Year Of The Streaker
by MM
[05/21/2007]
I'm surprised that a Google search yields so little about
streakers or nudity at Indy, especially in light of the watershed
event I witnessed. I went to Indy a lot in those days (pre-IRL)
and my recollection of the year is fuzzy, probably '74 if some of
the other posts are correct. I was there for Pole Day, and this
was when Pole Day, and this was the time when 200,000+ people
showed up for Pole Day.
It rained that day. Then dried. Then rained. Then dried. Not
much was happening on the track. In the stands, fans Consumed.
The San-O-Sweep truck began to get a big cheer when it passed,
circulating with the fleet vehicles drying the track. The crowd
was ready for some action.
The track was almost dry, but not yet open, when a guy climbed up
on the starter stand from the track side and grabbed the
checkers. (I have no idea how he got onto the track. The
commotion of fans at the starting line was what first got my
attention). He then loped along the track towards turn one
waving the flag, wearing a big grin, shoes and socks, and nothing
else. The crowd went wild! He was....detained...shortly
thereafter, but his performance seemed to spark something in the
snake pit. This was, after all, the year of the streaker.
After another delay due to a short rain shower, one fan climbed
the (rather puny) fence and proceeded to lie on his back, consume
beer, and sunbathe in the nude, just above the white line in turn
one. He was immediately followed by what must have been 100
fellows of like mind. It was a surrealistic sight, to say the
least. No women, as they seemed to have a little more sense.
After a short period, track personnel gently shooed the nudies
back into the snake pit, and qualifying resumed.
50,000 people must have seen this. Maybe they're all old dudes
who don't post, but it's my second most memorable Indy moment,
falling somewhat behind standing right up along the wall at the
exit of Two and watching Jim Clark qualify the Lotus Ford, with
his right side wheels coming within inches of the wall on every
lap...but that's another story.
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