Parity Rears Its Ugly Head!
The rustling sound you hear in the background is a whole lot of heads in dollar racing teams being scratched. This year has been strange for Messrs. Penske and Ganassi and downright scary for Andretti Autosport. Who would have predicted that the first three rows would be populated by names like Oriol Servia, Townsend Bell, Alex Tagliani and Ed Carpenter. Sure, Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti are nearby. Dixon starts second and Franchitti goes 9th, but how they got there is something of a mystery. How do two of the top cars in the series BOTH run out of fuel during a qualifying attempt?
And only one Penske car in the top 9? What's up with that? Will Power will start fifth, but his teammates Helio Castroneves (16th) and Ryan Briscoe (27th) are deep in a field that is seoarated (slowest to fastest) by about 4 mph.
The real stunner was Andretti Autosport and their struggles to get their entire team in the race. Only one-off John Andretti made the field on the first day, and at the end of qualifying boith Mike Conway and Ryan Hunter Reay were on the outside looking in. Of course, Michael Andretti wielded his checkbook and bought the ride qualified by Bruno Junquiera for RHR, much to the dismay of some.
So where do you put a nickel or two to take home some cake for Memorial Day?
Well, Roger Penske may have issues with qualifying, but you can't argue with his success in the Race, and his three drivers are all value odds plays with Castroneves at 11 - 1, Briscoe at 14 - 1, and Power, starting in the center of row 2, is 8 1/2 - 1 (17-2). Any of the three, particualrly Castroneves, would be a solid play for a unit.
Both Ganassi "A" cars are 4 - 1, Dixon starting second and Franchitti going off 9th. The only way you can wager anything on these two is by playing 2 units. If you follow trends (and what gambler doesn't,) you almost HAVE to put cash on the dominant two teams. Only twice in the last two years has any other team won a race of any kind in the series.
That being said here are a few other players that might be worthy of your interest.
Dan Wheldon:
Wheldon who starts 6th goes off at 13-1. Almost any time you can get a former winner at 10 or better, you have to take it. Not only that, but Wheldon has had a history of coming second a couple of times to go with his previous win.
Vitor Meira:
The more A. J. Foyt turns his team over to son Larry, the better these guys do. After the sale of the 41 car to Andretti Autosport, Ol' Tex is playing with "house money." So, you know where the icon is going to be. Vitor has had a good year so far, and his times have been good hanging around the top 10 almost all month on the speed chart. At 20 - 1, he's not quite the buy that Kenny Brack was in 1999, but if you're a hunch player, this might not be a bad flyer.
Ryan Hunter Reay:
Speaking of the sale, Hunter Reay may have gotten into a better car than he was driving before. Bruno Junquiera had the car safely in the field before getting booted for Hunter Reay to have a shot. At 35 - 1, he's going off last, but he HAS won before in this series.
John Andretti:
Andretti is a one-off driving for his cousin Michael and NASCAR's "King," Richard Petty and was the only Andretti car to make the field on day one of qualifying. Does he have a chance to win? Nope, and Vegas doesn't think so either with odds of 100 - 1.
Danica Patrick:
Whether or not this is Ms. Patrick's swan song at the 500, (and it almost certainly is,) she has been known for keeping a car running and getting to the finish here. She wasn't particularly fast on Carb Day, but weather conditions tomorrow should be almost exactly the opposite of what there was Friday. If this crew stumbles on the right setup, and they have before, 20 - 1 is not a bad price for someone who's had her success here.
Townsend Bell/Ed Carpenter:
OK, you want a sentimental pair of picks? Try these two. Bell, a road racing expert, put Sam Schmidt's car on the inside of row 2, but you'll have to call your own "man" to get odds on him, since most sportsbooks aren't even listing him as an option. Carpenter, driving for Sarah Fisher Racing is at 45 - 1. If either of these guys come home first, it will be the "feel-good" story of the year. Fisher, long a driver of lesser equipment is in her third year as a car owner, but this year she retired as a driver to start a family and is expecting her first kid in the fall. Sarah was ne of the nost popular drivers in recent years at IMS and a win for her would be joyous for almost everyone around. Ditto for Schmidt, whose paralizing injuries ended his racing carer as a driver, but who has been a BIG winner in the IndyLights series. Townsend Bell is a very capable race driver who could make that dream come true for Schmidt.
Oriol Servia:
Remember back in the 90's when Newman Haas Racing meant Michael and Mario Andretti? Guess what: They're back with Servia putting up a front row start for the first time since then.
At 14 - 1, he's a quiet pick for a front row car and if he's around at the finish, who knows? This is one play I'm already on. Sometimes at Indy the "quiet" guy is the one who takes the bills at the end. This one would be no surprise.
Wherever you spend the race tomorrow, be well, be safe, and be reminded of the sacrifices of brave men and women to preserve the freedom we celebrate this Memorial Day.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Indy 2011 - The Run-Up
Last weekend's qualifying days proved both different and exciting, with a little panic and pathos thrown in. Weather was most assuredly a factor as rain on both days added to the drama in filling the field of 33 to go racing Sunday at Indianapolis.
On Saturday there were some heroes, some surprises, some unbelievable errors in judgement, and a pole winner that few expected. Let me first say that most of this information comes a bit second hand, as during last Saturday's festivities, I was at my 40th class reunion at Culver Military Academy and was unable to follow qualifications with my usual rapt attention.
Having said that, you have to give big props to Simona DiSilvestro. After being sideways, upside down, and on fire in practice, leaving her with painfully burned "Mickey Mouse" hands, she mustered the courage to become a first day qualifier, leading the four distaff entries to the 500 as the only "first day" qualifier, starting in the middle of row 8. Her guts in putting a ride safely in the show with her tender, medium-rare mitts is the stuff of legend.
If you had told me going into the Saturday Pole Shootout that two Penske cars wouldn't even make the "Fast Nine," I'd have questioned your sanity and suggested you seek shelter in a quiet place for a while. I don't think ANYONE saw that coming.
Nor would anyone have predicted that Target Chip Ganassi Racing would short fuel BOTH cars in the final pole shootout, costing Scott Dixon the pole and Dario Franchitti from posting ANY time in the "Fast Nine." Chipster, we all know you have a reputation for being tight with a buck, but this is ridiculous.
Kudos to Ed Carpenter and Mama Fisher. Their top-nine placing, along with Sam Schmidt's teams' efforts, had to be the feel good stories of the day. Vitor Miera also put together a solid run for the Foyt team, something that had been rare lately, although this year they seem to have come together so far. Newman Hass Racing also reclaims a front row spot with Oriol Servia.
And then, you have the strange Day One story of Andretti Autosport. Only the one-off effort of John Andretti kept the proud family from a complete wipeout on Saturday. Danica, Marco, Mike Conway, and Ryan Hunter Reay all failed to make the first day "safe" list. (More on their drama and trauma later.)
If you had Alex Tagliani in the "Pole Pool," you're a winner. Tags was fast all week in the lmited practice sessions, but most figured that one or more of the Penske or Ganassi cars would put their "stamp"on the top 3 or 4 spots. The Captain only got one in the pole shootout, and if Chip had put a couple more gallons of ethanol in either of his cars, it might have been different.
First off the line after the rain, Danica immediately posted two laps faster than Paul Tracy's best-of-the-day speed, but once she was looking pretty safe, Ms. Patrick coasted home in the 26th spot. Of course, as would prove to be the case for Andretti Autosport, this was a "good news - bad news" thing as the Go Daddy Girl's entry into the field put young Marco squarely on the bubble.
Several attempts came and went and, for a while, it seemed as though the day might end with a whimper rather than a bang. Suddenly, with a few minutes to go, Alex Lloyd found enough speed to put Marco on the sidelines, and leaving Ryan Hunter Reay on the bubble. With a mere thirty seconds to spare before the final gun, Marco bumped his way back into the field, leaving teammate Hunter Reay on the outside looking in. As Sunday ended, Mike Conway and Hunter Reay were looking like Andretti Autospectators for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
On Saturday there were some heroes, some surprises, some unbelievable errors in judgement, and a pole winner that few expected. Let me first say that most of this information comes a bit second hand, as during last Saturday's festivities, I was at my 40th class reunion at Culver Military Academy and was unable to follow qualifications with my usual rapt attention.
Having said that, you have to give big props to Simona DiSilvestro. After being sideways, upside down, and on fire in practice, leaving her with painfully burned "Mickey Mouse" hands, she mustered the courage to become a first day qualifier, leading the four distaff entries to the 500 as the only "first day" qualifier, starting in the middle of row 8. Her guts in putting a ride safely in the show with her tender, medium-rare mitts is the stuff of legend.
If you had told me going into the Saturday Pole Shootout that two Penske cars wouldn't even make the "Fast Nine," I'd have questioned your sanity and suggested you seek shelter in a quiet place for a while. I don't think ANYONE saw that coming.
Nor would anyone have predicted that Target Chip Ganassi Racing would short fuel BOTH cars in the final pole shootout, costing Scott Dixon the pole and Dario Franchitti from posting ANY time in the "Fast Nine." Chipster, we all know you have a reputation for being tight with a buck, but this is ridiculous.
Kudos to Ed Carpenter and Mama Fisher. Their top-nine placing, along with Sam Schmidt's teams' efforts, had to be the feel good stories of the day. Vitor Miera also put together a solid run for the Foyt team, something that had been rare lately, although this year they seem to have come together so far. Newman Hass Racing also reclaims a front row spot with Oriol Servia.
And then, you have the strange Day One story of Andretti Autosport. Only the one-off effort of John Andretti kept the proud family from a complete wipeout on Saturday. Danica, Marco, Mike Conway, and Ryan Hunter Reay all failed to make the first day "safe" list. (More on their drama and trauma later.)
If you had Alex Tagliani in the "Pole Pool," you're a winner. Tags was fast all week in the lmited practice sessions, but most figured that one or more of the Penske or Ganassi cars would put their "stamp"on the top 3 or 4 spots. The Captain only got one in the pole shootout, and if Chip had put a couple more gallons of ethanol in either of his cars, it might have been different.
Sunday's drama was even more interesting. A mid afternoon shower put all subsequent qualifying in doubt, with the field full and Danica Patrick still not on the inside. Immediately, speculation began that Andretti Autosport would buy SOME ride to get Danica into the field. As it turned out, the rain stopped and the track got dry enough for one last frantic hour of high drama.
First off the line after the rain, Danica immediately posted two laps faster than Paul Tracy's best-of-the-day speed, but once she was looking pretty safe, Ms. Patrick coasted home in the 26th spot. Of course, as would prove to be the case for Andretti Autosport, this was a "good news - bad news" thing as the Go Daddy Girl's entry into the field put young Marco squarely on the bubble.
Several attempts came and went and, for a while, it seemed as though the day might end with a whimper rather than a bang. Suddenly, with a few minutes to go, Alex Lloyd found enough speed to put Marco on the sidelines, and leaving Ryan Hunter Reay on the bubble. With a mere thirty seconds to spare before the final gun, Marco bumped his way back into the field, leaving teammate Hunter Reay on the outside looking in. As Sunday ended, Mike Conway and Hunter Reay were looking like Andretti Autospectators for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
The first part of the "down week," however, had still more drama to play out. Michael Andretti, desperate to keep his sponsors in the race, opened up his checkbook and bought the ride on Bruno Junqiera from the A. J. Foyt stable. The Indy Star's Bob Kravitz and many others decried this "ride buying" move as "bad for racing," conveniently ignoring their history. Here's my take on the deal.
A. J. Foyt is an Indy icon and has, from time to time, raced a second car at Indianapolis largely out of his own pocket. When an offer to "share" expenses (details still being negotiated,) came from Andretti Autosport, who can honestly say Foyt should not step aside and help a full-time series participant, in addition to recouping his investment. This is not the first time this has happened, even as far as Foyt is concerned. Back in the early 80's, Foyt unseated his regular driver, George Snider, and put the late Tim Richmond in the car. And, as far as Foyt's logic is concerned, who gives him a better chance to win, a one-off who hasn't raced here in a while, or a series regular in RHR?
That drama resolved, we come to Carb Day, my first return to IMS since the early 90's. First, I was stunned at the number of people trying to get in for Carb Day. Back when I used to go regularly to the Speedway, Carb Day was on the Thursday prior to the race and was confined to the final practice and the Pit Stop competition. It was not something I ever attended. Nowadays, it's not only final practice and Pit Stop, there's the Freedom 100 for Indy Lights and a concert. This brings a whole new element into the equation and a whole bunch of people who otherwise would be paying zero attention to the goings on at 16th and Georgetown.
I chose to make my return to the Speedway with my brother and his wife. Having not been to the Speedway in almost 20 years, I had no clue how to negotiate all the construction, new streets and changes that have taken place in the last couple of decades since. Apparently, my brother's sense of direction near the track was not much better than mine, and by the time we got to the gate outside turn 2, INDYCAR practice had been completed.
We were wandering through the infield when the Indy Lights race began. First thing I noticed was how loud the cars seemed. Bear in mind, the last time I was there, a.) there were no "Indy Lights" cars, and b.) the cars that were there were the old turbocharged Cosworths, Ilmors, and Fords, and (though it may be my memory failing,) they did not seem to be as loud. My wife and I decided almost immediately that earplugs might be in order for the Race on Sunday.
We set out to find where our seats for the Race were located, so as to determine the best route for ingress and egress. I discovered that we're going to have a reasonable "hike" to get from the IndyGo Shuttle location to our seats in the Paddock. By the time we had gotten to the outside of the track and found someplace to sit, the Miller Lite Pit Stop Competition was underway. We sat and watched a few runs of that and then decided it was time for something to eat.
This was also something different from my previous experience. Back in the day, about all you could get at the Speedway were hot dogs, sodas, junk food and beer. Now, they offer something that you only find in Indiana: a WONDERFUL breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, something I had not enjoyed in probably 20 years. It was perfect. As the Pit Stop Comptetition wound to a close, we headed for the exits. Papa Roach and Staind might be great entertainment for some, but my tastes are, to say the least, a bit different.
The great thing about the day was that I got to get re-acquainted with IMS with a few people less than we'll encounter on Race Day. It got me absolutely jazzed to go to the Race itself, although, to be honest, it may be the last time we'll make the trip for the Race. It's roughly a 12 hour drive each way for us, and that's before you consider the time spent in traffic trying to get to IMS. It also gave me the opportunity to grab some souvenirs and pictures, which will save me from having to do those things on Sunday.
So far, the weather for Sunday is supposed to be hot, humid, and breezy, everything it was NOT for the Carb Day Festivities. This may cause some folks to be guessing what setup to put on the chariots for the 500, but after a week of rain and semi-cold, it will be welcome for those of us in attendance.
I'll be back later tonight with my handicap of the race itself.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Journey Begins...
Our car is packed and we're ready to hit the road somewhere around 0 dark 30. We're both very tired from trying to get all the stuff we probably won't wear into our various pieces of luggage. My God, life back in the day was so much simpler. A few tee shirts, a couple of pairs of jeans, two pairs of shoes and there you have it. Nowadays, you'd think we were packing for a freakin' trip around the damn world.
The big event of this evening was that my wife, in going through her jewelry found something she thought she had lost or had been stolen long ago: her Culver ring. I had not seen it in the entire time we've been together, so this was a momentous occasion (and also eases my mind for not having replaced it for a Christmas, birthday, or anniversary long before now.) We both appreciated the irony that it was only through a return trip to Culver that she found her ring.
I haven't worn mine since we got married, primarily because I always wore mine on my left hand which now holds my wedding band, and it didn't fit nearly as well on my right. But, since she found hers, well....
At the moment we are in the, "where's the (fill in the blank)?" stage. You know the one where you're sure you're forgetting something, but you're not certain, and even if you found it, you might not need it, but then again, you might want it. (There's a George Carlin story in there somewhere.)
All that's left is to stow the last few items in the chariot in the morning and we are northbound. We'll push as far as we feel tomorrow.
Friday, May 13, 2011
To CMA Class of 1971: Some Stories...
I guess you could say that my first trip to Culver was before I was born. My parents used to take weekend getaways to Culver back in the days when the Culver Inn was comprised of the old front desk building, East Lodge, and West Lodge. I was told that they had gone there a couple of times the summer of '53 when my mother was pregnant with me. Dad had gone to Naval School at Culver, and was supposed to be in the CMA class of 1935, but the depression intervened leaving his Culver experience confined to summers. After graduating from high school, he spent his college summers on the Summer Naval School faculty.
Up until I was 11, we'd spend a couple of weekends every summer at Culver, enjoying the lake, taking cruises on the O. W. Fowler, or the Yarnell, with breakfasts and lunches at The Shack. Dinner was usually a trip to the Three Sisters for deep fried walleye. For a kid, it was a BALL.
In the summers of '64 and '65, I went to Woodcraft Camp. It was around this time that the Culver Inn expanded to include the motel. (I'm sure Bob Hartman could probably tell you exactly when the motel was built; all I know is that when I was in "Tick Camp," that's where my parents and brothers would stay.) Sure, it was kind of a drag spending 8 weeks away from my friends at home, but it was still fun. As I recall, our classmate, Bob Pentzien, was my bunk mate in '64.
My next Culver experience happened in the fall of '65 and '66, although strangely, it was from the other side of the playing field. During my 7th and 8th grade years, I attended Park School in Indianapolis. I was already slated to go to CMA come the fall of '67. (In fact, I had a little "pre-admission" certificate hanging on the wall of my room at home, signed by, I believe, John Henderson (Jim's dad,) who was head of admissions at Culver when I was a kid.)
Anyway, my two years at Park I started playing soccer. I believe it was Park's first organized middle school soccer team, if memory serves. I strongly suspect that the soccer program at Park was designed for parents like mine who did NOT want their kids playing tackle football. The first year, fall of '65, our middle school team had a bunch of 8th graders and we were ok, by Park standards.
Let me stop here and say that soccer for kids was nothing like it is now. There were not very many schools playing soccer in Indy; in fact, we were, to my knowledge the ONLY middle school that had a soccer program.
As a result, each year, we had three games: a "home and home" with CMA and a road trip to Divine Heart Seminary, just up the road from CMA in Donaldson, Indiana. That first year, '65, loaded with 8th graders, we salvaged a tie at CMA, then lost 2-1 to CMA at home. Our last game, our lone victory, was played in a late fall concoction of freezing rain, sleet, and cold at Divine Heart. I only remember a couple of guys from the CMA team that year: Mario Fernandez, '70, who would later harass me mercilessly my plebe year and this rather large guy named Deutz, who was no longer at CMA by the time I got there.
1966, however, was another matter. With all of our 8th grade talent from the previous year gone, there were only 3 of us with any playing experience on the middle school team. Though I had played wing the previous year, I was drafted/selected/cajoled into being the goalkeeper. Suffice it to say, I was less than sterling as a keeper. Above that Park School, the Panthers, should more appropriately have been named (as my brother Dan would later call them,) "The Fighting Science Fair Guys." We were the "Geek Squad" before there was one.
I will never forget the two games with CMA that year, mostly because I had Johnny Tucker, (who looked about 8 at the time,) Ken Kredens, and George Tanner in my "grill" the whole of both games. George had just a bit more hair than he does now. If they'd had Rogaine back then, he'd probably have been a user. I suspect Johnny Adams may have been involved in my "mugging" that day as well. As for Kenny, as poetic justice would have it, he'd later end up as 'keeper for CMA, and a damn good one.
Not to throw my Park teammates under the bus, but our defense in front of me would best be called "matador." I think, in the second game, I got my nose broken (not the last time that would happen,) and I remember saying to my parents after the second of the two 3-0 losses, "Well, you didn't want me playing football..."
The next fall, 1967, I was a plebe in A Company. Our counselor was one Elzie Kemp Moore, who, interestingly enough, had been on the Culver faculty when my Dad worked on the Naval School faculty back in the late 30's. My Dad thought the WORLD of Col. Moore. That should tell you all you need to know about Kemp Moore. Poor man had ZERO chance of keeping up with the bunch of miscreants who were a part of A Company. Hell, the poor man couldn't even make it up to the third floor of West Barrack without a substantial "rest" on the second, so you can imagine some of the hijinks that were going on up there. The class of '69 had the distinction of sending "ol' Blob" off to his retirement in mid-year, but not before leaving us with a couple of memorable quotes, most notably his accusation that there were some up there on 3rd floor West who were, in his words, "smoking LSD."
I believe that class also convinced Bob Hartman NOT to be a counselor anymore, because after that year, Company A was merged with Company E. Some guys like Mario Romine opted for other units and he joined the merry band in C Company. Those of us who stayed would fall into the clutches of Carl Eckert, also know as "Carp." And we all know what Carp eat. 'Nuff said.
What Kemp Moore could NOT do, Mel Estey could do in spades. My second year at CMA, Mack Rau and I had the room at the head of the stairs on 2nd floor West and quite often we would see Col. Estey, call sign "Viper," sneaking up the stairs after Taps or just before Reveille in the hope that he would catch someone on third floor doing something naughty. Considering the crew that lived up there, his pursuits were quite often rewarded. The strangest thing about Commandant Mel was that I do not recall ever seeing the man smile. I'm sure he must have, particularly when handing out E.D. or putting someone on citizenship probation, but I cannot recall it.
It would be unchivalrous of me not to mention the first time I met my wife, Kris, who, I did not learn until we reunited in 2001, was also called "Tisser." During my plebe year, we took that oddball poli-sci type class called "America's Challenges in the Contemporary World" taught by Alfred Myers, also known as "Wild Thing," (speaking of oddballs.) I suspect that was my first real awareness that there were ANY females in school at CMA, although I knew they were there. It's just that with the plebe system, getting used to classes, and learning more stuff than you can imagine getting crammed into your head before "3 minute bell," there were just some things that you forgot.
I also have several memories of Tisser's Mom, Florence, who was one of the Academy librarians back in the day. She always struck me as a stern, no-nonsense woman who, quite frankly, intimidated the Hell out of me. This was still true later, during our junior year, when Tis and I dated for a few minutes. And, when Tisser and I got together in the early 2000's she had the same effect on me during my rare and feeble attempts at playing bridge with the Tanner clan, although otherwise she was a delightful person.
The last reunion I attended was our 25th. During the all class dinner in the Lay Center, I ran into George, and I inquired how Tis was doing. He said that I ought to call her and catch up. That night, my lady-friend and I passed on the class party and went out to the "Tick Camp" to party with the younger classes. I really did not want to deal with the potential for charitable "arm twisting" that I'd heard transpired there. Besides, Pierce Ward was, what we call in the south, a "big ol' boy," back in the day.
At any rate, we all went our own ways after that weekend. I returned to my new home, Myrtle Beach, broke up with the lady-friend, and spent the last of the 90's building and running a video poker casino on a piece of land I bought on the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. I had two condos, one in Laurinburg, NC, which was home base, and the other on Shore Drive in Myrtle Beach which was my "getaway."
One day, while I was down at the Beach, I got a voice mail on my Laurinburg phone from Tisser. It was garbled and I didn't get much of it, other than that she was in Michigan and could be reached at a phone number there. By the time I got back and returned the call, she had left Michigan for parts unknown (to me,) though I left a message with the fellow who answered the phone and told me she wasn't there anymore. (As it turned out, it was her son Chris.)
More time passed and I never had heard back from Tis. So finally, I called, you guessed it, the CMA alumni office. They gave me her email, and we began communicating online in early 2001.
One thing led to another and as May approached, I invited Tis and her "significant other" down to spend a weekend at my place on the Beach, as it turns out, the same weekend that our class was celebrating our 30th reunion. I guess I picked the "right" reunion, because shortly thereafter, she shed the "significant other," and 6 months hence we were together. We got married in April of 2003, at our favorite Beach Bar, Ocean Annie's.
Our wedding was a mini-reunion of sorts. I had a picture taken of the "Culver Crew" which included George, Florence, my two brothers Dan ('74) and Alan (CMA '81), my friend and old Indy "running buddy" Randall Hilbolt (CMA '72) and Pritt Bardes, (CGA '72), and which, if I can find it, I will have with me at this year's reunion.
Tis and I were last back at Culver in the summer of 2004, for a Tanner family reunion. As fate would have it, while we were getting together on the shores of Lake Maxincukee, Hurricane Charlie was coming ashore in Myrtle, the only hurricane to make landfall in Myrtle Beach, since I moved here. We were both amazed at the changes that had taken place, as I am sure we will be this year.
All of that makes this trip, our first to a reunion since we've been married, kind of a closing of the circle, as it were. We're looking forward to it!
Up until I was 11, we'd spend a couple of weekends every summer at Culver, enjoying the lake, taking cruises on the O. W. Fowler, or the Yarnell, with breakfasts and lunches at The Shack. Dinner was usually a trip to the Three Sisters for deep fried walleye. For a kid, it was a BALL.
In the summers of '64 and '65, I went to Woodcraft Camp. It was around this time that the Culver Inn expanded to include the motel. (I'm sure Bob Hartman could probably tell you exactly when the motel was built; all I know is that when I was in "Tick Camp," that's where my parents and brothers would stay.) Sure, it was kind of a drag spending 8 weeks away from my friends at home, but it was still fun. As I recall, our classmate, Bob Pentzien, was my bunk mate in '64.
My next Culver experience happened in the fall of '65 and '66, although strangely, it was from the other side of the playing field. During my 7th and 8th grade years, I attended Park School in Indianapolis. I was already slated to go to CMA come the fall of '67. (In fact, I had a little "pre-admission" certificate hanging on the wall of my room at home, signed by, I believe, John Henderson (Jim's dad,) who was head of admissions at Culver when I was a kid.)
Anyway, my two years at Park I started playing soccer. I believe it was Park's first organized middle school soccer team, if memory serves. I strongly suspect that the soccer program at Park was designed for parents like mine who did NOT want their kids playing tackle football. The first year, fall of '65, our middle school team had a bunch of 8th graders and we were ok, by Park standards.
Let me stop here and say that soccer for kids was nothing like it is now. There were not very many schools playing soccer in Indy; in fact, we were, to my knowledge the ONLY middle school that had a soccer program.
As a result, each year, we had three games: a "home and home" with CMA and a road trip to Divine Heart Seminary, just up the road from CMA in Donaldson, Indiana. That first year, '65, loaded with 8th graders, we salvaged a tie at CMA, then lost 2-1 to CMA at home. Our last game, our lone victory, was played in a late fall concoction of freezing rain, sleet, and cold at Divine Heart. I only remember a couple of guys from the CMA team that year: Mario Fernandez, '70, who would later harass me mercilessly my plebe year and this rather large guy named Deutz, who was no longer at CMA by the time I got there.
1966, however, was another matter. With all of our 8th grade talent from the previous year gone, there were only 3 of us with any playing experience on the middle school team. Though I had played wing the previous year, I was drafted/selected/cajoled into being the goalkeeper. Suffice it to say, I was less than sterling as a keeper. Above that Park School, the Panthers, should more appropriately have been named (as my brother Dan would later call them,) "The Fighting Science Fair Guys." We were the "Geek Squad" before there was one.
I will never forget the two games with CMA that year, mostly because I had Johnny Tucker, (who looked about 8 at the time,) Ken Kredens, and George Tanner in my "grill" the whole of both games. George had just a bit more hair than he does now. If they'd had Rogaine back then, he'd probably have been a user. I suspect Johnny Adams may have been involved in my "mugging" that day as well. As for Kenny, as poetic justice would have it, he'd later end up as 'keeper for CMA, and a damn good one.
Not to throw my Park teammates under the bus, but our defense in front of me would best be called "matador." I think, in the second game, I got my nose broken (not the last time that would happen,) and I remember saying to my parents after the second of the two 3-0 losses, "Well, you didn't want me playing football..."
The next fall, 1967, I was a plebe in A Company. Our counselor was one Elzie Kemp Moore, who, interestingly enough, had been on the Culver faculty when my Dad worked on the Naval School faculty back in the late 30's. My Dad thought the WORLD of Col. Moore. That should tell you all you need to know about Kemp Moore. Poor man had ZERO chance of keeping up with the bunch of miscreants who were a part of A Company. Hell, the poor man couldn't even make it up to the third floor of West Barrack without a substantial "rest" on the second, so you can imagine some of the hijinks that were going on up there. The class of '69 had the distinction of sending "ol' Blob" off to his retirement in mid-year, but not before leaving us with a couple of memorable quotes, most notably his accusation that there were some up there on 3rd floor West who were, in his words, "smoking LSD."
I believe that class also convinced Bob Hartman NOT to be a counselor anymore, because after that year, Company A was merged with Company E. Some guys like Mario Romine opted for other units and he joined the merry band in C Company. Those of us who stayed would fall into the clutches of Carl Eckert, also know as "Carp." And we all know what Carp eat. 'Nuff said.
What Kemp Moore could NOT do, Mel Estey could do in spades. My second year at CMA, Mack Rau and I had the room at the head of the stairs on 2nd floor West and quite often we would see Col. Estey, call sign "Viper," sneaking up the stairs after Taps or just before Reveille in the hope that he would catch someone on third floor doing something naughty. Considering the crew that lived up there, his pursuits were quite often rewarded. The strangest thing about Commandant Mel was that I do not recall ever seeing the man smile. I'm sure he must have, particularly when handing out E.D. or putting someone on citizenship probation, but I cannot recall it.
It would be unchivalrous of me not to mention the first time I met my wife, Kris, who, I did not learn until we reunited in 2001, was also called "Tisser." During my plebe year, we took that oddball poli-sci type class called "America's Challenges in the Contemporary World" taught by Alfred Myers, also known as "Wild Thing," (speaking of oddballs.) I suspect that was my first real awareness that there were ANY females in school at CMA, although I knew they were there. It's just that with the plebe system, getting used to classes, and learning more stuff than you can imagine getting crammed into your head before "3 minute bell," there were just some things that you forgot.
I also have several memories of Tisser's Mom, Florence, who was one of the Academy librarians back in the day. She always struck me as a stern, no-nonsense woman who, quite frankly, intimidated the Hell out of me. This was still true later, during our junior year, when Tis and I dated for a few minutes. And, when Tisser and I got together in the early 2000's she had the same effect on me during my rare and feeble attempts at playing bridge with the Tanner clan, although otherwise she was a delightful person.
The last reunion I attended was our 25th. During the all class dinner in the Lay Center, I ran into George, and I inquired how Tis was doing. He said that I ought to call her and catch up. That night, my lady-friend and I passed on the class party and went out to the "Tick Camp" to party with the younger classes. I really did not want to deal with the potential for charitable "arm twisting" that I'd heard transpired there. Besides, Pierce Ward was, what we call in the south, a "big ol' boy," back in the day.
At any rate, we all went our own ways after that weekend. I returned to my new home, Myrtle Beach, broke up with the lady-friend, and spent the last of the 90's building and running a video poker casino on a piece of land I bought on the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. I had two condos, one in Laurinburg, NC, which was home base, and the other on Shore Drive in Myrtle Beach which was my "getaway."
One day, while I was down at the Beach, I got a voice mail on my Laurinburg phone from Tisser. It was garbled and I didn't get much of it, other than that she was in Michigan and could be reached at a phone number there. By the time I got back and returned the call, she had left Michigan for parts unknown (to me,) though I left a message with the fellow who answered the phone and told me she wasn't there anymore. (As it turned out, it was her son Chris.)
More time passed and I never had heard back from Tis. So finally, I called, you guessed it, the CMA alumni office. They gave me her email, and we began communicating online in early 2001.
One thing led to another and as May approached, I invited Tis and her "significant other" down to spend a weekend at my place on the Beach, as it turns out, the same weekend that our class was celebrating our 30th reunion. I guess I picked the "right" reunion, because shortly thereafter, she shed the "significant other," and 6 months hence we were together. We got married in April of 2003, at our favorite Beach Bar, Ocean Annie's.
Our wedding was a mini-reunion of sorts. I had a picture taken of the "Culver Crew" which included George, Florence, my two brothers Dan ('74) and Alan (CMA '81), my friend and old Indy "running buddy" Randall Hilbolt (CMA '72) and Pritt Bardes, (CGA '72), and which, if I can find it, I will have with me at this year's reunion.
Tis and I were last back at Culver in the summer of 2004, for a Tanner family reunion. As fate would have it, while we were getting together on the shores of Lake Maxincukee, Hurricane Charlie was coming ashore in Myrtle, the only hurricane to make landfall in Myrtle Beach, since I moved here. We were both amazed at the changes that had taken place, as I am sure we will be this year.
All of that makes this trip, our first to a reunion since we've been married, kind of a closing of the circle, as it were. We're looking forward to it!
Friday, May 6, 2011
One Man's Aero Kit is Another's Opportunity
I started out posting this as a comment over at Pressdog's site, but, because of some security issue with my home pc, it wouldn't post. Halfway through writing my comment, I decided that I would refine and rework my ideas and post them here on my own page anyway. Here goes.
The latest fan outrage du jour has to do with the owners voting not to have multiple aero kits until 2013. I read through a litany of posts and positions on this issue. There are so many reasons told, not told, for, against, and NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS (thank you, P'dog,) that it makes my head numb. Some say it's a timeline issue, some complain about costs, though I don't quite understand that one. No one is putting a gun to anyone's head saying they HAVE to purchase anything. Every team, to my knowledge, will have the option to stay with the "stock" Dallara aero package.
There are some who are saying that this owner's "vote" is an attempt to test the will of Randy Bernard, sort of a "Let's show him who's boss," type of thing. Excuse me, fellas, but the road is littered with initials of series who thought that was the way to do business. Been there. Done that. Don't want another t-shirt. You pissed off way too many fans before, and with TV ratings where they are, you don't need to do that again.
Let's look at some basic truths from the fan's perspective. We all want new cars. We are tired of watching 9 year old sleds that outlived their real usefulness around 2006. We're all tired of a "spec" series. This series, in its heyday, was always about innovation. We want more of that. We want speed back at Indy. We want engines that are tuned up, even if they occasionally blow up.
If this was all about the driver, everything else being equal, IROC would be the number one form of racing in the world. It isn't. This needs to be about engineering. Andy Granatelli noted on "Trackside," the best way to do this would be for there to be NO RULES other than those mandated for safety. Andy knows two things very well: He knows promotion and he knows innovation. (As in STP, the Novi, and the turbine cars.)
So, let me throw out just a nutso idea: How about we debut the new aero kits at the 2012 Indy 500?
Word is that the basic tub with the Dallara package will be ready in December or January, but the aero kits might not be ready to go til May. Could that window for the new kits be shortened to, say, mid-April? If so, then try this on for size.
Book a two day open test at Indianapolis on one of the "off" weekends in April, at which time teams could test different packages. For example, let's say Penske tests a Lotus package and it goes fast and is stable right out of the box. SALE MADE. Money changes hands. Thank you for the $70,000, here's your parts, Captain. On the other hand, if it handles like a pig, well, back to the drawing board, Lotus. NO SALE. Come back with a new mousetrap in May (or later.)
Here's a little secret: If it goes fast and wins races, everyone is going to want to buy it. Sure, the manufacturers have a modicum of risk here, in that someone could destroy $70K in carbon fiber, but essentially that risk would have to be shared somehow between owner and manufacturer.
Now look at how this works for everybody.
Engine manufacturers get to test engines. Since they're all going to be new, an April test means you've got time to fix anything that happens before the "Fortnight of May." Penske may decide that the new Chevy goes faster with their set-up than the Honda. This leads to panic in Japan as Honda engineers try to tweak their product.
From a PR standpoint, you've put activity on a weekend when you would have had none, and believe me, if Indy is involved, fans will be paying attention. Versus (or whatever incarnation they've become by then,) gets some programming that they can use. (After all, how many fishing shows can you watch in one afternoon?)
If I'm Randy Bernard, I'm loving it! It gives me some down time to promote my upcoming big event. (Picture Randy here, pounding away on a rather large bass drum.)
To the Speedway, it's like this: Y'all did it for NASCAR. And we're not bringing some slow-ass tintops to the corner of 16th and Georgetown, we're bringing real race cars going real fast, and doing honest to God testing. You can sell a boatload of hot dogs, souvenirs, and museum admissions, and ancillary stuff, since you'll probably have anywhere between 5000 and 7000 folks drop in over the two days, especially if you promote it. Throw in a charity golf event, just for shits and giggles.
If I'm a manufacturer of aero kits, I get to see just what the other guys have out there. Maybe there's no real difference; or maybe someone gets the proverbial upper hand. But everyone gets the benefit and still has time to do some tweaking before the wheels get turned in anger. And, by the time we're ready to go racing in May, we're showing off our"hot new stuff" to the largest audience, both live and televised, we'll get all year.
I'm sure there is someone out there who's going to tell me this can't happen. Hell, I'm just a full time fan and part-time blogger who wants to see new cars go fast. I want to see this generation of innovation in ALL aspects, speed, fuel efficiency, handling, and overall engineering. Most of all, after 9+ years of boring, I want NEW.
Please don't make me wait. I'm not getting any younger.
The latest fan outrage du jour has to do with the owners voting not to have multiple aero kits until 2013. I read through a litany of posts and positions on this issue. There are so many reasons told, not told, for, against, and NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS (thank you, P'dog,) that it makes my head numb. Some say it's a timeline issue, some complain about costs, though I don't quite understand that one. No one is putting a gun to anyone's head saying they HAVE to purchase anything. Every team, to my knowledge, will have the option to stay with the "stock" Dallara aero package.
There are some who are saying that this owner's "vote" is an attempt to test the will of Randy Bernard, sort of a "Let's show him who's boss," type of thing. Excuse me, fellas, but the road is littered with initials of series who thought that was the way to do business. Been there. Done that. Don't want another t-shirt. You pissed off way too many fans before, and with TV ratings where they are, you don't need to do that again.
Let's look at some basic truths from the fan's perspective. We all want new cars. We are tired of watching 9 year old sleds that outlived their real usefulness around 2006. We're all tired of a "spec" series. This series, in its heyday, was always about innovation. We want more of that. We want speed back at Indy. We want engines that are tuned up, even if they occasionally blow up.
If this was all about the driver, everything else being equal, IROC would be the number one form of racing in the world. It isn't. This needs to be about engineering. Andy Granatelli noted on "Trackside," the best way to do this would be for there to be NO RULES other than those mandated for safety. Andy knows two things very well: He knows promotion and he knows innovation. (As in STP, the Novi, and the turbine cars.)
So, let me throw out just a nutso idea: How about we debut the new aero kits at the 2012 Indy 500?
Word is that the basic tub with the Dallara package will be ready in December or January, but the aero kits might not be ready to go til May. Could that window for the new kits be shortened to, say, mid-April? If so, then try this on for size.
Book a two day open test at Indianapolis on one of the "off" weekends in April, at which time teams could test different packages. For example, let's say Penske tests a Lotus package and it goes fast and is stable right out of the box. SALE MADE. Money changes hands. Thank you for the $70,000, here's your parts, Captain. On the other hand, if it handles like a pig, well, back to the drawing board, Lotus. NO SALE. Come back with a new mousetrap in May (or later.)
Here's a little secret: If it goes fast and wins races, everyone is going to want to buy it. Sure, the manufacturers have a modicum of risk here, in that someone could destroy $70K in carbon fiber, but essentially that risk would have to be shared somehow between owner and manufacturer.
Now look at how this works for everybody.
Engine manufacturers get to test engines. Since they're all going to be new, an April test means you've got time to fix anything that happens before the "Fortnight of May." Penske may decide that the new Chevy goes faster with their set-up than the Honda. This leads to panic in Japan as Honda engineers try to tweak their product.
From a PR standpoint, you've put activity on a weekend when you would have had none, and believe me, if Indy is involved, fans will be paying attention. Versus (or whatever incarnation they've become by then,) gets some programming that they can use. (After all, how many fishing shows can you watch in one afternoon?)
If I'm Randy Bernard, I'm loving it! It gives me some down time to promote my upcoming big event. (Picture Randy here, pounding away on a rather large bass drum.)
To the Speedway, it's like this: Y'all did it for NASCAR. And we're not bringing some slow-ass tintops to the corner of 16th and Georgetown, we're bringing real race cars going real fast, and doing honest to God testing. You can sell a boatload of hot dogs, souvenirs, and museum admissions, and ancillary stuff, since you'll probably have anywhere between 5000 and 7000 folks drop in over the two days, especially if you promote it. Throw in a charity golf event, just for shits and giggles.
If I'm a manufacturer of aero kits, I get to see just what the other guys have out there. Maybe there's no real difference; or maybe someone gets the proverbial upper hand. But everyone gets the benefit and still has time to do some tweaking before the wheels get turned in anger. And, by the time we're ready to go racing in May, we're showing off our"hot new stuff" to the largest audience, both live and televised, we'll get all year.
I'm sure there is someone out there who's going to tell me this can't happen. Hell, I'm just a full time fan and part-time blogger who wants to see new cars go fast. I want to see this generation of innovation in ALL aspects, speed, fuel efficiency, handling, and overall engineering. Most of all, after 9+ years of boring, I want NEW.
Please don't make me wait. I'm not getting any younger.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
My Two Cents on "the Donald"
Several blogger friends have been posting their opinions on Donald Trump. Not Donald Trump the businessman, or Donald Trump the potential Presidential candidate, or even, Donald Trump the reality TV show host, but Donald Trump, Pace Car driver.
Trump the businessman has a record that, for what it's worth, the public has seen over the course of the last generation. He's been, in the words of Sinatra, "A puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king." In his case, he's been the King of New York as well as the King of Bankruptcy Court. His successes and failure have both been massive and very public.
Candidate Trump has shown a willingness to speak his mind in no uncertain terms. He is, at the very least, providing some comic relief to an otherwise boring pre-primary season. Somehow, I can't quite make myself believe that he is serious: He has too many skeletons which would be exposed and exploited the moment he announced a serious candidacy. Then there's the profane tirade he unleashed a week ago which will almost certainly come back to haunt him if he enters the race. True, what he said may be what quite a few folks are thinking; it is, however, quite another thing to present those thoughts so "un-Presidentially."
I'm not normally rumor-conscious, but Mr. Trump has long been alleged to have ties to a group who would like to bring a Trump-esque casino and hotel property to my adopted home, Myrtle Beach. I can't imagine that he would walk away from those plans to seek a job which would involve a substantial pay cut and abandonment of those plans.
In any other year, Trump as Pace Car Driver might be acceptable. This year, this 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, not so much. There are just too many better options including previous winners, military heroes (after all, it IS Memorial Day Weekend,) or even 911 survivors, (Todd Beamer's widow rings a bell,) just to name a few.
To be sure, when the Speedway announced that Trump would be driving the Pace Car, he had not come out with his stance on President Obama's birth certificate; nor had he let loose the string of f-bombs that he did a week or so ago. At the very least, that tantrum should allow the Speedway to re-think its position. While I personally have not been to the Speedway in the last 24 years, everything that I have seen written and been told by friends indicates that IMS has become much more "family friendly," than it was in the days of the first turn Snakepit.
Considering that and the barrage of criticism from fans and media, maybe it is time that Mari Hulman George stepped up to the mike and said, "Donald, YOU'RE FIRED!"
UPDATE: In what I believe to be a clear case of "handwriting on the wall," Donald Trump fired himself as driver of the Official Pace Car late yesterday. Citing his business concerns and the time required to bring himself up to speed on the task of driving the Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car, Trump removed himself from the controversy. Per Curt Cavin in this morning's Indianapolis Star, conventional wisdom is that four-time Indy winner A. J. Foyt is the leading candidate to replace Trump in the driver's seat.
Foyt, winner of the 1961 50th Anniversary event, as well as in 1964, 1967, and 1977, has always had a deep and abiding respect for the Hulman family and the traditions of Indianapolis. Certainly among fans of the 500, there could be no better choice.
Trump the businessman has a record that, for what it's worth, the public has seen over the course of the last generation. He's been, in the words of Sinatra, "A puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king." In his case, he's been the King of New York as well as the King of Bankruptcy Court. His successes and failure have both been massive and very public.
Candidate Trump has shown a willingness to speak his mind in no uncertain terms. He is, at the very least, providing some comic relief to an otherwise boring pre-primary season. Somehow, I can't quite make myself believe that he is serious: He has too many skeletons which would be exposed and exploited the moment he announced a serious candidacy. Then there's the profane tirade he unleashed a week ago which will almost certainly come back to haunt him if he enters the race. True, what he said may be what quite a few folks are thinking; it is, however, quite another thing to present those thoughts so "un-Presidentially."
I'm not normally rumor-conscious, but Mr. Trump has long been alleged to have ties to a group who would like to bring a Trump-esque casino and hotel property to my adopted home, Myrtle Beach. I can't imagine that he would walk away from those plans to seek a job which would involve a substantial pay cut and abandonment of those plans.
In any other year, Trump as Pace Car Driver might be acceptable. This year, this 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, not so much. There are just too many better options including previous winners, military heroes (after all, it IS Memorial Day Weekend,) or even 911 survivors, (Todd Beamer's widow rings a bell,) just to name a few.
To be sure, when the Speedway announced that Trump would be driving the Pace Car, he had not come out with his stance on President Obama's birth certificate; nor had he let loose the string of f-bombs that he did a week or so ago. At the very least, that tantrum should allow the Speedway to re-think its position. While I personally have not been to the Speedway in the last 24 years, everything that I have seen written and been told by friends indicates that IMS has become much more "family friendly," than it was in the days of the first turn Snakepit.
Considering that and the barrage of criticism from fans and media, maybe it is time that Mari Hulman George stepped up to the mike and said, "Donald, YOU'RE FIRED!"
UPDATE: In what I believe to be a clear case of "handwriting on the wall," Donald Trump fired himself as driver of the Official Pace Car late yesterday. Citing his business concerns and the time required to bring himself up to speed on the task of driving the Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car, Trump removed himself from the controversy. Per Curt Cavin in this morning's Indianapolis Star, conventional wisdom is that four-time Indy winner A. J. Foyt is the leading candidate to replace Trump in the driver's seat.
Foyt, winner of the 1961 50th Anniversary event, as well as in 1964, 1967, and 1977, has always had a deep and abiding respect for the Hulman family and the traditions of Indianapolis. Certainly among fans of the 500, there could be no better choice.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Heeee's Baaaackk!
After an eleven month hiatus of introspection, I am returning to the blogosphere. It's been a long, strange almost-year. Since I last posted, I have begun a journey into sobriety. That's probably one road I should follow for the rest of my life. I make no promises on that score. Nor do I know what effect my lack of liquid inspiration will have on my writing.
But then, this is going to be an exciting time.
In the matter of a few short weeks, I'll be visiting two places that are very important to me: Culver and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As it happens, my 40th class reunion at Culver Military Academy (CMA) and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 fall on successive weekends this year. So, my wife (and Culver classmate) and I are making it our vacation this year with a visit with friends and family in between.
In addition to blogging about the Indy 500 and the run up to the 100th Anniversary race, I'll probably be posting about our journey back to the alma mater.
Interestingly enough, Culver and the Speedway are linked in my life. During our senior year at the Academy, those of us in the Class of '71 had an optional trip to the Indianapolis 500. I had been to time trials the previous two years, but this was my first trip to the Race.
As I recall, there were two busloads of cadets that descended on Indy in 1971. Just a few things stick out in my head.
First, my roommate and I walked up to the ticket window and bought seats in Tower Terrace. Until that time, I had thought that an impossibility, but there we were: about halfway up in the center pit area. That year, a local car dealer, Eldon Palmer, drove the Official Pace Car right down through the pit area to start the 1971 500. Unfortunately, Eldon liked driving that car (a Dodge, as Eldon was the owner of Palmer Dodge in Indianapolis,) so much, he drove it right through (what was then) Victory Lane and into a stand of fans at the South End of the pits. Mayhem ensued.
After that inauspicious beginning, we were treated to a superb performance by Al Unser (Sr.) in the Johnny Lightning Special, a purple and gold creaton that had fast written all over it. Unser won his second consecutive 500 that day. That was no small accomplishment, as prior to Unser's win that day, there had only been three drivers who had won back-to-back. To this day, there are only five members of that club: Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Bill Vukovich, Unser, and Helio Castroneves.
The other thing that was noteworthy about that day was the fact that while my roommate and I had been watching the race, it was apparent that several of our classmates had been, let's just say, watching "other things" while being over-served. If memory serves, some fellow named "Ralph" was called. I don't believe he answered. I won't mention any names: After all, it WAS 40 years ago. (Besides, too many people have lawyers on speed dial and, frankly, some of those participants are lawyers now.)
Since that day, Race Day has been an integral part of my life. Between that day and 1987, I missed 3 Indy 500's. In 1972 I was in college in Atlanta; in 1981 I was living in Michigan City and couldn't get enough time off of work; and, in 1986 work intervened again. After 1987, work pretty much kept me away from Indy.
During my years of going to the 500, I sat in almost every corner of the track, from the Snakepit (the ORIGINAL one,) to the vistas in three different corners, to the main straightaway paddock, (where my wife and I will be this year.) I saw Foyt win his fourth, Danny Sullivan spin right in front of me and go on to win the Race, Tom Sneva's car get absolutely destroyed in turn 2, and then, a few years later, win the 500. I saw Rick Mears win his first of four and Al Unser win his last of four.
After I moved to South Carolina in 1990, the Race wasn't even close to do-able anymore.
Besides, it seemed so much simpler sitting in the recliner, drinking something other than beer if I chose. It was also nice to eat something other than stale Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most important, it was nice to have a bathroom to which I didn't have to walk more than a few feet, was private, and did not stink. Besides, with the broadcast going live outside the greater Indianapolis area, I could see it all, pretty much as it happened, something you could never do from anywhere at the Speedway. (I am told, however, that the video boards they have now come pretty close.)
This is a special year, however, and I didn't feel like I could miss it. In addition to being my first trip to Indy in 24 years, it'll be my first trip to the Speedway completely sober since that day in May of 1971. (Believe me, there are a lot of stories in all those trips to 16th and Georgetown, and perhaps, I'll share some sometime.) That, in and of itself, should be different.
Stay tuned.
But then, this is going to be an exciting time.
In the matter of a few short weeks, I'll be visiting two places that are very important to me: Culver and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As it happens, my 40th class reunion at Culver Military Academy (CMA) and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 fall on successive weekends this year. So, my wife (and Culver classmate) and I are making it our vacation this year with a visit with friends and family in between.
In addition to blogging about the Indy 500 and the run up to the 100th Anniversary race, I'll probably be posting about our journey back to the alma mater.
Interestingly enough, Culver and the Speedway are linked in my life. During our senior year at the Academy, those of us in the Class of '71 had an optional trip to the Indianapolis 500. I had been to time trials the previous two years, but this was my first trip to the Race.
As I recall, there were two busloads of cadets that descended on Indy in 1971. Just a few things stick out in my head.
First, my roommate and I walked up to the ticket window and bought seats in Tower Terrace. Until that time, I had thought that an impossibility, but there we were: about halfway up in the center pit area. That year, a local car dealer, Eldon Palmer, drove the Official Pace Car right down through the pit area to start the 1971 500. Unfortunately, Eldon liked driving that car (a Dodge, as Eldon was the owner of Palmer Dodge in Indianapolis,) so much, he drove it right through (what was then) Victory Lane and into a stand of fans at the South End of the pits. Mayhem ensued.
After that inauspicious beginning, we were treated to a superb performance by Al Unser (Sr.) in the Johnny Lightning Special, a purple and gold creaton that had fast written all over it. Unser won his second consecutive 500 that day. That was no small accomplishment, as prior to Unser's win that day, there had only been three drivers who had won back-to-back. To this day, there are only five members of that club: Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Bill Vukovich, Unser, and Helio Castroneves.
The other thing that was noteworthy about that day was the fact that while my roommate and I had been watching the race, it was apparent that several of our classmates had been, let's just say, watching "other things" while being over-served. If memory serves, some fellow named "Ralph" was called. I don't believe he answered. I won't mention any names: After all, it WAS 40 years ago. (Besides, too many people have lawyers on speed dial and, frankly, some of those participants are lawyers now.)
Since that day, Race Day has been an integral part of my life. Between that day and 1987, I missed 3 Indy 500's. In 1972 I was in college in Atlanta; in 1981 I was living in Michigan City and couldn't get enough time off of work; and, in 1986 work intervened again. After 1987, work pretty much kept me away from Indy.
During my years of going to the 500, I sat in almost every corner of the track, from the Snakepit (the ORIGINAL one,) to the vistas in three different corners, to the main straightaway paddock, (where my wife and I will be this year.) I saw Foyt win his fourth, Danny Sullivan spin right in front of me and go on to win the Race, Tom Sneva's car get absolutely destroyed in turn 2, and then, a few years later, win the 500. I saw Rick Mears win his first of four and Al Unser win his last of four.
After I moved to South Carolina in 1990, the Race wasn't even close to do-able anymore.
Besides, it seemed so much simpler sitting in the recliner, drinking something other than beer if I chose. It was also nice to eat something other than stale Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most important, it was nice to have a bathroom to which I didn't have to walk more than a few feet, was private, and did not stink. Besides, with the broadcast going live outside the greater Indianapolis area, I could see it all, pretty much as it happened, something you could never do from anywhere at the Speedway. (I am told, however, that the video boards they have now come pretty close.)
This is a special year, however, and I didn't feel like I could miss it. In addition to being my first trip to Indy in 24 years, it'll be my first trip to the Speedway completely sober since that day in May of 1971. (Believe me, there are a lot of stories in all those trips to 16th and Georgetown, and perhaps, I'll share some sometime.) That, in and of itself, should be different.
Stay tuned.
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