Racing driver Sophia Floersch in images
The German F3 driver has certainly been on the rise!
Tag: Racing
Indy 500 2024: Why is Indianapolis Motor Speedway called the Brickyard?
Indianapolis Motor Speedway has so much history and tradition. But what’s the history behind its Brickyard nickname?
This story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated for the 2024 Indy 500.
There are more than 100 years of racing history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the iconic 2.5-mile track that will host the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday (pre-race coverage begins on NBC and Peacock at 11 a.m. ET but the green flag is set for 12:45 p.m. ET). So obviously, there’s a lot to learn about the track, the race and the drivers.
The historic track is commonly referred to as the Brickyard — a term that even made its way into the name of the NASCAR Cup Series’ previous race there each season. But why? Let us break it down…
[lawrence-related id=1901923]
Why is Indianapolis Motor Speedway called the Brickyard?
The simple answer is because it is literally a yard of bricks. At one time, more than a century ago, the whole track used to be paved with bricks, but to know how that happened, we actually have to go farther back in IMS track history.
The original surface of the track when the speedway first opened in August of 1909 was created from “a sticky amalgam of gravel, limestone, tar, and 220,000 gallons of asphaltum oil”, according to History.com. But this actually turned out to be a dangerously fatal disaster at the very first car race. Five people died as a result of the chaos produced from the rough yet slippery surface, and “‘flying gravel shattered goggles and bloodied cheeks'”.
So the track owner, Carl Fisher, repaved it with bricks. More from the track’s website:
In a span of 63 days in fall 1909, 3.2 million paving bricks, each weighing 9.5 pounds, were laid on top of the original surface of crushed rock and tar to upgrade the Speedway.
When were the Indianapolis Motor Speedway bricks repaved?
Gradually in the first few decades of the track’s existence, asphalt was added to different pieces of the surface, and rougher sections of the turns were covered in 1936. Eventually, all four turns were fully paved with asphalt in 1937. More from Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
In 1938, the entire track was paved with asphalt except for the middle portion of the front straightaway.
In October 1961, the remaining bricks on the front straightaway were covered with asphalt. A 36-inch strip of the original bricks was kept intact at the start/finish line, where it remains today as the fabled Yard of Bricks.
The bricks are still there today and actually continue past the literal track and into the infield. They’re part of every celebratory moment.
Why do drivers kiss the Yard of Bricks when they win the Indy 500?
There are so many elements of the track’s and Indy 500 history that come down to tradition. And you won’t see an Indy 500 winner (or NASCAR race winner) walk away without kissing the bricks.
Drivers and their teams will line up along the Yard of Bricks to take their own always spectacular photos. But it wasn’t always that way, and this is a newer tradition compared with the whole history of the track. From IMS’ website:
The tradition of “kissing the bricks” was started by NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett. After his Brickyard 400 victory in 1996, Jarrett and crew chief Todd Parrott decided to walk out to the start-finish line, kneel and kiss the Yard of Bricks to pay tribute to the fabled history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The team joined them for a group kiss on the bricks, and an Indianapolis tradition was born that Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 winners have followed since.
And one of 33 drivers Sunday will continue the Brickyard tradition of kissing the bricks.
Cars weren’t on track today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be.
Take a drone ride around @IMS via our friends at @IndyCaronNBC!#ThisIsMay | #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/GC5EpF7l03
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 21, 2019
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Rowers flock to Boston for Head of the Charles Regatta
It’s a race across the water.
Since 1965, rowers have flocked to Boston’s Charles River for the annual Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR). This year, the big event runs October 20-22. Boston is expecting peak fall color, 11,000 rowers from around the world, and 400,000 spectators. If you love rowing, you’ll want to be there.
Boston has long been associated with rowing, which is one of the oldest Olympic sports and also closely identified with academia. So, it makes sense that the HOCR is a big deal for the city. Rowers start the race at the Boston University Boathouse. They proceed under a railroad trestle and the BU Bridge, then navigate five more triple-arch bridges before reaching the finish line about three miles upstream.
The schedule is packed and timed down to the minute. It starts on Friday, October 20, at 7:45 a.m. with a men’s single race in the 70+ and 80+ age groups, followed by women of the same age at 8:05 a.m. It continues, race after race, for a total of 75 races over the three days.
Way more people want to row than can fit into the 75 races. Would-be competitors submit an online application, then cross their fingers that they’ll be accepted. In addition to the thrill of victory, top finishers in the men’s and women’s championship singles event will get $10,000. Second place brings $5,000, and third place earns $2,500.
Interested in rowing but not a contender? Community Rowing Inc., North America’s largest public-access rowing organization, is partnering with Hotel Commonwealth to let guests try out the sport. Hotel Commonwealth guests can take private indoor instruction, then try their skills out on the water with a Community Rowing coach. Community Rowing is dedicated to exposing people of all backgrounds to rowing. Its partnership with Hotel Commonwealth will support rowing programs for Boston Public School kids, veterans, active duty military, and para-athletes.
Obstacle course championship comes to Mammoth Lakes, California
Overcome these obstacles.
If you like obstacles and mud mixed in with your running, Spartan races are for you. And if you like to watch people clamber over nets and swing from ropes as they struggle toward the finish line, you’ll be excited to hear about the new partnership between extreme endurance brand Spartan and the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships (OCRWC). From October 6-8, athletes will converge on California’s Mammoth Mountain, coming out muddy, exhausted, and, in some cases, victorious.
“Spartan is thrilled to be returning to Mammoth Mountain in partnership with the OCRWC and Mammoth Lakes Tourism,” Joe De Sena, Spartan founder, said in a statement. “The event is one of a kind, offering something for everyone and challenges for athletes of all skill levels.”
A 100-meter sprint course features back-to-back obstacles. Athletes get two attempts to finish the sprint course. The 3K has more than 15 obstacles, plus a significant elevation gain. The main event is Saturday’s 15K, which includes more than 40 of the toughest obstacles created for the sport. On Sunday, three-person teams will navigate 25 obstacles during the 6K team relay.
A 5K charity race on Sunday morning will benefit Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, a nonprofit that offers adaptive sports and outdoor recreation for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The organization allows disabled athletes to participate in many different sports, including skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and camping.
Famous for skiing, Mammoth Mountain is a location of knock-out beauty year-round. “We are thrilled to bring this world-class event back to such a stunning location and offer competitors an unforgettable experience,” Adrian Bijanada, OCRWC CEO, said in a statement. “We anticipate witnessing incredible displays of athleticism, perseverance, and sportsmanship.”
Do you have the urge to spice up your runs with barbed wire crawls and ladder climbs? See a sample of the obstacles racers will face here. If you’re still inclined, you can download this handy booklet about how to train for an obstacle race.
Speed race or sightsee at the ethereal Bonneville Salt Flats
See it all.
In Nevada, an icon known as the Wendover Will Neon Cowboy greets visitors passing through the small town of West Wendover. This cowboy and the surrounding city act as a gateway for travelers preparing to cross the Nevada-Utah border on their way to the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Located in Wendover, Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats spans 30,000 acres. As the name suggests, this area is a flat landscape with a white, salty crust. During dry summers, Bonneville Speedweek brings fast cars and motorcycles to the desert. During wet autumns, reflective pools make the region a photographer’s paradise. Year-round, you can experience this magnificent attraction for free. Plan your visit with these travel tips.
What to expect from the Flats
Find this landmark about an hour and a half outside of Salt Lake City. If you arrive during sunrise or sunset, look forward to seeing the salt flats at their most beautiful. During these times of day, the crackly white salt picks up color from the sky above. In the wet season, this effect is even more pronounced, as the slick surfaces reflect the sunlight.
While the wet season views welcome sightseers and photographers, dry season invites adventurers looking for a race or scenic drive. The most notable Bonneville Salt Flats racing event is known as Speedweek. According to the Bureau of Land Management, “the unique geological features of the flats create an ideal surface for high-speed racing, attracting daredevils with a passion for innovation and velocity.” Other local racing events include motorcycle speed trials and off-road racing.
No matter what you visit the Bonneville Salt Flats for, come prepared. The Salt Flats Rest Area on I-80 is one of the few places nearby to find water and restrooms. Luckily for tourists, the westbound rest stop offers excellent views of the Flats and a water spray station to get salt off your shoes.
Indy 500: 8 landmarks that could fit inside the ginormous Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A reminder that Indianapolis Motor Speedway is enormous.
This story was originally published in 2020 and has been updated.
As the host to the Indianapolis 500, one of the biggest motor sports events in the world, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is absolutely massive with a capacity that can hold at least 350,000 people between the grandstands and the infield.
In fact, the infield of the iconic 2.5-mile track is so ridiculously gigantic that, at 253 acres, it’s large enough to simultaneously hold several other sports venues and international landmarks — if that were an actual thing that could happen, of course.
But in reality, it’s so big there are actually four holes from the adjacent Brickyard Crossing golf course inside the track.
So, with the 107th Indy 500 on Sunday, we thought this would be a good time to remind everyone just how enormous Indianapolis Motor Speedway is. The IMS infield could hold eight major landmarks inside of it simultaneously: Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, Rose Bowl Stadium, Vatican City, the Taj Mahal, the White House, Liberty Island and the Roman Colosseum.
In the image below, Yankee Stadium, Liberty Island, the White House and the Colosseum are on top of the golf course inside the track.
Keeping things a little more local, the IndyStar previously reported that the infield also could fit all 14 Big Ten football stadiums in it with plenty of room to spare. It’s similar to how Daytona International Speedway, also a 2.5-mile behemoth, could fit 15 Florida stadiums in the infield.
As Snopes previously noted about this astounding fact, we’re only talking about the Indy track’s infield and not the total property acreage, so that is the standard applied here to exclude the landmarks’ surrounding areas. More via Snopes:
Adding up the footprints of Churchill Downs (80 acres), Yankee Stadium (15 acres), the Rose Bowl (10 acres), the Roman Colosseum (6 acres), Vatican City (110 acres), the White House (18 acres), Taj Mahal (less than 1 acre), and Liberty Island (12 acres), produces an overall area (252 acres) that is smaller than the size of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (253 acres). (We’re ignoring the issue of whether the shapes of these landmarks would allow them to be placed within the IMS without any overlap or stacking.)
So yeah, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a monster sports venue that could hold several major attractions if that were actually possible.
The 107th running of the Indy 500 is Sunday, May 29 with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET on NBC. The green flag is set for 12:45 p.m. ET.
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Indy 500 2023: Why is Indianapolis Motor Speedway called the Brickyard?
Indianapolis Motor Speedway has so much history and tradition. But what’s the history behind its Brickyard nickname?
This story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated.
There are more than 100 years of racing history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the iconic 2.5-mile track that will host the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday (pre-race coverage begins on NBC and Peacock at 11 a.m. ET but the green flag is set for 12:45 p.m. ET). So obviously, there’s a lot to learn about the track, the race and the drivers.
The historic track is commonly referred to as the Brickyard — a term that even made its way into the name of the NASCAR Cup Series’ previous race there each season. But why? Let us break it down…
[lawrence-related id=1901923]
Why is Indianapolis Motor Speedway called the Brickyard?
The simple answer is because it is literally a yard of bricks. At one time, more than a century ago, the whole track used to be paved with bricks, but to know how that happened, we actually have to go farther back in IMS track history.
The original surface of the track when the speedway first opened in August of 1909 was created from “a sticky amalgam of gravel, limestone, tar, and 220,000 gallons of asphaltum oil”, according to History.com. But this actually turned out to be a dangerously fatal disaster at the very first car race. Five people died as a result of the chaos produced from the rough yet slippery surface, and “‘flying gravel shattered goggles and bloodied cheeks'”.
So the track owner, Carl Fisher, repaved it with bricks. More from the track’s website:
In a span of 63 days in fall 1909, 3.2 million paving bricks, each weighing 9.5 pounds, were laid on top of the original surface of crushed rock and tar to upgrade the Speedway.
When were the Indianapolis Motor Speedway bricks repaved?
Gradually in the first few decades of the track’s existence, asphalt was added to different pieces of the surface, and rougher sections of the turns were covered in 1936. Eventually, all four turns were fully paved with asphalt in 1937. More from Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
In 1938, the entire track was paved with asphalt except for the middle portion of the front straightaway.
In October 1961, the remaining bricks on the front straightaway were covered with asphalt. A 36-inch strip of the original bricks was kept intact at the start/finish line, where it remains today as the fabled Yard of Bricks.
The bricks are still there today and actually continue past the literal track and into the infield. They’re part of every celebratory moment.
Why do drivers kiss the Yard of Bricks when they win?
There are so many elements of the track’s and Indy 500 history that come down to tradition. And you won’t see an Indy 500 winner (or NASCAR race winner) walk away without kissing the bricks.
Drivers and their teams will line up along the Yard of Bricks to take their own always spectacular photos. But it wasn’t always that way, and this is a newer tradition compared with the whole history of the track. From IMS’ website:
The tradition of “kissing the bricks” was started by NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett. After his Brickyard 400 victory in 1996, Jarrett and crew chief Todd Parrott decided to walk out to the start-finish line, kneel and kiss the Yard of Bricks to pay tribute to the fabled history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The team joined them for a group kiss on the bricks, and an Indianapolis tradition was born that Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 winners have followed since.
And one of 33 drivers Sunday will continue the Brickyard tradition of kissing the bricks.
Cars weren’t on track today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be.
Take a drone ride around @IMS via our friends at @IndyCaronNBC!#ThisIsMay | #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/GC5EpF7l03
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 21, 2019
[listicle id=1897851]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1168941]
What horse girls really think of the Kentucky Derby
A different kind of horse tale.
Grab a mint julep, it’s time for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. This annual event brings the world together for “the most exciting two minutes in sports” at Churchill Downs’ dirt track in Louisville.
It’s been more than 140 years since the inaugural race — Saturday’s race will be the 149th running — and you’d think reporters would have covered every angle of the event, from the horses’ names and odds to jockeys and trainers to Triple Crown winners.
But there’s one community whose perspective on the Kentucky Derby has gone largely unexplored. That community is horse girls.
MORE Kentucky Derby: Q&A: FanDuel TV’s Christina Blacker on what bettors should expect at the 2023 Kentucky Derby
What is a horse girl?
No, these aren’t half-girl, half-horse hybrids. Humanity hasn’t created centaurs… yet. Instead, horse girls are simply girls who love horses.
People outside of equestrian circles may not realize how developed horse girl subculture is. There are horse girl movies, books, clothes, websites and so much more. In the small Georgia town I grew up in, horse girls qualified as their own clique in school. Similar to University of Georgia fans wearing team jerseys to bond with other fans, horse girls identified each other through horse-themed clothes and flocked to each other in the cafeteria.
The phenomenon is so well established that BuzzFeed was able to compile a post full of horse girl memes. Urban Dictionary also has several definitions for “horse girl.” Many girls (and women) just adore horses. And like anything people love, from sports to bands, there is merch, media and more catered to it.
Also, horse figurines. Lots of horse figurines.
What do horse girls think of the Kentucky Derby?
For self-described horse girls like Reddit user iDieFirst, riding horses and watching the Derby are family traditions. For others, the Derby is more of a casual event.
“I think it’s a really cool thing to watch, whether you know anything about horses or not,” said Lauren Davoodi, a rider at ISE Equine Endeavors in Parker, Texas. “There’s also a lot of amazing history behind the Derby and the Triple Crown, and you can learn a lot just by reading about the races or seeing posts online. It’s really amazing to see how much love and effort the riders and trainers involved put into their horses.”
In contrast, some horse fans, like childhood horse girl and current art educator Anna Moon, have never even watched the Derby. Similarly, Savannah Kawahata, veterinary medicine student at UC Davis and “lapsed horse girl,” has also never tuned in to the race.
“I’ve never had the attention span for watching professional sports,” Kawahata said.
What Derby watchers should know about horses
Many outlets, including For The Win, have covered animal welfare concerns at the Kentucky Derby. It’s an important issue, especially when horses’ lives are on the line. In response to worries over animal health, the newly established Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is working to ensure racehorses’ health and well-being.
“I don’t think horse racing, at least in the U.S., is done in a particularly healthy or sustainable way with concern for the animal’s well-being, so I don’t love it as a whole,” Kawahata adds. “That being said, I’m sure this level of racing is leaps and bounds improved over the tracks I’ve seen.”
While opinions on the Derby vary, there are some key sentiments that horse enthusiasts want people to know. When it comes to animal health, Moon wants Derby watchers to understand how the sport impacts horses.
“I think attendees should know it’s a dangerous sport, that’s about entertaining humans and not a love for the creatures,” Moon said. “I was pretty scarred as a child to learn just how dangerous racing was for the horses, how it’s nearly impossible to rehabilitate horses from injuries or doping abuse.”
Like dogs bred for specific qualities, horses bred for racing display strong talents in some areas and major drawbacks in others.
As a 2020 episode of the Scientific American podcast Science, Quickly explains, “Breeding pairs are chosen for their athletic prowess and competitive behavior.” This system can and has resulted in “significant inbreeding” and related health issues.
While this raises concerns about the ethics of horse racing, it also pushes back against claims that horses are forced to race.
“A common argument I hear against the Derby and racing in general is that the horses are forced to run,” Davoodi said, “and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Race horses, especially the ones that are good enough to make it to the Derby, love their jobs.
“They’re like bird hunting dogs — they’re bred to do one thing, and that’s all they want to do. If a horse doesn’t want to run, it won’t run, and there’s nothing you can do to make it.”
Try to outrun zombies in these Halloween races around the US
Throw on a costume and meet at the starting line.
Everybody knows zombies are shambling creatures with body parts falling off. But do you know if you can outrun them? As the days grow shorter and the nights long, runners around the country are dressing up in costumes and trying their luck in Halloween races that feature monsters, zombies, and other scary creatures.
Whether you are a marathon runner, a 5K jogger, or just want to walk a course in your best costume, there’s an event for you. At zombie runs and Halloween races, dressing up is a big part of the entertainment. Many of these events even feature costume contests. Explore these eight spooky running events happening throughout the U.S. this fall, and get some ideas for fun costumes.
Largest animals on earth shown ‘racing’ at high speed
Blue whales are the largest creatures on the planet and can weigh more than 150 tons, so only rarely are the great leviathans observed traveling at high speeds.
Blue whales are the largest creatures on the planet and can weigh more than 150 tons, so only rarely are the great leviathans observed traveling at high speeds.
But on Monday off Dana Point, Ca., boaters were in awe as at least three blue whales, perhaps feeling amorous, exhibited racing behavior in a spectacle described by one naturalist as “one for the record books.”
The accompanying video footage was captured by Capt. Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching. The images were captured by Laura Lopez for Dana Wharf Whale Watch.
In the video, three blue whales are shown interacting in what might be courtship behavior: “Possibly two males competing for the attention of the female,” Capt. Dave’s wrote.
ALSO: Tourists spot one of rarest animal species at Denali National Park
There appears to have been physical contact and, at times, the whales were clocked at 15 knots, or just above 17 mph.
It’s remarkable, considering that blue whale sightings typically involve slow and predictable movements as the mammals, which can measure 100 feet, surface to breath and sometimes reveal tail flukes as they begin to dive.
Dana Wharf Whale Watch posted 21 images to Facebook late Monday, and early Tuesday posted video showing more action. Lopez described the behaviors:
“On our first 2 trips, we saw groups of 4 Blue Whales often swimming very close together ~ side by side, rolling [and] displaying ventral pleats, pectoral fins and tails, simultaneous high chin slaps while racing across the water at high speeds.
“Other times, they seemed to be following in a line up all bursting the water’s surface together. One or two whales would separate from the group and then rejoin. These behaviors indicate the whales could likely be engaged in courtship.”
Blue whales, an endangered species, are found globally and number about 15,000 animals.
A lot remains unknown regarding breeding areas and patterns, but blue whales typically give birth in tropical or subtropical waters. A newborn blue whale calf weighs approximately 4,000 pounds.