On Saturday the build-up for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 begins with the largest annual half-marathon in the U.S. On Sunday the track opens for nearly three weeks of practice and qualifying (4 days worth) in preparation for the May 25 race. Along the way there will also be the crowning of the 500 Festival "Queen", chosen from among 33 "Princesses", and one of U.S.' 5 largest annual parades. There is even an education program, held at the track every April and May, designed to help explain some of the basic fundamentals of racing to 4th grade students from around the state (I am in my 2nd year as a volunteer for that activity).

But is this all really necessary? Can't they just come in and set up on Thursday, practice on Friday, qualify on Saturday, race on Sunday and then pack up on Monday like nearly every other race?

Well, yes, they COULD, but...

In the early days of U.S. auto racing, it was often customary to give teams several days of practice to familarize themselves with a track prior to holding the race. Also, in those days there was no oranized racing series with a seasonal championship (although there was a "sanctioning body" - of sorts), so there was no rigid schedule to ahear to.  

As the years went by and the world of racing became more organized, other tracks and races faded away. Yet, for whatever reason, the Indy 500 continued to hold the public's interest. Thus, it was better positioned to cling to the "aura" of racing's early years by keeping the three week long practice/qualifying routine. As it grew in staure, it became possible to gradually tack on all of the ancillary events such as the parade, the mini-marathon, etc..

That's all fine, you say, but it's been a LONG time since the "glory days" of this race (just which era that was is a whole other debate). For starters, in today's rigidly sanctioned - and relatively cash-strapped - American open-wheel scene, there is only one engine and chassis choice available: hardly a contest between myriad designers/manufacturers. Also, the best drivers from the world of F1 have long since stopped taking time out of their season to spend May in Indy trying their hand against the best drivers in this series.

Still, the people come. Overall attendance at practice and qualifying days may be down from the pre-split days but, when the track proposed cutting the schedule a few years back, the idea was met with such a howl of public anger that it was quickly scrapped. 

The Indianapolis 500 is nearly a century old now (if you include the WW1/WW2 years, when no race was held). The fact that it has outlasted every other major contest from those early days of racing and has exploited the "aura" of being a proving ground for new automotive/racing innovations - even if that is not particularly the case at present - has given it a following that extends well beyond the die-hard racing fans and into the world of "casual" fans, who may follow no other auto race of any series all year. 

As long as they keep comming back year after year, the month-long "spectacle" will continue.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes