May 26
The Indy 500
I am thankful for the Indianapolis 500. Because my family lived in Indiana, just an hour away from Indianapolis, attending the Indy 500 became a family tradition. My brother started going much younger than I did but I followed and continued to go until we moved away in 1962. We returned in 1963. I had not been back since but my brother Fred has attended nearly every one since he was in law school. Not having much money, while in law school at the University of Virginia, he convinced the Charlotte, Virginia newspaper to send him there as a reporter. He's been to most of the races since then. Imagine my pleasure when he invited me to accompany him and his wife's brother in law, Rick Fuller, to the 2010 race. We had a blast. This experience has re-energized my interest in IndyCar racing. Fred lent me his track radio scanner so I listened to the communication between the drivers and their crews. I became really interested in a new Swiss female driver by the name of Simona DeSilvestro. She is now my favorite driver. Imagine my excitement when she won the Rookie of the Year award after the race. Today the Indy 500 will be run and I will be cheering for Simona again.
The photo is of the pagoda, the race control tower built in 1998, which combines the old look of the original wooden pagoda with that of its glass and steel modern looking prediscessor control tower.
My brother Fred walks up the aisle before the start of the 500
Rick Fuller and Fred Tulley Behind the Pagoda
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum with Parnelli Jone's 98 Car Which Won the 1963 500
indy
indiana, my place of birth
my original home state
home of juicy tomatoes and sweet corn
morel mushrooms on the plate
but special among all of those
is the indy 500 race
those who have been there won’t oppose
from the first notes of “back home again in indiana”
to the playing of taps
teary eyed emotion
and then the thunder-claps
where the cars are loud
you can feel their power
as they whiz by in a blur
each a challenger
from the opening “drivers start your engines”
at the end of a month long campaign
to the earning of the checkered flag
and the winner in victory lane
the indy 500 race crowns its victor
for a fast drive which is smooth as silk
and to the driver with skill and daring
the ceremonial drink of milk.
© rt tulley