I can attest the 500 is unlike any racing event in person. The people, the emotions, the atmosphere, is just so unique. Especially when your child's hero wins.. we sprinted from the South Vista all the way to Victory Lane to have a shot to see Josef celebrate. It was the single most special moment I've had in my life with my son. I had tears of joy.
I grew up in Indiana and we’d go to the track frequently. I was 13 years old and at the track watching when Tom Sneva qualified at 200 miles per hour. That was exciting!
The people that is 60 and above we have experienced all of those things over the years at the Indy 500 it's a special place that cannot be replaced in history
I've attended 52, with the exception of the Covid year, every race since 1970. The pre-race build up, the start, absolutely like nothing else ... its etraordinarily powerful. This year, big Jim Cornelison held the last note of Back Home Again in Indiana ... perfectly punctuated by four F16s in full afterburner side by side. The event never gets old ... quite the opposite. I'm more moved each successive year. My Dad took me out of Kindergarten, "played hooky" ... to attend a practice session in '69. Mario put his primary 4wd Lotus into the fence ... forced he and Bignotti to pull out the backup Brawner Hawk, in which he won his only Indy 500. I shared that story with Mario recently, he enjoyed that ... telling me more about the wrecked Lotus. It is a very special event.
Life long race fan (open wheel and sports cars) and I finally made it to the Indy 500 for the first time in my life this year. And I couldn't agree with this more. It was just a magical event. And it was made even more special by seeing Newgarden finally get the monkey off his back and to see how excited and thankful he was. It was such a great weekend and the perfect one to go to for my first time. The Indy 500 is like a cross between college football and racing. It's great!
@Scott Kinnebrew Thanks, Scott. For nothing. I think it was the term "magical event" that hurt the most. You see my wife had been begging me to take the 3 dogs in the motorhome, leave the houses (2) in So. Cal and go to the 500, then hit our niece's HS graduation in Kansas City. "A well-needed road trip", she was selling. I just got back from 11 days on the road including our team's IMSA race in Monterey at Laguna Seca, then staying overnight at motels for other business 5 nights on the way back home. So, burned out, I stayed home with the dogs and my wife flew to KC for the graduation. When my friend, Josef won I cried like a girl. I wished we had been there to celebrate with him in his "magical moment". He is truly one of the good guys. Smart, talented, funny as hell, balls like a rhino, and works his ass off. I'm glad you're a race fan and I'm glad you had a magical event!
Went in 2015, Years of being a NASCAR fan and going to several races, I didn't really think I'd get wowed by the scale of the event. I was so wrong. Not to mention the battle at the end with Dixon, Power and Montoya is still the best racing I've ever witnessed in person. I absolutely would love to go again some day.
Sounds awesome iron bro big nascare fan here I kind of remember that race but I forgot who won again I think it was dixion, am I rt please let me know I know I can Google it but coming from a fellow race fan I like to hear it from you bro thanks
This was my 50th Indy 500. Indy has always stood by the "500 mile rule". That is why they dont do the green/white/checker method (exceeds 500 miles). This year, in order to give the fans a "racing finish", they went to the unprecedented decision to do the "go straight to green" for a one lap dash after the final red flag. They (the officials) had the opportunity to go red one lap sooner, but they blew it. With the front stretch blocked, they could have brought the cars down the pit lane and stopped them on lap 197. Instead, they let the cars drive through the debris, taking away that precious lap. Had the officials called the red on lap 197, this would not be a discussion/controversy. From a fan standpoint, it was an excellent race. I found it interesting that Ericsson complained throughout his post race interview calling it unfair. However, during Ferrucci's interview, he agreed with the call saying "it was great for the fans". I have found that drivers that understand this race is for the fans as much as it is for the drivers are the ones who are most popular. Thats why the fans like Ferrucci (me included). Always enjoy your commentary at the 500, Dale. Keep up the good work!
The INDY 500 feels like Christmas. Having lived in the metro area you just get that feeling when the flags go up and practice happens and then waking up race morning and arriving at the track it just gets you excitied to be there.
yeah, Indy 500 qualifying is always such a spectacle, i get so excited for it each year. Those drivers really are gladiators, inches from the wall and disaster over 4 laps on the edge
This podcast has made me a Dale Jr. fan. I love hearing his behind the scenes take on what happens. I’m glad they tried to finish the race under green… it worked out. I think it’s like trying to go for a 2 point conversion to win the game. It took guts to make a call like that. And they came out looking like the hero. I think it needs to be put in the rule book to just not count caution laps under 10 to go… and have 1 or two attempts to finish under green but no more than that…
You did a great job comintating JR. You are getting better every special event you do. I don't think you realize how much America loves you and likes to hear and see you. My highlight of the booth tho was Danica says it's entertainment. Amen sister! I know the race industry takes themselves so serious but in the big picture it's just a way for normal people to escape from the real world.
I got to go to the 2013 indy 500 and to this day it was hands down the craziest thing I've ever experienced. Camping in the coke lot outside the track anything goes and locals have said IndyCar fans are waaaaay more rowdy than nascar fans 😂
Can confirm, I’ve camped Bristol, dega, charlotte, Kentucky, Atlanta… the Indy coke lot is the rowdiest bunch of goddamned lunatics I ever saw and it’s not even close! Don’t bring your kids there and don’t plan on getting any sleep
My great grandfather is Mike Boyle owner of the Bolye special the burgandy 1 that Wilber Shaw won with back to back Indy 500 wins first ever to do so....
This year was my 55 in a row. I now travel over 2720 miles to witness this American patriotic event. In 2016, they revised my seating area and now I have an elevator to my seats. This I hope will add a lot more years of attendance! Lol
Normally go to NASCAR races but we went to Indy in 2011. My wife's niece lives in Indianapolis and happened to pick race weekend to get married so naturally we got tickets and stayed for Sunday.
I agree with you. I can see a difference in Santino now. I used to not like him, but now he’s warming on me. Hope it stays that way and he continues to race better.
When I was a teenager in the 70s my father was the Richard Petty of Atlantic Canada he run five tracks a week one seven track championships and well over 200 feature races in 79 he took me to Daytona where I saw Earnhardt I think LED 40 laps and I became a fan that day but my hero AJ foyt finished third that day it was amazing later on in life I met Dale in Moncton New Brunswick when he came to race and then later I met him again in Charlotte in the pits and he remembered me from monton it was amazing I've always loved Open Wheel racing I raced formula Ford's formula 100 go karts Flat Track motorcycles and Ice race motorcycles I've always been a race guy but my heart is really with Open Wheel and hearing Dale talk like that really made my day always enjoy your shows this one I really liked thanks
I agree. I have not missed an INDY 500 broadcast in 45 years and this years on-air team was easily the most cohesive, informative, intelligent, and entertaining I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Keeping the actual Series broadcast team intact for the INDY broadcast makes all the difference in the world! Then adding entertaining, knowledgeable, and opinionated racing voices to the team justs boosts the strength of the entire package. I believe we are way past the point where the broadcast of the biggest race of the year has to be leaned to a large degree toward first-time race viewers. People watch the race with groups of friends, large or small, true non-race fans are always able to get their basic questions answered. It encourages conversation, a rooting interest, and excitement. Everyone I have spoken to has noticed and greatly appreciated the positive change in smart, witty on-air tenor, since ABC & Musburger by comparison. Everyone. The enthusiasm was/is real, palpable, and contagious! Great job, Dale.
I went last year for my first Indy 500 weekend, absolutely a must do item. I loved the way they finished the race, Indianapolis or a road coarse are the only places you can do a restart like that.
It’s interesting that I should see your video on this topic of going to the Indy 500, because a friend of mine told me that his son surprised him by getting him tickets to go this year and he paid for everything (that’s saying something because we live in Northern California!) so that wasn’t cheep! He said that the facility was amazing and that even though there were so many people there that he never really had to stand in lines for anything and that everything was clean and very organized and finally the racing and the cars were great! We are both life long racers so that’s saying something coming from him!
Dale I’m just some part-time fan from Los Angeles but your podcasts are absolutely fantastic and all words and points very well-spoke. Thanks for posting these and sharing your thoughts.
I love that Jr put a spotlight on Ferrucci's personality. I'm a firm believer that motorsports more than any other, needs a bit of that WWE character aspect in their drivers. Yes you have to be talented and yes you have to get results, but you also have to make people want to watch and root. Whether that's for or against you, getting people invested in the storylines off the track is just as important as what happens on it, that's my 2 cents.
Grew up on the north side of Indy. Dad worked for USAC from 60-64 as a tech inspector. May was always an important time for our family, going to qualifications for 2 weekends(loved that format). I’m happy to see how well the track and the events there are growing. I always wanted to see stock cars run there and was so excited to hear about the Brickyard 400. My wife bought me tickets and I was able to bring my dad with. Special times. Special memories. It’s more than just a race track.
I couldn't agree more. I go to Indy every May, except I had to stay home and work my business this year. And one other year when I went ot Monaco instead. It is hard to describe Indy to people who have never been. It is like a religious experience if you are a race fan. I was actually quite enjoyed NBC's coverage watching on Peacock, and felt like I followed some of the stories of the race a lot better than I would have sitting in the stands, even though I usually listen to either the radio or TV broadcast on my scanner, but there is just no replacing being there in person for the overall experience. Especially for all the traditions and pre-race ceremonies. I'm already looking forward to going again next year.
Native Hoosier. Multiple 500s, starting with the Sachs/McDonald wreck in front of us in 1964. Many pole days. Quite a few Brickyards and 1 GP. Love that place.
This diehard NASCAR fan prefers the INDY500 over the Daytona500 and Coke 600 because no restrictor plates allow trailing cars to pass without help from behind. Real racing like it used to be in NASCAR before restrictor plates. You can slow down the top speeds at Daytona and Talladega without reducing HP That's what the rear gear is for.
I agree 100% with you guys. Best broadcast of any Indy 500 I have ever seen. Dale Jr and Danica and Mike T did an amazing job and gave us exactly the info we needed. Lee D is the best at play by play in motorsports. I am so glad NBC took over our favorite events in motorsports. Can’t wait for Fox to be done with their coverage of NASCAR. Thank you NBC! You guys are doing a great job.
I love to hear that excitement after the Charlotte race. I'm parcel too Charlotte, being from Cowpens it's about 60 miles from my home. I love watching this team grow. 🎉Congratulations ❤️ 🥰
If it ever gets in your soul you can never get over it it was stay with you and you will look for May on the calendar like you would look for Christmas or your birthday to some of us it's more sacred than any holiday
I have been going to the INDY 500 since I was 5 years old and attended the 1973 race. I went to the 2003 Daytona 500 and it is not on the same level as INDY. JR. is right.
Crude is a good way to describe the ending. Red flags are very new to IndyCar and the 500, and I understand the desire to not finish under yellow. However, the race should never go over 500 miles. Red flags should only occur when there is ample laps to make a formation lap, green then white then checkered. It's really an easy rule to make.
4:08 Jr stops himself from saying Hinch doesn't like him 😂😂 he does a good job on the broadcast being professional but I've also heard he hates Santino
Not only is it an essential trip for race fans, it is essential for sports fans in general. I go there for Grand Prix weekend, Bump Day, and 500 weekend. I get a Bronze Badge to get in free everyday PLUS garage access (other than raceday) for the two weeks. The price, which is a bargain compared to other races for that type of access, is well worth it.
I live a couple hours south. I love when I walk around before the race. They have vendors and concerts and all kinds of stuff. What Charlotte is too NASCAR is what Indianapolis is to Indy car all the shops and teams are right there
I don't know if I've ever agreed with 16 straight minutes largely full of opinions as much as I did with this video. He's right about that place being special. He's right about the whole broadcast team being great (Diffey has called practically everything there is and it shows) he's right about feeling just a tad uncomfortable with the last red flag restart, and he's right that Indycar, more than other major motorsports, usually just lets things play out organically. Pretty sharp, this Dale fella.
You can tell that he knows where the limit of the car is he's not going to take it over the limit and have an accident and try to do too much he knows how to maneuver and be patient and he's got to clock in his mind doing the Race because to be competitive in Indy you have to know when and when not to you just have to feel it
I'm all in with the idea of spending like a month and a half or two of salary to be able to attend the race at least once. Plane tickets from Madrid + tickets + hotel is expensive man 😅.
Ferrucci should have been with one of the top three teams currently he's one of the best drivers in the world believe me we watch him he would have been fantastic in Formula 1
what Indy did with the red/ Green White and then checkered gave us that amazing finish instead of a finish under caution. It was amazing and Nascar needs to take notice and make more calls for a finish under green so we dont get robbed of that.
Oy! I'm torn. One HE11AVA race! But the finish just didn't sit right. I dunno : end it under Yellow (happened before), or go outlap Y, G/W/X just seems more 'correct'. But MAN. WHAT A RACE!!
Jr. is right. They were lucky everything worked out. If they had taken the green and everyone piled it up in Turn One on cold tires (like happened on multiple restarts in ‘92), the opinion about the race would have been completely opposite. One thing on each of the red flags. They wasted a lap bringing the field around, then bringing them into the pits. An immediate announcement to the drivers to come to the pits would have saved the lap.
The stands erupted when they announced the race was going to end under green. Nobody wanted to see the race end early. I was rooting for about half the field but I’m not a fan of Penske of McLaren, nothing against the drivers, but in 2021 when they were forcing social distancing, Penske only allowed his own march trailers into IMS, I thought that was pretty shitty and I’m not a Zak Brown fan either, but that was an exciting finish.
I read somewhere that the Indy 500 is the largest gathering of people every year that is not religion related. (Which to some people racing is a religion but that’s opinion I guess)
Great 500. Dale is right the finish could have went bad. Still feel bad for the guy leading at the time. I do wish NASCAR and Indy would do a driver exchange program every year.
Never been to the the race but I been to the museum in the track which that was a long time ago. Actually it was in 95! I bought my Jeff Gordon t-shirt there titled "First race First place!" Aka: Brickyard 400. Watched this year's 500 and I loved all of it! It just sucked that the last 20 laps that "caution brings cautions occured" plus the two red flags created a controversial ending. However, I had some people over they ain't race fans end up watching those last laps and I actually thought that was pretty cool!
You guys are just too young. Every Indy 500 from 1911 thru 1956 was started by the pace car followed by the race cars leaving the grid for ONE lap. The first time they came down the main straight, the race was on. I'm sure Roger Penske remembers those days even if you guys don't. But you are so right in your assessment of the atmosphere at the Brickyard on race day. MAGIC ! ! !
They had no issue with it. Firestone said there was literally no difference in tire temperature between the tires on that last restart and the tires when they were coming to the green to start the race. This was from Marshall Pruett of Racer Magazine in his post race video which can be found on TH-cam.
I’ve been distributing fuel my whole life! I’m not only fast and efficient but the best quality customer service that is available in any state! I dare ya to touch base man.
Has Jr. had Jimmie Johnson on his show to talk about his disastrous time in Indy Car. Would love to hear their thoughts and comparisons of the two racing styles.
If there is a chance to do Double Duty as a fan (go to Indy for the 500, then head to Charlotte for the 600), I'd do it in a heartbeat. Even more so if Monaco is involved
I went to Indy this year and if i didn’t have a kid to get back to I would have drove straight to the rain delayed 600 because I don’t know another way to make the double as a normal fan without a private jet LoL
Having grown up near Indianapolis, and been to many 500s, it is not just a race. It’s an experience. For us locals, it gets into our blood.
Indeed, in the blood
I live in Speedway and just wrapped up my 25th straight Indy 500 not counting the Covid year, and I'm only 33, it's Christmas in May!
Qualification, "Bump Day", is a can't miss. Living in Indy, it's part of our being.
If I had a month's vacation every year, hooo boy I'd go for the Month of May every single time
I can attest the 500 is unlike any racing event in person. The people, the emotions, the atmosphere, is just so unique. Especially when your child's hero wins.. we sprinted from the South Vista all the way to Victory Lane to have a shot to see Josef celebrate. It was the single most special moment I've had in my life with my son. I had tears of joy.
Nice
Being in the MOB with Josef was AWESOME
I grew up in Indiana and we’d go to the track frequently. I was 13 years old and at the track watching when Tom Sneva qualified at 200 miles per hour. That was exciting!
The people that is 60 and above we have experienced all of those things over the years at the Indy 500 it's a special place that cannot be replaced in history
I am jealous of anyone who got to experience the 500 through the 80s
I've attended 52, with the exception of the Covid year, every race since 1970.
The pre-race build up, the start, absolutely like nothing else ...
its etraordinarily powerful.
This year, big Jim Cornelison held the last note of Back Home Again in Indiana ... perfectly punctuated by four F16s in full afterburner side by side.
The event never gets old ... quite the opposite. I'm more moved each successive year.
My Dad took me out of Kindergarten, "played hooky" ... to attend a practice session in '69. Mario put his primary 4wd Lotus into the fence ... forced he and Bignotti to pull out the backup Brawner Hawk, in which he won his only Indy 500.
I shared that story with Mario recently, he enjoyed that ... telling me more about the wrecked Lotus.
It is a very special event.
Life long race fan (open wheel and sports cars) and I finally made it to the Indy 500 for the first time in my life this year. And I couldn't agree with this more. It was just a magical event. And it was made even more special by seeing Newgarden finally get the monkey off his back and to see how excited and thankful he was. It was such a great weekend and the perfect one to go to for my first time. The Indy 500 is like a cross between college football and racing. It's great!
@Scott Kinnebrew
Thanks, Scott. For nothing.
I think it was the term "magical event" that hurt the most.
You see my wife had been begging me to take the 3 dogs in the motorhome, leave the houses (2) in So. Cal and go to the 500, then hit our niece's HS graduation in Kansas City.
"A well-needed road trip", she was selling.
I just got back from 11 days on the road including our team's IMSA race in Monterey at Laguna Seca, then staying overnight at motels for other business 5 nights on the way back home. So, burned out, I stayed home with the dogs and my wife flew to KC for the graduation.
When my friend, Josef won I cried like a girl. I wished we had been there to celebrate with him in his "magical moment". He is truly one of the good guys. Smart, talented, funny as hell, balls like a rhino, and works his ass off.
I'm glad you're a race fan and I'm glad you had a magical event!
One of the greatest Indy 500s I’ve seen. I would love to go someday
Went in 2015, Years of being a NASCAR fan and going to several races, I didn't really think I'd get wowed by the scale of the event. I was so wrong. Not to mention the battle at the end with Dixon, Power and Montoya is still the best racing I've ever witnessed in person. I absolutely would love to go again some day.
Sounds awesome iron bro big nascare fan here I kind of remember that race but I forgot who won again I think it was dixion, am I rt please let me know I know I can Google it but coming from a fellow race fan I like to hear it from you bro thanks
That’s the one and only year I went. They way they were dive bombing each other at the end. Those drivers are insane
I went to Indy in 2019. It’s one of the events you have to try to see at least once.
This was my 50th Indy 500. Indy has always stood by the "500 mile rule". That is why they dont do the green/white/checker method (exceeds 500 miles). This year, in order to give the fans a "racing finish", they went to the unprecedented decision to do the "go straight to green" for a one lap dash after the final red flag. They (the officials) had the opportunity to go red one lap sooner, but they blew it. With the front stretch blocked, they could have brought the cars down the pit lane and stopped them on lap 197. Instead, they let the cars drive through the debris, taking away that precious lap. Had the officials called the red on lap 197, this would not be a discussion/controversy. From a fan standpoint, it was an excellent race. I found it interesting that Ericsson complained throughout his post race interview calling it unfair. However, during Ferrucci's interview, he agreed with the call saying "it was great for the fans". I have found that drivers that understand this race is for the fans as much as it is for the drivers are the ones who are most popular. Thats why the fans like Ferrucci (me included). Always enjoy your commentary at the 500, Dale. Keep up the good work!
The INDY 500 feels like Christmas. Having lived in the metro area you just get that feeling when the flags go up and practice happens and then waking up race morning and arriving at the track it just gets you excitied to be there.
yeah, Indy 500 qualifying is always such a spectacle, i get so excited for it each year. Those drivers really are gladiators, inches from the wall and disaster over 4 laps on the edge
This podcast has made me a Dale Jr. fan. I love hearing his behind the scenes take on what happens. I’m glad they tried to finish the race under green… it worked out. I think it’s like trying to go for a 2 point conversion to win the game. It took guts to make a call like that. And they came out looking like the hero. I think it needs to be put in the rule book to just not count caution laps under 10 to go… and have 1 or two attempts to finish under green but no more than that…
Mike Tirico is the new Bob Costas, he can do anything and he’s great at all of it!
Perfect. Every time.
Been to five Indy 500's. It's amazing.
Been going since '74, it never loses it's magic
Lived in Indy for exactly 30 years moving in 2020, and the "Month of May" is second to none.. and TV doesn't do it justice. I definitely miss it 😢
Got a chance to to to the Indy 500 this year. What an incredible experience! Definitely a must go.
Indy is everything NASCAR should be, great crowds, long green flag runs, and fantastic atmosphere.
Year 5 down, Year 6 coming next year
Yup. The broadcast especially showed it. NBC and IndyCar lived to the hype, meanwhile Fox made a hype race feel boring all of a sudden
You did a great job comintating JR. You are getting better every special event you do. I don't think you realize how much America loves you and likes to hear and see you. My highlight of the booth tho was Danica says it's entertainment. Amen sister! I know the race industry takes themselves so serious but in the big picture it's just a way for normal people to escape from the real world.
I got to go to the 2013 indy 500 and to this day it was hands down the craziest thing I've ever experienced. Camping in the coke lot outside the track anything goes and locals have said IndyCar fans are waaaaay more rowdy than nascar fans 😂
Can confirm, I’ve camped Bristol, dega, charlotte, Kentucky, Atlanta… the Indy coke lot is the rowdiest bunch of goddamned lunatics I ever saw and it’s not even close! Don’t bring your kids there and don’t plan on getting any sleep
Indycar fans know how to party...
Al Michaels said that the greatest moment in sports is the start of the Indy 500. And Al, of all people, would know.
My great grandfather is Mike Boyle owner of the Bolye special the burgandy 1 that Wilber Shaw won with back to back Indy 500 wins first ever to do so....
This year was 42 in a row. Will continue to go until I’m unable to walk to my seats.
Way to go rickster that very 😮impressive try for atheist 50 straight that gold Rick gold 😂lol 🎉🎉🎉❤
This year was my 55 in a row. I now travel over 2720 miles to witness this American patriotic event. In 2016, they revised my seating area and now I have an elevator to my seats. This I hope will add a lot more years of attendance! Lol
This was my 59th. Grew up next to the track. Walked over to first one at 11 years old. I’m 69 now, soon to be 70. Hopefully make my “60th” in 2024!😎🇺🇸
For me, this is my 48th STRAIGHT INDIANAPOLIS 500! Hope we can meet up
Normally go to NASCAR races but we went to Indy in 2011. My wife's niece lives in Indianapolis and happened to pick race weekend to get married so naturally we got tickets and stayed for Sunday.
I absolutely agree ,the Indy 500 is the max.
Finally went to the race in 22 for the first time after having grown up around it as a kid. It’s a must for any racing fan. Such an amazing experience
I agree with you. I can see a difference in Santino now. I used to not like him, but now he’s warming on me. Hope it stays that way and he continues to race better.
I got to go in 1996 when I was in second grade. Unforgettable
When I was a teenager in the 70s my father was the Richard Petty of Atlantic Canada he run five tracks a week one seven track championships and well over 200 feature races in 79 he took me to Daytona where I saw Earnhardt I think LED 40 laps and I became a fan that day but my hero AJ foyt finished third that day it was amazing later on in life I met Dale in Moncton New Brunswick when he came to race and then later I met him again in Charlotte in the pits and he remembered me from monton it was amazing I've always loved Open Wheel racing I raced formula Ford's formula 100 go karts Flat Track motorcycles and Ice race motorcycles I've always been a race guy but my heart is really with Open Wheel and hearing Dale talk like that really made my day always enjoy your shows this one I really liked thanks
I agree. I have not missed an INDY 500 broadcast in 45 years and this years on-air team was easily the most cohesive, informative, intelligent, and entertaining I have ever had the pleasure to watch.
Keeping the actual Series broadcast team intact for the INDY broadcast makes all the difference in the world! Then adding entertaining, knowledgeable, and opinionated racing voices to the team justs boosts the strength of the entire package.
I believe we are way past the point where the broadcast of the biggest race of the year has to be leaned to a large degree toward first-time race viewers. People watch the race with groups of friends, large or small, true non-race fans are always able to get their basic questions answered. It encourages conversation, a rooting interest, and excitement.
Everyone I have spoken to has noticed and greatly appreciated the positive change in smart, witty on-air tenor, since ABC & Musburger by comparison.
Everyone.
The enthusiasm was/is real, palpable, and contagious!
Great job, Dale.
Yes yes yes
I went last year for my first Indy 500 weekend, absolutely a must do item. I loved the way they finished the race, Indianapolis or a road coarse are the only places you can do a restart like that.
Lee Diffeys call at Michigan in 2017 when Kyle Larson won on a late restart was magical. I wish NBC would bring him back for more NASCAR races
It’s interesting that I should see your video on this topic of going to the Indy 500, because a friend of mine told me that his son surprised him by getting him tickets to go this year and he paid for everything (that’s saying something because we live in Northern California!) so that wasn’t cheep! He said that the facility was amazing and that even though there were so many people there that he never really had to stand in lines for anything and that everything was clean and very organized and finally the racing and the cars were great! We are both life long racers so that’s saying something coming from him!
Dale I’m just some part-time fan from Los Angeles but your podcasts are absolutely fantastic and all words and points very well-spoke. Thanks for posting these and sharing your thoughts.
I love that Jr put a spotlight on Ferrucci's personality. I'm a firm believer that motorsports more than any other, needs a bit of that WWE character aspect in their drivers. Yes you have to be talented and yes you have to get results, but you also have to make people want to watch and root. Whether that's for or against you, getting people invested in the storylines off the track is just as important as what happens on it, that's my 2 cents.
Santino. Cool. Yep.
Junior awesome. For sure.
Grew up on the north side of Indy. Dad worked for USAC from 60-64 as a tech inspector. May was always an important time for our family, going to qualifications for 2 weekends(loved that format). I’m happy to see how well the track and the events there are growing. I always wanted to see stock cars run there and was so excited to hear about the Brickyard 400. My wife bought me tickets and I was able to bring my dad with. Special times. Special memories. It’s more than just a race track.
I couldn't agree more. I go to Indy every May, except I had to stay home and work my business this year. And one other year when I went ot Monaco instead. It is hard to describe Indy to people who have never been. It is like a religious experience if you are a race fan. I was actually quite enjoyed NBC's coverage watching on Peacock, and felt like I followed some of the stories of the race a lot better than I would have sitting in the stands, even though I usually listen to either the radio or TV broadcast on my scanner, but there is just no replacing being there in person for the overall experience. Especially for all the traditions and pre-race ceremonies. I'm already looking forward to going again next year.
Nice, Tommy. Nice. 🤝
Native Hoosier. Multiple 500s, starting with the Sachs/McDonald wreck in front of us in 1964. Many pole days. Quite a few Brickyards and 1 GP. Love that place.
How close?
@@jimries625 We we’re in Grandstand C. The two cars were burning near the beginning of the grandstand. We could feel the heat.
This diehard NASCAR fan prefers the INDY500 over the Daytona500 and Coke 600 because no restrictor plates allow trailing cars to pass without help from behind. Real racing like it used to be in NASCAR before restrictor plates. You can slow down the top speeds at Daytona and Talladega without reducing HP That's what the rear gear is for.
Nothing like Indy!!!!
I agree 100% with you guys. Best broadcast of any Indy 500 I have ever seen. Dale Jr and Danica and Mike T did an amazing job and gave us exactly the info we needed. Lee D is the best at play by play in motorsports. I am so glad NBC took over our favorite events in motorsports. Can’t wait for Fox to be done with their coverage of NASCAR. Thank you NBC! You guys are doing a great job.
I agree
Yes!!!
Yes yes yes. Soooooo good. Fan for 50 years. It seemed perfect to me.
This is a great show today I love this the indy was awesome ❤Jr. And Mike
Sweet
I love to hear that excitement after the Charlotte race. I'm parcel too Charlotte, being from Cowpens it's about 60 miles from my home. I love watching this team grow. 🎉Congratulations ❤️ 🥰
Dale a gift to the world. 🙏
If it ever gets in your soul you can never get over it it was stay with you and you will look for May on the calendar like you would look for Christmas or your birthday to some of us it's more sacred than any holiday
10:09 Yes, Danica is well put together...
Danika is also doing a great job on f1 with Skysports.
went to '11 and '22 500s I cant recommend it enough, dont matter which motorsport you enjoy you just have to do it
You guys have to listen to Townsend and Hinch during the practice sessions. They had been fighting over Santino all month!
He is one of the great young Next Generation drivers Dale if he needs a ride in NASCAR signing him up
Indy is. one hell of an experience. The only time I've been there was when the 3 car won the Brickyard 400.
I have been going to the INDY 500 since I was 5 years old and attended the 1973 race. I went to the 2003 Daytona 500 and it is not on the same level as INDY. JR. is right.
I've worked w/ Santino for a number of years and he is a fantastic collaborator. Thanks for the insights Dale JR.
Crude is a good way to describe the ending. Red flags are very new to IndyCar and the 500, and I understand the desire to not finish under yellow. However, the race should never go over 500 miles. Red flags should only occur when there is ample laps to make a formation lap, green then white then checkered. It's really an easy rule to make.
Mike is right about NBC Motorsports generally, I watch Indy as well as Supercross and Motocross and their TV product for all of it is second to none.
4:08 Jr stops himself from saying Hinch doesn't like him 😂😂 he does a good job on the broadcast being professional but I've also heard he hates Santino
Not only is it an essential trip for race fans, it is essential for sports fans in general.
I go there for Grand Prix weekend, Bump Day, and 500 weekend. I get a Bronze Badge to get in free everyday PLUS garage access (other than raceday) for the two weeks. The price, which is a bargain compared to other races for that type of access, is well worth it.
Went in 2000 when I was 16. It rained but once the race started it was awesome. Other than Juan Pablo Montoya basically leading every lap.
Dominated
THANK YOU DALE!
The Indy GP is also a great experience and it cost way less.
I live a couple hours south. I love when I walk around before the race. They have vendors and concerts and all kinds of stuff. What Charlotte is too NASCAR is what Indianapolis is to Indy car all the shops and teams are right there
I've known this since childhood, hope I can go someday. 8 brazilian wins in the race
I don't know if I've ever agreed with 16 straight minutes largely full of opinions as much as I did with this video. He's right about that place being special. He's right about the whole broadcast team being great (Diffey has called practically everything there is and it shows) he's right about feeling just a tad uncomfortable with the last red flag restart, and he's right that Indycar, more than other major motorsports, usually just lets things play out organically. Pretty sharp, this Dale fella.
You can tell that he knows where the limit of the car is he's not going to take it over the limit and have an accident and try to do too much he knows how to maneuver and be patient and he's got to clock in his mind doing the Race because to be competitive in Indy you have to know when and when not to you just have to feel it
If there wasn’t the crash on the front stretch bringing out the last red flag, I firmly believe Ferrucci would’ve won.
Yeah, Ferrucci knew it too. He was in tears after the race
Thank god he didn't
2 years in a row for me now and I’m gonna keep going till I can’t no more🤣
Awesome, I turned 50 last year and went to my 47th 500 in a row last week
@@jessallen7756 oh yeah
Race fan or not, the Indy 500 needs to be on everyone's bucket list. You'll understand why when you're there.
I'm all in with the idea of spending like a month and a half or two of salary to be able to attend the race at least once. Plane tickets from Madrid + tickets + hotel is expensive man 😅.
Ferrucci should have been with one of the top three teams currently he's one of the best drivers in the world believe me we watch him he would have been fantastic in Formula 1
Ease of speaking, knowledge of race cars and a good vocabulary are the key to a great announcer.
what Indy did with the red/ Green White and then checkered gave us that amazing finish instead of a finish under caution. It was amazing and Nascar needs to take notice and make more calls for a finish under green so we dont get robbed of that.
Yep yep yep
That finish was a sham.
Oy! I'm torn. One HE11AVA race! But the finish just didn't sit right. I dunno : end it under Yellow (happened before), or go outlap Y, G/W/X just seems more 'correct'. But MAN. WHAT A RACE!!
Love this post. 👏👏👏👏
Yep
Going to a baseball game at Wrigley field is similar - so much atmosphere when you're there in person that you miss on TV.
Wrigley is nothing like Indy
Jr. is right. They were lucky everything worked out. If they had taken the green and everyone piled it up in Turn One on cold tires (like happened on multiple restarts in ‘92), the opinion about the race would have been completely opposite.
One thing on each of the red flags. They wasted a lap bringing the field around, then bringing them into the pits. An immediate announcement to the drivers to come to the pits would have saved the lap.
The stands erupted when they announced the race was going to end under green. Nobody wanted to see the race end early. I was rooting for about half the field but I’m not a fan of Penske of McLaren, nothing against the drivers, but in 2021 when they were forcing social distancing, Penske only allowed his own march trailers into IMS, I thought that was pretty shitty and I’m not a Zak Brown fan either, but that was an exciting finish.
No single NASCAR race is as exciting as the Indy 500.
Every nascar race ever run combined, doesn't match a single Indy 500
I went to the indy500 in 2014 2015 and I do want to go again sometime I remember the movie turbo and it had Indy500 and INDYCAR
I read somewhere that the Indy 500 is the largest gathering of people every year that is not religion related. (Which to some people racing is a religion but that’s opinion I guess)
It's one the bucket list.
On the bucket list, along with learning how to spell. LOL!
Great 500. Dale is right the finish could have went bad. Still feel bad for the guy leading at the time. I do wish NASCAR and Indy would do a driver exchange program every year.
And I did enjoy the broadcast. 😊
Never been to the the race but I been to the museum in the track which that was a long time ago. Actually it was in 95! I bought my Jeff Gordon t-shirt there titled "First race First place!" Aka: Brickyard 400.
Watched this year's 500 and I loved all of it! It just sucked that the last 20 laps that "caution brings cautions occured" plus the two red flags created a controversial ending.
However, I had some people over they ain't race fans end up watching those last laps and I actually thought that was pretty cool!
I was really hoping NBC pulled out the VAR lines/Hawkeye for whether the tire went over the line/outside the box or not.
No fan wants to make that kind of time and financial commitment just to see a race end at 60 mph behind a pace car.
I went for the first time this year it is an amazing experience and general admission is only $45
There is nothing better than the Infield at Indy
@Jess Allen agreed but I will definitely be getting regular seats next year
I've heard Saturday night is the best part 😆
Thursday night through Sunday night.....is the party
where you'd get the models? Kits or pre assembled?
Dale did you see the emotions after the race he actually cried because he knew he had a good enough car to try to win the Indy 500 for AJ foyt
Good to go to Qualifying to get a lay of the land more relaxed day make a plan when you come back for the race.
You guys are just too young. Every Indy 500 from 1911 thru 1956 was started by the pace car followed by the race cars leaving the grid for ONE lap. The first time they came down the main straight, the race was on. I'm sure Roger Penske remembers those days even if you guys don't. But you are so right in your assessment of the atmosphere at the Brickyard on race day. MAGIC ! ! !
Engineer said temp and pressure no different than taking green at the start of the race. A MAJOR POINT.
Race went the scheduled distance, and everyone had to play under the same rules.
Marcus got schooled and felt he needed to cry.
I'd love to hear what Firestone tires feels about that Green/White from the pit road after Red.
They had no issue with it. Firestone said there was literally no difference in tire temperature between the tires on that last restart and the tires when they were coming to the green to start the race. This was from Marshall Pruett of Racer Magazine in his post race video which can be found on TH-cam.
I have been to 10 Indy 500's. Until you have seen the walls of humanity down the front stretch, You have not seen it all.
Santino is brilliant.
The thing about Townsend and Hinch is so funny
That had to have been epic to watch, lol!
Dale I’m the best fuel man out there! You need fuel I’m your guy…… lets start something solid
I’ve been distributing fuel my whole life! I’m not only fast and efficient but the best quality customer service that is available in any state! I dare ya to touch base man.
Has Jr. had Jimmie Johnson on his show to talk about his disastrous time in Indy Car. Would love to hear their thoughts and comparisons of the two racing styles.
If there is a chance to do Double Duty as a fan (go to Indy for the 500, then head to Charlotte for the 600), I'd do it in a heartbeat. Even more so if Monaco is involved
I went to Indy this year and if i didn’t have a kid to get back to I would have drove straight to the rain delayed 600 because I don’t know another way to make the double as a normal fan without a private jet LoL
Anything is better than watching or listening to Denny Hamlin