Another Indy 500.

Another great Memorial Day in Indiana.

As always, lots of stories.  Lots of tales. This year lots of mistakes.

You know we hear that catch phrase, “a buzz”.  You heard a lot this May “there is a buzz at Indy this year.” The celebrities on hand, IZOD on board, etc. But seriously if you are like me and have been to about 20 straight 500s, they ALL individually have been wonderful events. It doesn’t matter if I was watching Nigel Mansel or Buddy Lazier or Dario Franchitti. The speed was there.  The compelling stories were there.  The energy.  The Place.

Yes, the place. Isn’t it that hallowed ground that makes Indy special?  Whether it’s cold and Roberto hits the 2^nd turn wall on the freaking’ parade lap or a scorcher like Sunday when the Scotsman won, it is STILL Indy! There has always been “buzz”.

I like the aggressiveness of IZOD, the new series sponsor. They are the ones bringing the Hollywood element to the 500. They have had a long time association with the NFL Alumni and Hall of Fame and they even brought that to Indy this year with a bunch of football greats on hand to mix in with the Hollywood crowd -- Mark Wahlberg, Lynn Swann, the Kardashians, Anthony Munoz, etc.

Slice it anyway you want IZOD has made a positive impact on the series.

But what can new league honcho Randy Bernard and his staff do NOW to take it even further?

First of all, the talk of going back to an 11:00 AM start in my opinion is a major mistake. No major sporting event in this country starts BEFROE noon on the weekend. Super Bowls are at 6:37 PM eastern.  World Series?  Stanley Cup?  Final Four championship? All prime time specials!   So, you add lights (like Churchill Downs did THIS year; you will see a night Kentucky Derby within five years) and Indy goes prime time.  Those colors, the pageantry, that speed, those drivers, that place! All at night. Prime time. WOW. What a site! What a night!   Gotta think outside the box!

VICTORY BANQUET – After wanting to attend the 500’s Victory Banquet for many years I finally got an invite this year on air from Sarah Fisher. I went Monday night with Sarah and her husband (and crew chief) Andy O’Gara and her in laws (check out O’Gara’s Irish Pub in Beech Grove – it’s the best).  We had a blast.  It’s a great night. A chance for the league and the speedway to celebrate!  Dave Calabro of Channel 13 did a super job as MC.  It was a great nice, super food, funny speeches, etc.  Had a chance to catch up with a lot of racing folks who for the first time in a few weeks had a chance to come up for air! Everyone was relaxed!   Speedway honcho Brian Barnhart told me he has never black flagged anyone who didn’t deserve it.  Love BB – he is one of the stalwarts of that place.  Also saw Indy Car marketing gurus Terry Angstadt and John Lewis (they put the IZOD deal together) and they were as proud as peacocks.  Walked into the dinner with new boss Randy Bernard and his wife.  Randy said he could NOT have had a better “first” 500.  Looking forward to more success.  Spent some time with Ed Carpenter and Tony George.  Both were thrilled Ed could get the sponsorship needed to participate this year.  Tony said he’s been working on some things and hopes to get back to racing real quick.  Ganassi’s Mike Hull told me he wants to celebrate their victory with a nice round of golf – Hull is a super guy to hit the links with trust me!

All in all, it was super night and I thank Sarah and her family for the invite. Coolest thing was when we exited the party, they gave you cookies and a commemorative cold, Indy 500 bottle of milk with Dario’s image on the cap……Now, I really gotta find someone to invite me NEXT year!!!!