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For me, what used to be called "30 days in May," and which is now actually 15 days in May, is life at its best; a celebration. I generate more adrenaline and enthusiasm during "Indy 500" time than the rest of the year combined.

It was a good two weeks, just past, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, concluding with Kenny Brack's win, for A.J. Foyt, in the 83rd "Indianapolis 500." The outcome of the "500" was disappointing, to me, in some ways, and the 83rd "500" won't rank among my favorites, of the 44 consecutive races I've personally attended. I wanted Tony Stewart to win the "500" in a big way. On the whole, however, what took place, this May, was a plus for the Speedway, the Indy Racing League and, most importantly, the "Indianapolis 500."

The thing I liked best was that for the first time since the split, with CART, there was a positive feeling surrounding the "500" and people seemed enthusiastic about what was taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again.

Living in Indianapolis, during May, for the first time, since 1991, I had the chance to be at the Speedway for most of the activity. Of the eleven days, when racing cars were on the track, I was there for all but two. I missed the opening day, of practice, on Saturday May 15, and the final Friday, before qualifications, May 21.

Rain brought practice to a close two hours early, on day three, Monday May 17. Early morning showers delayed qualifications for an hour, on Pole day. The traditional "bump day" qualifications, Sunday May 23, ended about 2 PM, because of rain. Light rain began falling, on race day, within moments of Brack receiving the checkered flag, and the rain became heavy, for several minutes, while we were walking to our car. However, most of the time, from May 15 through May 30, the weather was warm, with sun shining on the Speedway. I think the weather played a part in the positive environment. There's nothing that compares to a sunny day, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, watching race cars.

The Speedway is going through a major construction process, perhaps the largest in its 90 year history. A new control tower is being built to replace the structure erected, for the 1957 "500." About half the Tower Terrace seats have disappeared, and temporary bleachers were used in their place. Hospitality suites and garages, for the Formula One race, to be held September 24, 2000, will be built where the south end of the Tower Terrace used to be. Both the southeast and northwest turn infield areas were torn up, while the infield sections of the F1 circuit were being built, as fans came each day to watch "500" practice. The disarray didn't seem to bother anyone, but the people who used to party in the infield, and that aspect of May, at the Speedway, is mostly a memory anyway. It's been replaced by the Speedway's emphasis on making the "500" a family entertainment, with recent additions like "Indy Fanfest" and the annual "Community Day," held the Wednesday before the "500."

The large video screens around the track were a strong enhancement. I spent the race, this year, inside turn three, at the apex of the corner, and I was able to watch one of the video screens and know a lot more about the race, while it was going on, than in previous years.

The practice crowds weren't large, but they were generally larger than in recent years. The rain probably caused qualification crowds to be substantially lower than the increases seen in 1998, but I think Robin Miller's 30,000 estimate, for Pole day, was low. I was there and the crowd, although not large, was better than that. Sunny, warm weather brought a large crowd for Carburetor day, similar in size to the "Carb days" of  former years.

Last May, Robin Miller reported in The Indianapolis Star that empty seats were visible at different locations, around the track, for the "500," and he was accurate. I saw empty seats, although they were scattered, when I watched the ABC coverage. But there was a strong threat that rain would interrupt or postpone the "500" and the race was about 45 minutes late in starting due to morning showers. Even with that, I think Miller's estimate, of  290,000, was well below actual attendance for the 1998 "500." This year, race morning was sunny and the day was hot and humid, with temperatures in the mid eighties, and people crowded into the Speedway. I saw empty seats again this year, but in much smaller numbers. The bleachers, inside turn three, had a few empty seats, in the lower areas, but there weren't many. I noticed a few empty seats, outside turn three, in some of the lower rows, when ABC showed a slow motion replay of Arie Luyendyk's crash, on lap 117. I believe Curt Cavin reported the crowd estimate, for the 1999 "500," at 310,000, in The Star's coverage. That may be low, but it's probably within 10,000 to 20,000 of the actual number. This wasn't the largest crowd, for the "Indianapolis 500," but it had to be the largest in a few years.

I'd love to know, like everyone else, the largest crowd ever for the "Indianapolis 500." My guess is that it would've been sometime before 1994, when the bleachers inside the backstretch were replaced with spectator mounds. Perhaps it was sometime around 1982, when there was more room in the infield for crowds and parties, the sun was shining brightly and NASCAR wasn't nearly as popular as it is now. Actually, I doubt if there will ever be any way to tell, unless it is by paid receipts and the "500" sells out reserved seats each year anyway. So, the revenue, from general admission, would be one measurement.

Among the residents, of the Indianapolis area, the Speedway had to share top billing with the Indiana Pacers throughout the 15 days of activity. NBC even scheduled the opening game, of the NBA Eastern conference finals, at Market Square Arena, for 4:30 PM, about two hours after the expected conclusion of the "500." That's incomprehensible to me!  There was an Eastern finals game, at Market Square Arena, in 1998, with Michael Jordan and the Bulls and it was scheduled for Monday Memorial Day, rather than race day. I was concerned that the Pacer conflict might have an impact on the "500," but it didn't. As things turned out, it all worked out and everyone got to enjoy the race and watch the game.

There was a lot of speculation, throughout the two weeks, of "500" activity, about a possible reunification with CART. Tony George even addressed that topic, talking to the media, on "Carb" day. Apparently George had meetings, at the Speedway, during qualifications weekend, with Bill France, Roger Penske and Andrew Craig, concerning Indy car reunification. When George and Leo Mehl addressed the issue, a few days before the "500," both appeared pessimistic.

I expect that Indy car reunification will occur sometime within the next few years, although I don't know how it's going to occur. The Speedway doesn't necessarily appear to want a partnership with CART and both sides are adamant about the engine leasing concept. The Speedway refuses to accept leasing and CART insists on it. Other than how money and control are divided, the leasing issue looks to be the biggest obstacle to peace.

I want to see open wheel racing grow. This is not the best time to be a fan of Indy car racing, because the sport has declined in popularity and isn't anywhere near the level it should be, especially in comparison to NASCAR. However, I prefer the Indy Racing League approach to racing a lot more than what CART is doing.

CART sucks right now!  It's all I can do to watch the races on television. There's no electricity or emotion and the personality of CART racing keeps moving farther away from the perception I have of what Indy car racing should be. Who cares about most of these CART drivers? Sure, there are two or three drivers racing who look pretty good, but each one of them wants to go to Formula One and will leave as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Juan Pablo Montoya, the Alex Zanardi replacement, on the Target Chip Ganassi team, won't be around long, if he keeps winning races at the pace he has thus far in 1999. Dario Franchitti has already let it be known that he wants to get to F1 soon. Greg Moore and Paul Tracy have both been linked to NASCAR programs for 2000. As soon as one of the nine or ten Brazilians running CART breaks through, that will open the door for more drivers from that country. Every once in awhile, an F1 refugee, like Mauricio Gugelmin or Mark Blundell, will get a ride in one of the good seats and Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. will continue to get older and farther from past success. The most interesting thing to me, in CART, is the progress of the Toyota engine. I like P.J. Jones and Robby Gordon's independence is intriguing. Beyond that, watching a CART race is like watching an Indy Lights race. The names are about the same and the emotions generated, for me, are pretty similar.

Judging from a continued drop in CART's television ratings, for their 1999 races, and a decline in attendance at all but the race, in Rio, it looks like the series, regardless of the price of CART stock, is appealing to fewer and fewer fans. The only excitement for a CART race, so far, this season, came at Long Beach, where 85,000 people showed up for what has become a Southern California tradition. But, there was still a decline in attendance from the 1998 race. I only watched the final few laps, at Long Beach, and missed all but the final 40 laps of the Gateway race. Talk about empty seats, the crowd for the race, near St. Louis, had to be a disappointment.

Al Unser Jr. showed up at the Speedway for the "500." It was the first time he had been at the race, since 1995, when he entertained Marlboro people, because he and Emerson Fittipaldi had failed to qualify for the "500." It was good to have him there. I'd still love for Little Al to come back to the "500." This is where he belongs. His CART career looks dead and he could have a major impact by moving to the Indy Racing League. Whether that occurs, who knows, but I'll be surprised if Al Unser Jr. isn't racing in the 84th "Indianapolis 500." Even Robin Miller predicts there will be some CART drivers, and possibly CART teams, at the Speedway next May.

I was thinking about going to Milwaukee, last weekend, but my budget was stretched after the "500" and I decided it wasn't worth the money I'd spend. Anyway, I was more interested in seeing Tony Stewart get his anticipated first Winston Cup win, so I focused on the Dover race.

The disappointment for me, this May, was Tony Stewart's performance in the "500." He finished ninth, but was never in contention. It was the first time, in four "500" starts, that Tony failed to lead at least one lap in the "500," and it was the first time he wasn't a big threat to win.

Things appeared to be going well until 5:15 PM, Thursday May 20, when Tony got high in turn four and tore the right front corner off his car 22 Home Depot Dallara. Prior to that, things were looking good. The previous afternoon, Tony had a 226.6 mph lap, which topped the speed charts to that time and the orange and white Home Depot car looked fast. The next day, ironically Stewart's 28th birthday, forced him to leave for Charlotte, after crashing, and then return Saturday to qualify a rebuilt race car.

That he only qualified 24th didn't bother me, as I didn't have any concerns about Tony's ability to drive through the pack on race day. But his average speed, of 220.653 mph, had me concerned. Tony was actually the first driver to qualify and each time another driver got into the race, I was quick to reconsider how safe his spot, in the field, was. As things turned out, Tony's speed was 25th quick, and I was relieved when rain brought an end to qualifications early Sunday afternoon.

It became apparent to me, early in the "500," that Stewart wasn't running that fast. When he rose to fourth, I began to consider the slim possibility that the race might come to him, but I also was aware that the primary reason he had climbed into the top four was due to pitting out of sequence. Even as Arie Luyendyk, Greg Ray, Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever fell out, Tony's prospects didn't appear to improve. When he couldn't pass either Mark Dismore or Robbie Buhl, I knew this wasn't going to be Tony's day, at least, in Indianapolis.

I admire Tony's tenacity to drive to a ninth place finish, especially considering that he was due in Charlotte within a couple hours. Still, his "500" was below my hopes and expectations.

The 1100 miles, of racing, that Stewart attempted in one day, was a tremendous goal and he drove a spectacular race, in Charlotte, and looked like he would win, for much of the race. It was a testament to Tony Stewart the competitor. No doubt, he is one of the finest talents to come into racing in years and his future is unlimited. However, it now appears his future is going to be exclusively NASCAR. Near the end, of the Charlotte race, Tony was sick and the physical strain and mental stress had taken its toll. He made comments, the following day, to the effect that he'd probably focus on Charlotte next Memorial Day weekend.

If  Tony Stewart decides to bypass the "500" next May, it's going to be a shame for the sport and a large disappointment for me. If his career, which is going to be huge, doesn't include an "Indianapolis 500" win, it's going to be incomplete. I felt that way about Nigel Mansell, a few years ago. I feel the same way about Stewart.

Unfortunately, Tony Stewart's priorities are beyond my control. But it's a sign of the times that Indy car racing can't sustain a talent like Tony Stewart. If  Indy car peace can correct that situation then I might be for it. But I think it was CART's blunders over the past 20 years that are most responsible for creating these circumstances. In my opinion, a CART return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in its present form, would be a large mistake.

I think the racing in the Indy Racing League is terrific. Right now, it's the most competitive series in motor sport. The race didn't turn out to be competitive as I'd hoped, although it was interesting, intense and exciting. The practice and qualifications, especially Pole day, showed the true potential of the IRL concept, however, and the pre race, this May, was as dynamic and unpredictable as I can ever recall.

"Happy Hour," the traditional term for the final hour, of "500" practice, each day, came back in fashion in 1998. Greg Ray's 227 mph laps, in practice, set the pace and he was considered to be the prime favorite for the "500" pole for most of the seven practice days. He had his choice of three yellow and orange Glidden Menard Dallaras, all of which were fast. Ray would alternate setting quick laps, in each car. His quickest lap (227.192) came in the 2T car. The 2 car, he eventually qualified, was close (227.175) and the 32 car (226.085), which Robby Gordon qualified, was also among the fastest cars, at the Speedway. Ray had his pursuers, during the days leading up to qualifications. Stewart (226.683), Arie Luyendyk (226.131), Sam Schmidt (225.468), Robby Unser (225.079), Stephan Gregoire (224.792), Scott Sharp (224.792), Kenny Brack (224.411), Scott Goodyear (224.405), Buddy Lazier (224.361), Eddie Cheever (224.193) and rookie Robby McGehee (224.025) showed good speed in practice. The top speeds, each day, came during the final hour. As many as 50 cars were on the track, on a daily basis, and often during the closing minutes, it looked like race day, with so many cars running.

With 32 cars over 222 mph, during practice, trying to project what the starting grid would be was impossible. I remember that I could usually pick six or seven of the first ten qualifiers, in some of the years CART ran, at the Speedway.

Pole day was one of the most unique qualifying days, in "500" history. The day started late because of rain, but once it got underway, things became crazy. The air was heavy, with humidity, and the cars were going slower, beginning with Stewart's opening run. Luyendyk won his third "500" pole, at 225.179, barely beating Ray, at 225.073. It was the second closest battle, ever, for the pole. Only Al Unser (170.221) and Johnny Rutherford (170.213), in 1970, were closer. Late in the day, Billy Boat qualified third, at 223.469. Boat had a horrible week, with three mishaps, including one earlier in Pole day, on a qualifying warm-up lap.

The second row was conventional, with Robby Gordon (223.066) and the Kelley team duo, of Mark Dismore (222.963) and Scott Sharp (222.771). Gordon switched to one of Ray's three Dallaras after he gave up on his original G Force, run with backing from John Menard, after having problems getting over 219 mph. Sam Schmidt (222.734), Kenny Brack (222.659) and Scott Goodyear (222.387) filled row three; nothing unusual about that. After that, however, the lineup was as dynamic as you could find for an "Indianapolis 500." There was only 5.073 mph between the fastest and the slowest qualifier. 33 cars completed qualifying runs, on Pole day, which was only the second time, in Indianapolis history, that the field was filled in one day.

It became apparent, early in the race, that Luyendyk, Ray and Brack had the three fastest cars.

Schmidt was looking real good before he crashed on lap 62. Defending champion Cheever moved to the front, from his 16th starting position, making it only the second time in IRL competition, that the Nissan Indy Infiniti V8 powered a leading car. Eddie was running second, when the Infiniti gave up, after 139 laps. Jeff Ward fell two laps behind, early in the race, but came back to finish second. Rookie McGehee, starting 27th, drove a terrific race, to finish fifth. This kid looks like a good one!

Luyendyk's car 5 looked to have an edge on Ray, before Arie crashed, in front of me (my photo was blurry), in turn three, but I'm not so sure about Brack. When Brack went by both Ray and Luyendyk, on lap 60, to grab the lead, it got my attention, sort of like the the 1998 race, when Cheever began coming on strong, about lap 40. Even when Arie was easily running out front, in the laps before he crashed, I didn't discount Brack. The Swede had the look of a guy who was on his way to winning the "Indianapolis 500."

It would've been great, for the media, had Luyendyk continued, to win his third "500" in his final race. Arie is a class guy and a true media personality and his win would've been very popular. Luyendyk and Tony Stewart, the two most notable competitors, in the short history of the IRL, have become the media and fan focus, at the Speedway, over the past few years, in the same way  Al Unser Jr., Emerson Fittipaldi, Rick Mears, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, A.J. Foyt and Parnelli Jones were in previous years; the guys in the spotlight. Luyendyk turned out to be one of the all time greats, of the "Indianapolis 500," with a bunch of records and he went out running in first place.

Had Luyendyk and Ray remained in the race, it could've been one of the "classics," because the three way fight, with Brack, had the potential to be spectacular. But Robby Gordon nearly stole the race and it made for terrific theater. The crowd was loving it, as Gordon kept in front, lap after improbable lap, with Brack chasing, and the finish approaching. I didn't take Gordon's car 32 too seriously, even as he led Brack by 3.75 seconds, with less than ten laps remaining. Robby had gambled on fuel, staying out since lap 164, and I was certain he would have to stop. When Gordon was still leading, on lap 198, I took his win seriously. But I heard the roar of the crowd and looked up at the screen to see car 32 rushing to the pits. The scoring, on the video screens, was two laps behind, so there was some confusion. Even Brack was confused, because he thought he had received the checkered flag, a lap early, until A.J. Foyt "radioed" Kenny that he still had one lap left. What if Brack had slowed down, thinking he had won, and Jeff Ward passed him and won? Foyt probably would've exploded in a ball of flame I could've seen from turn three.

It was a great day for Foyt. His cars placed first, third and fifth. The total "500" purse was a motor sports record $9,047,150. Brack received $1,465,190, with third place Billy Boat earning $435,200 and fifth place Robbie Buhl taking $257,500. 

May, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, would be unusual without an annual controversy. This year that controversy occurred when the Speedway pulled credentials for Sports Illustrated writer Ed Hinton, due to the "SI" coverage of the spectator fatalities at the Charlotte IRL race. In response, The Chicago Tribune and The Detroit News announced they wouldn't send reporters to cover the "500." The decision was reversed a couple days later and Hinton received his credentials, and from what I hear, Hinton did his usual "chop job" on Tony George and the IRL, in his articles from the Speedway.  I don't read Hinton because I think he's a jerk and Sports Illustrated hasn't offered me much, beyond their annual swim suit issue, for years.

Media wise, things turned out pretty good for the Speedway. After disagreement over broadcast fees and coverage of the other Indy Racing League races, the Speedway and ABC came together for another five year contract. I haven't heard the terms, but it's believed that the Speedway got a higher price than was currently being paid. Have you noticed that Tony George generally gets what he goes after? Whether its a September Formula One date or more money for TV coverage of the "500," he seems to always come out on top. I think his critics have been underestimating Tony George for years. I like what the guy does for racing and I'm glad that he's where he's at.

The Speedway opened a media campaign, for the IRL, in May, highlighted by television spots promoting "Indy Racing." In a subtle manner, it appeared that the program was trying to replace the phrase Indy Racing League with Indy Racing. It works for me.

It always takes me a few days to regain my strength after the "500." A friend, who came from Chicago for his first "500," saw me, during the race, from his seat, in the Northwest Vista. He watched me in constant motion, as I shot photos and videos, and told me after the race, "you work hard." I do work hard at getting everything I can from the activity at the Speedway. This year, I feel like I pulled as much as I could from the "500," and there is satisfaction in that.

I look forward to the "84th Indianapolis 500" with anticipation, in part, because I'm anxious to see what the year 2000 brings to the "500." I keep falling in love with the race year after year and the 1999 "500" kept my fire burning.  

The "greatest spectacle in racing" is over for another year. Tonight the IRL resumes action, at Texas Motor Speedway. Life goes on.