"A SWARM OF BEES" — The Weekly Opine

A pack of racecars buzz into Turn 3 during the Indianapolis 500. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Indy delivers

Well, the Big Race has come and gone – as always it seems in a flash. This year’s Indy 500 was considered a sellout since all 135,000 of allowed seats (around 40% of normal race day capacity) were occupied by fans.

From start to finish it was a raucous crowd. It was an awesome feeling to be among the throng for the traditional singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” After fans missed attending last year’s race due to the pandemic, the song felt more sentimental than usual before Sunday’s 105th Indianapolis 500.

Some race fans living in and around Indianapolis, unable to attend this year’s race, were afforded rare live TV coverage because the race was sold out. After watching the 2020 race on NBC-TV, and part of this year’s race replay on NBC Sports cable channel Sunday night, it is obvious that moving the 500 from ABC/ESPN to NBC was the correct decision.

While ABC/ESPN excels at sports, and has done so for many, many years (e.g., “Wide World of Sports,” “Monday Night Football,” “College Game Day” and “Pardon the Interruption”), NBC has infused much needed progression into coverage of the Indianapolis 500. It starts with NBC having their top sports announcer, Mike Tirico, anchor the broadcast, which adds inestimable prestige.

Race day weather was splendid and the drivers put on a great show, with only two yellow flags during the entire race.

Just a few laps after the race started I called my sweetheart, who was home in Chicagoland. I placed my phone on “speaker” and held it toward the racetrack. When the cars roared through Turn 3, she said it sounded like “a swarm of bees.”

By the end of the race, everyone in attendance became part of history. Helio Castroneves won his record-tying fourth Indy 500, joining A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears.

Crowd-wise, Turn 3 at Indy looked pretty normal. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine

A vaccine test

Although management at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway previously said masks must be worn inside the facility, the opposite was true. At least half the crowd did not wear a mask. Clearly, the quickly changing directives from national, state, and local officials, regarding mask wearing and social distancing, creates confusion and opportunity.

Last Sunday’s Indy 500 was the world’s largest sporting event, since the pandemic started, and likely the largest gathering of any kind since the pandemic took hold. The Turn 3 grandstand where I sit was packed, looking much like it does every year. It would be interesting to hear what CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci thought of Sunday’s race day crowd.

One thing is clear. Of all the things that are easing us back to “normalcy” – restaurants opening-up, music venues hosting shows, fans at ballparks, etc. – last Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500 was possibly the most visibly powerful and important psychological step.

Here are a few more photos from race day for your enjoyment…

My man is stylin’! Prior to the photo he was boogying like disco was making a comeback. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The 2021 race day crowd (left), approaching the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was decidedly smaller than 2019 (right). (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Some wealthy folks arrived via helicopter, landing and taking off on the golf course that runs outside the track along the backstretch. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

A pre-race peek through the fence along the backstretch just off Turn 2. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Turn 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a welcome sight after a two-year hiatus. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Cannot wait for next year…