That I first went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, my favorite place in the world.

When my dad was growing up, he went to the track with my uncles and grandfather, and it became a yearly tradition to go for the first weekend of qualifying.

My uncles were who really got my hooked on the 500, when I was about 5 years old, my uncle Ron told me that I could go to Speedway “when I was old enough”.

Year after year I studied the maps, and learned about the track, hoping it would be the year.

Finally, 1982 was the year. We packed up the cars (my cousins Tom and Eric joined us as well) for the drive from Toledo to Indianapolis. We drove all night (which was weird being up past midnight as a kid), and both Tom and Eric got popped for speeding (in separate cars, minutes apart, that takes direction).

We finally got to the track in the morning and caught practice and qualifying.

I saw it all that day, great speed, records (Kevin Cogan and Rick Mears were flying in the Penske PC10’s).

And then it happened. A guy that my cousin Tom always seemed to get in our race day pool was Gordon Smiley.

He got killed a few yards away from us, and I had to ask my dad, “does this happen a lot?”

Despite the tragedy, and the long delay for the Smiley accident, (in which I scared my dad by wandering off for a couple of hours. Just for the record Dad, I knew where I was the whole time, even if you and the Indiana State Police didn’t.)

I never forgot that incredible day and I couldn’t wait to go back.

I have loved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for as long as I can remember.

Today I got to stand on pit lane for my job, and I heard the roar of the engines just like I did for the first time in person, on May 15th, 1982.

Thanks Uncle Ron.

Thanks Uncle Bill.

Thanks Dad.

As I first reported here yesterday afternoon (despite what 16th and Georgetown, and MyNameisIRL might say

Dale Coyne’s #19 car is being rolled through Gasoline Alley right now.

On the side of the car is the name of, Tomas Scheckter, as we told you yesterday here, and at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

One other interesting note this morning, riding around in a Sarah Fisher racing golf cart was Jaques Lazier.

As I first brought you earlier today, Tomas Scheckter has a deal to drive a 2nd Dale Coyne Racing car in the Indianapolis 500.

Buddy Rice is working behind the scenes on a deal, but time is running out. The 2004 Indianapolis 500 reportedly has a sponsor ready to back him, but hasn’t got a deal with a team to run him yet.

I walked in to Gasoline Alley with Tomas Scheckter today. I asked him if he was taking the 2nd Conquest car.

He smiled, didn’t say anything, and kept walking, with a purpose.

He stopped at Dale Coyne’s garage, walked in, shook some hands with some people inside, then got in a golf cart and left with……Dale Coyne.

When he returned, he had a big smile on his face.  Stay tuned.

News and notes while recovering from a bout with food poisoning that I got in Toledo Monday night.

It was simply a great week in Gasoline Alley last week, and I’m looking forward to another one this week.

There’s so much to talk about, let me start with the “unemployed” guys. It’s always interesting to see the driver without a ride walking around the garage. Most are willing to stop and say hi, some are glum, and some are frankly, always on the move.

I spoke with Jaques Lazier, Darren Manning, Tomas Scheckter, and Roger Yasukawa among others.  All of them hope to be in a car this week, the most likely however, is Scheckter. The 2nd generation star appears to have several choices for a ride, I expect we’ll see him in the 500 field.

The coolest sight for me in Gasoline Alley this week came on Saturday. Richard Petty made his usual Pole Day appearance, but for the first time as a car owner.The King lived up to his nickname, signing hundreds of autographs. In fact, at one point, Petty told his “handler” that he was going to stay longer in the garage to make sure that people were happy.

The line of fans hoping for an autograph was about a hundred deep at one point.

At one point, the King was standing just a few feet from Mario Andretti, who had a huge line of his own. Seeing two absolute icons of the sport signing for the fans was simply awesome.

Other random observations.

>>>> Alex Lloyd’s car is a nice rose, but, his driving suit is really pink. But “Pink Lloyd” is really being a good sport about all the teasing he’s getting. Of course, Lloyd is jovial since he stuck the number 99 car in the first 11 on Saturday.

By the way, I know Sam Schmidt drove car #99 in the Indy Racing League’s early days. But I can’t look at a car #99 without thinking of the talented, late, great Greg Moore. Greg Moore’s face should be on the Borg Warner Trophy. He’s sorely missed. Ok, I’ve to say this, the fact that the sensational Canadian didn’t ever start the Indianapolis 500, is frankly a crime. Ditto Alex Zanardi.

>>>>Last Thursday, I thought Robert Doornbos was going to be a “dark horse” for the first two rows. Unfortunately, now, he’s just hoping to make the field after two crashes. Bobby D is a talented shoe, and he’ll get it in the show, but the month has unraveled a bit.

>>>>We have a couple of big time guests on SportsLocker this weekend. The voice of the 500, Mike King will be in the house on Saturday. And Sunday night, Tony George will join AC.

The weather has been goofy the last two days, just when it starts to warm up, it cools down.

It’s been a great two days, I’ll blog more tonight on some amazing things I’ve seen in Gasoline Alley the last 2 days.

A couple of updates. Dennis Reinbold mentioned that Mike Conway has a slight concussion. Conway was injured this morning in a practice crash, continuing what has been a trying rookie season for the likeable driver. He was taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment, where doctors say he has bruised lungs.

We have no update YET on Conway’s status for the rest of the month.  However, of course, the rumor mill is running rampant about possible replacements, if needed.

Interestingly enough, a little while after the accident, I saw Darren Manning in the garage, and he had a DRR hat on. Of course Manning drove for DRR earlier this year, so it could be just a coincidence.

Paul Tracy is getting a very warm welcome from the Gasoline Alley crowd.

Tomas Scheckter told me he’s got something cooking, stay tuned there.

Scott Sharp crashed after losing it in turn one, it might have been a harmless spin, but he came all the way up the track and hit the SAFER barrier in turn two.

This really puts the Tequila Patron Panther team behind the proverbial 8-ball. They needed to get in this weekend because Sharp has an ALMS race next weekend.

Among the drivers pounding the pavement in the garage area today, were Jaques Lazier, Roger Yasukawa, Tomas Scheckter, and Takuma Sato.

Yes, THAT Takuma Sato, former Formula One driver.

Sato has been rumored to be interested in IndyCar racing, and he’s a favorite of Honda.

Gil de Ferran is also here today, he’s rumored to be interested in bringing his ALMS team to IndyCar.

I’ve seen several drivers “pounding the pavement” in Gasoline Alley today.

The most interesting sight was Bruno Junqueira leaving the Dale Coyne Racing garage. It is possible that Coyne will run a 2nd weekend, 2nd car. Since Junqueira drove for the team last year, it is possible the veteran could get that seat, if it develops.

Darren Manning is here. Danger Mouse seemed very pessimistic about finding a seat when I spoke with him briefly this afternoon.

I haven’t seen, nor have I heard of anyone  seeing, 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice as of yet.

As I mentioned Tuesday, Townsend Bell has been named to the #8 KV Racing entry.

We’ve had our first incident of the Month of May.

Ryan Hunter-Reay got high in turn 2, spun, and made VERY light contact with the wall. The car did get slightly airborne while sliding, but RHR is fine.

The car has slight damage, which should be easily repaired.

Hunter-Reay’s best speed of the day is 218.329.

You might recall, RHR wrecked last year before going on to make the race, and winning Rookie of the Year honors.