Notes from the Social Media Garage, Legends Day edition

This'll be short, 'cause I know that's how you like it.

Let's get right to it--random stuff:

• My contention: Grass roots fans--those into sprints, midgets, and silver crown WILL follow their driver--a Clauson, Carpenter--into IndyCar. Let's take advantage of it.
• Pizza Hut thin crust rawks.
• Marshall Pruett called me a "good man," today. I like that.
• I will destroy my second can of sunscreen tomorrow.
• Lucas Oil Raceway is ginormous.
• One man's opinion says tomorrow's Indianapolis 500 Mile Race will be...ahem...EPIC.
• Currently listening to WMVY.com--awesome.
• The gubment is still predicting 95 big ones, tomorrow. Please take precautions.
• Everyone should meet Pippa Mann.
• Meeting Helio freaked me out.
• Currently milking (See what I did there?) a Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA. Wish they were located in Cincy, not Cleveland.
• If you're on the grounds, you NEED to stop by the Social Media Garage. Lots going on.
• Flat-out rooting for Mike (Andretti), tomorrow. He (quietly) does a shit-load for the sustainability of IndyCar. Can you say every rung of the Mazda ladder?
• Unquantifiable thanks to the Mrs. for allowing me to be absent, mentally and physically.
• Blown away every day that nearly 1,000 peeps actually choose to listen to me. LOL. Thanks!
• This isn't as short as I intended. 
• The IndyCar fandom sweet spot is in the middle... my opinion.
• Morning will come too soon, but I don't give a flying @#$%&! It's the Indy 500 and I'll rest when I'm taking my eternal dirt nap.
• The Social Media Garage should make a triumphant return, next year--better than ever. 
• The Carb Night Burger Bash is awesome, and all those involved should be commended for doing it.
• Briefly met Lindy Thackston, yesterday. Lovely.
• HUGE thank you to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for allowing me to be a part of the Social Media Garage.  
• Immeasurable thanks to my dad for introducing me to American open-wheel racing.

K. I think we're done here, yeah?

One last thought. Everyone within the sound of my voice, please have a safe and ridiculously awesome day, tomorrow.

Let's do this.

--Chris

Catch a Rising Star

The hot shoes at the Indy 500 have to come from somewhere, and what's cooler than being able to say, "I knew them when?"

Here's the skinny: Saturday, the night before the '500', there's a race called "The Night Before The '500'" (somebody was ON IT).

Held at Lucas Oil Raceway, it's a jam-packed night of racing featuring the USAC Midget Series and two—count them—two rungs of the IZOD IndyCar Series' Mazda Road to Indy ladder system: USF2000 and Star Mazda.

Just some of the names expected to participate: Blackstock (Reba's son), Brabham, McIntosh (Shannon), Pigot, Veach, De Phillippi, Freiberg, Karam, and more.

If you're in Naptown for the 5-hundy, anyway, no reason why you can't swing by LOR and get to know the future stars of IndyCar—while they'll still give you the time of day. I KID.

Ticket information here. Schedule here.

See you there!

—Chris

Don't panic! Play it cool...

IndyStar

Yeah, it'll be balmy over the weekend for the '500' festivities, but it ain't a thing over what it was like back in the other century, when peeps rolled up to IMS in covered wagons and ate hardtack and drank each other's sweat.

Don't be frightened away by a sun-splashed day in May—just use your noggin. The three keys to survival enjoying yourself, this weekend:

1. Hydrate
2. Hydrate
3. Hydrate

And if you need more advice than that, here are some words to live by from IMS VP of Communications, Doug Boles, courtesy of the Indy Star. Even more here.

Look. Seriously. Get out there, but be smart. DON'T make me tell you my dad's "lemonade story."

Heart you guys.

—Chris

P.S.  Got some advice of your own for ways to beat the heat? Please drop them in the comments section.

Tune in to Trackside

Time for a new pic, boys

After a long day serving The Man at the mine, there's no better way to wind down while simultaneously getting revved up for Sunday's 96th running of the "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" than an hour with Curt Kevin & Kevin Lee.

So. Come 7:00 ET, cozy up to the wireless (1070 The Fan AM) or log on to the information super highway (1070TheFan.com), and soak up the '500' goodness.

It only comes 'round once a year, so carpe diem!

—Chris