May is motorsports month

By ZECH YODER

The month of May is probably the best month of the year for motorsports. From beginning to end, motorsports take center stage in America with both old and new traditions.

May motorsports begin with a new tradition. The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, which takes place on the street of Miami, Fla., during the first weekend in May. With the rise in popularity of Formula 1 in the United States, the U.S. now hosts three Formula 1 race weekends (Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas). This is more than any other country in the world.

Of the three, Miami has become my favorite. The course layout is superb with numerous passing opportunities and several high-speed zones. Additionally, I like that it is in May. To have a Formula 1 race in the same month as the Indianapolis 500 seems to bring additional hype and build-up to the Indianapolis 500.

May continues with the return of INDYCAR to Indianapolis in the Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An appetizer of sorts to the weeks of practice, qualifying, and racing for the Indianapolis 500, the Grand Prix provides fan an opportunity to head back to the racetrack and see INDYCAR racing at IMS for the first time in nearly twelve months.

Next comes the NASCAR All Star Race and qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. These events bring extra intrigue as Kyle Larson again attempts the double. Last year, Larson qualified his way into the Fast 6 at Indianapolis and then fly to North Wilkesboro and finished fourth in the All-Star Race.

May concludes with the greatest day in motorsports: the Sunday before Memorial Day. It begins with the Monaco Grand Prix, the most prestigious race in Formula 1. While the confines of the track and the size of the cars make passing nearly impossible, the sights and sounds are legendary. Monaco is followed by just a few hours later by The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500. Nothing in motorsports, or any sporting event for that matter, rivals the Indianapolis 500. The track, the people, the pageantry, the speed. The Indianapolis 500 is unmatched.

Finally, the night concludes with the Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR’s longest night – a race that transitions from day to night and forces teams and drivers to go 100 miles more than any other race on the schedule.

Yes, spring is here. May is here. Racing is here. Are you ready?

Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.