The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500, traditionally runs on Memorial Day weekend but like everything in 2020, things have changed. Just because there won’t be fans in the stands doesn’t mean that this weekend’s race won’t be a spectacle worth talking about.
Fast and curious,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The Indy 500, called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway aka 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 to kiss these bricks. We can confirm that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention did not come up with that idea. MASK UP
2. Move over Gatorade, milk is the drink of the winners at Indianapolis 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.
3. With no fans in the stands to boost the revenues, the prize money for the race has been slashed from $15 million to $7.5 million. Ticket sales equate for at least $20 million in revenue which leaves a huge hole for new track owner, businessman turned race team owner Roger Penske, who bought the speedway in late 2019. Penske purchased the track from the Hulman family who owned it since 1945. BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR?
4. This is the first race in 20 years that there will be no female drivers in the race. The most notable female driver in the sport, Danica Patrick, will be joined in the broadcast booth by veteran announcer Mike Tirico (you might recognize him from the Olympics). Now retired from driving, Patrick holds the title of being the first woman to ever lead a lap at the Indy 500 and has driven on the track both in IndyCar and NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). ON THE FAST TRACK
5. The Andretti name has been a mainstay in IndyCar for decades. This year another member of the famous racing family will start the race in pole position, the first family member to do that in 33 years. (Pole position is the ideal place to start the race. You could almost say it’s like starting the race in first place, but not quite). A FAMILY AFFAIR
