Metal Sludge Gossip Board

The greatest spectacle in racing. The greatest race in the world. The biggest single day sporting event in the world by attendance. It's the Indianapolis 500 mile race and it is three days away!

I will be making my annual pilgrimage to Indy on Saturday morning to begin two straight days of partying and celebrating the greatest sporting event in the world. There is truly nothing else like it. The tradition and prestige of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is unmatched. It is truly an amazing place. When you enter its gates, you can feel the presence of legends past.

The race itself is an amazing thrill. Watching cars race side by side at over 220 MPH down the narrow straights and flat turns is indescribable. It's the most challenging and dangerous race there is. And that's what makes it so special to win the Indy 500. This year is a difficult one to pick because of the new chassis and engine packages. As of right now I'm going with Ryan Hunter Reay to win it. He's got a strong car, tons of experience, and is starting on the front row. Plus he's got a Chevy engine, which have been by far the fastest thus far. But this year is so wide open that I can think of at least 15 drivers with a chance to win it. Should make for a very exciting race.

poizond13 wrote: I will be making my annual pilgrimage to Indy on Saturday morning

I thought you lived there.

WTF wrote:

poizond13 wrote: I will be making my annual pilgrimage to Indy on Saturday morning

I thought you lived there.

He only spends winters in Indy. Besides that he lives in Chicago, and keeps a home in the suburbs as well.

The Greatest Spectacle In Racing Is 3 Days Away!!!!

Hey dipdhit, the daytona nascar night race is over a month away, STFU.

NeverSurrender wrote:

The Greatest Spectacle In Racing Is 3 Days Away!!!!

Hey dipdhit, the daytona nascar night race is over a month away, STFU.

Both Daytona races pale in comparison to Indianapolis. Those races are a joke when you compare them to the greatest spectacle in racing. A JOKE.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be performing tomorrow at Carb Day. Skynyrd and the Speedway, it doesn't get any better than that!

2012 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car:

The greatest race in the world:

Facts and figures of the 96th Indianapolis 500-mile race Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

EVENT — The 96th Indianapolis 500.

DISTANCE — 500 miles; 200 laps around the asphalt-on-brick Indianapolis Motor Speedway track, a 2.5-mile rectangular oval.

SANCTIONING BODY — IndyCar.

RACE CARS — Open-cockpit, open-wheel and single-seat, with 2.2-liter, 550-700 horsepower turbocharged V-6 engines.

ENGINE MANUFACTURERS — Chevrolet, Honda, Lotus.

CHASSIS — All cars use Dallaras.

PACE CAR — 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 driven by Guy Fieri.

START — Noon EDT from a flying start, following warm-up, parade and pace laps.

FINISH — Standings are unofficial until posted by the IndyCar Series.

NUMBER OF STARTERS — 33 cars; three abreast in each of 11 rows.

POLE POSITION — Ryan Briscoe, the first Australian national to win Indy's pole with a four-lap qualifying average of 226.484 mph in the closest pole battle in 500 history. He will start first, from the inside of the front row, for the first time in seven Indy starts.

SLOWEST QUALIFIER — Jean Alesi, who averaged 210.094 mph. Will start 33rd, the outside of the 11th row.

FASTEST ROOKIE — Josef Newgarden, 224.037 mph. Will start seventh, the inside of the third row.

2011 WINNER — The late Dan Wheldon, who averaged 170.265 mph for his second win at Indianapolis.

FORMER WINNERS IN RACE (3) — Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009), Dario Franchitti (2007 and 2010), Scott Dixon (2008).

ROOKIES IN RACE (8) — Jean Alesi, Rubens Barrichello, Bryan Clauson, Wade Cunningham, James Jakes, Katherine Legge, Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud.

YOUNGEST IN RACE — Josef Newgarden, 21 (Born Dec. 22, 1990)

OLDEST IN RACE — Jean Alesi, 47 (Born June 11, 1964)

MOST PREVIOUS RACES — Helio Castroneves (11).

FOREIGN BORN (24) — Jean Alesi, France; Rubens Barrichello, Brazil; Ana Beatriz, Brazil; Sebastien Bourdais, France; Ryan Briscoe, Australia; Helio Castroneves, Brazil; Mike Conway, England; Wade Cunningham, New Zealand; Scott Dixon, New Zealand; Dario Franchitti, Scotland; James Hinchcliffe, Canada; James Jakes, England; Michel Jourdain Jr., Mexico; Tony Kanaan, Brazil; Katherine Legge, England; ; Simon Pagenaud, France; Will Power, Australia; Sebastian Saavedra, Colombia; Takuma Sato, Japan; Oriol Servia, Spain; Simona De Silvestro, Switzerland; Alex Tagliani, Canada; E.J. Viso, Venezuela; Justin Wilson, England.

FIELD AVERAGE IN QUALIFICATIONS — 222.835 mph (Record 228.648 mph, 2002)

QUALIFICATION RECORD — 236.986 mph, Arie Luyendyk, 1996.

RACE RECORD — 185.981 mph, Arie Luyendyk, 1990.

CLOSEST FINISHES — 0.043 seconds, Al Unser Jr. over Scott Goodyear, 1992; 0.0635 seconds, Sam Hornish Jr. over Marco Andretti, 2006.

PURSE — Depends on attendance and accessory awards; 2011 payoff was $13.51 million, of which winner Dan Wheldon received $2.57 million for Bryan Herta Autosport.

CROWD — Estimated at up to 400,000. Speedway never discloses attendance but admits to more than 250,000 reserved seats in permanent stands and room for 100,000 or more in the infield.

TELEVISION — Televised live and in high definition by ESPN on ABC starting at 11 a.m. EDT, one hour before the race, with host Brent Musburger, lead announcer Marty Reid, analysts Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear, and pit reporters Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Jerry Punch and Vince Welch. ABC will use views from two onboard cameras from the same car at the same time, a first.

RADIO — More than 340 affiliate IMS Radio Network stations throughout the United States and Canada, plus XM 94, Sirius 212, American Forces Radio Network, shortwave radio worldwide and the Internet, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network anchor Mike King, driver analyst Davey Hamilton, IMS historian Donald Davidson, Jerry Baker and Paul Page in the booth; Jake Query, Mark Jaynes and Chris Denari in the turns; Nick Yeoman, Michael Young and Kevin Lee and Nick Yeoman in the pits and Dave Wilson in the garage.

MORTALITY — There have been 68 deaths at the Speedway, including pre-500 races of 1909-10. Last death was Aug. 30, 2010 when motorcycle rider Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Wash., was killed in a preliminary race to the Indianapolis MotoGP.

THE TROPHY — Sterling silver Borg-Warner Trophy, 5-feet, 4 3/4-inches, 110-pounds, with bas-relief bust of each winner. Valued at more than $1 million, on permanent display at Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Each winner receives an 18-inch sterling silver replica.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/2 ... z1vrLi7O1z

poizond13 wrote:Facts and figures of the 96th Indianapolis 500-mile race Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Crazy Levi wrote:

This is all the facts and figures we need to know

poizond13 wrote:Facts and figures

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=256787

p13, you're the only one who gives a fuck about the "greatest spectacle in racing."

You fucking homo.

poizond13 wrote:Facts and figures of the 96th Indianapolis 500-mile race Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

EVENT — The 96th Indianapolis 500.

DISTANCE — 500 miles; 200 laps around the asphalt-on-brick Indianapolis Motor Speedway track, a 2.5-mile rectangular oval.

SANCTIONING BODY — IndyCar.

RACE CARS — Open-cockpit, open-wheel and single-seat, with 2.2-liter, 550-700 horsepower turbocharged V-6 engines.

ENGINE MANUFACTURERS — Chevrolet, Honda, Lotus.

CHASSIS — All cars use Dallaras.

PACE CAR — 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 driven by Guy Fieri.

START — Noon EDT from a flying start, following warm-up, parade and pace laps.

FINISH — Standings are unofficial until posted by the IndyCar Series.

NUMBER OF STARTERS — 33 cars; three abreast in each of 11 rows.

POLE POSITION — Ryan Briscoe, the first Australian national to win Indy's pole with a four-lap qualifying average of 226.484 mph in the closest pole battle in 500 history. He will start first, from the inside of the front row, for the first time in seven Indy starts.

SLOWEST QUALIFIER — Jean Alesi, who averaged 210.094 mph. Will start 33rd, the outside of the 11th row.

FASTEST ROOKIE — Josef Newgarden, 224.037 mph. Will start seventh, the inside of the third row.

2011 WINNER — The late Dan Wheldon, who averaged 170.265 mph for his second win at Indianapolis.

FORMER WINNERS IN RACE (3) — Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009), Dario Franchitti (2007 and 2010), Scott Dixon (2008).

ROOKIES IN RACE (8) — Jean Alesi, Rubens Barrichello, Bryan Clauson, Wade Cunningham, James Jakes, Katherine Legge, Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud.

YOUNGEST IN RACE — Josef Newgarden, 21 (Born Dec. 22, 1990)

OLDEST IN RACE — Jean Alesi, 47 (Born June 11, 1964)

MOST PREVIOUS RACES — Helio Castroneves (11).

FOREIGN BORN (24) — Jean Alesi, France; Rubens Barrichello, Brazil; Ana Beatriz, Brazil; Sebastien Bourdais, France; Ryan Briscoe, Australia; Helio Castroneves, Brazil; Mike Conway, England; Wade Cunningham, New Zealand; Scott Dixon, New Zealand; Dario Franchitti, Scotland; James Hinchcliffe, Canada; James Jakes, England; Michel Jourdain Jr., Mexico; Tony Kanaan, Brazil; Katherine Legge, England; ; Simon Pagenaud, France; Will Power, Australia; Sebastian Saavedra, Colombia; Takuma Sato, Japan; Oriol Servia, Spain; Simona De Silvestro, Switzerland; Alex Tagliani, Canada; E.J. Viso, Venezuela; Justin Wilson, England.

FIELD AVERAGE IN QUALIFICATIONS — 222.835 mph (Record 228.648 mph, 2002)

QUALIFICATION RECORD — 236.986 mph, Arie Luyendyk, 1996.

RACE RECORD — 185.981 mph, Arie Luyendyk, 1990.

CLOSEST FINISHES — 0.043 seconds, Al Unser Jr. over Scott Goodyear, 1992; 0.0635 seconds, Sam Hornish Jr. over Marco Andretti, 2006.

PURSE — Depends on attendance and accessory awards; 2011 payoff was $13.51 million, of which winner Dan Wheldon received $2.57 million for Bryan Herta Autosport.

CROWD — Estimated at up to 400,000. Speedway never discloses attendance but admits to more than 250,000 reserved seats in permanent stands and room for 100,000 or more in the infield.

TELEVISION — Televised live and in high definition by ESPN on ABC starting at 11 a.m. EDT, one hour before the race, with host Brent Musburger, lead announcer Marty Reid, analysts Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear, and pit reporters Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Jerry Punch and Vince Welch. ABC will use views from two onboard cameras from the same car at the same time, a first.

RADIO — More than 340 affiliate IMS Radio Network stations throughout the United States and Canada, plus XM 94, Sirius 212, American Forces Radio Network, shortwave radio worldwide and the Internet, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network anchor Mike King, driver analyst Davey Hamilton, IMS historian Donald Davidson, Jerry Baker and Paul Page in the booth; Jake Query, Mark Jaynes and Chris Denari in the turns; Nick Yeoman, Michael Young and Kevin Lee and Nick Yeoman in the pits and Dave Wilson in the garage.

MORTALITY — There have been 68 deaths at the Speedway, including pre-500 races of 1909-10. Last death was Aug. 30, 2010 when motorcycle rider Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Wash., was killed in a preliminary race to the Indianapolis MotoGP.

THE TROPHY — Sterling silver Borg-Warner Trophy, 5-feet, 4 3/4-inches, 110-pounds, with bas-relief bust of each winner. Valued at more than $1 million, on permanent display at Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Each winner receives an 18-inch sterling silver replica.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/2 ... z1vrLi7O1z

You're gay just for posting that.

The best drivers in the world do not race at Indianapolis
The best cars in the world do not race at Indianapolis

Indy used to be awesome,now it sucks.Maybe someone will get wiped out and liven it up a bit

Gibsonite wrote:The best drivers in the world do not race at Indianapolis

Yes they do. Dario Franchitti. Will Power. Helio Castroneves. Scott Dixon. Now Rubens Barrichello as well. These are the best drivers in the world. Lots of young, upcoming talent as well. These guys excel on road courses AND ovals. Nascar guys can't run on road courses. F1 guys don't know how to run ovals and are too scared to do so. IndyCar is the most diverse racing series in the world, with races on some of the toughest road courses and fastest ovals in the world.

Indy used to be awesome

It still is. 400,000 people on race day, still BY FAR the most popular single day sporting event in the world. Still the most prestigious and well-known race in the world. The magic of Indianapolis is alive and well.

NeverSurrender wrote:p13, you're the only one who gives a fuck about the "greatest spectacle in racing."

You fucking homo.

You're right, I'm the only one. Me and 400,000 other people watching in person, and 5 million more watching on TV. Yeah, I'm all alone.

poizond13 wrote:

Gibsonite wrote:The best drivers in the world do not race at Indianapolis

Yes they do. Dario Franchitti. Will Power. Helio Castroneves. Scott Dixon. Now Rubens Barrichello as well. These are the best drivers in the world.

No, they're not.
Scott Dixon is my countryman and I'm proud of him for all his great achievements, but he tried and failed to get into F1. Every one of the foreign drivers would have gone to/stayed in F1 if they could. Indy is no European or South American's first choice. Rubens Barrichello is in the race this year? RETIRED from F1 after only making the top 5 once in the last 7 years, and still able to make the biggest open wheel race in America.

Indy is great, don't get me wrong. I'll watch it.

But those guys are not the best drivers in the world. They're amongst the best, but in no way does the Indy field represent the elite of world motorsport.

33 guys turning left really fast.


yay.

The assholes from Indy and P13 from IL, make me lol just like the assholes from kentucky and their derby. Just because your whole state loves it, doesn't mean any of the rest of the country does. i don't know anybody who in the last 25 yers has walked up to me and said "Did you watch that Indy 500 today?"

Never happens. Nobody gives a fuck.

But trolling ain't easy, huh, P13?

P13 has the innate talent to make everyone HATE anything he talks about. Successful troll is successful.

Wait, what?
He's a troll?
Surely you jest.

WhiteHouseSubsAC wrote:P13 has the innate talent to make everyone HATE anything he talks about. Successful troll is successful.

Please, nobody gives two fucks about this race last week or 5 years ago.

the only thing he does is make people post they hate it. They wouldn't give 2 fucks if he didn't bring it up.

poizond13 wrote:

NeverSurrender wrote:p13, you're the only one who gives a fuck about the "greatest spectacle in racing."

You fucking homo.

You're right, I'm the only one. Me and 400,000 other people watching in person, and 5 million more watching on TV. Yeah, I'm all alone.

Most people who actually attend the 500 actually post photos of their own, instead of throwing up some media shots of the 500 on raceday..

Why not just throw up some of yourself actually being there, Greggles?

He took a raincheck on Indy. He heard that the men of Playgirl were doing a revue down the road.

is there a parade at indy? i bet that's why he goes.

he loves a parade.

and showtunes.





ginger fag.

poizond13 wrote:still BY FAR the most popular single day sporting event in the world.

Not even close to Super Bowl numbers Greggles
(even the one the Colts get their asses handed to them in.. )

80-90 million people do not tune in to watch the 500.. But the speedway is JAM PACKED with 400,000..

poizond13 wrote:My boring trolling of being an uber fan of Indianapolis while living in a burb of Chicago is alive and well.

NeverSurrender wrote:p13, you're the only one who gives a fuck about the "greatest spectacle in racing."

You fucking homo.

I've been to every 500 but one since 89. I don't know the first thing about any form of auto racing so I won't begin to try to defend the sport BUT it is the biggest place I've ever been and one hell of a party. It's a million times tamer than it was when we first started going.

Great finish this year and our seats in turn one have a lot of action. It was hot as fuck this year.

All I can say is wow. This year just reaffirms for me, there is nothing in the world, absolutely NOTHING like 500 race weekend in Indianapolis. The world's largest party, the most important race, the greatest racecourse in the world, BAR NONE. The atmosphere in Speedway for race weekend is indescribable. Everywhere you look, every corner, people are camping out, tailgating, and getting ready for the biggest race in the world. Georgetown road the night before the race is like a circus and spectacle in of itself. People are partying in the streets and celebrating the greatest spectacle in racing, as loud muscle cars and motorcycles drive by all night. You can just feel the electricity in the air as literally hundreds of thousands of people are gathered around the track in anticipation of what will happen the next morning. The coke lot, where we camped, is also quite an experience and event on it's own. Dozens of acres of loud music, endless amounts of beer, and naked women running around everywhere. If you want a party, there is nothing like it. It's like a throwback to 25 years ago, when things were more relaxed and not as politically correct as they are now.

Of course, the main attraction is the race itself and the world's greatest racecourse, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was not my first time to the track, but entering its gates and taking in the site of the track still takes my breath away every time. It's magical. It's the greatest place in the world. To think that for 101 years, people have been flocking to this place, just gives me chills. Watching this race is to watch history unfold before your eyes. As much as I love other sports, there is no doubt in my mind, THIS is the greatest sporting event in the world, bar none.The Super Bowl is great, but let's see where it is in about 60 years, because only then will it have existed as long as the 500 has existed in 2012. The 500 has been around 101 years, and that is a testament to it's greatness.

What a race this year! This was one of the most exciting races in years. So many lead changes, passes, and excitement throughout. I was personally rooting for Tony Kanaan, and judging by the roar of the crowd when he took the lead toward the end of the race, so were a lot of people. But I was also thrilled for Dario Franchitti to win his THIRD Indy 500, which is just amazing. You can't deny his greatness. He's now a legend and, in my opinion, the best driver in the world today. His accomplishments speak for themselves. Way to go, Dario.

In closing, what a weekend. The Indianapolis 500 mile race is still magical. The entire month of May in Indy is unlike any other sporting event in the world. Anyone who has experienced it can agree. If you have never been there, and only watched on TV, you have no idea what you're missing. You can't capture an event like this on TV, you have to be there to truly experience the magnitude of this magnificent event. My only sadness is that it's over and we have to wait another year for the next Indy 500. Nonetheless, the countdown to the next month of May now officially begins!

demolition23 wrote:

poizond13 wrote:

Gibsonite wrote:The best drivers in the world do not race at Indianapolis

Yes they do. Dario Franchitti. Will Power. Helio Castroneves. Scott Dixon. Now Rubens Barrichello as well. These are the best drivers in the world.

No, they're not.
Scott Dixon is my countryman and I'm proud of him for all his great achievements, but he tried and failed to get into F1. Every one of the foreign drivers would have gone to/stayed in F1 if they could. Indy is no European or South American's first choice. Rubens Barrichello is in the race this year? RETIRED from F1 after only making the top 5 once in the last 7 years, and still able to make the biggest open wheel race in America.

Indy is great, don't get me wrong. I'll watch it.

But those guys are not the best drivers in the world. They're amongst the best, but in no way does the Indy field represent the elite of world motorsport.

I'll acknowledge that Dixon, along with some other drivers in IndyCar, attempted to get into F1 prior to coming to Indy. But that doesn't say much about his level of talent or anything else. Obviously F1 is bigger and more popular than Indy Car at this point in time, so of course many drivers would want to go to F1 as a first choice, especially international drivers. But getting into F1 doesn't mean a driver is more skilled and talented than one who is unsuccessful. Getting into F1 is largely about money and politics. Just because people like Scott Dixon and WIll Power tried and failed to enter F1 prior to Indy, doesn't mean they are any less talented than any F1 driver today. In fact, I'd put my money on Will Power as being the best road/street course driver in the world.

I do feel that Indy Car drivers are the best in the world and I will tell you why. These drivers have mastered every discipline in racing. Nascar guys basically only run ovals. F1 guys run only road/street courses. Indy Car drivers run both ovals and road/street courses, and their drivers can run any kind of race you can think of. Put an F1 guy on an oval, and he'll either be too scared to try it, or he will have no chance to beat one of the top Indy Car drivers on it. I don't feel you can call a driver who ONLY runs road courses or ovals the best in the world. I feel it should be someone who can do both exceptionally well, and at this time, that would be Dario Franchitti.