So I'm a day late on this one, but I didn't want to write about anything except Memorial Day yesterday. Sunday was the first time that I was on the couch (and at work for the last half) for the Indianapolis 500 since 1999. I went to my first 500 in 2000 and remember it like it was yesterday. Juan Montoya won the race for the same team that won this past Sunday. I ate 3 bloomin onions before the race even started, mostly because we were in a rain delay for three hours. We sat in row EE in the northwest vista in some of the best seats in the speedway.

My mom took me to my first race, but every year after that I've been going with my Dad and the group that he goes with. I can remember something from every 500 I've been to. That's pretty amazing since I couldn't tell you what I've done on my Birthday for the last few years. There's always the one pass, accident, or funny moment in the stands that sticks out from every year. I've had some amazing times at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but until this past Sunday i didn't realize why its so important.

I woke up in a panic, thinking I had missed the driver introductions and prerace ceremonies. I hadn't and actually just caught the beginning. The start of the Indianapolis 500 is a very traditional and exciting part of the event. I typically get to my seats about 3 hours before the race starts and the entertainment for the first two hours of that is minimal at best. There's the part where soldiers who have just returned from service overseas get a lap in the back of a truck around the speedway so that all of the 350,000 people that are there can applaud them. The Indianapolis Police Department does a show on motorcycles that is amazing. I didn't get to catch these on TV this year, but the last hour is actually the best part.

It always seems like the last hour before the race speeds by. It starts with driver introduction, which always brings a mix of cheers and boos. After that there is the National Anthem with some of the best flyovers I've ever seen. If you haven't seen a B-2 bomber fly over, then you're missing out. After that its "Back Home Again In Indiana" sung by Jim Neighbors and "Gentleman Start Your Engines."

Alright, you're probably thinking "big deal" its the beginning of a sporting event. Yes, I agree. However, its the atmosphere and the people that are there that make it special. I'm always with my family when I go to the race. That also makes it special. The Purdue Marching band plays nearly everything before the race. That's my alma mater, how can that not be special? Its doing the same traditions every year to get excited for a race is special. It's special the excitement you feel when you see a driver being escorted by the Indiana State Police.

So I knew it was exciting to be there and why it was to me, but that got a little extra special this past Sunday. I realized the entire world was focused on the area that I'm from. They get to see my city put on an event that is like no other in the world. That's special. I hope that I can get some time off for next year to be a part of it once again.