This year on Pole Day, I got to the track super-early. I had my backpack, had my thermos, and I bought a pork tenderloin. I grabbed a seat in front of TK’s pits just a bit before practice started. I got out my thermos, poured some coffee, and sat there and had my pork tenderloin breakfast early in the morning on Pole Day at IMS as the cars got ready to head out onto the track.
People get very few “perfect moments” in life, but that was one of them.
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Honestly, everytime I set foot in the Speedway is a perfect day in my opinion.
I love when we get into the gates when the bomb goes off, we send a couple of people to stake out our 'home base' with our E-Z-Up's and folding chairs while I park the van loaded with coolers, grills, etc. on Race Day morning. Then we grill, watch the place fill up, drink, eat, do our pool then all head our different directions to where our seats are for the Race, then afterwards reverse the process until they kick us out. Then we head to our hotel, clean up, order pizzas, pour a few more cocktails and watch the replay of the Race. The worst is the day after!!
Indy Pole Day > Indy Race Day imo. The feeling of things just getting started, whereas with the race I feel like everything's coming to an end.
"Long day ... But it beats watching ." - Paul Tracy, describing his 2011 Indy 500. Amen, Brother...
That sounds awesome, and can really appreciate what you mean about those "perfect moments". Even better if you realize it at the time, which happens all too infrequently.Originally Posted by AFColt
As many times as I have been to the 500, I have always wanted to get to Pole Day but never made it....but it's on the to-do list!
Hell, I've never had a pork tenderloin either, but that's on the to-do list also.
Livin' the good life as poorly as possible.
ahhh Pole Day.... as i close my eyes and my mind takes me there. it used to be part of it was for the anticipation of hearing those famous words from Tom, "it's a new track record" or "and he's on it"..
it was always a day that began with excitement, for me probably as good as Christmas.
i don't get to go to "pole day" any more, time and money make it almost impossible. so now those Pole Day memories have been combined with "Carb Day" memories.
so if i may share on this "Pole Day" thread.. my "CARB DAY" thoughts
lately, it's my first visit to "THE TRACK" after being away for an entire year. i clearly remember a few years ago, probably '05. my life had been turned upside down and i really needed INDY. my son and i made the yearly trip, but i just didn't have "it" during the 1,000 mile drive. things were just not "right".
but i will never forget when they did get "right"... when i stepped out of the car after parking in the north 40, i could hear the cars. i thought dang we're late, they've already started practice.. but that negativity quickly left as i realized i was "there"! i was "home" again.
then as we were walking through the tunnel under the northend short chute, it just happened..
i was leaking from my eyes, just flowing.. kinda shaking too...
my son was very concerned and kept asking if i was alright. "you ok?"
and indeed i was ok, for those leaks were from the long standing emotions and knowing that i was "supposed" to be there. everything that was troubling me had just disappeared.. all was right again. i was home at INDY.
INDY had awakened me and started me on the path back to living again.. INDY had embraced me had spoken to me, letting me know everything was ok and she would always be there for me.
now CARB Day has that anticipation again that Pole Day once did, that can't wait feeling. that embrace of emotion, thrill, excitement. the sharing with my son and my friends of what only INDY has for me.
and if my "racing buddies" are reading this.. i want to thank you all too, for sharing your INDY with me.
returning to the days of ignorant bliss..
nice post. I've been doing Carb day for 5 years now. Been to the 500 for 40 years, but the goosebumps I get on my arms when the green flag drops and the cars come out of the pits after not having seen them all year is about as good as the 500 itself. If you haven't been to Carb day, GO!!!
Now that's what I'm talking about!
My "best" perfect moment has not yet happened.
It will take place May 27, 2012. You see, this is the day that my son will first witness the historic 11 rows of 3 stream by turn 3 as they head for the unfurled green. I can't wait to see his reaction. I probably won't see much of the first few laps, I'll be downloading the look on his face to my hard drive so I can enjoy it the rest of my life.
Great stories. Thanks for sharing.
I love Pole Day, Bump Day, Race Day, I don't care. Heck, I like to go out for practice days when I can sneak away from work. I have a buddy that is convinced I live at the track all May.
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and for that you are surely blessed!!! the memories will never leave you.. i'm sure several here remember skipping school and going to the track for the "month of may". it was like a Hoosier kid's right of passage. i got my driver's license in april, my biggest goal was to drive to the track for practice in just 2 weeks..... i accomplished that goal several times!!
I remember setting mid-level in E. It was about 4:00 and some guys were just practicing. Mears was ripping off laps in probably race trim. You could actually hear the clicks when he passed the bricks. I'll never forget it. It was just too perfect.
Dang, now you guys have me wishing it was May already and the current season isn't over yet!
The new car is testing on the oval this next Tuesday. I think I need to schedule a "work" appoint over that direction for Tuesday.
I love going to the track in January, snow on the ground, go in the museum and then stand in the parking lot and say "Just 5 more months".
I do that, too. It's like the track is sleeping under all that snow, just waiting for May again!
Wasn't Pole Day 'Tom Carnegie Day'?
I remember hearing something over the PA that had to do with him. Did he get his face on the Borg?
I have always said that too. And I refer to the track as she.
I ran the Mini Indy Marathon just so I can run across the yard of bricks.
Long story. short version. my first 500, in the months leading up I did it all, museum, bus ride, stayed at the speedway hotel, racing experience, homestead party[ Donald Davidson signed my book.] I had not been to the track when any activity was going on. pole day, because of day light saving time i got to Indy 1 hour late as i entered gate 1 i heard a car leave the pits and enter turn one. I handed over my ticket and headed for the stands. WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT. to my left came a wave of sound that was part agony part torture and all pure unadulterated sex. The car that had left the pits was come out of four at full song. I had heard that term but had no idea. after watching the race on ABC for many many years i thought i was prepared. I was transfixed my brain went into overload all my senses were assaulted. If what i thought a car at speed sounded like was a drop of water, I was overwhelmed by a ocean of sound/feeling/smell and disbelief. as the car entered one i came to my senses and standing beside my was a older lady, clearly a vet. first time she asked. wiping tears from my cheeks i said YES. She smiled and informed me " YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET'
You can't make a race car out of a Pig, But you can sure make a damn fast Pig.
Nice story! Indy always gets the best of my emotions. I've never been to pole day, but I will before I'm gone. To much of a hardcore to not do it.
Pole day. The day that, at even in my 50's, I walk the ground in tennis shoes alone. Really don't want anyone messing with my karma. As soon as a qual attempt is announced, I dash to the nearest grandstand. I've been asked to leave 'off limits' grandstands but the yellow shirts are pretty easy going.
Herk, The Jorgensen Eagle, Li'l AJ driving backward down the backstretch, and unfortunately Pollard and Smiley. Pole day is the real deal.
I love Pole Day. My dad and I always get there early, and he insists on paying to park at the junction of Crawfordsville, Georgetown, and 16th which puts us closest to the E Stand.
I hate that I'm 12 hours away now rather than 90 minutes, and might not be able to make it anymore. Looking at flights into Indy that morning, and maybe he could swing by the airport and pick me up.
2011 was the first time I got to take my son. He's 16. We've tried before but the last time (Carb Day 2009) I got gravely ill, made it as far as the 16th Street gates and turned around and drove home in time to get me in to the doctor.
This time, no health issues. He was astonished with how big the place was from inside. He got to take loads of pictures, almost stepped on Bia, and about jumped out of his skin (no mean feat for someone who is 6' 7") when Ho-Pin tried to become one with the wall right in front of him. He had his first track 'loin. He ooohed and ahhhed at the right times in the museum and came home with an enormous Speedway tankard which holds a place of honor in his glass collection.
How good a time did we have? Well, he wants bronze badges this year, which we will only be able to use for two days. But already he is asking if I've ordered them yet.
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I perfer pole day over race day in terms of accessibility. You've got free run of the place for the most part. Less crowds, if you have a bronze badge garage access. It's always fun to watch the sunrise in turn 3, then make your way to garages and grandstands for the morning practice sessions. ahh, how much longer till May?
My 'perfect moment' is on Carb day morning when I am walking my way to Gasoline Alley and I make the turn off of Hulman Blvd. up the little road between the Clarion Medical Center and the drivers motorhomes. It just brings back so many memories.
I hear that. Walking in and hearing the Gordon Pipers is pretty special, too.
One of my favorites day's of the year, if not THE favorite is Opening Day in May! I know I'm in for hours of fast cars and friends! I spend every day that at The Track when it's open in May!
Have a very blessed day!
My sister and I drive from Kansas City to Indy for Pole Day. Then home again to get the RV's and the rest of the family and go back for The Race. People think we are nuts. But if you haven't experienced it, you really need to. A couple of years ago it rained on us all the way to Indy. Fast Friday rained out. Saturday morning looked doubtful, but we headed to the track early. We flashed our bronze badges and headed to the seats we prefer, high in turn 1 right where the roof drops down. The sun was starting to shine and the weather looked more optimistic. We piled our stuff in our seats, got organized and turned around to look at the track just as the PA started to play "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone." The sun was catching left- over rain droplets and making them sparkle like diamonds. The entire track clear to turn 3 looked like it was covered in diamonds. And coming down the front stretch were the trucks with their lights on, drying the track. My sister looked at me and tears were streaming down her face. She said, "We're here." It was a moment I will never forget. And neither will she.
I had a very similar reaction on my very first qualification day in 1992. I went to practice in the early 80s, moved to PA, went back to IL for college, and before going home for the summer, took in quals. First time I sat on the outside of the track in Stand E. I sat down, drank it all in. Then I heard Carnegie do a sound check. Green light, track is open for practice. Michael Andretti first out. Picked him coming out of 4 just BLASTING down the front stretch. He hit the bricks and I said - "no way he can hold it through one." We'll he didn't lift, rocketed through one, and in a blink had disappeared through 2. I sat there, mouth agape. Then more cars joined the practice. I was wiping tears out of my eyes for a good five minutes. After 10 years away from the track, it was perfection.
Pole day is the best value in American sports.
I went to my only race in 2004. During the mid-race rain delay, they lost the track and parked the trucks and dryers. Well, many fans were on the fence - "do we sit it out or do we go home?" Well, after about an hour, the sun trickles through the clouds, the rain stops, and they roll the trucks. As the trucks started to exit the pits the PA played REO Speedwagon's "Keep on Rolling" to the roar of the crowd.
Pretty neat.
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