953 nut 59,387 #1 Posted May 25 They call it “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — for a reason. The Indianapolis 500 is the world’s most iconic automobile race. Indy cars, as opposed to the stock cars of NASCAR, whiz around the 2.5-mile oval track at speeds exceeding 200 mph for a total of 500 miles. First run in 1911, the race is now held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — known to racing fans around the world as the Brickyard. If you go, get there early, bring sunscreen, and get set to witness motorsports history. On the same day the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 will be contested at the Charlote Motor speedway and Kyle Larson will attempt to run the full 1100 miles of racing in one day. Last year’s attempt was unsuccessful due to rain. John Andretti was the first driver to attempt the feat, on May 29, 1994. In 2001, Tony Stewart became the first and only driver to date to complete all 1,100 miles of both races in the same day. Five drivers (Andretti, Robby Gordon on five occasions, Stewart twice, Kurt Busch, and Kyle Larson) have attempted. 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,191 #2 Posted May 25 Wonder how a self driving car would do? "I'll just send the AI Guy over" I like the race stuff, but I don't dole deep in driver favorites. The history of the engines and design of the cars is most fascinating. Even with the rules today, It is plain to see the winners have the best machines. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,387 #4 Posted May 25 14 minutes ago, JoeM said: Even with the rules today, It is plain to see the winners have the best machines. It is a big money sport for sure but it is no coinsurance that the best drivers are hired to drive the best machines. A second rate driver wouldn't be capable of winning in a first rate car, but a first rate driver can finish well in a less than ideal car. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,060 #5 Posted May 25 NASCAR cars are far from "stock cars". The rule used to be that to qualify you had to be able to go down to a dealer lot and buy the exact car they were running on the track. I challenge anyone to find me manual trans, rear-wheel drive, carb'd V8 Ford Fusion. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,387 #6 Posted May 25 39 minutes ago, adsm08 said: NASCAR cars are far from "stock cars". The NFL won't allow football players to use leather helmets anymore and the NBA hasn't used old peach baskets nailed to a tree for quite a while. Shoeless Joe Jackson wouldn't be allowed to go onto a professional baseball diamond today. Times have changed, NASCAR isn't the only sport that has changed their safety and performance standards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,905 #7 Posted May 25 Not to mention, how super PAINFUL it would be to watch cars going that "stock" slow. Back in the day it was fast. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,513 #8 Posted May 25 22 minutes ago, wallfish said: Not to mention, how super PAINFUL it would be to watch cars going that "stock" slow. Back in the day it was fast. Kinda like the "Race your Weenie Day! 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,191 #10 Posted May 25 I could probably win a race going to get a hot dog. I watched most of tube stuff on dag and circle cars amazing chain of events 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,060 #11 Posted May 25 2 hours ago, 953 nut said: The NFL won't allow football players to use leather helmets anymore and the NBA hasn't used old peach baskets nailed to a tree for quite a while. Shoeless Joe Jackson wouldn't be allowed to go onto a professional baseball diamond today. Times have changed, NASCAR isn't the only sport that has changed their safety and performance standards. Yes, but I would love to have a Fusion with the specs I listed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,387 #12 Posted May 25 It ain't cheat'n, its innovation. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,684 #13 Posted May 26 (edited) @JoeM That is one of Smokey Yunik's Chevells. A lot of 'innovations' he came up with resulted in the NASCAR rule book becoming much more detailed. Things like specifying the diameter of fuel line that is allowed - this one prevented roll cage sized tubing (which added capacity to the fuel system) from being used. Body templates came about in part because of a 7/8 'scale' Chevelle that Smokey built. He put many more creative "the rule book doesn't say I can't do that" ideas into play. Edited May 26 by 8ntruck 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,743 #14 Posted May 26 On 5/25/2025 at 9:15 AM, adsm08 said: I challenge anyone to find me manual trans, rear-wheel drive, carb'd V8 Ford Fusion. My giggle is the decals to make them resemble the street versions--it’s all theater! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,387 #15 Posted May 26 9 minutes ago, Handy Don said: decals to make them resemble the street versions Are you tellin' me that the headlights and taillights aren't functional? One of the funniest things I remember seeing at a local speedway was a purely street legal compact Powderpuff race with women who did not race in other classes. One of the lads used her turn signals when she was about to pass a slower car. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,684 #16 Posted May 26 Turnsignals = extra style points. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
