When Ray Harroun won the Indy 500 in 1911, he did so at a breath-taking 74 MPH.
(...to put this is perspective, in 2006, I zipped from just over the Indiana State Line to Peoria, Illinois in an Olds '88 doing between 100 and 120 MPH...)
Today, qualifying laps clock at well over 220 MPH and the average lap in the race is between 185 and 200 MPH.
Talk about your NEED for speed!
Although today's win will probably be captured by a Helio, Montoya, or Bell...a small part of my heart will still be hoping for an Andretti win. Marco is running this year.
I was there in 1969, the last time an Andretti won. I was 9 years old, and the driver was Mario. It was my first time at the track. For so many years after that...so many that it became a terrible joke at The Speedway....we would hear the fateful words after many laps...
"...and the Andretti car is slowing down."
So often that they dubbed it "The Andretti Curse".
It would be wonderful for the 100th Running to see Marco (or a Member of The Andretti Team) win!
Here's hoping!
And a quick look at the re-opened Snake Pit.
Seriously?????????????????? Who are you people...and what have you done with The Snake Pit????
Sorry...you guys are such slackers.
This is the Snake Pit I remember, and frequented.
Spent this morning basking, just finished a cold plate, and Darius Rucker just did a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem, perfectly timed with the flyover!
Gentlemen...
Start Your Engines!
Please note that all the engines this year are either Honda or Chevrolet...not a FORD anywhere.
There is a reason for that...lol!
Postscript: Although Marco had a rough day...Alexander Rossi...a rookie from California...(who drives for Team Andretti) has won the 100th Indianapolis 500....Rossi came from 33rd place to win this race!
So HAPPY!
