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

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. 

The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About Life As An NBA Referee

The NBA playoffs are in full swing and since we’ve been yelling at them from our couch, it has us thinking…what do these refs actually do in their day job besides cause coaches and fans a lot of frustration?

 

We’ve seen better eyes on a potato,

The Last Night’s Game Team

Five Things To Know About Life As An NBA Referee

  1. While you’re going to have to work your way up through the system, the 64 NBA (National Basketball Association) referees on payroll make anywhere between $150,000-$550,000, depending on experience. They receive bonuses for officiating playoff games at the tune of $4,500 - $24,000, depending on the importance of the game (i.e. you make more money working the finals).
  2. Remember Billy Crystal traveling the nation as an NBA referee in the movie Forget Paris? It wasn’t his best flick but like his character, referees travel every two days, working 25 days a month. That equates to calling 65-70 games in an 82 game season, not including playoffs.
  3. Imagine being called out by your boss every time you present in a meeting. That’s what happens to the referees in the NBA’s two minute reports. The report critiques the referees’ calls within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. 
  4. It's not all mental. They have to be physically fit too because they’re running up and down the court for the entire 48 minutes alongside the players. Referees work on their fitness regimen in the off-season like any athlete would.  
  5. Instant replay is a big part of the game. The referees have a centralized replay command center in Secaucus, NJ that provides them with assistance in tough situations. They’re efficient even from afar, averaging a result in a quick 42.1 seconds.

Overtime

Sideline stat

  • There were a whole “lotto” surprises at yesterday’s NBA Draft lottery. Usually the worst teams get the first pick in the NBA Draft but thanks to a massive trade with the New Jersey Nets, the Boston Celtics (who finished with the best record in their conference and are in the playoffs) will receive the #1 pick in the upcoming draft.  Here’s more on the lottery.

Coaches’ Corner

  • Nico Marley, grandson of music legend Bob Marley, signed with the Washington Redskins (NFL – National Football League). Hopefully the underdog can sing a “Redemption Song” and make the final roster.

The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About Esports

For those of you who thought video games were simply Super Mario Kart or Pac-Man, prepare to have your mind blown. Big things are happening in esports. The NBA (National Basketball League) created the NBA esports league, Las Vegas has built large esports venues and the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) was broadcast live on ESPN.

 

That’s great but what does esports mean? Don't worry, we won't leave you hanging. 

 

This sport is growing and here to stay,

The Last Night’s Game Team

Five things to know about esports

  1. Professional gamers play in tournaments and online. Online play will attract over 100,000 viewers who watch through Twitch, owned by Amazon, or YouTube. If you think that’s odd, we watch guys play football on TV. Same same but different.
  2. Tournaments are often dictated by the game (i.e. Call of Duty) or esports gaming leagues (i.e. Major League Gaming). Games are categorized by PC (computer) or console (i.e. Xbox).
  3. Corporations are following the trend. Players resemble race car drivers with sponsor logos all over their tournament clothes. Coke and Nissan are on board and Red Bull has a massive portfolio of esports teams. (Click here for more on the income of professional gamers). 
  4. It is an unregulated sport. There is no national governing body like the NBA or NFL (National Football League).
  5. There are colleges that offer scholarships for esports like University of California, Irvine. A college esports team is similar to a track team where everyone on the team has a specialty such as the 100m dash. On an esports team the game is their specialty (i.e. League of Legends or Street Fighter).
  • Thank you to our esports expert Richard Mitchell – project lead for the XPO Festival, a festival for gamers, fans, developers and game industry leaders.

Overtime

  • NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal announced he will be running for sheriff in 2020. The honorary deputy's goal is to bring people together.

Sideline stat

Coaches’ corner

  • The Oakland A’s (MLB – Major League Baseball) have won an astounding three games in a row on walk-offs. The most impressive part? Massive amounts of Skittles are fueling their rallies. Don’t try this at work.

A walk-off is when the home team takes the lead in the last inning. Since the home team goes last – i.e. the visiting team won’t have a chance to bat again – the game ends immediately.

 

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