What, no Indy 500 thread?

[saturnotaku]

Now, I'll start by saying I've never been a fan of racing. But I think that may change. I was in Indianapolis today for the 500. Had front row seats on the northbound straightaway. It was a really exciting race. The group I was with was pulling for and really thought (the hottie) Danica Patrick was going to pull off the win with about 12 laps to go. Unfortunately she came in 4th, but there were all kinds of lead changes and just a lot of really skilled driving.

I have a new appreciation for the sheer athleticism required to be able to pilot these cars around at 220+ mph. I would seriously love to go back again next year.

[stncttr908]

I have a better time watching the races on TV myself. It would have been interesting to see her win, but you had to guess it wouldn't happen when she was the only one that didn't stop for fuel or fresh tires near the end.

Now the Coca Cola 600 was an exciting race. :D

[BrianG]

Now, I'll start by saying I've never been a fan of racing. But I think that may change. I was in Indianapolis today for the 500. Had front row seats on the northbound straightaway. It was a really exciting race. The group I was with was pulling for and really thought (the hottie) Danica Patrick was going to pull off the win with about 12 laps to go. Unfortunately she came in 4th, but there were all kinds of lead changes and just a lot of really skilled driving.

I have a new appreciation for the sheer athleticism required to be able to pilot these cars around at 220+ mph. I would seriously love to go back again next year.
Most people say they catch the bug for watching racing on TV by going to races live. I used to auto-cross so I suppose that is where I got my bug for road-racing. I love Formula One and a few of the sports car series on Speed, but oval racing just makes me sleepy. You just wake up for the crashes.

That said, of what I did watch, Danica's rookie mistakes were the only thing in her way of winning the Indy 500. That says alot about her talent. A friend of mine that races 330i Coupe in the GT Cup series got to meet her about three years ago. Painfully shy, but Rahal said that she was something special.

[saturnotaku]

That said, of what I did watch, Danica's rookie mistakes were the only thing in her way of winning the Indy 500.

It was not so much multiple mistakes as it was the big one of her stalling out the car. To me, the race proved that she's not only an excellent driver, she a very talented racer. Give her some time to mature and she'll be right up there with the best of them.

You have to feel bad for Hornish, though. He's this century's Andretti. LOL