Saturday in Indianapolis

Thanks to all who came out to Curt Cavin's awesome Burger Bash last night, which Curt says raised over $5000 for various charities. It was such a great time even Shane Rogers, International Superstar enjoyed it. Good food, good racing talk, and a visit by Dan Wheldon as well. We tried as a group but we all lost count of Dan's excessive use of the word "fans".


Once the fun died down it was time for all good word butchers to get some rest. You can read all about our accommodations straight outta 1961 over at pressdog.com. They are less than enhanced, but we were undeterred and were up early enough arrive before all others in the mammoth media center.


Don't be fooled into thinking IMS was empty, as outside the masses were gathering just to catch an autograph or two with the fine members of the Field of 33. It's an arduous day for the drivers: an hour of autographs (and if you're Milka Duno, posing for random pictures with middle-aged men), waving for two hours in a parade, then even more hours of glad-handing with various sponsors. Let's not forget, they have to drive at over 220 mph tomorrow with those hands.



Oh, and they all had to attend the annual public driver's meeting, which basically consisted of Andy Granatelli talking about drinking STP (for real), Scott Dixon expounding upon winning here last year, and driver introductions which were met with varying levels of applause. And of course, the time-honored and ceremonial Shooting of the T-shirts over the Borg-Warner trophy.



For those conspiracy buffs out there - you know, those of you who might get the nutty idea that Helio Castroneves is predestined to win because he won the pole position, the pit stop competition, and the Trial of the Century - take note of this tape marking that indicates "Brazilian Media" in a premier spot in Victory Circle. You people go right ahead and wear your tinfoil hats to The Speedway tomorrow.



Also noticed Alex Lloyd's pit box sign. It's...very...interesting.



Lastly, we leave with this image to sleep on. Here are six combined Indy 500 victories discussing something that would probably be way over my head.



Sure, they may have been chatting about dinner plans, or hotel preferences, or the improbable win by Kris Allen on "America Idol", but it doesn't matter because the conversation involved two men who've done more here than the rest of us can ever dream. And with that thought I wish you all sweet dreams tonight, because *Jack Arute voice* tomorrow is the day we've all been waiting for.