Start Your Engines!

Americans have lost their Patriotism and left love for their country in the past. This is not a reality I desire, and I thank God the statement isn’t true – the stability of our world depends on Americans. Frankie and I were blessed with the opportunity to travel to Indiana for Memorial Day weekend where we were reminded our freedom comes at a cost. My grandfather, father-in-law, and many of you made sacrifices to better our country and keep it out of the hands of those who would gladly watch us fall. Though some would argue there aren’t forces against the US, let me assure you there are. If there is one place patriotism runs deep, I visited it last weekend.

Since the mid 70s, the Indianapolis 500 has been scheduled for the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. This year, America is celebrating its 250^th birthday. Put those three things together and the result is quite a spectacle. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the event was sold out this year. Over 350,000 people attended on Sunday – considering we were in the grandstands; that number is accurate. I have never seen anything like it. Makes sense…the Indy 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world.

Of all the exciting events the day held, here were a few of my favorites:

Prior to the race beginning, tribute was paid to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Scott Burns played “Taps” on his trumpet to a completely silent crowd of nearly 400,000 people. The EDM music festival taking place in the infield came to a halt. There was a video compiled and played on the large screens around the grounds featuring footage of Arlington Cemetery. It provided the ultimate example of reverence, and I appreciated it. It was one of those moments that will give you chills.

Jordan Sparks sang the National Anthem and did a wonderful job. “Back Home Again in Indiana” was sung by Jim Cornelison. Completely awesome. The F-16 Fighting Falcons that screamed over the crowd as he closed the song made me cry. There were good ole boys with long beards and overalls shedding tears, too. I wasn’t the only one.

For the last two years, the Indiana National Guard’s 38^th Combat Aviation Brigade has “paraded” two UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters around the track during the pace laps. These behemoth machines were right above the track. Directly below these $21M machines were the racers in their equally impressive, not quite as expensive, $1-$3M machines. The only reasonable thing to do as they came down the stretch between turn 3 and turn 4 was cheer…loudly.

And of course, being present for the closest finish in Indy 500 history was literally unlike anything ever seen. 0.0233 seconds separated first and second place. We talk about margins in the world of finance…but the Indy 500 takes things to a new level.

The race was not something I had on my bucket list, but knowing what I know now, I would encourage everyone to put it on their own. I would welcome the opportunity to walk down the sidewalk and be greeted by anyone passing, “Happy Race Day!”

Be well,

Spell Carr