Is it too early to talk about the weekend? Never! This Memorial Day weekend features the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Dare to impress your BBQ buddies this Memorial Day weekend with your new found knowledge from today's five things to know.
You’re the hit of the party,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five things to know about the Indianapolis 500
- The Indy 500, called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS or the “Brickyard”). Back in the day the track used to be made of paving bricks, which are still exposed under the current asphalt track at the start-finish line.
- The 33 drivers and fans watching in 250+ countries will join in on the pre-race tradition of singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” alongside “The Voice” winner Josh Kaufman. Country star Darius Rucker (you may know him from “Hootie and the Blowfish”), will sing the national anthem.
- Move over Gatorade, milk is the drink of the winners at IMS. 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.
- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is considered one of the world’s largest spectator facilities with more than 250,000 permanent seats. The infield is 253 acres and includes a golf course. Churchill Downs, Yankees Stadium, Rose Bowl, Roman Colosseum and Vatican City can all fit inside the Speedway.
- The race isn’t just for men. In it’s 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.
- Extra credit - The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911. It has been held every year since, except for during the two World Wars, hence why 2016 is the 100th running of the race. You can catch all the centennial excitement of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 22 at 4 pm (EST) on ABC.
Horse racing
- Nyquist no more. Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist has been pulled from the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes (June 11), due to a high white cell blood count. The quest for the Triple Crown is tough on the horses with three races in five weeks; most horses won’t race more than once a month. (Recap -Nyquist lost last weekend to Exaggerator in the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.)
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Taking on tobacco. The family of former MLB player Tony Gwynn, has filed a lawsuit against tobacco companies, saying they targeted and encouraged him to use smokeless tobacco and did not disclose the dangers of dipping. Gwynn dipped his entire career and died two years ago at the age of 54 from salivary cancer after 31 years of tobacco use. Cities are fighting back against tobacco companies as well - New York, Boston and Los Angeles are just a few cities to ban smokeless tobacco at ticketed sporting events this year.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Wrath of the Raptors. Toronto Raptors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night to even the series 2-2. The home team has won every game so far. Game five is tonight from Cleveland at 8:30 pm (EST) on ESPN.
- Big win. Oklahoma City Thunder won again last night against the Golden State Warriors. Thunder lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. Game five will take place on Thursday at 8 pm (EST on TNT) in Sacramento.
NFL (National Football League)
- The story that refuses to go away. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has filed an appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in regard to his four-game suspension for Deflategate. Brady is contesting a lower court’s decision to uphold his four-game suspension for his involvement.
Overtime
- On Dancing with the Stars, UFC fighter Paige VanZant may have put on a good show but was beat out for the esteemed mirrorball trophy by model Nyle DiMarco. (DiMarco is the first deaf winner on the show). VanZant used the show as a platform and hoped to inspire others by talking about being bullied in school. She was bullied so badly that her family had to moved from their town of Dayton, Oregon eight years ago.
Sideline stat
- Under Armour has signed the biggest deal in college sports history with UCLA - 15-years, $280 million. The school has been with Adidas since 1999.
Coaches’ corner
- Yesterday the NFL announced their Super Bowl host cities through 2021. There has never been a Super Bowl host city whose home team has won it all in the same year they've hosted.
- 2017- Houston (Texans)
- 2018- Minnesota (Vikings)
- 2019- Atlanta (Falcons)
- 2020- South Florida (Dolphins)
- 2021- Los Angeles (Rams)