Oilpressure

 
After a horrific start, the Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis settled into a semi-boring parade for the first half – before turning into something of a melee in the second half. First of all, I need to report that driver James Hinchcliffe was transported by ground to Methodist Hospital. I’ve seen video that shows a large chunk of debris hitting him directly in the face and shattering his visor. He was carried to the infield care center on a stretcher, before being transferred to Methodist. He was in a reclined position holding his head as he was carted off. As I finished this, IndyCar officials released a statement saying Hinchcliffe had been released from Methodist Hospital after being diagnosed with a concussion. He will be re-evaluated later this week before being cleared to drive.

Continue reading →

First of all, my post on the tenderloin situation caused quite a stir on Twitter. If you follow me (@Oilpressureblog), you may have seen that there is more to the tenderloin story. Just before lunchtime, I stumbled across one of the free-standing concession stands that still carried the sign “Jumbo Tenderloins” – just inside Turn Two, next to the museum. Just out of curiosity, I walked up and checked their menu board. Sure enough, they listed the Jumbo Tenderloin as $7.00. But after yesterday’s debacle, I wasn’t going to just order another one blindly. But after asking a few questions, it appeared that what they had was indeed, the old classic tenderloin.

Continue reading →

Most know that I follow the credo of “Change is Bad”. In this case, I think most might agree with me. When I heard that Levy Restaurants were taking over the concessions, I saw it as a good thing. They had promised to upgrade the menu items at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Let’s be honest – most of the offerings were average, at best. But, there was one selection that was the favorite of many that I felt like was “hands-off” when it came to any upgrades – the tenderloin.

Continue reading →

Good morning from a sunny and currently slightly cool Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s currently 57-dergees; but in the sunshine, I’m perfectly comfortable wearing shorts. The local TV station that was on during breakfast at the hotel said that there was rain on the way later today. Right now, the radar looks clear to the west. I’m no meteorologist, but you’d have a hard time convincing me we were going to have another day like we had yesterday. The high today is to be about 75. It is just about a picture-perfect day for a race.

Continue reading →

Although ‘Skip in SC” was correct in pointing out that we have seen rooster-tails at IMS in rain-shortened races – today was the first time I’ve ever seen rooster-tails here, while the cars continued at speed. Racing is one of those sports that television sometimes fails to do it justice. For one thing, you don’t get the sense of speed like you do in person. The size of the rooster-tail produced from a car at speed is another. You just don’t get the sense that these things seem to tower more than thirty feet into the air, while sitting at home watching on television. These things are huge!

Continue reading →

It was an adventurous trip, but finally made it to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. What is normally little more than a four-hour drive took almost six. I came across not one, but two overturned tractor-trailers that completely blocked both lanes – one in Kentucky, and another just north of Seymour, IN. Then, as I pulled into the normally quiet credential office outside of Turn One – I was greeted by a long line of cars just waiting for a parking spot.

Continue reading →

As most of you read this, I should be on my way to IMS for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis. This is my first of three trips from Nashville to Indianapolis over as many weekends. This will also be my one weekend of going alone. Susan was told she could not get off three weekends in a row, so she sacrificed this weekend instead of the next two.

Continue reading →