Today is one of the most exciting days of the year for the entire city of Indianapolis. It is the official start to the Month of May at the Speedway when all the cars will be getting practice time on track…Opening Day as they call it.
Sure, there have been seven cars on the track already this month with rookie orientation, but that doesn’t bring out the fans (or doesn’t feel like the true start to the month).
Today is the day when the whole city starts to “shut down” for the month and begins all of its festivities in preparation for the race. Today is the day when news coverage will begin to be live at the Speedway every day to get the fast times of all the drivers.
And it will feel different as you go into the track too. You will either walk or go through the tunnel off of 16th Street and hear the echoes of the cars roaring around the track.
Of course though, these are only practice days until next Saturday when the drivers will all have a shot at the pole for race day, but don’t underestimate how important these practice days will be.
The seven rookies will continually need track time. So expect to see them out on the track a lot. You will also see one of the busiest Gasoline Alley’s in a while with the 40 car-driver combinations that will be practicing for the 33 spots next week. More than ever, the practice days this year are important because of the number of entries. You have to get your car setup right because there is a higher chance of not making the field (unlike recent years).
Finally, there is no lack of storylines either for this month to keep an eye on:
- This will be the last year of the current IndyCar (Thankfully)
- Will this be Danica’s last 500? (YES)
- The 100th anniversary of the first 500 has been dubbed “The Most Important Race in History” (Is it for the IZOD IndyCar Series?)
- Will Dario win back-to-back…
- Or will Helio get his forth win at IMS?
- There is no way NOT to get excited for this year’s race. And all the action for it starts TODAY!!!