Why The Indy 500 Is Worth Watching
Wind the windows down, blast the music and you’re halfway there.
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. Here’s what you need to know about the Indy 500.
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. The drivers can choose between whole, 2% or skim milk for their celebratory drink (that the winner will subsequently pour on their head). 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, ten 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 lead a lap at the Indy 500. One woman we hope to see in this Sunday’s race is Katherine Legge, but she was involved in a crash during practice, and there has been no word if she will race. MOVE OVER, COMING THROUGH
4. Another intriguing aspect of the Indy 500 is the BYOB policy. Attendees can bring coolers filled with food and beverages (including alcoholic drinks), making it a unique and cost-effective experience for fans. Is your business brain confused about why they don’t want the money? Well, the speedway can’t physically serve that many people. Besides, the party atmosphere and the freedom to bring your supplies contribute to the festive ambiance that sets the Indy 500 apart from other sporting events. CHEERS
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 over 250,000 permanent seats and average attendance at the Indy 500 of 300,000. The 253 acres infield 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
Looks Like We Made It
Be prepared for the unofficial start of summer.
It’s the unofficial start of summer.
Prepared for poolside chatter,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
Rapper Drake has become the center of attention in the Milwaukee Bucks – Toronto Raptors playoff series. The Canadian is a big Raptors fan and therefore a local Milwaukee radio station is taking a break from playing his music during the series. A Canadian radio station fired back by refusing to play Steve Miller Band music. (Raptors lead the 7-game series 3-2, with game 6 tomorrow). TIT FOR TAT
Overtime
The rich and famous and their super yachts come out for the most beautiful race on the F1 (Formula One) circuit. Keep an eye out for names like soccer’s Ronaldo and football’s Tom Brady at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. The usually festive weekend will have a bit of a sober tone with the passing of former F1 driver and team owner Niki Lauda. The movie “Rush” was based on Lauda, who was severely burned in a crash during a race. CHEERS TO THE LIFE OF A LEGEND
Sideline Stat
The picks are in for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. All the drivers in the race have to submit their choice for their victory drink, should they win. But they’re not picking champagne, but their selection of celebratory milk - whole, 2% or fat free. It’s a tradition that the winner of the Indy 500 chug milk after their win. Check out our Five Things You Need To Know About The Indy 500 here. WHAT NO ALMOND MILK?
Coaches’ Corner
A Southern California minor league baseball team is changing their name to the California Burritos. For one night only, the San Bernardino’s Inland Empire 66ers, are changing their name. Their uniforms will include some “drive-thru” language and a new California state shaped burrito logo. BURRITO BALL
What to Watch
Sunday is the fastest day in sports. The day will start with the F1 race in Monaco, then move to the Indy 500 and finish with NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Coca-Cola 600.
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.
Start your summer by cruising with the windows down, wind blowing through your hair and a smile on your face. That’s how Indy fans prefer their Memorial Day too.
What a coincidence,
The Last Night’s Game Team
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
Wednesday wisdom
Everyone will be buzzing about how J.J. Watt helped a student get a better grade, why Ellen loves baseball and Boston's sports streak. READ