Sunday, May 26, 2013

Der Tag.

I had considered going to Marion County Fish & Game to do some shooting today, but came to my senses, since that entire corner of the city is gridlocked as  over [ATTENDANCE FIGURES ARE SOOPER SEEKRIT*] thousand people come to watch a pack of cars charge straight at a wall at over two hundred miles an hour and then turn left at the last second. That's right: It's RACE DAY.

MCF&G is in the small oval on the left. Yes, the firing line faces east. Please don't launch one over the berm.
Apparently the kickoff or first pitch... this is Indiana, so it's probably a tip-off... or whatever happens at 12:12, which means that it's about time for the ritual sacrifice of a meteorologist to appease the weather gods. (Unlike F1, Indy is not run in the rain, perhaps due to the less-forgiving nature of the circuit. Concrete walls aren't as friendly a runoff area as big pea gravel pits.)

Despite the Indiana State Legislature not being happy with making his marriage illegal and wanting to go one step further and make it unconstitutional, Jim Nabors will be singing "Back Home Again In Indiana" as he has done since 1972, proving himself to be classier and more gracious than a whole room full of legislators.

I'm going to hop on a bicycle and go find a deserted restaurant to be fawned over by lonely waitstaff. This is the one day in Indy where I may be able to get a good Sunday brunch after 0801hrs without having to wait thirty minutes for a table. 



*Seriously, they don't release attendance figures, but it's gotta be more than a quarter-million.

9 comments:

Ancient Woodsman said...

Despite Mom's half of the family being from Indiana, I've never watched the 500...until today. Saw the first few minutes; are all the swerving cars at the beginning some sort of salute to the IMPD? I didn't think Indy drivers would be encouraged to get blitzed before a race, but this stuff is new to me.

Hafnhaf said...

They are just trying to scrub off those pesky new tire stickers. And the little rubber mold nubs. For the traction.

Home on the Range said...

Scout26 was in town and we hit the Black Swan Brew Pub for truffle oil and parmasan coated frites with bacon aoili dipping sauce and Reubens the size of our head. The place was packed with a long line for waiting. Still worth it.

The fresh Pretzel Rolls will be lobbed over your way after the traffic leaves town.

jdunmyer said...

I attended 3 times, back in the 1960's and am very glad that I did. Wouldn't want to attempt it today. ESPECIALLY today, what with the "security" crap.

Anonymous said...

Where are the "because raceday" jokes?

Anonymous said...

Actually a good race this year. Well, except for ending under a caution flag. They need to take a lesson from NAPCAR on that. Tons of passing, but Farmer Frank is still correct, that car is butt ugly. Far better race than the NAPCAR race later in the day.

Joanna said...

According to Mythbusters (who did an Indy car-themed episode last week) the IMS is the single largest audience accommodation venue (in terms of seating capacity) in the world. So there's that.

Joanna said...

Also, Woodsman: The swerving during the pace lap is to warm up the tires.

Justthisguy said...

Tam, I think you're just grumpy because this reminds you that, like me, you have reluctantly had to decide to cross riding in the Manx TT off of your bucket list.

Oh, my chalky old bones, and empty bank account!