Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60"

Bobby Brannon · 08-08-2011, 10:20 PM

I am all in. I say every year I am not going back. Why the Hell do we do this. LOL.. I would not change a thing.. The people, the sport, and the fun.. Sometimes.?????????.

The Cotten's can add to this comment. We have always had fun..

james schaechter · 08-08-2011, 10:35 PM

My first Indy as a spectator was 1980. I have been involved with most since then as a crew person, owner or driver. Indy is a commitment for sure, but it doesn't get cooler than Indy!

I have been fortunate at Indy, but I have taken more butt whoopin than I have given. It is still the place to be if you can get there.

dwydendorf · 08-08-2011, 11:16 PM

I first went to indy in 1970, I won't be 60 for another 19 days. I didn't even know where the track was the first year I went, I stopped at the White Castle accross from the 500 track and asked someone for directions to the Nationals. Camped out the first few years and first raced there in 1974. I waited in line for 6 hours to make my first time trial in 74. I either spectated or raced there every year from 1970 to 1999 and then in 2000 built a new house and couldn't get away. I was lucky to make it to the class finals 7 times and win class 4 times, the last time I raced there was 1999, but my car was always slow there and I got beat up on, on many occasions. I have helped a few friends the last three years and would like to race there again but it just isn't possible right now. I still have my car and truck and trailer but it wouldn't make the program the way it is, so It ain't going, besides I don't have any grade points. But I hope to be going this year by helping some friends race a new car so maybe I will see some of the many friends I have met over the years, it is allways the biggest race ever and the one everyone wants to win. I have been to many races over the years and the only that even came close was the class nationals but it wasn't Indy.

Jack McCarthy · 08-09-2011, 01:47 AM

indy spectator with late bob hills, drove car to campground at night ... tow hubs 1972 i was 14 ... first race was 1980 i think took 4 years to qualify... im 52 today > 38 years only missed three = 35 trips to indy

captain
damn that a lot of $$$ nhra has hooked me for at just one track

HEADCHOPPER · 08-09-2011, 01:52 AM

1982 was my first Indy trip and ive been every year since. 48yrs old.

cicero819 · 08-09-2011, 08:39 AM

My first Indy was 1968, my brother was just back from his first Tour in Vietnam as a Helicopter pilot and thought he would bring his little brother to Indy and experience racing first hand. I've loved it ever since, didn't miss many but I sure remember the Camping grounds and even remember the onsite jail for the more inebriated or enlighted souls of the 70's. My favorite story(which I've shared in a past post) was Don Prud'homme stopping with his truck,funny car and station wagon to help my brother and I get back on the road after our on tow vehicle was broken on the side of the road. Incredible, would that happen now... I still love Indy but only stay from Wed to Saturday, can't stand the Clown and Circus show the pro's have become(but understand that they have bills to pay and gives us a place to watch some great sportsmans racing). I'm bring my youngest (22yrs old for her first trip before she starts on her Military career). We can now bring our kids, which is not what was possible in the past.lol Claude

BlueOval Ralph · 08-09-2011, 08:44 AM

My first Indy was Detroit 1959, my dad took us out there at 7:00 am came back and picked us up at around 8:00 pm all three day Sat Sun Mon have not missed one (US Nationals) since 1959 been at least 1 day since. Not this year just isn't the same, all the crying and bit chin. I guess it's lost that loving feeling.

Nitro Joe Jackson · 08-09-2011, 09:07 AM

been there since 1964

Travis Miller · 08-09-2011, 09:15 AM

I'm a little past the under 60 limit (63 to be exact). My first year as a spectator was 1966. My first year working Indy was 1973. I hope I got a few years left working there in my future.

Travis

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

thomas sheehan · 08-09-2011, 09:29 AM

First Indy was 1968. Stayed at the "Indianapolis Motor Speedway hotel"! (just a 11 year old hanging with my father).
Well...43 years later... still hanging with my father! We've only missed a handful or less in those 43 years.
If you haven't been there, you won't understand what you're missing! Sure it's not the same now.... but... It's still INDY!

ps.... 52 years old

08-08-2011, 10:20 PM	#1
Bobby Brannon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bossier City,La. Posts: 659 Likes: 3 Liked 103 Times in 35 Posts	Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" I am all in. I say every year I am not going back. Why the Hell do we do this. LOL.. I would not change a thing.. The people, the sport, and the fun.. Sometimes.?????????. The Cotten's can add to this comment. We have always had fun.. __________________ Bobby Brannon 4705 STK, SS

08-08-2011, 10:35 PM	#2
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,988 Likes: 1,281 Liked 1,428 Times in 296 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" My first Indy as a spectator was 1980. I have been involved with most since then as a crew person, owner or driver. Indy is a commitment for sure, but it doesn't get cooler than Indy! I have been fortunate at Indy, but I have taken more butt whoopin than I have given. It is still the place to be if you can get there. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

08-08-2011, 11:16 PM	#3
dwydendorf Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 162 Likes: 251 Liked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" I first went to indy in 1970, I won't be 60 for another 19 days. I didn't even know where the track was the first year I went, I stopped at the White Castle accross from the 500 track and asked someone for directions to the Nationals. Camped out the first few years and first raced there in 1974. I waited in line for 6 hours to make my first time trial in 74. I either spectated or raced there every year from 1970 to 1999 and then in 2000 built a new house and couldn't get away. I was lucky to make it to the class finals 7 times and win class 4 times, the last time I raced there was 1999, but my car was always slow there and I got beat up on, on many occasions. I have helped a few friends the last three years and would like to race there again but it just isn't possible right now. I still have my car and truck and trailer but it wouldn't make the program the way it is, so It ain't going, besides I don't have any grade points. But I hope to be going this year by helping some friends race a new car so maybe I will see some of the many friends I have met over the years, it is allways the biggest race ever and the one everyone wants to win. I have been to many races over the years and the only that even came close was the class nationals but it wasn't Indy. __________________ ss/gt 93 t-bird

08-09-2011, 01:47 AM	#4
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,318 Likes: 28 Liked 459 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" indy spectator with late bob hills, drove car to campground at night ... tow hubs 1972 i was 14 ... first race was 1980 i think took 4 years to qualify... im 52 today > 38 years only missed three = 35 trips to indy captain damn that a lot of $$$ nhra has hooked me for at just one track __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"

08-09-2011, 01:52 AM	#5
HEADCHOPPER Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 69 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" 1982 was my first Indy trip and ive been every year since. 48yrs old.

08-09-2011, 08:39 AM	#6
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,086 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" My first Indy was 1968, my brother was just back from his first Tour in Vietnam as a Helicopter pilot and thought he would bring his little brother to Indy and experience racing first hand. I've loved it ever since, didn't miss many but I sure remember the Camping grounds and even remember the onsite jail for the more inebriated or enlighted souls of the 70's. My favorite story(which I've shared in a past post) was Don Prud'homme stopping with his truck,funny car and station wagon to help my brother and I get back on the road after our on tow vehicle was broken on the side of the road. Incredible, would that happen now... I still love Indy but only stay from Wed to Saturday, can't stand the Clown and Circus show the pro's have become(but understand that they have bills to pay and gives us a place to watch some great sportsmans racing). I'm bring my youngest (22yrs old for her first trip before she starts on her Military career). We can now bring our kids, which is not what was possible in the past.lol Claude

08-09-2011, 08:44 AM	#7
BlueOval Ralph Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 852 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" My first Indy was Detroit 1959, my dad took us out there at 7:00 am came back and picked us up at around 8:00 pm all three day Sat Sun Mon have not missed one (US Nationals) since 1959 been at least 1 day since. Not this year just isn't the same, all the crying and bit chin. I guess it's lost that loving feeling. Last edited by BlueOval Ralph; 08-11-2011 at 10:33 AM.

08-09-2011, 09:07 AM	#8
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,293 Likes: 57 Liked 67 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" been there since 1964 __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

08-09-2011, 09:15 AM	#9
Travis Miller Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 478 Likes: 1 Liked 276 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" I'm a little past the under 60 limit (63 to be exact). My first year as a spectator was 1966. My first year working Indy was 1973. I hope I got a few years left working there in my future. Travis (Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

08-09-2011, 09:29 AM	#10
thomas sheehan Photographer Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,717 Likes: 24 Liked 75 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Who been to Indy 20 years plus "UNDER 60" First Indy was 1968. Stayed at the "Indianapolis Motor Speedway hotel"! (just a 11 year old hanging with my father). Well...43 years later... still hanging with my father! We've only missed a handful or less in those 43 years. If you haven't been there, you won't understand what you're missing! Sure it's not the same now.... but... It's still INDY! ps.... 52 years old __________________ Tom Sheehan SS GT/NA 1046