Hoosier Hospitality
I've been going to the 500 since I was 9 years old. The 2003 race will
be my 28th Indy 500. As a young person I went to the race with my
dad, but he no longer wants to attend.
In 1992 a friend named Bob started going and he's been a regular ever
since. On the eve of the 2000 race I figured we would head toward
Broadripple for some dinner and sight-seeing ,when Bob suggested a
change of pace. We went to downtown Indy and ended up at Buca D'
Beppo restaurant. The portions at Buca are quite large and the tables
are all very close to one another.
We started to share our large portion of garlic bread with the people
next to us. We learned that the dozen or so people to our left were all
linked to a couple who lived in Indy. Some were going to the race and
some just came for the fun and the long weekend.
The conversation naturally turned to our Raceday plans and how and
where we were watching the race. When the weekend's hostess (Polly)
figured out that Bob and I would not be drinking heavily she drew us a
map to her house on a napkin and invited us to the post-race party.
When the race was over, we thought,"Why not?" and headed to the
party. If it didn't go well we would say,"thank you" and leave. By the
time we left it was 11pm! We really hit it off with our new friends in
Indy and have now added to our Indy traditions. They've been to my
home near Chicago and we all sat together at the first U.S. Grand Prix.
"Don't talk to Strangers" may be good advice for children but not for
adults!
Our friends even have a relative with a racing name! I get to mingle
with Tony Stewart when I go to Indy!
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