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4790 West 16th Street: the Greatest Place on Earth, and a Family Tradition
Having attended my first Indianapolis 500 in 1973 as a wide-eyed eight year old and every “500” since, it is difficult to define one great experience at the Speedway, but a multitude come to mind.  Countless Qualification Days and hearing John Totten describe the run “both left side wheels just below the white line”, Tom Carnegie with the “time and speed report” and bellowing “AND IT’S A NEW TRACK RECORD”, and Jim Phillippe conducting the post-run interview and imploring the crowd to cheer for a great run with “he can hear you now”.  Race Days highlighted by A.J. Foyt’s fourth “500” win in 1977 and sharing the victory lap with Mr. Hulman, the compelling last 10 laps of the 1982 Race, with virtually everyone cheering so loudly for the veteran Gordon Johncock to hold off a surging youngster named Rick Mears that the engines were barely audible, and the stunning last second pass for victory by Sam Hornish in 2006.

The history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race fascinate me, and perhaps that is partially attributable to my family’s history at The 500.  My paternal grandfather attended his first “500” in 1937 at the invitation of a friend, and essentially stayed in Indianapolis for the rest of his life.  My maternal grandfather attended every “500” from 1951 to 1985.  My father attended every “500” from 1946 to 2002, except 1959 when the Navy had him in Cuba “taking care of Fidel” as dad always said.  An uncle has attended every Race since 1951, and in the same Stand B seats since 1955.  But it is my dad taking me to the Speedway and The 500 for so many years that had the greatest impact.  Dad was on the Safety Patrol for 33 years, and the thrill of coming in on Race Day before the gates opened was hard to describe.  My dad passed away in 2003, but certainly passed on a love of the Indianapolis 500 that I am now passing on to my children.  Thankfully, they have taken to the Speedway and the Month of May at a very young age and I look forward to sharing their big days at 4790 West 16th Street with them for many years to come.
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