Why do I love the Indy 500? Some things are just things. We all collectively decide to be excited about them, and we all have a lot of fun. If you like sports, or if you like getting your fingers into America, I’d recommend going to the Indy 500, not because it’s some magnificent display of sport or because it fits some trope about the red white and blue, but because the crowd is so into it and the athletes are so into it and it entirely consumes a rather large city for days at a time, but especially on race day, making it a quintessential event for a specific, significant slice of the country. Right now, people are well into their tailgates in the infield, and I can’t wait to get back.
Team Penske had a good hype video, if you’re looking for a hype video. Go full-screen on that thing:
Where It Is
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Brickyard.
When It Is
Green flag at 12:45 PM EDT. “Back Home Again in Indiana” at 12:35 PM EDT.
How to Watch
NBC
Who to Watch
Scott Dixon’s the favorite at +350, followed by Colton Herta at +700 and then a whole slew behind them. Also, keep an eye on Santino Ferrucci and Conor Daly, who evidently have some beef:
There isn’t really the “rubbin’s racin’” thing in IndyCar, because the cars aren’t built for that, and IndyCar is, by my impression, much more dangerous than NASCAR (again because of how the cars are built), so don’t be cheering for contact, but it’s at least entertaining to have some animosity. Emotions are high already. It’s a big day. Enjoy it.
if this is a sport, then drag racing behind Denny’s makes me an athlete