IndyCar: Opening Day of the Indianapolis 500 Right Around the Corner

It’s finally May, and that can only mean two things: It’s almost summer time and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is ready to open.  For me, this is equivalent of pretty much every holiday wrapped into one.  This month of May, however, will be the most special month of May yet.

What makes it so special, you ask?

This is the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.  Many drivers have competed in this grand event, but only the best drivers in the world can claim they won it.

To win the Indianapolis 500 could never be “just a fluke.”  It takes concentration and focus like none other.  The speeds are very high, with the cars running around the famed 2.5 mile race course on the edge of wrecking every lap.  If the car feels comfortable, then odds are you’re not keeping up with the rest of the drivers.

Your body also has to endure lateral G-forces of over four gs in each corner.  Multiply that by the four corners, and you get 16gs per lap taking over your body.  Multiply that by the 200 laps that are run in the Indianapolis 500, and the drivers are left with 3200gs that their bodies will withstand during the race.  To put this into focus, astronauts only withstand 3gs on take off and reentry into the atmosphere.

These drivers have to be tough.

Those are just a few reasons why only the best drivers in the world have won “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”  Of the 100 years of racing at the Indianapolis Speedway, the most times someone has won this event are four, and only three drivers can claim they have done this.  It’s not just skill, mental toughness and good conditioning, it might also be that a little luck is on the winner’s side.

With all these factors, drivers like Juan Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, Al Unser, Rick Mears, AJ Foyt and Johnny Rutherford—among other greats—have won this race. You never really see just your average driver win.

With Opening Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a mere 11 days away, I will be writing in-depth articles about the Indianapolis Speedway’s history in the coming weeks.  I have great article topics lined up.

One new thing I will introduce every Thursday leading up to race week called "Top 10 Thursday."  In this weekly discussion, I will get into the Top 10 drivers of all-time, Top 10 Drivers that have never won the 500 and the Top 10 Traditions of the Speedway.  I also have a great article tomorrow on the Andretti family and their misfortunes at the Speedway. 

Buckle up and get ready for a ton of knowledge to be thrown at you in the weeks leading up to the 500.  I have 23 years of experience at the track, and I cannot wait to share all of the best information during the month of May.

If you have never experienced the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I challenge you to visit this month. I promise that you will never be the same again.