Photo: Instagram/indianapolismotorspeedway
(Podcast length 4:50 mins)
Start your summer by cruising with the windows down, the wind blowing through your hair and a smile on your face. That’s how Indy fans prefer their Memorial Day weekend too.
Transcript
1. Move over Gatorade; milk is the drink of the winners at the Indianapolis 500. The tradition that involves the winner swigging milk began in 1936 with Louis Meyer, whose go-to drink after a win was a refreshing glass of milk. An overjoyed milk executive spotted the act, and the rest is history. Each driver picks their milk choice in advance should they win. The options include whole, two percent or fat-free milk. MILK…IT QUENCHES YOUR THIRST, SAID NO ONE EVER
2. Leading the pack in this year's race is veteran IndyCar driver and team owner Sarah Fisher who will drive the official pace car. Fisher raced in nine Indy 500s, the most of any female driver, and set the record of 229.439 mph, making her the fastest woman in Indy 500 history. Other notable figures at this year's race include the man who will start it all by waving the green flag, actor Miles Teller. He plays Rooster in the new "Top Gun: Maverick." Broadway actor and musician Jordan Fisher will sing the national anthem. THE NEED FOR SPEED
3. Something you never thought you'd want to know, yet here we are. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the world's largest spectator facilities, with more than 250,000 permanent seats and average attendance at the Indy 500 of 300,000. The infield is 253 acres and has its own golf course. During the race, the infield is home to the Snake Pit, an EDM concert series. The music lineup for this year's Snake Pit includes Martin Garrix, deadmau5 and Steve Aoki. Did you know that Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, Rose Bowl Stadium, Vatican City, the Taj Mahal, the White House, Liberty Island and the Roman Colosseum could simultaneously fit inside the Speedway? THE BIG HOUSE
4. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also known as the Brickyard. It's called the Brickyard because the track was made of bricks, which are still exposed under the asphalt at the start-finish line. It's a tradition for the drivers to kiss these bricks before the race. We cannot confirm or deny if that's where monkeypox comes from. YOUR KISS IS ON MY LIPS
5. The tradition of retired IndyCar and NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) driver Danica Patrick joining Mike Tirico in the broadcast booth will continue this year. One tradition that you won't see this year is the release of thousands of balloons during pre-race festivities. Organizers say it's an environmental decision, but other sports teams plan to discontinue similar traditions, blaming the helium shortage. The Indy 500 balloon release has been part of the race day tradition since 1947. UP IN THE AIR
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
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