yesterday.

before i went i was depressed and thinking i wouldn't go again because it has become such a penske benefit, the cars are boring and they are all the same.

in spite of my self i had a really good time. the three hour rain delay was most pleasant. a lot of folks left leaving a comfortable combination of lots of leg room and serious race fans left.

the guys in front of me live about fifteen minutes from the talledega track and are unlikely indy car fans who have come up for the last eight years or so.

penskes made a few uncharacteristic mistakes in the pits and had some racing luck. hornish ran into scheckter (the reverse of what might be expected knowing the characters).

when the race restarted danica was in third and soon passed her teammate for second. although i am not really a big danica fan i found myself teary eyed at the thought she might have a car to win with. i guess it was just the idea of a gal winning for the first time. (i like the venezualian girl ...in spite of her citgo sponsership).

eventualy near the end the rain was moving in and the cars not seriously in the championship stayed out when everybody else went in for fuel and tires under yellow and franchetti was in front. he had a fast car all day so it was not bad he should win. ashley judd (his wife) attended the winners circle ceremonies in the rain and barefoot (i like that lady).

it was a muggy day in the eighties. by the time i walked the two miles from our favorite parking space outside the east side of the track (where you can drive in and drive out without serious sitting in traffic) and climbed the six stories up to the penthouse seats i was soaking in sweat. (the new hip performed flawlessly). on the way out it rained and under my poncho i again became seriously sweaty.

it was a very entertaining race. we arrived back in lafayette near 10 oclock after stopping for a little food in the gas america truck stop. the latest finish i can remember in 45 years of attendance more or less.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Tom, was there a marching band playing there? I'm pretty sure it was my school's band. Avon Lake High School...

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

Tom, The best news is that your new hip worked great!!!

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SONNY was right...Nobody Cares.
Calogero, from the movie, "A BRONX TALE."

i was not there for all the lead up ceremonies.

the only band i saw was purdue's. and someone said "where is the big drum?" i guess they left it in west lafayette.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I caught a little of it on TV. It was closer to the Indy 400.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

yep.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.