Indy 500 News

Rock your way into the Indianapolis 500 with a fan’s t-shirt with the race’s initials. It’s also a perfect gift for your family or friends who love races or are into Indianapolis activities. Let them show off at the event with an Indy 500 T-shirts, and I bet they can take photos as the cars go by.

Imagine a picture of a racing car while wearing a t-shirt with the words “Indy 500,” or you can even get a customized one with any written words of your choice.

Does it sound great? Yes, it does, and I bet you’ll consider getting yourself a t-shirt for you and your family in the next Indy 500 in 2020.

Here, we will touch a bit on the history of shirts at the Indy 500 and where to buy t-shirts for the race.

Yellow shirts for safety patrol

If you have ever been at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, then we bet you have seen certain men and women wearing yellow shirts. They are worn by safety patrol, and since 1945, it has become one of the speedway tradition.

How did it start?

The idea started in 1945 when Tony Hulman took over the track, and together with his advisor, Joseph Quinn decided to set up a Board of Safety.

The board collected inputs and ideas from law enforcement agencies, and by 1948, they had their first safety patrol in place. They were supposed to wear dark blue long-sleeved wool uniforms that become so extremely uncomfortable during long days, mostly when it was rainy or sunny.

By 1970s, the Motor Speedway decided that senior staff members would wear short-sleeved yellow shorts. This continued, and by 1975, no staff members were wearing the first dark blue shirts as they were retired and replaced with the yellow shirts, which became a speedway tradition.

Indy 500 T-Shirts for the Fans

Are you a speed car lover, or you’re just into anything where the word car is mentioned? Then, the Indy 500 t-shirt is the perfect gift for birthday, Christmas, family meetings, or even race day.

These shirts come with different graffiti and wording that can be customized to your liking.

The material composition includes cotton and polyester. Therefore, the t-shirt can be machine washed cold.

Indy 500 t-shirts are relatively lightweight to make you feel comfortable while at the Motor Speedway, especially during hot sunny days.

Where to buy Indy 500 T-shirts?

You can buy the t-shirts at their official website and many other online retail outlets such as Amazon, eBay, and many other sites.

Just google the word “Indy 500 T-shirts”, and you’ll see a lot of sites where you can buy the shirts. It’s straightforward as it sounds.

Conclusion

Do you want to stand out among the other Indy fans? If so, then you need to wear the Indy 500 T-shirts with your name on it. Also, you can gift your friends or family members that you plan to go with at this year’s event. Be cool and different from the rest.

Indy 500 is termed as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” that is organized every year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana, USA.

The race is held on the last Sunday before memorial day, and that is in May each year. However, the more fun it’s, the more fatal it can become because of the zealous show with deadly accidents that make an intrinsic part of the race.

Here, we are going to look at some of the ten worst Indianapolis 500 Crashes.

1. 1955, Bill Vukovich

Bill Vukovich was a two-time race winner who was destined for greatness after he won from the pole in 1953, 1954, and in 1955, he was leading by a half-mile when the worst happened. Rodger ward’s car experienced some issues because of a broken axle on Lap 57 that made him lose control of his car. As a result, there was a massive crash that killed Vukovich instantly.

2. 1964, Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald

Indy 500 in 1964 is regarded as one of the darkest days in the history of the race. A rookie by the name of Dave MacDonald was coming out of the final turn during the second lap when his car spun, causing an explosion. Eddie Sachs, who was a two-time winner, slammed into the burning vehicle. Sachs and MacDonald died.

3. 1975, Tom Sneva

In the second turn, Tom Sneva and rookie Eldon Rasmussen touched wheels. Sneva’s car went airborne as the result of the contact, and it caught fire as it fell into the catch fence. The vehicle rolled and stopped in a back straight. Sneva was able to climb out of the car without being seriously injured.

4. 1982, Gordon Smiley

Smiley was a Nebraska native who met his death while attempting to qualify for the race. During the third turn, Smiley’s car wiggled, and as he tried the overcorrection, the car turned hard into the outside wall at speed close to 200mph. His vehicle caught fire, and the fuel tank exploded, killing him instantly.

5. 1984, Patrick Bedard

Bedard was a former writer for a magazine known as “Car and Driver.” He had always wanted to race at the Indy. And when the opportunity came, he took it. After the third turn, Bedard’s car plowed into the wall and split into pieces and stopped in the grassy infield. He survived the crash, but he was later diagnosed with a broken jaw and a concussion.

6. 1991, Mark Dismore

Dismore was driving at a speed of more than 215 mph when his car went into the inside wall bursting into flames. Luckily, crew members got in time to pull him out of the car, and he was only diagnosed with injuries to his arms, feet, and legs, and a fractured neck.

7. 1996, Scott Brayton

Scott Brayton was the future of IndyCar series when he proved his competitive nature after winning his second Indy pole in 1996. In the second turn during practice, Brayton’s tire burst, making his car roll to a stop. He was later pronounced dead after thirty minutes.

8. 2010, Mike Conway

Mike Conway and Ryan Hunter-Reay were fighting for position when Hunter-Reay’s car run out of fuel. Conway was coming fast and touched the slowing down Hunter-Reay’s car, forcing his car to go airborne before landing. Conway suffered a compression fracture in his back and his legs.

9. 2011, J.R. Hildebrand

Hildebrand was in a perfect position to win the race when a rookie Charlie Kimball’s mistake proved costly. As Hildebrand tried to pass the slower car of the rookie, he plunged into rubber marbles, causing his car to spin before landing back to the track. He came second place, and Dan Wheldon won the race, and it’s considered one of the biggest mistakes in Indy History.

10. 2017, Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon was speeding at the back of Jay Howard. Howard’s car lost control through Turn 1, hitting the exterior wall before bouncing back to the inside of the track. Dixon’s car came slamming Howard’s car, and his car was thrown airborne. The car was left in wrecks and shredded into pieces. Both drivers came off one of the latest insane crash at the Indy 500 unhurt and with only minor injuries.

Conclusion

Indianapolis 500 is a high-speed race that involves risky maneuvers as well as crowding fans, and such a combination makes the occasion very dangerous.

If you’re planning to go to the racetrack, which can be a long day event since the Indy 500 takes about 3-5 hours, then you need to consider what you’re going to wear.

Make sure you dress comfortably, and you have everything you need with you until the events end. Some of the must-haves include wearing light (putting on an Indy 500 tank top), sunglasses and hats, camera, earplugs, sunscreen, and enough cash.

Before going out of the house, check that you’ve carried your tickets and parking passes, as these are the most key items you wouldn’t want to forget.

Best wears at the Indy 500

With that said, let’s look at some of the best wears that you can rock on while at the Indy 500.

1.Dress codes

We would recommend wearing a smart casual dress code such as Indy 500 tank tops for the ladies and Indy 500 t-shirts for the guys.

You can also wear some light jeans or slacks for both men and women. Men can wear a polo shirt and women can also go for summer dresses or sleeveless blouses.

Be sure to note that you should avoid clothes such as torn jeans, jogging suits, beachwear as well as bare chests.

2. Accessories and shoes

You can also wear sunglasses or a hat to protect yourself from the bright summer sun. Make sure to ask at the gate whether certain types of hats are allowed. The rules keep changing, and you might find the Speedway not allowing you to enter with either baseball cap or sun visors.

Have yourself a small bag where you can keep small things such as your car keys, wallet, phone, sunscreen, and the racing track program.

When it comes to shoes, wear the ones that feel more comfortable when walking or standing for several hours. You can wear flat sneakers, and guys should avoid heavy boots while ladies should do away with heels.

3. Weather and comfort

Most racetracks are outdoor, and that’s why you should wear clothes depending on the current climate conditions.

During the winter or cold season, you can bring an umbrella together with a raincoat to protect yourself from the rain or small showers. Also, wear a heavy jacket to protect yourself from the strong winds.

During summer, when the sun is hot, you should wear very light to avoid overheating or over sweating, which can make you feel very uncomfortable. Ladies can wear a combination of cut-off denim shorts with Indy 500 tank top, while guys can wear shorts with Indy 500 t-shirts.

Always carry your hats and sunglasses with you no matter the climate conditions.

Conclusion

As long as you’re at the Indy 500, what you wear doesn’t matter at all. It all depends on what are your tastes and preferences when it comes to dressing.

However, on a sunny day, we would recommend you go for a white Indy 500 tank top that is quite light to be at the most relaxed state at the racetrack.

Get packing, and let’s meet at the Indianapolis 500.

If you want tires that will change your driving experience, then you need the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 that are also designated for sports cars as well as racing cars.

With these types of tires, you can boost your car performance without spending a fortune at all. Why is it so? Firehawk tires are consistent throughout all the climates seasons and tested for driving in dry and wet conditions.

Here, we will take you through what to consider if you’re looking to use Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 for your sports car and know why these tires are said to be made for the highway and inspired by the race track.

Why should you buy Firestone Firehawk Indy 500?

The main reason why you should go for the Indy 500 tires is if you’re seeking sports –grade performance for your car while on the road.

These tires are known to offer impressive handling for both sports cars and sedans. Besides being the best tires available on the market, they also come at an affordable price to unlock all your driving experiences.

Do you use your car to go to the office, road trip, or even going to the grocery store?

Then, it would be best if you had these performance tires that promise to provide precision and responsiveness during a driving spree.

How does Firehawk Indy 500 perform?

Here, we all going to look at the different climate conditions and how Firehawk Indy 500 performs. The main conditions include dry and wet situations.

Dry Conditions

The Indy 500 speedway inspires these tires, and therefore, firestone makes sure to produce tires that are ultra-high summer performance tires.

They provide extreme performances that all driving enthusiasts are always seeking for, and that is impressive cornering, tire’s shiftiness, and the ultimate braking ability that provides a complete stop in dry conditions.

Wet Conditions

The Firehawk Indy 500 has the Pulse Groove Technology that allows you to enjoy a high performance during wet conditions.

This feature enhances water evacuation, and by doing so, it improves resistance to hydroplaning for excellent control on wet roads.

These tires also have an improved wet rubber compound as well as a tread design that ensures a complete stop on slippery and wet roads.

Where to buy Firehawk Indy 500 tires?

I bet you’re now wondering where you can buy Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires. Worry not! Many local stores have Auto Care sections, and you can as well as purchase the tires online from sites such as eBay and Amazon.

Don’t purchase the tires without first going through all the specs and go for one that meets all your preferences and the conditions you expect to be driving on.

Firehawk Indy 500 features

• Traction and predictability in on-tracking driving.
• Rigid sidewalls and material compounds for cornering in wet and dry conditions.
• Perfect launching on dry conditions and outstanding handling on wet traction.

Conclusion

If you want the same experience as the racers on the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway, and first-hand experience while driving, then the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is what you need to purchase as your next tires. Hit the road and enjoy the ultimate driving experience like never before.

The images from the horrible crash that involved Stan Fox and five other drivers are something one would want to forget immediately.

What happened?

After the first turn, Fox’s car made a hard right going into the outside wall and caused a commotion that collected the other five cars. All you could see were scattered debris across the track.

Fox’s car was shredded into half, exposing his feet and legs. He suffered severe head injuries, and he was never to be seen again at the Indianapolis 500.

Other drivers that got caught up in that crash are Gil De Ferran and Eddie Cheever, who later on become future Indy winners. The last driver to fall into this chaotic mess was Lyn St. James, who became the only woman to start the 1995 race.

Stan Fox at the Hospital

After the crash, Fox never spoked nor responded, and he finally came out of a coma on June 2.

It was a worrying situation at the Methodist Hospital for Stan Fox’s condition. However, there was some good news coming in.

Here is what a Spokeswoman at the Methodist Charlotte Hatfield has to say about his progress.

“He’s quite alert and beginning to respond more. I’m sure he knows where he is, but we still don’t know what level of recognition he has.”

“Fox is awake most of the day, and completely off a respirator that had been used to help him breathe, and has smiled and begun mouthing word.”

“He watches what’s going on in the room, but whether he pays attention to the TV, we don’t really know. There’s no way to know how much he’s aware of because he hasn’t spoken at all. Definitely, it’s a very slow improvement.”

Stan Fox would go on to live a healthy life away from the craziness of the Indy 500 race. Five years on, Fox was declared dead after a fatal accident.

Stan Fox fatal accident that took his life

On December 20, 2005, about five years since his Indianapolis 500 crash, Fox was killed in an auto accident while in New Zealand. He was 48 years old by then.

It was said that Fox was visiting friends in New Zealand when he was involved in the two-vehicle crash.

Conclusion

Stan Fox suffered a severe injury to the head that made him go into a coma for five days. Unfortunately, lousy fate would fall upon, and five years later, he lost his life through an auto accident involving two vehicles.