oblivialand

On Indy 500 Eve, let me introduce you to my pseudo little sister and IndyCar nanny extraordinaire Veronica Knowlton.

1. What’s your favorite on-track memory? I was with Sam & Alex (Lloyd’s) family watching last year’s 500.  The race is coming to a close and Alex has managed to come from P21 (I believe) to P7, and there are only a few laps remaining. As the laps are counting down and even through the yellow from Conway’s crash, Alex has made it to P3! We were all so ecstatic that we were all jumping up & down, hugging one another. It was just the best thing to see him show everyone how talented he really is and make podium at the Indianapolis 500!  Even though the history books don’t reflect his P3 finish, all of us will never forget how incredibly well he drove that day.

2. What’s your favorite off-track memory? Driving around Speedway the nights leading up to the race are fun. I have driven around with Olivia and friends a few times, and it’s fun to watch all the madness. (:

3. What’s your favorite track food/concession? The ice cream, for sure! It’s so yummy especially on those toasty days.

4. Favorite Tradition? Not really a tradition, per se,  but being able to see a lot of the people I love throughout the month. We’re all so busy with our lives that May is a wonderful time to catch up and spend a bit of time together. Also, Livvie does this awesome Little Miss Sunshine dance before the start and usually gives an exclusive Hannah Montana concert. (Truth.)

5. Favorite spot in the Speedway & why? The place in the garages where Packy sets up shop for the month because we have a lot of memories in there.  Lots of dancing and singing and other ridiculousness.

All photos from Veronica’s personal collection.

But of course I saved the Carb Day edition of Track Tales for the fabulous Leslie Bailey. Blogger, columnist, and all around awesome, Leslie is one of the only other ladies I know to have been involved in racing her entire life.   

1. What’s your favorite on-track memory? Standing in the pits with my dad for the start of my first Indy Lights race at the speedway. It was a special daddy-daughter bonding moment

2. What’s your favorite off-track memory? When I was two, my mom and dad were attending a black tie race event poolside at what is now the Candlewood Suites (I believe it was something else then). My grandparents were babysitting me and my brother who was still in diapers while we played around the pool. My brother decided to push me into the deep end so my dad, who was in the middle of a conversation with Warwick Banks, had to dive into the pool wearing his tuxedo to rescue me.

3. What’s your favorite track food/concession? A bloody mary!

4. Favorite Tradition? Watching the Indy 500 pre-race festivities in the pits with my best friend Jesika. Every year for the past five or six years we stand together. It always ends in tears – the happy kind.

5. Favorits spot in the Speedway & why? That’s a difficult one, there are so many! The pagoda has incredible views but I find the sounds, sights, and smells in the pits so comforting. However, nothing beats standing on the highest step of the grandstands on top of the 500 suites to watch the final lap of the race. You know that the very moment when the car passes the finish line, you just saw history being made. It gives me goosebumps.

Check out the Adventures of Lesalina here. Do it, you’ll love her!

Fast Friday’s Track Tales come from by way of my bff, Casie Foyt. Granddaughter of A.J. Foyt, big sister to A.J. Foyt IV and pretty much the most legit and spirited person you’ll ever meet in your life. I love this girl to death!

What’s your favorite on-track memory? When my little brother Anthony went backwards on his first qualify attempt at the Speedway. I remember looking up at the screen thinking “what the heck…” We all went to the back garage and laughed about it and Jack Arute turned it into a laughing type story instead of a down moment, which made everybody smile. 

What’s your favorite off-track memory? The night before the race is always so fun. We all get together, usually Olivia and Willie and I, and do our own thing whether it’s walking around the town of Speedway or hanging out in our hotel. Those are times when some of the best memories are made.

What’s your favorite track food/concession? The waffle station at the at the Brickyard restaurant. Olivia and I got huge waffles with reeces pieces and whip cream on them. My Nana looked as us like we were crazy!

Favorite Tradition? Meeting up with Olivia at every Indy 500 and making memories and watching history. It’s like our version of a family reunion, no matter what we know we’ll see each other at least once a year.

Favorite spot in the Speedway & why? Our suite in turn two. We’ve had that suite since we were little kids and the race is always around my brother’s birthday. Before the race we would always sit in the middle of the suite and my brother would open his presents. 

Todays Track Tales are brought to you by Bailey Ebaugh, hands down
the biggest IndyCar fan I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting . Bailey is a member of the famous Alley Cats, a lover of all things racing and makes the best crafts which she generously shares with everyone in the racing community. And today Bailey will have had the thrill of a lifetime, taking her first 2-seater ride at IMS. 

1. What’s your favorite on-track memory?  Last year my Friend Jay Howard came by the Alley Cats and let me sign his Helmet that he was letting all his fans sign it and that made my day. I was the second person to sign it and I am his number one fan.  I also got a pace car ride last year before the 500 with my really awesome best friend, Martin Plowman. It was the most amazing memory I will ever have, riding in the pace car going 150 (miles per hour) around the Speedway. It made my day.  My last but favorite memory is when Packy Wheeler, my most best friend in life,  made me the Team Bailey Stickers and the Banner that had  Team Bailey Racing on it.  That was the sweetest thing that anybody has done for me.

2. What’s your favorite off-track memory? My most (favorite) memory off the track is when Martin Plowman and Nicole Pollard, his girlfriend, came out to my house to ride in my town parade. That was a fun and awesome day hanging out with the most amazing people in my life.  I also loved when Jimmy Kite came to my birthday party when I was eighteen years old at Red Robin. He came and surprised me and it made my birthday AMAZING.

3. What’s your favorite track food/concession?  I love the pretzel with cheese and also the ice cream is reallly good!

4. Favorite Tradition? My  favorite tradition is where I always stand during the Month Of May. It is called the Alley Cats. It’s with a lot of my friends where we stand with during the month of May, but not race day . I also love getting to see the drivers and talking to them and making them crafts that they love.

5. Favorite spot in the Speedway & why? That is my favorite spot (The Ally Cats).  I love being a part of the Alley Cats. It’s my favorite spot and tradition, my family has been going there with friends for a long time.  Love that spot.

[Photos from Bailey's personal collection]

 Various days throughout the month of May Oblivia’s favorite racing friends and family share their fondest memories of the Indy 500. 

To kick things off meet Tony Donohue: Radio dude for ESPN 1070 The Fan, life long Indy 500 enthusiast and the guy I think should be the next voice of the Speedway. Talk to him once and you’ll agree.

1. What’s your favorite on-track memory? Theres always 2 every race that stick in mind, normally the final lap saluting the winner, and a big crash that occurred. I was 7 when JV (Jacques Villeneuve) went 505 miles and didn’t really realize it at the time. I sit in turn 3 for the race, so have seen Marcos (Andretti) flip, DW’s (Dan Wheldon) flip and of course (Mike) Conway last season. The final lap last year was intense. Is MC okay? What happened? What’s up with the leaders? Wheldon is coming, is Dario out of gas, will he make it? That was great, but nothing will top (Sam) Hornish hunting down Marco, only to have Marco shut the door on the inside and pull away about 6-7 car lengths. My buddies and I were cheering our heads off. Marco fan or not, it was going to be a remarkable story. When he came around turn 3 for the final time he still had a decent lead, but as he neared turn 4 everyone around me turned silent. Stunned and awaiting what was to happen down the front stretch when Hornish took the lead at the checkers.

2. What’s your favorite off-track memory? Just taking in the atmosphere on race day with my closest friends, dad, brothers and grandpa. Realizing it’s a special day that only comes once a year. I always get a tear in my eye when Jim Nabors sings. A close 2nd would be bump day last year, it was intense. Didn’t know if TK (Tony Kaanan) would make it, Paul Tracy was pushing it, and taking it in with Olivia and some other friends that were into just as much as me, that was priceless. (Including the hardcore Milka fan).

3. What’s your favorite track food/concession? I’m more of a fan of bringing my own to the track, but one can’t go wrong with a Brickyard Burger, Track Fries and a large ice cream cone from the concession behind the Pagoda. I was spoiled last year, the Media Center has great lunch: Red cream soda and strawberry shortcake ice cream!

4. Favorite Tradition? There so many, from walking Georgetown the night before, to sitting in turn 4 for the final practice on Carb Day or pulling drivers out of a hat for a dollar. We walk in the same gate every year were Bob the yellow shirt has known me since I was 5. And buying the cheap five dollar shirts for sale on the way out!

5. Favorite spot in the Speedway & why? Will always watch the race from turn 3, three rows from the top. You see almost everything with a video board right in front. But I always make sure I watch a practice session from Turn 1 in the shade, another great view and photo-op. Normally it’s just me and few others up there, so it’s a good place to take a breather and soak it all in.

[Photos from Tony's personal collection]