One thing I’ve always had a strong conviction for was trying to introduce the Verizon IndyCar Series and specifically, the Indianapolis 500 to young fans. In the past ten years, Susan and I have taken her son Eric, and several of his friends to IMS for qualifying and the race. Eric became a lifelong fan after he attended his first race in 2004. Although he didn’t win that day, Eric took a liking to Tony Kanaan and the 7-Eleven car. Soon after that, Susan’s home was decorated with Andretti-Green and Tony Kanaan memorabilia.
Archive for May, 2014
The Quest For New Indianapolis 500 Fans
Posted in Indianapolis 500 on May 8, 2014 by Oilpressure2014 Indianapolis 500 Trivia Contest
Posted in Indianapolis 500 on May 7, 2014 by Oilpressure
Every year that this site has been in existence, there has been an Indianapolis 500 trivia contest. It started out as a multiple choice quiz, but that seemed too easy. For the last two to three years, it has been short answer. Each year there are a few repeat questions, but for the most part – they are fresh. I don’t get these out of a book or from the Speedway’s website. Instead, I listen to old podcasts from Donald Davidson’s The Talk of Gasoline Alley. When I hear something of interest, I jot it down and save it for the following May.
Starting The Month On A Sour Note
Posted in Indianapolis 500 on May 6, 2014 by Oilpressure
Some love it. Some hate it. But One Take Only returns for a fourth season. If you’ve never watched one of our episodes – it is essentially two old coots sitting in my backyard talking racing. John McLallen and I are co-workers who share the bond of IndyCar racing. John was my best man when Susan and I married at IMS in 2012. It’s hard to tell sometimes, but we get along very well. However, this episode is in two parts because John talked too much and we ran about thirty seconds too far over to You Tube’s liking. Part Two starts immediately after Part One finishes.
Pippa Goes Pink
Posted in Indianapolis 500 on May 2, 2014 by Oilpressure
Although it had been long suspected, I was thrilled to see our friend Pippa Mann get confirmed for this year’s Indianapolis 500. When I say “our friend Pippa Mann”; I’m not name-dropping or acting like we hang out with her all the time. By calling her “our friend”, I mean she is a friend to all of IndyCar. Most drivers promote their sponsors, but Pippa promotes the series.
Welcome To Another Month Of May
Posted in Indianapolis 500 on May 1, 2014 by Oilpressure
Today is May 1st. It’s special for many reasons. First of all, I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge that it was twenty years ago today that we lost Ayrton Senna at Imola. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I followed Formula One much more closely in those days than I do now. I had set the alarm to go off so I could watch the race that Sunday morning. For whatever reason, it failed to go off and I overslept. I rolled over in bed, grabbed the remote and turned on the race. The crash had already happened.
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