Lo Writer: Indy 500!

Where do I begin? This was probably the most amazing sports spectacle I have ever been to. Granted, I've only been to hockey and baseball games... and some high school and college football games (for crappy teams), but still... amazing! A crowd of 400,000 (normally) compiled of people of all sorts.

Now, I've watched Indy races on television before with my dad back in the day... I definitely would get bored watching it on TV because I didn't really know all the drivers, didn't know the teams, and I didn't understand how it could be so exciting to watch cars go 'round and 'round in an oval. But let me say this... it was amazing to be there in person.

The roaring engines, the drunken crowd, the smell of hot tires (cuz I could definitely smell it after a crash)... I mean, it was awesome. And I'm super thankful that Drew got me into the track scanner. It's soooo cool! You use the track scanner to pick up the media/radio signals at the track. So you could listen to the live TV broadcast or you can listen to the drivers talk to their teams etc. I mean, this is what gets you totally into the race because you know what's going on. When Tony Kanaan crashed at the race, we radioed into the Andretti team and heard Danica say that she hopes he's okay (because crashing into a wall at 190 mph is damn dangerous). I mean, you felt like you were totally in this exclusive VIP club because you were so "in the know." Super fun!

The race lasted about three hours but it was really intense. There were a lot of crashes, more than I had remembered from watching on TV. The wind conditions were interesting for the drivers, but to me, it felt great. It was so hot and humid on race day... and I was in a black polo. Luckily, Tim provided us with some superb seats in the Duke Energy suites, so I was able to retreat to the air conditioning and cold beverages on occasion (I'm so spoiled).

Ok, so Helio Castroneves won. Dan Wheldon came in second (not a fan) and Danica in third! That was her best finish at Indy. Super cool! And Helio, of course, climbed the fence after his win. And he got emotional as usual, too. Pretty awesome.

When we left, Drew and I went back to the campgrounds to take some of his friends home. Oh... the campgrounds. I haven't mentioned the campgrounds. Nor did I post any pictures. Why? Oh, because I kind of don't want to remember the campgrounds. Drew and his friends like to go camping the night before the race. It's kind of like a tradition for race fans to do this. I mean, I was excited for camping. I really was. Cuz I love camping. But this... this wasn't camping. It was crashing and trashing. Everyone was drunk and obnoxious and there were no restrooms. Only port-o-potties. Yeah, port-o-potties. Oh, and they were like, a mile away from where we were "camping." Hey, if you're into that sort of thing, cool deal. Good for you. I am NOT. Yes, I love my fabulous hotel accomodations and yes I love to be clean, but camping is so much fun. I don't mind gettin' down and dirty. I really don't. Nonetheless, it was an interesting night. I survived. In fact, I should have gotten a free tee that said "I survived the Indy camp." Seriously.

Ok, so after the race, we went back to the camp to pick up his friends to take them home. They were exhausted from the entire weekend, so they all passed out in the back seat. It was hilarious (see the very last picture posted). They were so much fun to hang around and I had a blast getting to meet them.

Now, not only was Drew an awesome person to be with at the race, but Tim and Kathe, too! It was awesome how into it we all got! And poor Tim and Kathe... they had thrown a fabulous pre-race party (which I wish I could have gone to instead of the crash/trash grounds) at their beautiful home the night before the race and had stayed up til 2:30 in the morning... I'm sure they were exhausted that day but they still had a great time!

When Drew and I finally got home from the race after dropping his friends off, Tim was freshly showered and cooled off and Kathe was immobile on the couch watching her recorded television shows. I was about to collapse and so was Drew. We were all SO TIRED from the race weekend! But, instead of a nap, I opted to shower and scrub myself immaculately clean (no showers at crash/trash grounds). Then I kind of passed out for a little.

It was such an amazing weekend and I had such a blast - even with the crash/trash grounds. I sincerely hope I get to do this again next year. And the year after that. And that and that and that. Indy was INCREDIBLE. Except... if I go crashing/trashing again, I'm going in a super luxurious RV. Yes. I think it's only fair.