Why The Indy 500 Is Worth Watching

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

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

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

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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

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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