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Headline: My 500 Memories

Message: We live in Tucson, Arizona and drive back to Indy every May. My first 500 was in 1982. 25 years, soon to be 26 years without missing a race. Our first seats were in Stand H and we have since moved to various locations to where we have been for about the last 5 or 6 years in the Paddock at the Start / Finish line just under the canopy. ( I LOVE THESE SEATS and wouldn't want to sit ANYPLACE ELSE )
I have a story I could tell about each year, however the one in 2001 in which I won a contest from ABC Sports is the one I'd like to share. Winning this contest would fullfill a lifelong dream. I was flown in and givin' the red carpet treatment. We had tickets in the VIP suites in turn 2. We were allowed access into Gasoline Alley.............and actually INSIDE garages while final preperations for the race were being made. We were allowed in the pits up until it was racetime. But the lifelong dream of being able to go around the track in a race car was fullfilled with a 4 lap 10 mile ride in the 2 seater IndyCar. I had been around the track on the tour bus numerous times, however I can't begin to tell you the
emotions, the feelings, the tears of joy I experienced when I was buckled in this car and taken out onto the track. That year I got to meet and get autographed pictures of all 33 drivers along with pictures of myself and a couple of my favorite drivers. And if that wasn't enough after the race we were at Winner's Circle and Helio Castroneves poured the milk on his hat which he tossed into the crowd. I was lucky enough to catch the hat and still have it ( all visitors to my home can look but can't touch ) with dryed milk stains to this day. Last year the Speedway allowed Sinden Racing to do the IndyCar DRIVE.........well you guessed it. I now have driven a real IndyCar for 4 laps or 10 miles around the Motor Speedway... The only thing on my list of dreams is to be in the Starter's Box and to be able to go into the Pagoda. I guess at that point my life would be complete ...... unless the Hulman-George family would let me be buried on the grounds !!!! We have a room in our home that is dedicated to Indy 500 memories, photo's, race tickets, etc. etc. My friends can varify my love for the race as periodically during the year I will give a "countdown" with the number of days until the next Indy 500 which by the way at this time is.......

Countdown to Indy

69 days

20 hrs

28 min

20 sec

but who's counting.... ME THAT'S WHO !!!!!
a true open wheel and Indy 500 race fan,
Rick

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