Hoosier Daddy

"FER'NERS" INVADE INDY FOR U.S. GRAND PRIX

"What the hell all dem fer'ners doin' in Indynaplas"

The United States Grand Prix comes to Indianapolis this weekend.  Americans have been slow to warm to the boys with the funny names, and their cars that race the wrong way.  But if you haven't attended the Grand Prix weekend, you are missing a remarkable event.

The cars are at the cutting edge of automotive science.  The cars literally scream, turning nearly 20,000 rpm.  The sound is unmistakable -- and to a true racing fan, seductively irresistable.

But the Formula 1 race itself is only part of the event. Three different series will run support races on Saturday and Sunday -- Porsche Michelin Supercup, the open-wheel Formula BMW series, and the Menard's Infiniti Pro series , featuring Marco Andretti, Arie Luyendyk Jr., and Tony George's stepson, Ed Carpenter (stepping stone to the IRL and the Indy 500).  My son actually enjoys the Porche races more than F-1.

But maybe the best part of the event is the crowd itself.  Brazilians, Germans, Italians, Fins, Brits and Irishmen -- all waiving flags in support of their favorite driver or team.  Walk from your seat to the nearest hot dog stand, and you'll hear a dozen different languages all around you.  And guys -- you've NEVER seen women like those that follow Formula 1!  For a closer view, just CLICK ON THE PIC!

There are still plenty of good tickets available.  So check out the Saturday qualifications and support races for $20 -- or lay down a few more $$ and see the Grand Prix. 

Will Overhead -- "Legendary" Indy 500 Winner

"Will Overhead Wins Indianapolis Race" 

That was the banner headline on the May 30, 1933 edition of the Walsenburg (Colorado) World Independent newspaper

With that headline, Will Overhead became the most legendary of all Indianapolis 500 winners -- because he is just that -- a legend.  Here's the straight scoop.

It was Memorial Day, and like many organizations, the newest guy drew the short straw and had to work the holiday.  This "cub" reporter was manning the Associated Press and putting together the final touches for the lead story -- the Indianapolis 500.   Most of the story was written, and he was just waiting for the winner. 

However the Indianapolis 500 took much longer to run in the 1930s, and the AP wire service would shut down shortly before the race was over.   Knowing the reporter was waiting for the results, a helpful AP editor in Denver advised the "cub" reporter in Walsenburg that he would stick around and send the name of the winner by conventional Western Union telegraph -- the "overhead" lines.  Using the accepted newspaper vernacular of the day, the message to the young reporter read "Will overhead winner of race ."

The green reporter misunderstood the message.  He wrote his story, which started:

(Indianapolis, Ind. May 30-(AP)-Will Overhead won the Indianapolis Memorial Day race today.

Louis Meyer (see photo) actually won the 1933 race, his second win on the way to becoming the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.  The following year AP reminded its wire customers: "Note to editors: Will Overhead not entered in Kentucky Derby."

Postscript:  Each May, Walsenburg, Colorado annually celebrates Will Overhead Day.  In 1984, George Zanon, the typesetter for the Will Overhead story, was the grand marshal of the first Overhead Day parade.

REGGIE ! REGGIE ! REGGIE !

What can you say about the skinny kid from Southern California who gave us every bit of talent energy and effort he possessed for 19 years -- then topped it off at his retirement by saying he was proud to be a Hoosier?

Reggie Miller is a class act all the way.  That's all you can say.  And we'll miss him -- more than we probably know right now.  He is the first professional player to play his entire career in Indiana who will enter a sports national Hall of Fame of any type.  And he was the greatest clutch shooter in the history of the NBA.  Not bad for a guy who got booed when he was selected instead of Steve Alford -- you know, that guy from New Castle who has been coaching for a dozen years or more. 

Hoosier Leads Tar Heels

Something is wrong with this picture.   

Hoosier Sean May, a Bloomington North High School graduate, scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and even dished out 2 assists, leading North Carolina to the National Championship over Illinois Monday night.

Meanwhile, Patrick Ewing, Jr., who was recruited to IU instead of Sean May, has now packed his bags and is leaving. 

At the same time, Carmel High School star and likely Mr. Basketball, Josh McRoberts is also packing his bag -- and getting ready to head off to play basketball for Coach K at Duke. 

Get the feeling that the sequel to Hoosiers will be filmed in North Carolina and called "Tobacco Road"?