My dad woke mom and I up early in 1956 and said we were “going for a ride” . As we neared the area of 16th and Georgetown, I realized we were headed for THEE RACE. I do remember the traffic and my dad was not really looking forward to getting his year old Ford all dinged up so I was quite surprised when we actually turned into the infield and pulled up to the 1st turn infield area (front row actually). The rains the week before and up to early raceday morning left the ground a bit soggy but I didn’t care…we were at the track. It was a good day!
1956 Indy 500
What a thrill to actually be at the RACE and while the pre-race hoopla was exciting, nothing could beat the sound of those 33 cars as they came barreling into the 1st turn. You could pick the Novi’s sound out from all the Offys immediately as Paul Russo came through the 1st turn. Then, on lap 21, we heard a loud pop and the red Novi was sideways through the turn and against the wall. I was relieved as Russo climbed out of the car and walked to the inside of the track. As the race progressed the clear favorite for me had to be the white and pink car of Pat Flaherty. As he entered the turn, I could see that green shamrock on his helmet. Flaherty ended up winning the event that year and for me, my 1st race was a memorable experience. I have only missed 2 since then while in the Army in 1966 & 67.
Novi Vespa
Another favorite of mine, Tony Bettenhausen did not fare as well. The beautiful blue and gold # 99 Belanger Special ended up on the South Short Chute with a hard hit, ending Tony B’s day. Future winners including Sam Hanks, and Rodger Ward along with past winners, Johnnie Parsons and Bob Sweikert finished in the top 10 that year. But oh, the sound of that Novi…………..
MY first 500 was this year, and the first word that comes to my mind is INCREDIBLE. Being in turn 3 was insane, and the prerace festivities were awesome. There is nothing like being a part of thousands of people chanting USA USA USA and knowing that you started it. The only thing that could have made the day better was if Graham Rahal had won. I know now that I will never miss another in my life if I can help it. Here is a picture of my crew, I am the one in the easy rider helmet. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/WhoDey71/Indy500.png
Went with my significant other, who had attended many times before. I was not a race fan. I was playing football in lot 2 and I injured my knee. The doc at Methodist Hosp told me he could do surgery but I would miss the race. No way, I had just traveled from Vermont for a race. I couldn’t make it to my seat in the K Stand, so I sat on a ticket bucket, which looked like a garbage pail. Got my first whiff of methanol and I was hooked. Haven’t missed one in 25 years.
Ron, as I’m sure you know, just across the track from you in the first turn stands someone else was attending his first 500 (and hasn’t missed one since)– a 21-year-old named Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr.
Just ten days from now, I will also be attending my first race of any kind at IMS, and coincidentally, sitting in Stand E in turn one.
My first Indianapolis 500 was in 1972, a memorable and drama filled race. I went with my uncle. H was a pilot and he flew us to Indianapolis. It was a really special day.
My first 500 was in 2009. From a small child onward, my dad and I watched the 500 every year as a great father-son experience and I always told him I would attend the race at least once in my life. Luckily, I chose the beginning of the Centennial Era to attend my first race and have become addicted to the track, museum and the entire race week experience. Meeting boyhood heroes like Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford and Al Unser Jr. made the trip worthwhile. The 500 is now an annual pilgrimage.
sempre gostei de velocidade fui um apaixonado por f1 sou Piquet pena que nao teve sorte na indy,sempre sonhava como seria ver uma corrida em Indianapolis e esse ano consegui o centenario que corrida parabens pela organizaçao e a loucura que é,o americano sabe fazer o espetaculo,parabens.
My first race was in 1958, when the first lap crash happened right in front of where we were sitting. I have been to 54 races in a row and am looking forward to 2012 and the new car.
I might be late to the IndyCar fan club. But it wasn’t until recently that motorsports captured my interest. I’m probably old enough to have been a child at this race, but old enough then to remember it. With my new found interest in the sport, I wrote a ficition book about a family with racing in their genes. Along with that, I started a blog: http://authorjdoster.tumblr.com/ Please come a visit it.
Been going for awhile, but the first time taking the kids,
dario’s first win and the longest 500 i’ve been to, just a wonderful time there, the best time to be with the ones you love
My first race was 1965 and one of my all-time favorite drivers was the winner, the late Jim Clark. Attended this year having missed only twice since. My mom and dad started going in about 1960 and my brothers and sister looked forward to our 13th birthday because we were then old enough to go tho the race. The night before the race was and still is like waiting on Christmas morning to open the packages.
We are now taking our children so we are on the fouth generation and I would expect that in a few years the fifth generation will be attending. We love racing and look forward each year to the gathering with 250,000 of our close friends.
My first 500 was to be 1973 as an 8 year old, but after the rains my self-employed dad had to go home. We were back in ‘74 to watch a guy who never lead a single lap in 11 years WIN! Johnny Rutherford battled with Super Tex ’till AJ’s car gave up and Johnny went on to win. I go to the Brickyard 400, the Moto GP, and I’ve seen F1 at Indy too. Indy 500 Raceday tops them ALL! Best day of the year. RIP Dan. We’ll miss you.
Someday I want to be able to say the same thing as Bill Adkinson which is to attend as many races.
I hope to attend as many races as Bill Adkinson!~