Harry P. Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I'm kind of surprised that nobody has posted anything regarding the Indy 500. Personally I'm no fan, but I figured it would get at least a post or two here. So is the Indy 500 still relevant to you guys? Just curious. Like I said, I couldn't care less, but I am surprised that nobody has mentioned it.
Joe Handley Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 We had it playing on the TV at the store, but we were busy enough that we didn't really watch it. Not sure if any customers stopped and watched any of it.
Austin T Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 To me racing was cool way back before I was born in the 50's-70's,I wish I could go back in time and see some of the old races I have read about.I am currently reading a book called "Bolton's best:A collections of Auto racing stories" It's a collection of stories about the golden age of NASCAR from the eyes of a news writer.I have tried to watch modern Nascar and other racing,but I just can't get past how boring it is most of the time.Some guys enjoy it,and I respect it,I just don't care for the new stuff.
Scuderia Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I made it a point to record Practices, Qualifying, the GP2 race, and the F1 race from the weekends events at Monaco. I forgot to turn on Indy until about ten minutes before Sato wrecked. I think here Nascar has supplanted the events at Indy, and the split a decade-plus ago sure didn't help matters. It comes down to preference, and what's been around an individual. The race just isn't made out to be a big deal for folks any longer.
cchapman195 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I am a fan of all kinds of motorsports. I did watch today's race and thought it was a great race. Dario Francitti won for his 3rd time at Indy tying him with 2 of his best friends for 3 wins each. So next year will be great to see if one of them gets to break the 3 way tie. Nascar is my true love when it comes to racing. I do believe in order to understand racing you need to understand the mechanics of a car and how changes can effect the way they run, The way air and drafting work and come into play and it takes a bit to learn and understand but it does make racing more exciting and understandable. I Can see how people can turn on a race and say how stupid is this, they only turn left without understanding what is actually going on with the cars and drivers and pit crews as well. Great day of racing today though.
martinfan5 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I am a fan of all things racing with four wheels, but not Indy car, I did record the F1 race but more so because of where the race was. I have notice that the magic that was the the 500 is gone, its not a big deal like it use to be.
Foxer Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I been to a few races and practices when I was in school in Indiana back a few 30 years ago, but now it's pretty much a disappointment. Racing should evolve, not change the whole game.
brad4321 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I'm a huge Formula 1 fan, and a huge Nascar fan. Indy racing is sort of like a combo of the two and thus it seems I would like it. But I can't get into it. But I do always watch the 500 and yesterday was no different. But it's the 3rd most important race of the day these days.
bbowser Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Yesterday's race was the best in a long time. I'm not a fan of open wheel racing but always watch the 500. They have a new car this year and more than one engine manufacturer so it's starting to get a little more interesting.
58 Impala Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I watched the race, I'm a big fan of open wheel racing. But I can't get used to the new Speed Racer design of the cars.
sjordan2 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 (edited) Actually, I did start a thread last week advising of the availability at ESPN360 of on-board camera selection for 12 different cars, but that thread quickly sank to the bottom. Anyway, I thought it was the best Indy in race years (the most lead changes in Indy history), and there was a unique emotional element, with salutes to the late Dan Wheldon, last year's winner, and the fact that his three best friends ended up sharing the podium. Edited May 28, 2012 by sjordan2
aarondupont Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Harry: Indy lost it's mistique years and years ago. When CART took over as the sanctioning body, things seemed to really go down from there. But then the influx of money has changed all of racing! I always loved Indy because of inovation. Each year the non-degreed engineers brought out something they felt could conquer Indy. Each year before the start of the race, I go back theough my Indy book. I look at all the different cars, ideas, styles and engines. It used to be that a guy like me could actually build a car in my garage and attempt to qualify for the 500. It would NEVER happen now! I get tears in my eyes watching all the pre-race traditions. And again when watching the victory ceremony. I always have. It's very touching and meaningful to me! Even when the racing is poor, I'll always watch the race! Now back to Nostalgia Drag Racing in Thompson, Ohio this weekend. Anybody else going? Aaron Dupont
sjordan2 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 (edited) Of all types of races, I much prefer F1 road racing with blind curves, hairpins and uneven racing surfaces, and few restarts because of rain. Le Mans style is right up there, but I have a bit of a hard time with multiple racing classes on the track at the same time. Edited May 28, 2012 by sjordan2
Craig Irwin Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Racing was when a few guys got together and built a car with the idea of going faster than everybody else on the track. The engine guy spent all winter on the dyno trying to find 5 or 10 more horsepower, while the chassis guy was welding up his new design himself. Today a millionaire buys one of the one or two "approved" chassis, and installs one of the one or two "approved" engines, which is sealed so his mechanic can't even try to improve it's performance, why that would be cheating! Then a bunch of the identical "approved" cars run a 500 mile economy run to see who will have enough fuel to finish. The so called race is won or lost by decisions on when or when not to pit. On the news last night they announced the winner of the Indy 500, and not only was it a name I'd never heard and couldn't pronounce, I find out he was a three time winner, and again I didn't even remember ever hearing his name before!
Harry P. Posted May 28, 2012 Author Posted May 28, 2012 Racing was when a few guys got together and built a car with the idea of going faster than everybody else on the track. The engine guy spent all winter on the dyno trying to find 5 or 10 more horsepower, while the chassis guy was welding up his new design himself. Today a millionaire buys one of the one or two "approved" chassis, and installs one of the one or two "approved" engines, which is sealed so his mechanic can't even try to improve it's performance, why that would be cheating! Then a bunch of the identical "approved" cars run a 500 mile economy run to see who will have enough fuel to finish. The so called race is won or lost by decisions on when or when not to pit. On the news last night they announced the winner of the Indy 500, and not only was it a name I'd never heard and couldn't pronounce, I find out he was a three time winner, and again I didn't even remember ever hearing his name before! That pretty much sums it up for me, too. Ditto NASCAR, same story, except I've heard of a few of the NASCAR guys...
Guest Johnny Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 All that means Craig is that you are not a fan of Indy racing. Nothing more, nothing less! Guess Harry too! No it doesn't hold the mystique it once did. But is still a big part of the racing world and will always be. The split hurt it bad but it is regaining fans again. These new cars did a lot for the racing this year! A lot of passing and battling for position which has been lacking is past years. Except for two years I have never missed the Indy 500 either watching or on the radio!
Craig Irwin Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 That pretty much sums it up for me, too. Ditto NASCAR, same story, except I've heard of a few of the NASCAR guys... Yep, I was describing both, but NASCAR is kind of worse running cars that don't exist (2 door front engine rear wheel drive V8's) and calling them stock. And now they can change the cars brand and model with light and grille decals....
sjordan2 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 For the record, Dario Franchitti is a Scotsman with an Italian name, and he's married to Ashley Judd.
Harold Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Ikind of dozed through the middle part of the race, but that was only because I was up early to watch F1. Great finish, and congrats to Dario. Lotus really missed the bus, though, didn't they maybe they could try a small block Ford like they did fifty years ago...
Craig Irwin Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 For the record, Dario Franchitti is a Scotsman with an Italian name, and he's married to Ashley Judd. I was not trying to put him down, only stating that I payed so little attention to the race that I didn't even remember his name. And this is not a joke, who is Ashley Judd?
Harry P. Posted May 28, 2012 Author Posted May 28, 2012 I was not trying to put him down, only stating that I payed so little attention to the race that I didn't even remember his name. And this is not a joke, who is Ashley Judd? She's a movie actress, and the sister of Wynnona Judd/daughter of Naomi Judd (the country music mother-daughter duo).
Harry P. Posted May 28, 2012 Author Posted May 28, 2012 For the record, Dario Franchitti is a Scotsman with an Italian name... But his real first name is George, which is a bit more Scottish sounding than "Dario!"
Craig Irwin Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I haven't been to a movie in decades, and Country music? I don't think so....
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