To understand the number one at the Indianapolis 500 meant that when I was young, it was that you won that great 500 mile race the year before. Well I have not seen that number one in quite some time at the brickyard, and I wonder why? Look I even know that life changes and times change, but if the Indianapolis 500 race is all about traditions then how did we lose that major tradition. I remember my neighbor when I was just about eleven years old back in 1976, who at that time has been just a few Indianapolis 500 himself told me that the number one was always reserved for the winner of the last years Indianapolis 500. So in my mind that was a great thing for the team, driver and the fan. Look everyone that does remember those days back when it took all year to prepare for 500 miles in May, and that it just did not mean just another date on the schedule for a race. What happened to the number one people, has it been officially retired because no one just cares anymore? I did see something real troubling me this last Indianapolis 500; or maybe I was just too busy or something getting ready for the business side of racing. The number one was not on Helio Castroneves car (hello Helio earned the number one car)? Matter fact I have not seen that number one on an Indianapolis 500 car for a long time? Was the last winner of the prior year of the Indianapolis 500 Arie Luyendyk that sported the number one with pride in 1991? The next year was Michael Andretti had the number one how did that happen he never won the Indianapolis 500? I do notice things when they get out of place at times and it drives me nuts. To be a fan of racing is a passion not a right. Somehow we have lost something and I cannot be the only one that has seen this number one action am I?
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