Part 19- My Humongous Astronomical 2010 Indy 500 Blog Mess: Race Recap And Farewell

The race itself consisted of intrigue and many wrong mistakes, and I have no doubt that both the Penske and Ganassi organizations will be conducting mass terminations of many of their associates in the very near future.

I got one of these today! I bet I know of some associates right about now who wish they had one.

I will not recap for you every nuance of the race, because it would be mind-numbingly tedious for me to write, and for you to read.

Suffice to say that it was fun and exciting, and that those of us who didn’t puss out because of the heat deserve some kinda medal.

Pretty much.

If you weren’t there, you need to be next year, or I’m afraid you and I can’t be friends much longer.

I sincerely wish for Mike Conway’s speedy recovery. That crash was truly horrific, and it is only by the grace of God that it wasn’t much worse.

Dario Franchitti was the class of the field and drove away to win his second Indy 500. Congratulations, Mr. Judd! A well deserved victory in deed!

Another Indy 500 is in the record books.

As usual, it did not disappoint.

Can’t wait until next year, at which time I hope IndyCar comes to its senses and gives me my second week of practice.

I need to be entertained, and one week of practice is NOT enough.

But…then again, a good entertainer always leaves one wanting more, so maybe, in the long run, the powers that be know what they’re doing.

Who’s to say?

Certainly not me.

_____

Thus endeth my 2010 Indy 500 blog type thang.

I hope you have enjoyed it.

If not, I am sorry, and I will delete it.

Not.

Thanks to all the folks who have made the two weeks of Indy special for me.

Hanging out with you, having cold beers, and bullshitting is the most funnest part of it all.

And, without you, my life at Indy would be nothing but a hollow shell.

Special thanks to Curt, Dark Marc, Grover, Mike, Trevor, Ziggy, Trackforum and its members, and the fine folks at Camp ‘n’ Brew.

I love you, man, but that doesn’t mean we’re gonna swap spit in the shower any time soon.

You know what Indy means.

Thanks to the drivers and crews.

You guys and gals kick ass, and I wish I had a fraction of your talent.

You know what Indy means.

Thanks to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its staff for giving me a beautiful, fan-friendly facility I can always be proud of.

Thanks to all who encouraged and supported my blog foolishness, and I apologize if I don’t remember all your names.

I’m getting old, and the fact that I’ve had a few beers when we meet doesn’t help matters!

Thanks to the guy who let me check out his cool vintage car shop. It was one of the highlights of my month.

I’d also like to thank the following: RayBan, Coors, New Castle Brown Ale, Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Miller, Lipton, Chrysler, the convenient stores of Speedway, Dell, Motorola, HP, Olympus, Kodak, Coppertone Sport SPF 50, Avia, Glock, Smith & Wesson, Penske Logistics and MOST of the lads there.

Thanks to Mom for shacking us up night before the race.

It means a lot.

You know what Indy means.

Extra special thanks go to my wife and family for understanding that they will be widowed and fatherless during the month of May.

I love you and am very thankful you are in my life.

Generous thanks to sister Mary for the tickets.

Dedicated to my old man, Rick Johnson, who introduced me to auto racing at a young age.

You took me to Indy, the Hoosier Hundred, Terre Haute, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.

Thanks, Pops.

You know what Indy means.

I still miss you and think of you every day.

If I was half the writer and photographer you were, maybe I could make a buck doing this.

But alas, I’m just a dumb truck driver with a camera, intardnet access, and some vacation to burn.

Oh well…

I’ll share my passion with my sons, and carry on the traditions of Indy, so that they'll know what Indy means.

See you all next year.

Maybe.