Your Indy 500 / Coke 600 Memorial Day Weekend Open Thread

There is a pretty good ESPN.com article here that gives you a run-down of every entrant in the Indianapolis 500. It mentions that this is the one race, kind of like the Kentucky Derby that everyone watches even if they haven’t seen a race all year. It’s like Easter or Christmas for Catholics. Everyone goes and then forgets where the church is located the rest of the year.

Coincidentally, today is the Holy Trinity of Racing with the Monaco Grand Prix having taken place in Europe this morning, the Indianapolis 500 being contested today, and the Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race held in Charlotte, NC later tonight.

In the past, some drivers tried to do the 500 and the 600 on the same day, but you don’t see that much anymore. The last guy that tried it was Kurt Busch in 2014. He finished 6th in the 500 but couldn’t complete the 600 due to a blown engine.

The only driver to successfully complete all 1,100 miles is Tony Stewart, who finished 6th in the 500 and 3rd in the 600 in 2001. This remains, to this day, the most successful attempt by any driver.

Some say Kyle Busch may try this one day, but I’m not sure. We may never see this feat again.

In the meantime, here are the starting lineups for both races:

Did you notice that there is a lady competing in the 500? Pippa Mann is British and will be the lone woman in both races. I hope she does well so other women get opportunities.

Here is the NASCAR starting grid:

My picks for the race winners are strictly personal: Helio Castroneves and Kyle Busch. They are my favourite drivers in each series. Helio because he’s Brazilian and funny and Kyle because he is hands down the most talented driver I have ever seen in my life.

Without further ado, Commentists, start your fingers!

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