Lo Writer: Carb Day @ Indy! (complete with pics and a video)

Ok, Carb Day was seriously the coolest! Friday, May 22nd (2 days before the race). I knew I was going to be able to take some awesome pictures so I was already super excited. I was also pretty pumped to test my month of studying (story later). So at Carb Day, you just buy a general ticket and find your own seats. We scored some cool bleacher seats right by Pit Lane and somewhat above Gasoline Alley. In case you don't know what Gasoline Alley is... it's probably the coolest alley you'll get to walk/see. Why? Because the drivers, driver's crew, and driver's car go through Gasoline Alley to get to and from the track from the garages. And in case you don't know what Pit Lane is, it's where drivers pull their cars in to have their gas pumped, tires changed and other maintenance performed by the pit crew.

Anyway, as drivers were going to the track, we stood over the alley and I got a view of some of the drivers (see pics below). I also got a few shots of the cars. I was definitely excited because I knew who the drivers were by their actual faces! Not by their cars, numbers, colors, teams etc... Damn, I'm good.

Now, I'll have you know that I had spent most of May trying to learn the drivers, their cars, their numbers, their teams and sponsors. I think I impressed Kathe because I kinda knew what I was talkin' about. I mean, lets get real though... my boyfriend is a diehard Indy fan. He lives and breathes it. I kinda didn't have a choice to get tuned into Indy... however, I'll have you know that I studied them all by myself (brownie points maybe?) because I wanted to know what was going on during the race. I wasn't about to be the ditzy girlfriend who just follows her boyfriend and his sports. I like to have understanding and real knowledge so that I can get into it and be just as big of a fan... which needless to say, I have become.

So Carb Day is basically a day for practice runs. Drivers get to test the track and their cars so that they can make the necessary adjustments needed to have faster, better results. Pit crews get to practice their timing and stuff, too. Pretty cool. The Andretti Green team (comprising of Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh) weren't pleased with their cars at all. They complained of being too slow, whereas the Penske team (comprising of Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe) were able to call it an early day because they were overall pleased with their cars' stats.

Carb Day wasn't just about the race though. I was able to get a little taste of Indy culture. I heard my first hick accents (not ever, but in IN). I know the people I heard weren't from Indiana though. They were too Southern - from like, Alabama or something. This one old, fat guy sitting behind sounded like the hicks on South Park. I had a hard time understanding what he was saying. Note that he wasn't conversing with me, I was just chiming in because his accent was fascinatingly intriguing. It went along something like this:

Old Fat Man: Dat car right der in over in dat pit ain't goin' too fast for my likin'
Other guy: (mumble mumble mumble)
Old Fat Man: Yeah, dat's funneh cuz (mumble mumble mumble)
OFM and Other Guy: (har har har giggle giggle giggle)

Also, I overheard a disgusting conversation between the men sitting next to me. It's too gross to blog about, but just thought I'd let you know.

Now, I know I have talked about being on the mullet look-out. I saw a mullet, but it was difficult to picture. I just couldn't do it. It was so ugly, I was afraid it was gonna break my lens. Sad, I know.

Something else I should point out... the cars are so freakin' loud. You're advised to use ear plugs, which I had ready and at hand, but I wanted to hear those engines roar. Oh and they did. Every lap, chills went up my spine and goose bumps covered my arms. It was amazing. I've heard the cars on TV before, but TV does absolutely NO justice. I mean, these cars... words cannot explain. You just have to go and experience it for yourself. It is AWESOME!

So basically, Carb Day was amazing. It was a tad bit hot outside, slightly humid, but it was a great time hanging out with my man and Tim and Kathe. And by the way, Tim and Kathe are awesome. They paid my way into Carb Day and even bought me a hamburger and a beer and a water! (Yes, I ate the hamburger. I ate it ALL.)