Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
For us regular attendees of the absolute most awesome live experience on the planet (need I say the Indianapolis 500?), a special day arrives – unannounced – in the mailbox each spring. This being the arrival of the iconic magic blue envelope, the content within being the tickets to the big race in May. A few years ago me and my nephew Shaun had ordered our tics later than usual, with the ramification being our assigned seats would not be as good relative to ordering sooner. So… when my dear Godson Brandan Wicker called us out on our latency, he chose to address us as ‘Lords’ of the track. Which, of course, led me to alert Sir Brandan that I expected to be addressed as a “Lord of the Speedway” going forward…
As a result, some level of fun banter along the lines of a royal hierarchy occurred for a few years to follow. Fast forward to Oct 2023. For my b’day gift my lovely daughters conspired to fund for me 2 hot laps in an IndyCar 2 seater on the world’s most famous racecourse literally 2 days after the epic 2024 race.
Ohhh. did I sense the opportunity to make a solid claim to capture the Crown of the Speedway Realm upon conclusion of my personal Indy 5. (Well – really – no one else had laid claim to it) So let it be written, so let it be done. After my victorious hot laps, I emerged from my sleek racing machine a victorious King – conqueror of ….well…. umm – not sure I’ve ever conquered anything?
Ohhh… but ‘ye who might doubt the claim to be legitimate – fair thee well my friends for I have earned the title for seemingly endless acts of Speedway valour as follows:
- This year’s race day will be exactly – to the day – the 50th anniversary of my first Indy 500
- I’ve attended 42 Indy 500’s; just under 40% of all of the Indy 500 races that date back to 1911 (pretty much just says I’m old!)
- By my count, either directly, or indirectly, I have introduced to the Speedway, at least 80 different individuals who have attended an on-track event. Participants have or will include peeps spanning from Vermont to Hawaii, from Chicago to Tallahassee, and include Australian, and indirectly through Gary Indian and Iraqi attendees
- My Indy 500 tailgates in prior years were attended by 50+ peeps, with one being featured on a national TV show with a nationally recognized personality. See the link below for a sample!
- I’ve sat in every single area of the track (besides one – the T2 suites) to include the Pagoda. A handful of my former seat locations no longer exist
- I’ve attended at least 100 events of on track activities to include Indy 500 races, Brickyard 400 races, Indy Grand Prix races, qualifications, and practice sessions
- Had – for many years – been granted passage into Gasoline Alley (ok..ok… yes – I merely purchased bonze badges to do so)
- My basement is a shrine to the event, with many pics and memorabilia tracing the history of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. (my lovely children regularly roll their eyes when I take their guests through the history of IMS)
- I possess an original brick of the ‘Brickyard’ to include a notarized certificate of authenticity
- I’ve been known to – politely – correct the IMS Museum hosts upon visits being the (amateur) historian that I am
- I am a regular contributor to a weekly fan site mailbox Q/A
- I have traversed the historic Brickyard track at 180 mph
- I’ve kissed the bricks at the start/finish line – the real one on the track!
- I have received a personal phone call from the President of IMS thanking me for my support
- And I have been recognized – in a nationally published website – by the President of IMS as being King John
- My name is to reside on an Indy race car during the 2025 Indy 500 to acknowledge my 50th anniversary (thank you James – Lord of Frowntown)
A Royal Court of the Speedway Realm has been established, and its hierarchy will be made public soon. Once published the King will expect all to address the Royal Court in a proper manner.
PEACE OUT!!
