by Kent Sterling [ed. note – Since posting earlier this morning, I have added an 11th necessity to the list below.] The Indianapolis 500 has not exactly been nimble in evolving forward throughout the years, and as a result there is eroding local interest and entrenched national apathy in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Creative […]
by Kent Sterling The Indy 500 was a better event in 1992, and every year prior than it is today. The legacy of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is one of innovation, speed, and safety. Over the last 17 years, the speeds have slowed, the innovation has stagnated, and safety is sadly not a point […]
by Kent Sterling There is something about listening to the Indianapolis 500 on the radio that is just different, and somehow better than watching on TV. The first Indy 500 radio broadcast I listened to was in 1993, just after moving to Indianapolis, and I was hooked. As idiotic and shortsighted as the local blackout […]
By Bert Beiswanger Based on the hearty handshake San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh gave me after taking a few minutes to talk at Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a few things were immediately apparent to me: 1). I felt more respect from Harbaugh than Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz probably does […]
Donald Davidson Remembers the Greatest Champions of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
by Kent Sterling The track is dark today, and this is traditionally the day the Donald Davidson relaxes before race day. Thousands of people are camping out in the Coke Lot and at the corner of Camp and Brew – all looking for something to do. In the interest of killing boredom before the drinking […]
by Kent Sterling Today is Carb Day. It features the final practice prior to the running of the 97th Indianapolis 500. RVs and tents pop up in the Coke Lot and at the corner of Camp and Brew. A middling rock band plays for thousands of way overserved knuckleheads – this year it’s Poison. And […]
by Bert Beiswanger When you watch the television broadcast (or re-broadcast) of this year’s Indianapolis 500 on ABC, you’re sure to be entertained and educated by the knowledge and experience of 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever. Cheever is fairly direct and passionate about everything he has to say about open wheel racing. When you […]
Donald Davidson Talks About the Great Career of Racer Jim Hurtubise
by Kent Sterling I always liked Indy 500 veteran Jim Hurtubise because of the wacky stories about his career as a prankster, not because of his driving prowess. Donald Davidson is the historian of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and he recalls the excellence of his driving skills. Tweet
Donald Davidson Remembers Wilber Shaw – Three-Time Indy 500 Champ, and the Man Who Saved the Speedway
by Kent Sterling There are so many men who risked life, limb, and a bunch of cash as the legacy of the Indianapolis 500 was built, it’s hard to pinpoint those who were most instrumental in it becoming the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. With Wilbur Shaw, it’s not so tough. Shaw was a native Hoosier […]
by Bert Beiswanger Predicting the pole winner going into Saturday as qualifications took place for the 2013 Indy 500 was as unpredictable as the weather. But the weather delay didn’t dampen the excitement, nor the enthusiasm from the crowd as Indianapolis’ own Ed Carpenter won the honor to pace the field of 33 for the […]