As you read this I am heading back to Indianapolis after a very quick turnaround. For the second year in a row, and for the third time since 2019; I will be attending every day of practice (except for the final session next Monday) for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Also for the second year in a row, rain is in the forecast for today – the first day of the oval practice. Last year, I got up early and arrived in time to see trucks going around the track to dry it. According to today’s forecast, they might not even get that far before they decided to cancel it.
We arrived back in Nashville around 5:15 pm on Sunday, after a very fun weekend for the Sonsio Grand Prix. We crammed a lot into that weekend, with all of the on-track activity, plus going to The Workingman’s Friend and Dawson’s on Friday. Saturday, we ate the free hotel breakfast, then at Honda Hospitality for lunch. Saturday night, we ate at The Coachman – a local spot near our hotel in Plainfield, that we discovered about three years ago. Sunday, we topped off the weekend with breakfast at Charlie Brown’s and a visit to Long’s Donuts before heading home.
Yesterday, I did laundry and got my yard mowed just before the rain came. I repacked last night and slept in a little more than usual, simply based on the weather forecast. I still plan to reach the track a little after lunch, although I seriously doubt there will be much running, if any. Susan has to work some this week, but I took off. Even if she didn’t, I’m not sure I could talk her into spending all day, every day at the track this week. She will fly up Thursday night, and will be with me for Fast Friday and both days of qualifying before we both drive back together on Sunday night.
Some say I’m crazy to drive up and spend all week at IMS. Others are extremely jealous. I guess it’s whatever gets you excited. When I did it in 2019, I didn’t know what to expect, but I found that there was no better way to spend a week than watching Indianapolis 500 practice at IMS. I couldn’t wait to do it again, but then COVID hit, and Susan got sick both in 2020. Last year was the first year since 2019 that I felt good enough about Susan’s health to go back. It was just as fun as I remembered, and I expect the same for this year.
It’s nice to go wherever and whenever you want in that enormous facility. If I want to roam the garage area, I do. If I want to watch practice from EE Penthouse at the head of Turn One, I go. If I want to park myself in some of the stands behind the pits, I can. People find this hard to believe, but both years that I have been there for practice, I might even doze off in the stands. I’m relaxed and the drone of the engines tend to lull me to sleep. Some people relax sitting on a beach, while I relax sitting in the stands of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as cars go by.
While at the track this week, I plan to sample the new fare at the concessions stands. I’ll give a full report and review near the end of the week.
While I still will have posts loading in first thing in the morning, I also plan to give end of the day reports, on anything of significance that happened each day. Even if it rains out the entire session today, I’ll have an early evening wrap-up post after the track closes at 6:00 pm EDT each day.
Practice is set to begin at 9:00 am EDT today, and will go until 11:00 AM. Them after a break for lunch, practice resumes at 1:00 pm EDT. Wednesday through Friday, Practice will run from Noon to 6:00, Today only, Bronze Badge holders will be allowed in the pits. I don’t think that carries over to tomorrow I the case of rain, but I’m not sure about that. Of course, every bit of every practice session will be shown live on Peacock.
After today, the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday looks quite nice. But Fast Friday looks a little iffy at the moment, so teams better do hat they can on Wednesday and Thursday. Saturday and Sunday appear to be sunny and warm, but a lot can change between now and then.
If you are at IMS this week, and you see me (or Susan after Thursday) wandering the grounds at IMS, please shout at me. These are great days for one of my favorite activities – bench racing.
Please check back late this afternoon – even if a wheel doesn’t turn today. I’ll give my take on what all goes on today and very day at the track – for whatever that’s worth.
George Phillips
Oilpressure 