| DAN'S PHOTO JOURNALS |
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| CARB DAY 2025 Friday, May 23 |
E.T drove down from Michigan last night to go to Carb Day and the race with me.
We stayed up late and I only got 3-4 hours sleep. I felt sick all morning and only
ate half a bagel.
We left for the track at 10:30 am and wanted to watch practice which started at
11 am.
It was cold out, so I wore two t-shirts.
I had a parking pass for the Turn 4 infield. I ordered it from the Speedway last
week and it came in the mail this week. It cost $45 plus S&H.
I took the interstate to W. 38th St. and turned south on Moller Rd. as I often do.
That was a mistake. I got stuck in a small traffic jam on 30th St. (beside the coke
lot) about a 1/4 mile from Georgetown. Once I got close, I could see that only
one car at a time was getting through the lighted intersection. Meanwhile, cars
coming down Georgetown Rd from the north had no problems. I should have
bypassed Moller and taken Georgetown. It took a half hour for us to finally turn
on Georgetown Rd; but it felt longer.
Once I got on Georgetown, it was easy sailing. We were motioned in through the
gates with several other cars.
Inside, it became apparent they were directing the cars past the Turn 4 parking
area and sending them south in a complete loop around the infield so as to enter
the T3 & T4 parking areas from the north! We were already late and this new
delay might make us miss practice altogether.
I looked desperately for an entrance to the field and luckily there was one, but it
was blocked by a car and traffic cones. I swung in there anyway and was able to
squeeze between the cones. I was parked 30 seconds later. Yay!
We stayed up late and I only got 3-4 hours sleep. I felt sick all morning and only
ate half a bagel.
We left for the track at 10:30 am and wanted to watch practice which started at
11 am.
It was cold out, so I wore two t-shirts.
I had a parking pass for the Turn 4 infield. I ordered it from the Speedway last
week and it came in the mail this week. It cost $45 plus S&H.
I took the interstate to W. 38th St. and turned south on Moller Rd. as I often do.
That was a mistake. I got stuck in a small traffic jam on 30th St. (beside the coke
lot) about a 1/4 mile from Georgetown. Once I got close, I could see that only
one car at a time was getting through the lighted intersection. Meanwhile, cars
coming down Georgetown Rd from the north had no problems. I should have
bypassed Moller and taken Georgetown. It took a half hour for us to finally turn
on Georgetown Rd; but it felt longer.
Once I got on Georgetown, it was easy sailing. We were motioned in through the
gates with several other cars.
Inside, it became apparent they were directing the cars past the Turn 4 parking
area and sending them south in a complete loop around the infield so as to enter
the T3 & T4 parking areas from the north! We were already late and this new
delay might make us miss practice altogether.
I looked desperately for an entrance to the field and luckily there was one, but it
was blocked by a car and traffic cones. I swung in there anyway and was able to
squeeze between the cones. I was parked 30 seconds later. Yay!
Some fighter jets came roaring overhead in
formation, then circled around and came by from
the east a few times, spread far apart.
A couple of big Blackhawk helicopters began
cruising around the circuit. On one pass, as they
went down the main straight, they dropped lower
than the top of the stands and were out of my
view. That was surprising. I wondered what they
did when they reached the tall scoring pylon.
Both of these flying military groups were practicing
for race day.
formation, then circled around and came by from
the east a few times, spread far apart.
A couple of big Blackhawk helicopters began
cruising around the circuit. On one pass, as they
went down the main straight, they dropped lower
than the top of the stands and were out of my
view. That was surprising. I wondered what they
did when they reached the tall scoring pylon.
Both of these flying military groups were practicing
for race day.
Afterwards, people left the hills. Instead of going to the Pit Stop Competition, we
headed to the concert. I hoped to get there early so I could grab a spot at the top
of the viewing hill in back. That is the place to be if you bring a lawn chair.
Along the way, I hailed a pedi-cab. I glanced around for ET to come hop on, but
didn't see him. Where did he disappear to?
The pedi-cab got me to the entrance of the concert fast. (You need to tip these
guys. I don't think anyone pays them to do it.)
I thought of waiting for ET, but time was ticking. He knew my plan of getting to the
hill. That was a good decision as I grabbed the very last open spot on the hill!
Looking around, I christened the top of the hill "Grandpa Ridge." It doesn't seem
that long ago that I was standing in the front couple rows at every Carb Day
concert. Now I'm too lazy.
I scanned the incoming crowd hoping to spot ET. Eventually I gave up and asked
the people next to me if they'd call him. I don't have a cell phone, but I keep a list
of phone numbers in my wallet. The lady was nice enough to try. As I was giving
her the number, ET popped up right in front of us! He'd spotted me and came up!
ET explained why he was so late. He said that when we were walking here, he
turned around and I was gone. He figured I'd returned to the car and so he went
back there!
Why would I do that?!
ET is an enigma...
headed to the concert. I hoped to get there early so I could grab a spot at the top
of the viewing hill in back. That is the place to be if you bring a lawn chair.
Along the way, I hailed a pedi-cab. I glanced around for ET to come hop on, but
didn't see him. Where did he disappear to?
The pedi-cab got me to the entrance of the concert fast. (You need to tip these
guys. I don't think anyone pays them to do it.)
I thought of waiting for ET, but time was ticking. He knew my plan of getting to the
hill. That was a good decision as I grabbed the very last open spot on the hill!
Looking around, I christened the top of the hill "Grandpa Ridge." It doesn't seem
that long ago that I was standing in the front couple rows at every Carb Day
concert. Now I'm too lazy.
I scanned the incoming crowd hoping to spot ET. Eventually I gave up and asked
the people next to me if they'd call him. I don't have a cell phone, but I keep a list
of phone numbers in my wallet. The lady was nice enough to try. As I was giving
her the number, ET popped up right in front of us! He'd spotted me and came up!
ET explained why he was so late. He said that when we were walking here, he
turned around and I was gone. He figured I'd returned to the car and so he went
back there!
Why would I do that?!
ET is an enigma...
As it was, we'd missed about 45 minutes of
practice.
The viewing hills in Turn 4 were closest, so we
went there.
Since there were some pretty young women in
front of where I stood, I set down my lawn chair,
opened a beer and ate the other half of my bagel.
I was soon feeling fine.
I could see Turn 4, but the race cars were pretty
far away. This is not a good spot to watch the
oval track from.
practice.
The viewing hills in Turn 4 were closest, so we
went there.
Since there were some pretty young women in
front of where I stood, I set down my lawn chair,
opened a beer and ate the other half of my bagel.
I was soon feeling fine.
I could see Turn 4, but the race cars were pretty
far away. This is not a good spot to watch the
oval track from.
Something new this year that was just announced - The Oscar-Meyer "Wienie 500,"
a race of the famous Weinermobiles! When I first heard about it, I thought it was a joke,
but at 2pm, they brought out six Wienermobiles and held a two lap "race." The crowd
size on the hills doubled for it - the fans loved it! It proved to be a great publicity stunt.
a race of the famous Weinermobiles! When I first heard about it, I thought it was a joke,
but at 2pm, they brought out six Wienermobiles and held a two lap "race." The crowd
size on the hills doubled for it - the fans loved it! It proved to be a great publicity stunt.
When IMS first added a viewing hill in T4, it was just the one hill along the front
straight. Several years ago, IMS added a long winding hill that runs all along the
first several turns of the road course.
straight. Several years ago, IMS added a long winding hill that runs all along the
first several turns of the road course.
| The Wienermobiles Head Out Of T4 Toward the Starting Line |
There were video monitors placed along the fence for the "hill people." That was great.
There was a loud P.A. system too. When there was nothing to report on track, they
played an intermingling of classic rock and modern dance music.
There was a loud P.A. system too. When there was nothing to report on track, they
played an intermingling of classic rock and modern dance music.
My voice was hoarse all day which was weird.
All the cars practiced today and Ryan Hunter-Reay's car caught fire.
IndyCar practice ended at 1pm.
All the cars practiced today and Ryan Hunter-Reay's car caught fire.
IndyCar practice ended at 1pm.
| Fly Over by Blackhawk Helicopters |
| This guy was hot doggin' it in front of the crowd |
| Choppers Fly Above North Short Chute |
This year, I did not take my big camera (I'm lazy, remember?) I took my
camcorder. I don't know what happened, but every time I hit record, it stopped
recording and vice-versa. I did not notice it until after race weekend, so all my
videos from Carb Day and Race Day are no good. I was able to scavenge a
few screen shots for these pages.
We sat on the hill for an hour watching the crowd grow in size. Music played over
the P.A.
I got hit in the head by some flying object. It ended up just being a toy thrown by
a kid behind me. Don't people use baby sitters any more? :-)
About 4pm, The All American Rejects came on and played. There was a problem
with the sound through the whole set - the volume constantly went up and down a
lot. After a while, I noticed it was caused by a huge speaker hanging beside the
stage on a solitary long wire. The wind was making it twist back and forth.
The Rejects played for over an hour.
During the intermission, they announced that the crowd size was the largest ever
for Carb Day. I don't believe it. For instance, it seems to me that the 2014
Sammy Hagar & Sublime concert crowd was three times this large.
I could see that people were still coming in through the gates, but also, people
were now leaving too.
Doug Boles, the president of the speedway, came out on stage and talked for a
minute or two. That's a first. He shows up in every media story for IndyCar and
IMS. I've seen more of him in the past year than I saw of Tony George in 20 years.
He is a very energetic promoter.
Audiences at a concert rarely want to hear promoters talking and soon, a few
people yelled for Brett Michaels. They would have a long wait.
There were also some people dressed like cans of Miller Lite, dancing around on
the stage. Miller Lite sponsors Carb Day. I would have preferred the Miller Lite
girls.
camcorder. I don't know what happened, but every time I hit record, it stopped
recording and vice-versa. I did not notice it until after race weekend, so all my
videos from Carb Day and Race Day are no good. I was able to scavenge a
few screen shots for these pages.
We sat on the hill for an hour watching the crowd grow in size. Music played over
the P.A.
I got hit in the head by some flying object. It ended up just being a toy thrown by
a kid behind me. Don't people use baby sitters any more? :-)
About 4pm, The All American Rejects came on and played. There was a problem
with the sound through the whole set - the volume constantly went up and down a
lot. After a while, I noticed it was caused by a huge speaker hanging beside the
stage on a solitary long wire. The wind was making it twist back and forth.
The Rejects played for over an hour.
During the intermission, they announced that the crowd size was the largest ever
for Carb Day. I don't believe it. For instance, it seems to me that the 2014
Sammy Hagar & Sublime concert crowd was three times this large.
I could see that people were still coming in through the gates, but also, people
were now leaving too.
Doug Boles, the president of the speedway, came out on stage and talked for a
minute or two. That's a first. He shows up in every media story for IndyCar and
IMS. I've seen more of him in the past year than I saw of Tony George in 20 years.
He is a very energetic promoter.
Audiences at a concert rarely want to hear promoters talking and soon, a few
people yelled for Brett Michaels. They would have a long wait.
There were also some people dressed like cans of Miller Lite, dancing around on
the stage. Miller Lite sponsors Carb Day. I would have preferred the Miller Lite
girls.
| So wear a distinctive hat so your friends can find you! |
| It's easy to lose someone at the speedway! |
| Kentucky Derby |
| Jimmy Buffet Concerts |
| Warren Buffet Parties |
I expected to be stuck in traffic for a while, but we cruised right out onto Georgetown
and were home quickly.
and were home quickly.
| Photos below were taken from behind my position on the hill and rotate to my left. |
| Plenty of Parking Left in T4 Infield. Was Carb Day crowd down this year? |
Please tell me Brett Michaels is not wearing a picture of himself on his shirt.
| Get Hat Ideas From ... |
While it should have taken 10 minutes to switch acts, An hour went by until Brett
Michaels and his band came out. The wind had died down and the speaker problem
was not so bad for his set. He played for an hour and we got out of the show at 7pm.
Michaels and his band came out. The wind had died down and the speaker problem
was not so bad for his set. He played for an hour and we got out of the show at 7pm.
| Can You Find the Bottle of Miller Lite in this Photo? |
| Photos below start from my left, and rotate to the right |