Oilpressure

Good morning from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Welcome to a still-darkened track that is already buzzing as it comes to life this morning. Once again, we reached my goal of being inside the gates of the track before the opening bomb went off. We pulled into our parking space at 5:31 am, and were ensconced in the Media Center by 5:44. It will be a long day, and when the sun begins to set – we will be worn out but very satisfied.

For race fans, this day is like Christmas morning. We’ve been counting down the months and days, and we woke up early in anticipation of the big day ahead. Tomorrow, we will all go through the inevitable post-race letdown – but we’ll worry about that tomorrow.

My brothers and their respective crews both arrived here on Friday. We all had dinner together at my new favorite burger joint – The Workingman’s Friend. On Saturday, we had the obligatory breakfast at Charlie Brown’s. Then we made the annual Legends Day trek to the IMS Museum. It was a healthy crowd, as usual; and Susan took a photo of me and my two brothers in the museum.

We all grew up going to this race in the 60s. They both attended their first 500 in 1964, while my first race was a year later in 1965. It’s been an integral part of our family ever since. I’m so glad we get to spend the race together again today.

Today is so filled with small family traditions. I always like to walk the pits very early on Race Morning. I’m sure each of you have your own Race Day traditions. As the place fills up, we will meet up with my brothers for breakfast. Then Susan and I will head to the pits and the grid. One of the perks of having credentials is getting out on the grid for the 500. It’s exhilarating being down there and feeling the energy from the grid as well as the stands. It’s also a little overwhelming, so we usually don’t stay very long. We then head for our seats, which can be a little harrowing if we wait too late. One year, we got caught in the tunnel and foot traffic just stopped. Neither of us are claustrophobic, but I can see where a person that was would have a problem. We made it to our seats just as the traditional pre-race ceremonies were underway.

Most everyone knows my favorite part of the month is the singing of (Back Home Again in )Indiana. Once again, Jim Cornelison will do the honors. We all miss Jim Nabors, but I really like Cornelison’s rendition. This will be his seventh straight time to do it. I’m glad they’ve landed on him every year. As that song is sung, I think about everything that has gone on all month in preparation to get us to that point.

I will also look to my left and thank God that Susan is with me this year. Last year at this time she was lying in a hospital bed. She seems so much stronger than she did just two weeks ago during the Grand Prix weekend. With both brothers here, I’ll also remember our parents. Our mother passed away almost three years ago, and our father died in 1994. He was the reason we all came in the 60s. He loved this place and the race. My mother did not share our love or passion for it, but she came several years and always watched it on television.

Like a switch, when the command to start engines is given, I shift from the emotions of the moment into full race mode. Television does the start of this race an injustice. It does not capture the thrill of thirty-three cars aiming for the same piece or real-estate heading into Turn One. There is nothing like it, and it never gets old. It’s just a few hours now, and I can’t wait.

I’ll be back here after the race with a short recap. Then sometime tomorrow, but maybe not first thing, I will have my Random Thoughts post. Today will be a long day and it may not get written until tomorrow morning.

Enjoy the race, everyone! Please pray that it will be a safe one!

George Phillips

This entry was posted on May 28, 2023 at 5:02 am and is filed under Indianapolis 500. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.