Lizzerd
05-15-04, 11:47 PM
Ten years ago (or even 15 or more), I would have been anticipating this day, pole day at IMS, for weeks if not months. Last night, Having already been to the track several times already since opening weekend, my truck would have already been loaded up with a canopy, grill, lawn chairs, flags, a big piece of old carpet, grill, fold up table, clothes basket full of stuff (sun screen, stopwatch, foil, paper towels...), an extra change of clothes, mud boots, etc.
Last night, I would have gone shopping for my weekend food, beer, a bottle of cheap champagne and orange juice for mimosas in the morning. I would have gotten a good night sleep and be out of bed at 5AM and by 6AM backed up to the fence at pit out in turn one along side fifteen to twenty "track buddys". A breakfast brat would soon be on the grill, followed sometimes with an hour nap. I would have been able to get into the track before the gates open because back then, a $100 bronze badge was accepted for early entry at the credential gate (last year was the first year that a bronze badge was no longer good for early entry.) and was good for admission and garage access all month except for race day. Some of the people I would park with in turn one were year round friends, others were people I only saw in May, but greeted warmly on opening day as if we were long lost brothers.
During a qualifying attemp, we would sit with stopwatches in hand, often times recording times on the time chart in the paper, making bets, telling lies, and high fiving each other when our hand timed lap matched the official time. The gun going off at 6PM meant it was time to stroll the garage area for a while. I often drove home near or after sunset.
Tomorrow, and for two days next weekend, I would have done the same, throwing in a happy hour or two during the week. Bump day was indeed a tension filled day. The radio or track announcer would announce that so-and-so was going to jump into so-and-so's backup car at 4PM. Anticipation and excitement rose when his practice times were just a tick faster than 33rd quick. Bump day was especially cool in the garages after quals. Watching the guys who made the show celebrating with fans, and seeing the teams that didn't make it soberly closing shop. Seeing the signs over the closed doors of the Penske garages in '95 at 6:15 was eerie, to say the least. Carb day was much like a qual day. Up early, and at the track all day.
This year, I stayed home and cleaned house.
God, I miss that place.
Last night, I would have gone shopping for my weekend food, beer, a bottle of cheap champagne and orange juice for mimosas in the morning. I would have gotten a good night sleep and be out of bed at 5AM and by 6AM backed up to the fence at pit out in turn one along side fifteen to twenty "track buddys". A breakfast brat would soon be on the grill, followed sometimes with an hour nap. I would have been able to get into the track before the gates open because back then, a $100 bronze badge was accepted for early entry at the credential gate (last year was the first year that a bronze badge was no longer good for early entry.) and was good for admission and garage access all month except for race day. Some of the people I would park with in turn one were year round friends, others were people I only saw in May, but greeted warmly on opening day as if we were long lost brothers.
During a qualifying attemp, we would sit with stopwatches in hand, often times recording times on the time chart in the paper, making bets, telling lies, and high fiving each other when our hand timed lap matched the official time. The gun going off at 6PM meant it was time to stroll the garage area for a while. I often drove home near or after sunset.
Tomorrow, and for two days next weekend, I would have done the same, throwing in a happy hour or two during the week. Bump day was indeed a tension filled day. The radio or track announcer would announce that so-and-so was going to jump into so-and-so's backup car at 4PM. Anticipation and excitement rose when his practice times were just a tick faster than 33rd quick. Bump day was especially cool in the garages after quals. Watching the guys who made the show celebrating with fans, and seeing the teams that didn't make it soberly closing shop. Seeing the signs over the closed doors of the Penske garages in '95 at 6:15 was eerie, to say the least. Carb day was much like a qual day. Up early, and at the track all day.
This year, I stayed home and cleaned house.
God, I miss that place.