It was Indy number 42 for me........

by Mr. Fabulous October 13th 2007, 4:13 pm

For longer than I care to remember, I made my annual pilgrimage to Indy for the “Big Go East”. I headed out early Thursday morning to do battle with the scalpers for a racer pass and to watch the Sportsmen Racers all day Thursday. I managed to snag a pass for $100 and was ready for a five day stay at 1000 foot (a long standing member of the 1000 Foot Club) in the grandstand. I was shocked at how full the campground was that early in the week. The rows of Motor Homes made it hard to believe that gas was over $3.00 a gallon that morning.
Another member of the 1000 Footers, announcer Bret Kepner.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0315

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0315

Jimmy Bridges' white Super Stock 'Vette.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0316

East Coast car of Bob Bobruka
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0319

Bucky Hess on an 8.65 pass in the Hemi Challenge
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0324

Jim Pancake from Columbus winning a round in the Challenge.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0325

A/A Corvette with over 650 CID
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0333

One of the gang that went to Maui on Vacation
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0368

I attempted to take a few nite shots with our cheap little camera.
DougZilla's Fueler
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0373

A shot of the pits at nite
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0378

Larry Dixon's Skytel Fueler
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0379

I thought the flames looked kinda cool on these two fuelers
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0382

The evening ending fireworks from Friday nite.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0384

Early morning in the campground. This is the site of the Top Fool Alcohol Team. More about them later.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0414

Early morning shot by some front wheel racers
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0418

Number one Comp Qualifier Roger Brogdon
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0425

V-6 powered roadster
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0429

Fancy dining area for the VIP's and sponsors at the end of the track.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0440

Comp runner up Scottie Richardson in Vinnie Barone's roadster.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0446

A four door Lexus with a Toyota V8 with twin turbos. When it ran right, it ran like a shot. Qualified number two but went out in the first round.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0447

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0447

Chip Foose sneaking around the pits
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0464

The crowd in the Top Fuel Pits.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0462

2007 Mustang, tiwn turbos, 323 CID, clutchless 5-speed rocket........
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0476

West coast Doug Lambeck
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0477

One of the Scoal Grils passing out chew.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0484

Just a passer bye.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0629

Arnie Martel's stable of Comp Eliminator cars
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0482

Some of the racing simulators that were there. Prizes ranged from a hat to a trip to the World Finals in Calif.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0486

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0491

Billy Glidden's first attempt at Pro Stock. His dad was helping Randy Humphreys. Also Billy was in a Chevy, kind of different for the Gliddens.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0493

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0493

A luxury gokart in the campground
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0509

People dancing to the live DJ at one camp site. I didn't get pix of the site with the live band or the one with the topless mud wrestling.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0540

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0540

DougZilla at speed.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0552

ProMod car of Shelly Anderson/Payne
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0559

Sunday nites progress on the float of the Top Fool's in the campground.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0581

The almost finished product for the parade. It was a tribute to Eric Medlen. He was known for his love of ice cream and this is a blown ice cream truck with a huge ice cream cone with a cherry on the top.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0594

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0594

Comp Winner Jason Coan's roadster
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0600

Another member of the 1000 Foot Club, Bill Wendt. He was the owner/driver of the Smokey the Bear Fuel Fuuny Car in the 70's, Vintage midget racer, and Land Speed Record Holder for the last two years.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0614

It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0614

The Fools in the parade.
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0624

Stock Eliminator Sal Biondo
It was Indy number 42 for me........ IMG_0631

That's just a little of the flavor of the biggest drag race of the year. It's the only race left that runs class eliminations. This year they had over 45 Super Stocks running more than a full second under their dial, and the Comp cars had to be better than a half a second under to make the 64 car field. As you can see, I go to watch the Sportsman Racers. They usually start the day at 7:30 in the morning and are the usually the last to run at nite. This year on Sunday nite they raced 'till midnight, then had to be ready in the morning if they made the rounds.

Done