2018 Indianapolis -- Big Machine Vodka 400 - Pre-Race Thread

rd45usa said:
Remember this day, was between turn one and tower terrace seats.
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I remember scouring EVERY bit of media coverage that day, (pre internet) and driving around Fort Wayne the next day until I found a copy of the Indianapolis Star to read all about it. Those were heady days when ANYTHING seemed possible for the sport. Somewhere in my archives, I have that copy of Winston Cup Scene.
 
kkfan91 said:
My appreciation for Indy grew after visiting the track earlier this year.
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It's an amazing place. I have been there probably 50 or more time in my life, and it STILL gives me goosebumps. For a native Hoosier that fell in love with auto racing at age 6, it is truly Mecca. "Back Home Again in Indiana" NEVER fails to bring tears to my eyes.
 
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TexasRaceLady said:
LOL Oh, I did the Mother's Day race, too. Enjoyed it immensely.
I'll admit that the Labor Day race I attended was in my far younger days. :D

But, I've strayed from the topic which is the race this weekend at Indy.
My apologies, folks.

Back on topic, I enjoy Indy. Not so much for the racing because it's somewhat hard to follow when you can't see the whole track, but for the atmosphere surrounding the race. I've had a blast every time I've been.
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I contend that the racing isn't as bad as most people like to think, certainly no worse than most of the Michigan and Fontana races and some of the Pocono races. Even when there hasn't always been side by side racing, there has been some thoroughly interesting subplots, like watching Dale Jarrett try to make up four laps after running out of fuel, Gordon trying to run down Paul Menard, the race to darkness last year when it looked like NOBODY wanted to win, watching two native and one adopted Hoosier win the race, The Bodine Brothers feud, some dramatic final restart passes down in turn one, there ALWAYS seems to be something to add a nice twist to the race.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
If I had my way, Darlington would be on Labor Day weekend, but in the middle of the day when the track was hot and slick.
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It may be brutal on the fans AND the drivers and teams, but Darlington is a MUCH better race on a hot sunny day. As I've said before, be careful what you wish for on some of these night races if they come to pass like say Martinsville.
 
Formerjackman said:
It's a Hoosier thing, you wouldn't understand. I KNOW the sycamore trees, the new mown hay and the moonlight shining down on the Wabash.
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Born in Indianapolis and get back up there to see family every couple of years. Huge sycamore in my aunt's back yard. Drowned worms in the Wabash a couple of times over the years.

You got me on the hay; can I substitute shucking corn?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Born in Indianapolis and get back up there to see family every couple of years. Huge sycamore in my aunt's back yard. Drowned worms in the Wabash a couple of times over the years.

You got me on the hay; can I substitute shucking corn?
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Sorry, didn't realize you were a native. I'm just so used to people taking pot shots at my beloved state that I get a little defensive. Yes, shucking corn is a Hoosier pastime and an acceptable substitute, although not nearly as fragrant.
 
Not as fragrant but it tastes a lot better.

I'm not sure what pot shots could be taken. My only complaint with the state is that its winters are too cold for me, but I have that same issue with most states north of I-40. Gas taxes are a bit high but those potholes gotta be filled somehow.
 
Formerjackman said:
My seats are about 100 feet to the left of the start finish line in the lower level. I have that 2004 shot, but taken from the opposite side. Tony and Jeff's fence climbs happened almost right in front of us.
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I’m pretty sure Jeff never climbed the fence. That was Stewart’s celebration.
 
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ChexOrWrex said:
I’m pretty sure Jeff never climbed the fence. That was Stewart’s celebration.
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No, He didn't actually climb up it Castroneves style, but he jumped up on top of the wall and waved to the crowd. . I have the pictures, but for some reason, It won't upload right now.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Not as fragrant but it tastes a lot better.

I'm not sure what pot shots could be taken. My only complaint with the state is that its winters are too cold for me, but I have that same issue with most states north of I-40. Gas taxes are a bit high but those potholes gotta be filled somehow.
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Well, we hear a LOT of crap around here. To the coasts, we're nothing but something they fly over. To Illinois, especially Chicago, we're just the hay fields out beyond the big city, and the Buckeyes always seem to have some sense of superiority concerning us. Meanwhile, we just keep our heads down and keep doing the kind of work that makes America move. We're not flashy, we just get the job done.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Glad Kasey fans got that win before his retirement
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I said at the time if it turned out to be his final win I would be ok with it, and barring a surprise at Talladega or the Roval I would think it will be.
 
"IF everything goes as scheduled...", and that's looking like a big 'if'. But I too like the penalties, regardless of when tech winds up happening this week.

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:XXROFL:

I wonder if Clint has looked at the Weather Channel after 8:00 in the last couple of years? Good luck finding any weather.
 
kkfan91 said:
My appreciation for Indy grew after visiting the track earlier this year.
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the first time i drove in i asked where the track was.they said you are inside it.cool place.got to do two laps in a pickup and i have one of the bricks.the museum is all so cool.i got to go on the basement tour.by friend works there.i also ready like irp,sprints,trucks,nation wide.i live in calif ,but i used to make a point to go there.
 
I remember when Dale Sr won this race and how much it meant for him to win it.I still have the "Busting Bricks" poster in my garage.I think the move to the fall will help everyone especially the fans.I always look forward to this race every year and have enjoyed them all save the "tire debacle" race.
 
It's a miserable track for Nascar's. Narrow corners, the pit road is a disaster, narrowest the cup cars go to, the pit stalls themselves are narrow, plenty of opportunities for pitting out of the box, passing is almost impossible. That being said, it is the last race, last chance before the playoffs. So restarts are going to be insane because it is about the only time cars have an opportunity to pass. It should be pretty crazy IMO.
 
StandOnIt said:
It's a miserable track for Nascar's. Narrow corners, the pit road is a disaster, narrowest the cup cars go to, the pit stalls themselves are narrow, plenty of opportunities for pitting out of the box, passing is almost impossible. That being said, it is the last race, last chance before the playoffs. So restarts are going to be insane because it is about the only time cars have an opportunity to pass. It should be pretty crazy IMO.
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People bitch that there isn’t enough passing here, but watching these people have to handle 4 corners perfectly lap after lap and entering 1 and 3 over 200mph is awesome. This track requires legitimate skill regardless of racing discipline. No one shows up to the 400 but it’s still great.
 
kkfan91 said:
Yeah Kasey was real bad after Darlington last week. I hope it's nothing more serious.
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I hate that for him. Not only does he not to get to race in his last Brickyard which also happens to be probably the last race he won, but obviously his health too. Best wishes to him.
 
Heat stroke* is no joke, GWS Kasey

*cough*extreme heat exhaustion*cough*
 
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DUN24 said:
People bitch that there isn’t enough passing here, but watching these people have to handle 4 corners perfectly lap after lap and entering 1 and 3 over 200mph is awesome. This track requires legitimate skill regardless of racing discipline. No one shows up to the 400 but it’s still great.
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I would rather see them enter the corners two wide occasionally and race like hell down the straight trying to pass each other, instead of whoever gets out front in clean air and the carnage that comes from desperation during restarts. Calling out Stenhouse, and Bayne as two that will be involved as they play their win and your in desperation card. It would make my day if KDB tries another "my turn" restart on the 78
 
StandOnIt said:
I would rather see them enter the corners two wide occasionally and race like hell down the straight trying to pass each other, instead of whoever gets out front in clean air and the carnage that comes from desperation during restarts. Calling out Stenhouse, and Bayne as two that will be involved as they play their win and your in desperation card. It would make my day if KDB tries another "my turn" restart on the 78
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It was discussed here or elsewhere, can’t remember... but cup cars used to be able to race into corners here before they got rid of the apron. They had to change the track because Indycars were hitting the wall at terrible trajectories off the apron. A shame it had to change. I also wasn’t a fan of the crash fest near the end of last year.



Spotter22 said:
Out the following week after heat exhaustion? Never in my 40 + years of racing have I heard that one before.
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No more give-a-damns lol
 
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