This week's musical theme somehow deals with the month of May, either by the name being in the title or dealing with an event.
Mustang is not an easy individual to please, either in musical selections, in recreational activities, or general discussions. He hates most good rock music as well as all bad rock music. He says they are a bunch of Communist heathens. He hates sports of all kind, he's jealous of the salaries. So discussing that with him is not possible either.
If you want to see his eyes light up you can always discuss bombs and other kinds of military ordinance. He will also show a great affinity for risque art forms. So if there is one song on this post he will enjoy, it'll be this number from Camelot called The Lusty Month Of May:
Here is a song about some buddies who got in way over their head for some fast cash, sometime during the last days of May:
Here in Indianapolis, the month of May is devoted to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In fact, the field is set and final preparations are being made for the annual running of "Greatest Spectacle in Racing".
Racing, by nature, is an inherently dangerous competition. Throughout history, the Speedway has been unforgiving to some that have dared to drive its circuit in an "airplane with wheels", otherwise known as an Indy Car. In just the years I have been alive, there have been many safety features added to the cars and the walls that surround the IMS. Still, it's never a given that you will walk away from a wreck here.
Here is a video that shows some of the more famous crashes. Some of them killed some one-time famous names, but not all. So skip this one if you are at all not inclined to see this kind of thing:
Next week, many schools systems will be letting out for the summer and the little darlings will be out an about all day, every day. This final tune was always on the radio right at the time we let out on that last day:
Enjoy.
Showing posts with label Indy 500. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indy 500. Show all posts
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thoughts On The 2008 Indianapolis 500
Soon, it will be time for the 2008 running of the "greatest spectacle in racing". Which means it's time for the annual PYY Indy 500 report.
Every year at this time, there is a streaming influx of racing fans to the Indianapolis area. Blimps fly around town. There isn't a hotel room to be found anywhere within a 100-mile radius, restaurants are packed, and traffic is heavy.
Walking down the street in the downtown area, you might just run into a celebrity or two with a ball cap or sunglasses. Some try real hard not to be recognized, except when they are hobnobbing around the Conrad Hilton or the Hyatt, looking for attention.
Merchants are making money and local tax revenues are up. Those that visit Indy, will help us pay for the nice new stadium that most of us (who live here) pay everyday. Restaurant and hotel taxes (that are paid in Indianapolis and surrounding counties) fund the new Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse. (I call it the Colts and Pacers tax.) For that, we say thanks and come again.
If you listen closely enough to the people around you while out mingling about the town, you might hear several languages during the course of the day. It is the largest single one-day sporting event, in the entire world. This is why it only stands to reason, why so many people come from everywhere to be a part of this event. Today, it draws close to 270,000 annually. But that's only a fraction of what it once was. Years ago when the infield was open, it attracted nearly half a million.
This year, it is the first 500 since the reunification of open wheel racing. Tony George has finally won the lengthy battle of sanctioning bodies, between his Indy Racing League and the remnants of CART (Champ Car). And it's about time. CART (without the 500 as it's signature race) has been in trouble for years, but has resisted all of George's previous efforts to facilitate a reunion. But humans, being the stubborn life-forms they are, allowed pride and envy to keep them apart.
CART wanted to drive the train after the old guard at the speedway had died off and left the operation to Tony, who is grandson of the late Anton "Tony" Hulman Jr. - the man who made it such a huge sporting attraction. They saw their chance to push back against some changes the young new chief executive has made, but found out quickly that he had nerves of steel that could not be bent. They took their ball and went home, leaving Tony no choice but to build his own league.
The competition was fierce, CART even tried to siphon off some audience on the same day as the 500. But after awhile, it became apparent that they rebels were not going to be able to overtake the long-term tradition and romance of the most famous race in the world. It wasn't long before the big names that departed as a result of the spat, were forced to kiss the ring of Pope Anton II and repent for their errant ways.
Roger Penske, one of the challengers to the Hulman dynasty, was chiefest of all sinners and one of the first to come back to the flock. Others were soon to follow. So much so that at the end, many of the names in the Champ series were anything but household. No name recognition, no drawing power. This formula will only draw nothing.
This year (again), three women will be starting the race, with one of them having a realistic chance of winning it. Everyone knows Danica Patrick. She has the car, the team, the skills, and the tradition and experience of the Andretti family behind her . She has every much of a chance as Helio and pole-sitter, Scott Dixon. Helio is another contender, along with Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan.
Good ol' lucky LA has chosen to participate in his yearly pool at work. He took two picks and drew rookies that probably have little chance of winning. Both have come over from Champ. I suppose they have some minute chance, as do all 33 drivers. But both must adjust to running on an oval at higher speeds, much higher than they are used to driving. This isn't likely, in anyone's first year at this track.
All-in-all, it looks to be a good day for racing. The weather looks to be perfect, the field is set. The drivers are all psyched. All team preparations are complete. The only thing left now is the race itself, and the hope that all 33 drivers finish safely.
Every year at this time, there is a streaming influx of racing fans to the Indianapolis area. Blimps fly around town. There isn't a hotel room to be found anywhere within a 100-mile radius, restaurants are packed, and traffic is heavy.
Walking down the street in the downtown area, you might just run into a celebrity or two with a ball cap or sunglasses. Some try real hard not to be recognized, except when they are hobnobbing around the Conrad Hilton or the Hyatt, looking for attention.
Merchants are making money and local tax revenues are up. Those that visit Indy, will help us pay for the nice new stadium that most of us (who live here) pay everyday. Restaurant and hotel taxes (that are paid in Indianapolis and surrounding counties) fund the new Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse. (I call it the Colts and Pacers tax.) For that, we say thanks and come again.
If you listen closely enough to the people around you while out mingling about the town, you might hear several languages during the course of the day. It is the largest single one-day sporting event, in the entire world. This is why it only stands to reason, why so many people come from everywhere to be a part of this event. Today, it draws close to 270,000 annually. But that's only a fraction of what it once was. Years ago when the infield was open, it attracted nearly half a million.
This year, it is the first 500 since the reunification of open wheel racing. Tony George has finally won the lengthy battle of sanctioning bodies, between his Indy Racing League and the remnants of CART (Champ Car). And it's about time. CART (without the 500 as it's signature race) has been in trouble for years, but has resisted all of George's previous efforts to facilitate a reunion. But humans, being the stubborn life-forms they are, allowed pride and envy to keep them apart.
CART wanted to drive the train after the old guard at the speedway had died off and left the operation to Tony, who is grandson of the late Anton "Tony" Hulman Jr. - the man who made it such a huge sporting attraction. They saw their chance to push back against some changes the young new chief executive has made, but found out quickly that he had nerves of steel that could not be bent. They took their ball and went home, leaving Tony no choice but to build his own league.
The competition was fierce, CART even tried to siphon off some audience on the same day as the 500. But after awhile, it became apparent that they rebels were not going to be able to overtake the long-term tradition and romance of the most famous race in the world. It wasn't long before the big names that departed as a result of the spat, were forced to kiss the ring of Pope Anton II and repent for their errant ways.
Roger Penske, one of the challengers to the Hulman dynasty, was chiefest of all sinners and one of the first to come back to the flock. Others were soon to follow. So much so that at the end, many of the names in the Champ series were anything but household. No name recognition, no drawing power. This formula will only draw nothing.
This year (again), three women will be starting the race, with one of them having a realistic chance of winning it. Everyone knows Danica Patrick. She has the car, the team, the skills, and the tradition and experience of the Andretti family behind her . She has every much of a chance as Helio and pole-sitter, Scott Dixon. Helio is another contender, along with Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan.
Good ol' lucky LA has chosen to participate in his yearly pool at work. He took two picks and drew rookies that probably have little chance of winning. Both have come over from Champ. I suppose they have some minute chance, as do all 33 drivers. But both must adjust to running on an oval at higher speeds, much higher than they are used to driving. This isn't likely, in anyone's first year at this track.
All-in-all, it looks to be a good day for racing. The weather looks to be perfect, the field is set. The drivers are all psyched. All team preparations are complete. The only thing left now is the race itself, and the hope that all 33 drivers finish safely.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hoosier Hostility
If you watched the San Diego-Indianapolis playoff game this past Sunday (the one in which the Colts' defense could not stop a Charger drive late in the game, with LT and Rivers both out of the game). You might have caught the annual NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick winners being announced in between the 3rd and 4th quarters.
In the girls' category was one New Hampshire girl that had a New England Patriots jersey on and as you might expect, she got booed by some of the Indy fans. It was classless, in my view. But she took it well, and has received a lot attention over it.
In fact, she has some pretty good parting gifts coming to her.
Not a bad deal for getting booed. In fact, maybe I could apply somewhere to get booed for monetary compensation (plus benefits). But it doesn't end there. A local TV station felt bad for her and wanted to make it up to her, as well.
VIP tickets? I have never sat in a suite there, but from what I hear, it's not a bad experience. These packages aren't cheap either. But beyond it all, she will get to see a better side of Indy, when it's not in football season. It's called Hoosier Hospitality, not Hostility.
Like I said before, this is not a bad deal, just for getting booed. Now where did I put that comedy club application?
In the girls' category was one New Hampshire girl that had a New England Patriots jersey on and as you might expect, she got booed by some of the Indy fans. It was classless, in my view. But she took it well, and has received a lot attention over it.
In fact, she has some pretty good parting gifts coming to her.
The owner of the Patriots, Robert Kraft, felt badly about the reception the teen got in Indy, so she's getting tickets to the AFC championship game on Sunday.
"Our whole family was invited to the game. We have tickets. They want to take me out on the field as the guest captain for the coin toss. That's pretty exciting," said Anna.
Not a bad deal for getting booed. In fact, maybe I could apply somewhere to get booed for monetary compensation (plus benefits). But it doesn't end there. A local TV station felt bad for her and wanted to make it up to her, as well.
WTHR also wanted to set things right so that Anna and her family have a good impression of Hoosier hospitality, so we're giving her an Indianapolis 500 prize package including VIP tickets to the race, 500 Festival Parade, a chance to go around the oval as well as some shirts and hats. Anna's reaction? "Wow! Thank you so much!"
VIP tickets? I have never sat in a suite there, but from what I hear, it's not a bad experience. These packages aren't cheap either. But beyond it all, she will get to see a better side of Indy, when it's not in football season. It's called Hoosier Hospitality, not Hostility.
Like I said before, this is not a bad deal, just for getting booed. Now where did I put that comedy club application?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Ladies And Gentlemen: Start Your Engines
The onslaught of fans and traffic has been going on here in Indy, for a couple of days now. It's affected many things here where I live. One thing is the increase in traffic congestion, on and off the road. On the road is expected, but the newer thing is the increased hi-speed internet traffic that my local internet service provider has had to accommodate. So, as a result, my service is slower than usual and if I can get this post out before I throw something at the monitor, it'll be a minor miracle.
I'd like to take a moment and share a couple of things about the race, you may or may not know about this year's and past races.
The first thing to note deals with this year. There will be three women starting this year's race. I won't bore you with details, but you can read more about it in the Indy Star.
The second thing deals with the past and present. An interesting piece can be found here, from yesterday's Star.
In a rare moment of self-disclosure, I recently wrote a post that chronicled a portion of my life and world, with Terre Haute being mentioned as one of the many stops. Hulman and Company was one of the companies I worked for, while I was at that stop.
Hopefully they will get the race in today, it's raining at the track right now. If they do get it in and you are planning to watch "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing", enjoy it for me. It's blacked out here and I am in no mood to fight drunken crowds at my age.
I'd like to take a moment and share a couple of things about the race, you may or may not know about this year's and past races.
The first thing to note deals with this year. There will be three women starting this year's race. I won't bore you with details, but you can read more about it in the Indy Star.
The second thing deals with the past and present. An interesting piece can be found here, from yesterday's Star.
Tony George has lived most of his life in Indianapolis, but he also feels like he is at home in this city, where he occasionally works in his late grandfather's Hulman & Co. downtown office.
Terre Haute has long been regarded as part of the Indianapolis 500's extended family.
The connection forms the backbone of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will host the 500 on Sunday for the 91st time. It shows in the Speedway's employees, their backgrounds and their influences, past and present.
In a rare moment of self-disclosure, I recently wrote a post that chronicled a portion of my life and world, with Terre Haute being mentioned as one of the many stops. Hulman and Company was one of the companies I worked for, while I was at that stop.
Hopefully they will get the race in today, it's raining at the track right now. If they do get it in and you are planning to watch "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing", enjoy it for me. It's blacked out here and I am in no mood to fight drunken crowds at my age.
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