5 Things You Need To Know About The "Greatest Spectacle In Racing"

What milk, Danica Patrick and fighter jets have to do with the Indy 500.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. The iconic Indianapolis 500 is always a big celebrity draw. For the third time in her career, Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem and Christian Bale and Matt Damon will wave the green start flag. The two actors are using this huge honor to promote their upcoming film based on the 1966 24-hour Le Mans endurance race. (Different kind of car racing, but it’s still racing). DRIVERS, START YOUR ENGINES

2. Because life’s too short to have a boring race car. The car for Indiana native Conor Daly, who you might recognize from “Amazing Race,” will be painted to look like an Air Force fighter jet. COPS CAN’T CATCH HIM

3. He starts your mornings off right, so he seemed the logical choice to start the race. Al Roker from “The Today Show” had been pegged to drive the pace car but a last-minute conflict changed his plans. Stepping in is a guy who knows a little about racing, retired NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt will take a break from his broadcasting gig to spin around the track. (NASCAR is different than IndyCar. For more, click here). HERE’S WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS

4. Joining Earnhardt in the broadcast booth is the first woman to ever lead a lap at the Indy 500, Danica Patrick. Patrick retired from her career in racing last year and has driven both in IndyCar and NASCAR. Another gal to keep an eye on is Pippa Mann, the only female driver in the race. ON THE FAST TRACK

5. 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. The act was spotted by an overjoyed milk executive and the rest is history. MILK…IT QUENCHES YOUR THIRST, SAID NO ONE EVER

Behind The Whistle - 5 Things To Know About The Life Of An NBA Referee

Do you look good in stripes and are considering a career change? Update your LinkedIn profile because this job’s for you.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. While you’re going to have to work your way up through the system, NBA (National Basketball Association) referees take home anywhere between $150,000-$550,000, depending on experience. (That’s more than any WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association - player makes). They receive bonuses for officiating playoff games and the dollar amount depends on the importance of the game (i.e. you make more money working the finals). NAME YOUR PRICE

2. Remember Billy Crystal traveling the nation as an NBA referee in the movie Forget Paris? It wasn’t his best flick but like his character, referees travel for work 25 days a month for eight months. That equates to calling 65-70 games in an 82-game season, not including playoffs. HIT THE ROAD JACK

3. Imagine being called out by your boss every time you present in a meeting. That’s what happens to the referees in the NBA’s two minute reports. The public report critiques the referees’ calls within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. The refs also review tape after games to make sure they’re at the top of their game. AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR ANNUAL REVIEW WAS TOUGH

4. It's not all mental. They have to be physically fit too because they’re running up and down the court for the entire 48 minutes alongside the players. Referees work on their fitness regimen in the off-season like any athlete would and they train their brains by utilizing virtual reality.  GAMING THE GAME

5. There are two women referees who take the court. Ashley Moyer-Gleich and Natalie Sago are the fourth and fifth women in NBA history to become a referee.  CLIMBING THE LADDER

The Fastest Sport On Grass – 5 Things You Need To Know About Lacrosse

Lacrosse is all the rage right now. It seems like everywhere you go (or maybe it’s just us), someone is off to their kid’s game or playing in an adult league. So what the heck is this net game with a stick?

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. Lacrosse was started by the Native Americans and was known as stickball. It’s a contact sport with slashes and intense hits to the stick and body. There are 10 players per team – nine players and a goalie. It’s played with a ball (that’s solid rubber and really hard) and crosse (aka a lacrosse stick). Players cannot touch the ball with their hands (with exception of the goalie). SOLID START

2. Lacrosse is taking advantage of the decline in the number of youth playing football, with their numbers increasing over 35% in 5 years. Over 2.2 million Americans participate in the sport. COME ON IN, THE WATER’S FINE

3. The difference between men and women’s lacrosse? There is no body contact in the women’s version therefore body pads and big helmets aren’t required, where the men must wear padding and helmets. THE SMARTER SEX?

4. The Major League Lacrosse (MLL) has been around for years but a new lacrosse league, Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), starts on June1. Started by a former player (he’s also known as lacrosse’s LeBron James), they’ve disrupted the traditional sports business model with a tour-based league (i.e. - no home cities) and no team owners (more money to pay players). They’re also providing better salaries ($25,000 vs $8,000), health insurance and a vesting schedule to give players equity in the league. To top it off, they signed a TV deal with NBC. ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM. OH WAIT…

5. The biggest lacrosse game of the year isn’t one you’d expect. The FBI will take on the team from the Secret Service in an epic game this weekend in Maryland. Imagine the intelligence that went into those scouting reports. ARE WIRE TAPS IN THE LOCKER ROOM ILLEGAL?

Pony Up - 5 Things You Need To Know About The Kentucky Derby

Ponies, booze and fashion, oh my! 

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. The Derby is often referred to as the “most exciting two minutes in sports” because that’s how long it takes for the horses to run the 1¼ mile track. TIME YOUR BATHROOM TRIP RIGHT OR YOU’LL MISS THE WHOLE RACE

2. The favorite horse heading into Saturday’s race, Omaha Beach, was scratched this week before most people could even place their bets. Ever wonder how owners come up with these interesting names? There are a whole slew of rules set forth by the Jockey Club to abide by when naming a horse. Of course, nothing racy is approved but names like Hoochiecoochiemama, Bodacious Tatas and Hardawn (say it aloud) have slipped past the reviewers. WE’D PAY TO HEAR ANNOUNCERS READ THOSE NAMES ON TV

3. The horses are all three-year-old males. You’ll never see a horse win the Derby twice because they’re only allowed to race when they’re three and that’s it. The horses (and their jockey) are competing for the largest-ever guaranteed purse of $3 million, an increase of $1 million from last year. PEAKING EARLY IN LIFE

4. Ever wonder how these high-priced horses get from one race to another? Air Horse One. No, really. They fly on a Boeing 727 cargo plane nicknamed “Air Horse One.” It’s equipped with stalls built around the horse and even inflight snacks. AND YOU THOUGHT BUSINESS CLASS WAS EXPENSIVE

5. We’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss the hats. The long-standing tradition started with a goal to have high-class spectators attend the race. The Derby hat as we know it, didn’t come around until the 1960s when fashion norms loosened up and big, bright and festive were socially acceptable. THE BEST CELEBRITY DERBY HATS  

Watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4th live from Churchill Downs at 6:50 EST.

5 Things To Know About Nashville's Party Of The Year - The NFL Draft

Imagine that your entire career is on the line. And if you don't get the job, you'll have to start over. Oh and the entire world is watching. Welcome to the NFL Draft.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

5 Things You Need To Know About The Masters

It's THE golf tournament of the season and the one everyone will be buzzing about.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

The 5 Ballpark Foods To Eat Before You Die

Warning - these are not diet friendly and drooling may occur.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.

Batter Up - 5 Things You Need To Know About the 2019 MLB Season

The boys of summer are back so grab your peanuts and cracker jacks and join in Opening Day conversation.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown 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.