at the girls with gusto and several raised
their tops and flashed us as they walked by laughing.
I got the camp fire going again and then some of the guys
fired up the grill and cooked some burgers.
I played some Euchre in the back of the truck and tried one
of their homemade pickled eggs.
By the time it got dark, they were packing up and getting
ready to torch four sofas, before fleeing quickly before the fire
department showed up. That is when we left for home.
Seven hours had passed and the frat boys hadn't slowed
down. They yelled at the girls with gusto and several raised
their tops and flashed us as they walked by laughing.
I got the camp fire going again and then some of the guys
fired up the grill and cooked some burgers.
I played some Euchre in the back of the truck and tried one
of their homemade pickled eggs.
By the time it got dark, they were packing up and getting
ready to torch four sofas, before fleeing quickly before the fire
department showed up. That is when we left for home.
| Juan Montoya and Target Chip Ganassi Racing from ChampCar easily won the Indy 500. |
The broadcast of the race is delayed in Indy.
After we got home, we all started watching it in my living
room.
Everyone fell asleep with about 30 laps left to go.
It had been an exhausting weekend and we can't wait
for this September and the U.S. Grand Prix!
After we got home, we all started watching it in my living
room.
Everyone fell asleep with about 30 laps left to go.
It had been an exhausting weekend and we can't wait
for this September and the U.S. Grand Prix!
For the first time in history, two women
started in the 500. Ironically, they hit each
other and then the wall. Neither returned
to the race.
Toward the end, Buddy Lazier began
gaining on Montoya. This provided some
excitement.
About lap 175 it began to lightly sprinkle.
The race continued and Montoya won, to
IRL fans' chagrin.
started in the 500. Ironically, they hit each
other and then the wall. Neither returned
to the race.
Toward the end, Buddy Lazier began
gaining on Montoya. This provided some
excitement.
About lap 175 it began to lightly sprinkle.
The race continued and Montoya won, to
IRL fans' chagrin.
| Andy Hillenburg in the #48 Sumar Special |
| Dan's Race Journals |
| DAN'S PHOTO JOURNALS |
After the rain stopped, several fighter jets flew by. Then a
Harrier jet slowly flew down the front stretch and came to a
stop above turn one. Harriers have adjustable jet engines
that let them hover in air. The noise was unbelievable, the
loudest thing I have ever heard. It slowly rotated 360
degrees and then slowly took off. I wasn't even in the stands
right under it. Its hard to imagine that the noise didn't
damage a lot of ears.
E.T. had gotten an extra pair of tickets over in Tower
Terrace. He and Buddha planned on watching the start and
finish there and the middle portion up in NE Vista with
Johnny and I.
I was surprised by how fast IMS got the track dry.
We got to our seats right as the parade lap was coming by.
I was tired from carrying my junk around for the last 3 hours.
Later I heard they had driven the Turbine "whoosh" cars by.
I'd have loved to seen those.
Anyway it was nice having the extra space provided by E.T.
and Buddha's absence.
Harrier jet slowly flew down the front stretch and came to a
stop above turn one. Harriers have adjustable jet engines
that let them hover in air. The noise was unbelievable, the
loudest thing I have ever heard. It slowly rotated 360
degrees and then slowly took off. I wasn't even in the stands
right under it. Its hard to imagine that the noise didn't
damage a lot of ears.
E.T. had gotten an extra pair of tickets over in Tower
Terrace. He and Buddha planned on watching the start and
finish there and the middle portion up in NE Vista with
Johnny and I.
I was surprised by how fast IMS got the track dry.
We got to our seats right as the parade lap was coming by.
I was tired from carrying my junk around for the last 3 hours.
Later I heard they had driven the Turbine "whoosh" cars by.
I'd have loved to seen those.
Anyway it was nice having the extra space provided by E.T.
and Buddha's absence.
The race proceeded well enough, no accidents
or yellows until after the first 150 miles, when
Greg Ray, pole sitter, hit the 2nd turn wall.
2nd place qualifier, Juan Pablo Montoya, from
the CART series, had already taken over the
lead. He basically led to the end of the race
making this one of the most boring 500 races
I've ever seen.
Little Al had car troubles and bailed out as did
my old friend, Andy Hillenburg.
or yellows until after the first 150 miles, when
Greg Ray, pole sitter, hit the 2nd turn wall.
2nd place qualifier, Juan Pablo Montoya, from
the CART series, had already taken over the
lead. He basically led to the end of the race
making this one of the most boring 500 races
I've ever seen.
Little Al had car troubles and bailed out as did
my old friend, Andy Hillenburg.