At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the ‘500’ is more than just a one day event. From that very first race back in 1911, the track has traditionally opened on May 1st, allowing teams nearly 4 weeks of practice to fine-tune their race cars.
Even 114 years later ‘The Month of May’ tradition continues with two weeks of practice, plus Pole Day to determine the fastest qualifier, and Bump Day to send the slowest drivers home. In racing circles, the entire schedule of IndyCar events is referred to as ‘The Month of May’.
Practice actually started a week ago, and things got off to a rocky start for half-Japanese NASCAR driver Kyle Larson. He’s more than just a series champ; he’s one of the few drivers ever to attempt ‘the double’. That’s competing in the Indy 500 in open-wheel, and the Coca-Cola 600 in tin-tops, on the same Sunday. Sadly, he was the first driver to crash in practice this year.
A short while later, 2-time Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato had a hard impact at Turn 1. In an interview the day before the wreck, Sato commented that IndyCar’s new hybrid system has added 100 lbs. to the back of the race car, creating a higher polar moment of inertia. The difference in handling at 232.565 MPH caught our the diminutive Japanese driver.
This year, a total of 8 former Indy 500 winners will attempt to qualify for the big race including Will Power (2018), Marcus Ericsson (2022), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Scott Dixon (2008), Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021), Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), and Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024).
Will a wily old veteran take this win, or will a young lion roar to the front of the pack? Tune in to NBC on Sunday May 25th to find out!
I didn’t realize the Indy 500 was so involved, but of course it makes sense it would be!
Yeah, its a whole big thing. Goes on and on for weeks, but it’s also the largest spectator event in the world with almost 350,000 in the stands. Shocking.
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My daughter particularly likes the rendition of ‘Back Home Again in Indiana’ and has learned the words to it (had to look up Wabash in the dictionary). We’re not Hoosiers or even Americans but watching that big opera singer dude they get to sing the song… gives you chills. The man can hold a note forever!
I’m not familiar with that song. Is it part of the big day’s festivities? Hard to imagine an opera singer at the Indy 500, but what do I know?!
Thank you for clarifying that you are neither a Hoosier nor an American. I had been wondering. Hehe.
Really…you don’t know the official state song of Indiana? I thought all Americans had to know 50+1 songs, since y’all are so patriotic.
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I know that you have zero interest in this, but if you ever find yourself on YouTube, look up “Jim Cornelison performs ‘Back Home Again in Indiana'” as it’s only a 90 second song. You will see this barrel-chested dude (who also sings the national anthem at Chicago Black Hawks hockey games) belt out the song, and his face turns bright red as he holds the last note for 10+ seconds. It is amazing, truly amazing. I love that guy.
You do not know I am not interested! I will definitely look it up.
I don’t think I even know what the state song is for Ohio, let alone any other state. I have driven through Indiana 100 times but no one sang the state song to me. Rude.
Ha! Those Canadians… so presumptuous. I don’t even know if states have songs. Maybe it’s just Indiana. But I know all the words to it, and of all the ‘stuff’ before the Indy500, hearing that song is my favourite.
I looked up the video. Amazing!
I really like that new guy. I never much cared when Jim Nabors sang the song all those years.