My Return Trip to Indy: How an Opinion Can Change!
If you have a few minutes I would like you to read a short story I wrote before I returned to the U.S. Nationals last weekend. Here is the link to that column I wrote for sister publication, Mopar Max.
That story was written about an adventure I had a long time ago. I can still remember the excitement of it and the memories. Now that more than 35 years have passed, there is a “different view” to what I watched at Indy this year.
Before you say to yourself, “Doesn’t this guy know that things change? Get with it man!” let me make one thing clear: I not only know that everything changes, I have enjoyed most of the changes over those years.
Here is what my experience of the U.S. Nationals was this year and the memories I took home with me. Don’t worry, it isn’t all negative; I had a great time and met some great people.
The trip started off like so many others that Barb and I have made. We loaded up the motor home and took off for Indy. I was pumped and ready to go back to the event that started my love for the sport of drag racing. The road trip went great with no problems and we rolled into our favorite camping site, Wal-Mart, in Champaign, IL, about 11 p.m. Now we only had about an hour and half to drive in the morning.
We drove around to the Southeast gate to pick up my Media Pass and buy Barb a ticket for Thursday and Friday. The NHRA handled the Media Pass and Parking Lot sticker right away. We then went to the regular gate and bought Thursday and Friday’s tickets for Barb. $12.00 for Thursday and $36.00 for Friday. I liked the $12.00 but $36.00 for Friday? Maybe being from Iowa and being self-employed makes me sensitive to a $36.00 ticket to watch sportsman cars and one round of the pros. But hey, that’s just me.
We walked the entire Indianapolis Raceway Park facility so I could see every car that was there. I was looking for a little nostalgia trip of my own I guess. The Stock racers were already running class eliminations on Thursday (time runs now start on Wednesday!). By Friday about 75% of the sportsman racers would have been done racing as eliminations for them start Friday morning. So much for going to Indy on Labor Day weekend as a spectator who likes sportsman racing; 75% of them have been eliminated by Friday evening.
The pro pits have become nothing more than a corporate entertainment center. Basically, they set up portable restaurants under portable buildings they bring with them. Some have A/C, some have linen tablecloths and hosts with formal attire. To me it was amazing but not is a good way. I want to see the race cars, the crews, the drivers and be a “part of the event,” as the advertising says. I don’t see that happening as only the VIPs can gain access to really see the cars and crews in action. Sure, you can stand at the back of the trailers and hear and smell the nitro, but that’s about it. If that’s enough for you then go for it.
