Traveling with the Schroeders: Indy 500

This Memorial Day weekend, after a 30-year absence, we returned to the Indy 500.  Apparently, God thought I should have my experience delayed a little longer as heavy rains and thunderstorms caused a 4-hour delay.  Once the rain stopped, the track crew was at work blowing the track dry.  That was about a one-hour process.

Although the race had quite a few yellow flags (including one on the very first lap in the very first turn), the end of the race ran green the whole time.  Several cars vied for the lead until Josef Newgarden passed Pato O'Ward on turn three of the final lap.  In the family picks, I had chosen Josef Newgarden, so I could crow a little bit about my dumb luck.

Because of the rain delay and waiting for some of the traffic to clear out, we did not get home until quite late.  Everyone went straight to bed, dog-tired.  After all, 500 miles is a long way to go.

Below are some photos from the weekend.

A surprise visitor to the Schmidt house--the pace car from 1969.  Peter got to go for a ride in it.

5:45 AM and ready to head down to the track.  

This is Chad, Nathanael, and Peter by the dawn's early light.

A news crew from WISH in Indianapolis found our tailgate party and interviewed some of our crew on live, early morning TV.  

Tailgating about three blocks from the track.

Some of our crew, sitting 20 rows up as we could watch the cars come out of turn four.

I had the best date with me!  She brought me to my first Indy 500 in 1990.

AAAAANNNNDDDDDD... four hour rain delay.

Looking down the straightaway from our seats.

Out of turn four and heading into the green flag.  Only 200 laps to go!

Josef Newgarden, 2024 Indy 500 champion, edging out Pato O'Ward.