Welcome race fans!

Despite growing up in Indiana, I know next to nothing about auto racing. I never went to the race as a kid, and it's always blacked out on local TV, so my whole life its just been a thing that we listened to on the radio while grilling out once a year.

None of that stopped me from taking a couple weeks at the track. Work is work, and for an aspiring sports TV worker, 'Indy 500' adds a nice line to the resume.


Enough talk, PICS!



Marco Andretti getting ready for a qualifying run on pole day.

We shot the Lynard Skynard concert on carb day.



There was a sea of rednecks rocking out that stretched a mile. Lots of women flashing their breasts constantly (not pictured), which makes for a very tricky live video shoot.

My favorite fan sighting of carb day was a one armed man jamming some air guitar to skynard. That guy wasn't gonna let nothing stop his rockin'!

Skynard from the base of the stage.

RACE DAY

Got to the speedway a little after 5 am. I didn't really have anything to do until like 8am but I had to beat the traffic.


Sunrise from the 9th floor of the pagoda.


Just before the start of the race.


From the roof: Air National Guard calling in the flyover for the anthem. You can see the F-16s approaching in the distance.
st race
My job was for the large screen video boards, most of our content was pre and post race, with a few interviews with wrecked drivers/teams in between. For the most part, when they were racing under green flag, we didn't have much to do, so I snapped a couple pics.


Dario making his final pit stop.

With about 30 laps to go, we split the crew up and tried to get in position to cover the potential winning pit. This was basically a crapshoot because it was anyones race and we didn't have enough camera to cover them all.

I went with one other guy to the start finish line, which had the Dixon and Franchitti pits located adjacent to it.


On lap 185 of 200, there was a dramatic restart. that saw Kannan blow by everyone from 5th to the lead.

Dario's pit is stunned as Kannan drives by with the lead by in the background.



Franchitti's pit watches as he crosses the line for the white flag lap. Sato, Dixon and Kanaan are all in striking distance.


Moments later there is a loud gasp from the crowd., the crew turns to see the video board.


The crew member on the left points towards the Sato crash on the big screen.


A split second later, he raises his fist in triumph, knowing they've won.


The crew stands atop the pit wall, cheering as their driver hits the homestretch on the final lap under yellow.


Franchitti takes the checkered flag, teammate Dixon just behind him, followed by Kanaan in 3rd.
The crew goes wild. Pandemonium erupts and we are enveloped by a swarm of media.


All in all, a pretty fun day.

Bonus picture: The champ and I , taken by a friend during a practice day the previosu week.

Sweet TR!

Despite being a nascar hater, that TR was honestly pretty cool. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, never knew the races were blacked out for locals. That rule is as stupid and counterproductive as the NFL's blackout rules.

Awesome report on the race and cool pics, thanks.

I was expecting Jimmy Goldstein pics. Cool TR Aaron.

good stuff

These 2 are fantastic shots. Also cool to see Bob Seger there. I'm not a racing fan but did go to the time trials when I was like 14 and it was really neat, the most impressive thing I took from it was the sound those machines make up close. TV doesn't do it justice. I also remember hearing about the "Snake Pit" in the final turn where women showed their tits. We all walked down there to catch a glimpse but didn't see anything.

Epic TR!

Heh our race day tradition was to drive north to my grandparents in rochester who were outside of the blackout circle

It boggles my mind that an event that has 300+k fans per year still is blacked out in the local area. Especially an event that used to be considered the biggest race event of the year.

I'm going to have to check out a 500 in one of the upcoming years. Have wanted to go for awhile now.

your trip reports are the best. awesome thread.

BUMP



Just another day at work...

Who is Luck's ugly uncle?

90% sure this is noodleman.

http://deadspin.com/nba-cameraman-tr...g-a-1442695348

Catch of the decade if true.

Even if not true, still amazing memory.

Awesome bump and congrats to me for starting from the beginning.

Awesome bump, but it wasn't me.

Right basket, similar build and hair color so I can see how you might think so though.

I declined that game because it was Saturday afternoon and lol preseason. Apparently, some of the other regulars declined it too so a newer guy was on the court. He obviously hasn't found his comfortable sitting position yet.

I got a couple texts about this today from other camera guys we've all been having a pretty good chuckle over it.
...
I just re-read the thread, some good times, but I've definitely slacked a bit lately. I've worked a few fun things in the past year (NBA playoffs, UFC) that aren't in here.

That's what i figured from the pic you posted w/ luck, seemed too close to not be true. looking forward to hearing more.

Awesome thread, thanks for all the pics and stories!!!

Thanks for sharing. Thread is a really fun read.

Dude. You should have owned this video as being you. Awesome "trip" report...

Bwhaahaaahaa.

I crack me up.

Followed link from 2017 Indy 500 thread - cool report

Fantastic