The 5 Things You Need To Know About The Indy 500

The ladies are the ones to watch this weekend at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500.

We feel the need, the need for speed,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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THE Five Things You Need To Know About The Indy 500

1. 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.

2. Kelly Clarkson has been a busy woman coming off the season finale of The Voice and host of the Billboard Music Awards. She’ll be at the Indy 500 this weekend serenading the crowd with her rendition of the national anthem.  

3. So long, farewell to Danica Patrick. While she was a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) for the past seven years, she will return to her roots in IndyCar for the last race of her driving career. She holds the record for the highest Indy finish for a woman (third place) and is the only female driver to lead laps at both the Indy 500 and Daytona 500 (NASCAR race). Will she take home a coveted win at Indy before retiring from racing for good? CHECK OUT HER NEW GIG

4. Move over Gatorade, milk is the drink of Indy 500 winners. The tradition, which involves chugging milk from a glass bottle after a win, began in 1936 with driver Louis Meyer. His go to victory drink was a refreshing glass of milk. The act was spotted by an overjoyed milk executive and the rest is history. MMM MILK

5. Indiana Jones may hate snakes but the snake pit is the place to be over Indy weekend. The snake pit is in the infield of the race track (which also boasts a golf course) and concerts goers can enjoy EDM (electronic dance music) concerts all weekend. Grab your glow sticks! SCHEDULE

- You can watch the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 27 at 12:15 pm EST on ABC.

Keep it coming

Driving in circles for 500 miles is great but what’s everyone talking about today at the proverbial watercooler? How about why Shaq and *NSYNC were a thing, which sport was left out of the top 100 and when your hall of fame plaque looks like Gary Busey? READ ON

The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About The Indy 500

One of the biggest highlights of every Memorial Day weekend isn’t the famous baked beans at Uncle John’s BBQ, it’s the Indianapolis "Indy" 500 race. Don’t worry today’s Rundown has all you need to know to carry on a conversation with anyone at said BBQ.

Hot dog or hamburger?

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Five Things To Know About The Indy 500

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.
2. Scott Dixon set the pole (see Coaches’ Corner) for this year’s Indy 500. He was going so fast in qualifying, a mere 232 MPH, that he thought his dashboard was broken. Later that same day, Dixon and another driver were robbed at gunpoint at a local Taco Bell. The cherry on top of the day.
3. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman will serve as honorary starters for the race. Gyllenhall is set to play Bauman in an upcoming movie. This is the first time two people will wave the green start flag. The anthem will be sung by singer Bebe Rexha.
4. Pippa Mann is the lone female driver in the race. For the fourth straight year, she'll use this spotlight to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and prevention. 
5. Not into racing? Don’t worry. Within the race track is the “The Snake Pit,” which hosts EDM (Electronic Dance Music) concerts during the race. It's no Preakness port-a-potty races, but close. 

Overtime

• The Dancing With The Stars finale came down to two athletes, former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross and NFL (National Football League) player Rashad Jennings. The judges and America voted and the athlete with the best moves is Rashad Jennings. While it’s no Super Bowl ring, the current free agent (he’s looking for a job) took home the famed mirror ball trophy.

Sideline Stat

• The crowd at this year’s Indy race is expected to be over 300,000 people. That’s slightly behind the 350,000 at last year’s 100th anniversary race. For perspective, the second largest sporting venue in the U.S., behind the Brickyard, is the University of Michigan’s football stadium and that holds 107,601 fans.

Coaches’ Corner

• What is pole position in auto racing? The pole position is the number one position to start the race. Drivers have to qualify beforehand by driving the track. Typically, the driver with the fastest time from qualifying is slotted into the pole position. In this case, that's Scott Dixon.