(Podcast length - 5:05 mins)
Start your summer by cruising with the windows down, the wind blowing through your hair and a smile on your face. That’s how Indy fans prefer their Memorial Day too.
Transcript
1. Move over Gatorade; milk is the drink of the winners at International Motor Speedway. The tradition that involves the winner swigging milk began in 1936 with Louis Meyer, whose go-to drink after a win was a refreshing glass of milk. An overjoyed milk executive spotted the act, and the rest is history. MILK…IT QUENCHES YOUR THIRST, SAID NO ONE EVER
2. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also known as the Brickyard. It’s called the Brickyard because the track used to be made of bricks, which are still exposed under the asphalt at the start-finish line. It’s a tradition for the drivers to kiss these bricks before the race. We cannot confirm or deny if that’s where cold sores come from. YOUR KISS IS ON MY LIPS
3. The race isn’t just for men. In its history, 10 women have raced at Indy, with Danica Patrick setting the record for the highest finishing position for a woman with a third-place finish in 2005. She is also the first woman to ever lead a lap at the Indy 500. Making history this race is the Paretta Autosport team with driver Simona de Silvestro. The team, which consists of mostly women, became the first female driver/owner duo in IndyCar Series history to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. MOVE OVER, COMING THROUGH
4. While you might not be familiar with the Indy 500, there will be familiar faces on the broadcast with retired IndyCar and NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) driver Danica Patrick joining Mike Tirico and retired NASCAR (and current Indy Car road course driver) Jimmie Johnson in the booth. This year’s race is all about the youth movement, but six-time Indy 500 winner Scott “Iceman” Dixon beat out Colton Herta, the 21-year-old American, and Rinus VeeKay, 20, for pole position (i.e., the best place to start the race). EAT MY DUST
5. Something you never thought you’d want to know, yet here we are. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is considered one of the world’s largest spectator facilities with more than 250,000 permanent seats and average attendance at the Indy 500 of 300,000. Only 135,000 fans will be in attendance for this year’s race. The infield is 253 acres, which usually (in non-COVID years) hosts an EDM concert in the Snake Pit and includes a golf course. Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, Rose Bowl Stadium, Vatican City, the Taj Mahal, the White House, Liberty Island and the Roman Colosseum could simultaneously fit inside the Speedway. THE BIG HOUSE
Links:
Summer book list
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
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