Well, things don’t always go as planned. But come to think of it – this went about as most expected. Unlike last year, Opening Day for Indianapolis 500 practice actually saw cars on-track – for a total of 26 minutes.
I got to see every minute of it…from home.
I set my alarm for 5:30 this morning, but I ended up waking up at 5:00. I fed the dog and made myself coffee and a microwave delight, when the downpour came. I looked at the radar and we were on the leading edge of a huge red cell. Just as I was pouring my second cup of coffee, I saw a flash through the window and one of those instantaneous claps of thunder shook the entire house. Maley (my dog) was not happy.
Based on the forecast and the radar, I decided to shower and wait out the storm. Since few people really thought there would be cars running this afternoon, I wasn’t going to drive through a flood for nothing. It looked like if I waited, it would clear Nashville and most of Kentucky.
By the time I got out of the shower and finished packing, it had stopped raining. I took advantage of that and loaded the car, including Susan’s luggage for when she flies up Thursday night. The radar showed it was still all over I-65 in Kentucky, so I figured I would catch the first of practice, since Indianapolis appeared dry at that moment.
I was able to catch what turned out to be all of Tuesday’s practice. For the record, Scott Dixon is currently owner of the fastest lap of the month, with a speed of 229.107 mph.
Marco Andretti was second quick, with a speed of 228.399 mph. After that speeds dropped off dramatically, because some drivers ran nothing but install laps – so these speeds really mean nothing. Still, I thought Dixon clocking a lap over 229 less than half an hour after the start of practice was significant.
After the yellow flag came out for rain, I waited for a little bit to see if it was just a brief mist. It wasn’t. After another check of the radar, it looked like Kentucky was clearing up, or it would be by the time I got there. I pulled out of my driveway at exactly 9:00 am CDT (10:00 Indianapolis time).
I was surprised to find most of my trip to be dry. I ran into a little rain at Louisville, but shortly after I crossed over into Indiana, it quit raining and the roads were dry. I had asked my friend Paul Dalbey to text me if he heard anything about calling off practice or if cars got back on track. The only update I got was about halfway through Kentucky, he texted me that they had “lost the track”.
All through southern Indiana, the roads were dry and the sky was getting brighter. I had about decided I was going to get there in time to see cars back on track with about three and a half hours left to run.
Just before I crossed into Marion County, it started raining. Shortly after crossing the county line, Paul texted me saying that they had just called it for the day, and that they would start Wednesday’s practice at 10:00 am instead of Noon.
Instead of going to the track, I went straight to the hotel – my home for the next six days. I checked in at 2:30. I’d say they made the right decision. It is now a little after 5:00 as I type, and it is still raining – harder than ever.
It’s one of those nasty days that make you just lie around and sleep. Unfortunately, I have nothing to eat here, and I’m starving – so staying in is not an option and I’m too cheap for Door Dash. While Dawson’s and all of the other haunts will be on the docket later this week – I think I’m going to be boring and eat at a place I’ve never been to, yet I’ve actually heard good things about it – MCL Cafeteria in Speedway. I hear they have great fried chicken and I could use some veggies. After that, I’ll pile myself into bed and call it a night. I’ve got a big day at the track tomorrow.
George Phillips
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