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Posted: 5/12/2024 1:02:08 PM EDT
 I've recently been getting into IndyCar racing. Never been much of a car guy but after getting interested in Formula One I started looking around at some other racing series and IndyCar has caught my full attention. Seems to be focused on leveling the playing field and keeping costs manageable but still enough experimentation to make the whole thing interesting. Anyway, just browsing through the old IndyCar catalog and they've got some real cool looking beasts. Lola T90/00 Chevrolet - 1990  So for you long time IndyCar fans, which era is your favorite? If you haven't checked out a race yet, you can catch 30 minute extended highlights reels on YT for free  Extended Race Highlights // 2024 Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway | INDYCAR SERIES |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 1:52:23 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Kraquine]
[#1]
13 days and a wake up The present era is really good. Shit doesn't break like it used to and it's not over 'til it's over. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:02:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MrHold]
[#2]
OP tell what you to do start an official indy thread because I give up needs new blood
https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/INDY-Car-ACURA-GRAND-PRIX-OF-LONG-BEACH-APRIL-19-21-/5-2712058/&page=1&anc=108803390#i108803390 |
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:05:17 PM EDT
[#3]
1960’s- early 1990’s.
I think this covers most motor sports before all the regulations and conglomeration corporations owning everything. When the average person could afford to build a car and race it and not having to be a multimillionaire. |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:10:03 PM EDT
[#4]
Anything before 1995, FTG and his hissyfit.
Although last couple years have been pretty good. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:10:53 PM EDT
[#5]
When they still had cigarette car sponsors.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:11:48 PM EDT
[#6]
My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:13:24 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Plumber576: My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:14:22 PM EDT
[#8]
If anyone can find older races on YT feel free to post em up!
Like I said, I am new to not only IndyCar but also Motorsports in general so it's all fresh to me. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:17:15 PM EDT
[#9]
50's era seemed full of hotrod innovators. Looks like a cool era.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:19:42 PM EDT
[#10]
CART mid-late 90s. Insane, wild cars and a field packed with talent.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:27:05 PM EDT
[#11]
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:29:23 PM EDT
[#12]
Dad said "speed week" was a blast for all. Big party & lots of like minded people going for the gusto
This would've been 60's early 70's |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:31:35 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Plumber576: My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split. m |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:32:43 PM EDT
[#14]
I think the current era is really good. More fun to watch than F1 most of the time.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:37:27 PM EDT
[#15]
Originally Posted By Cobalt-60: https://www.racecar-engineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IndyCar-cars-lining-up.jpeg I've recently been getting into IndyCar racing. Never been much of a car guy but after getting interested in Formula One I started looking around at some other racing series and IndyCar has caught my full attention. Seems to be focused on leveling the playing field and keeping costs manageable but still enough experimentation to make the whole thing interesting. Anyway, just browsing through the old IndyCar catalog and they've got some real cool looking beasts. Lola T90/00 Chevrolet - 1990 https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl/6zQeWbjY/s1200/1018488742-lat-19900322-dh-199.webp So for you long time IndyCar fans, which era is your favorite? If you haven't checked out a race yet, you can catch 30 minute extended highlights reels on YT for free  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WTU1tSHq7UTear out the computers and get to old style racing. 
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:39:26 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RattleCanAR]
[#16]
IRL prior to Dallara spec cars. I hate spec racing.
F1 is light years better. The practice and qualifying is entertaining prior to the races. Sprint race weekends are tons of racing and great fun. 3-4 days of racing entertainment. Indy is ghetto compared to F1. |
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:46:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Rheinmetall792]
[#17]
Mid 80s to mid 90s, although I've never followed it closely.
F1 was godly 80s to early 2000s and still often good after that except for the endless, corporatized fawning over Elton, Jr. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:48:24 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RattleCanAR: IRL prior to Dallara spec cars. I hate spec racing. F1 is light years better. The practice and qualifying is entertaining prior to the races. Sprint race weekends are tons of racing and great fun. 3-4 days of racing entertainment. Indy is ghetto compared to F1. Hmm, I wonder why that is? 
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:49:24 PM EDT
[#19]
87 -92.
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:50:06 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryNot too long ago, the top F1 teams were spending $400 million per season to field 2 cars. 
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:54:26 PM EDT
[#21]
I love Indy racing but the amount of commercials during the broadcasts are fucking unbearable.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:54:49 PM EDT
[#22]
Early to mid-80’s. Still had the old guard racing plus Mears, Fittipaldi, Unser and Andretti kids, Rahal…
 Attached File Attached File1982 finish was still the best. Mears was gaining on Johncock every lap and they were running flat out. I was in the Short Chute right near the entry to turn 4. You could see down to the start/finish line. Just incredible. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:56:37 PM EDT
[#23]
I was fortunate enough to attend the 1972 Indy 500 when I was 10 and Mark Donohue won it, IIRC, in the Sunoco special.
That's my pick. Chris |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 2:58:21 PM EDT
[#24]
I thought this was interesting AJ Foyts entry.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 3:14:16 PM EDT
[#25]
1960s & 1970s. The cars weren't all basically identical and the designers weren't afraid to get a little radical.
 Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 3:21:10 PM EDT
[#26]
I loved the USAC days (Dad took me to a lot of races)
I haven’t been to an event in two years but still watch Indy and F1 broadcasts. |
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KY, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 3:31:01 PM EDT
[#27]
All. It's just a special time!
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Posted: 5/12/2024 4:59:29 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Lonesome_Dave: 1960s & 1970s. The cars weren't all basically identical and the designers weren't afraid to get a little radical. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/287498/1000002125_jpg-3212600.JPG Not an Indy car |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:11:29 PM EDT
[#29]
For anyone as ignorant on CART as I am - here is a race!
 1996 CART ITT Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit | INDYCAR Classic Full-Race Rewind |
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:16:35 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By twistedLV: I think the current era is really good. More fun to watch than F1 most of the time. Absolutely! The current and last few seasons have been some HARD racing, and have been way more exciting to watch than anything I've seen from F1 in decades. |
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CO, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:21:10 PM EDT
[Last Edit: PLC_Expert]
[#31]
1960s to 1980s for me. Mostly because I was a small part of it late 1970s to 1980s.
Basically anything before the split. Danika Patrick drama was a silly sideshow after which things went downhill from there. IMO ETA the Indy 500 race itself was always, and will always be, in a class of its own. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:28:24 PM EDT
[Last Edit: BloodRaven]
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Plumber576: My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Plumber576: My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split. Originally Posted By anesvick: This, CART was awesome. Yep Went to a few CART races at PIR (Portland) and always had paddock passes. It was cool seeing the cars up close and get to talk to the team members (never drivers, they were always in their trailers until race time). And then being close to the track as they went flying by was cool as hell. ETA: I had a guy working for me back then (early 2000s) who's girlfriend's uncle was Rolla Vollstedt. Got to hear a couple (2nd-hand) stories about him and his time with race cars. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:29:25 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By osprey21: https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/02-indy-500-belond-exhaust-special-1957-sam-hanks.jpg Those guys had serious balls. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:30:09 PM EDT
[#34]
I liked the 80's/90's myself but I'll bet to be in gasoline alley in the 50's/60's was awesome.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:31:23 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rbass: Absolutely! The current and last few seasons have been some HARD racing, and have been way more exciting to watch than anything I've seen from F1 in decades. If they let the teams develop aero packages themselves and adopted the F1 weekend format then it could be better. The race presentation is just horrible now. They even had a race this year at a private race park. No stands or fans. It was run because the local club offered up a ton of money in winnings. The race was run like a NASCAR stage race. It wasn’t a good look if you want to appear to be a top shelf racing series. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:33:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Frank_B]
[#36]
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:34:21 PM EDT
[#37]
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:38:38 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RattleCanAR: If they let the teams develop aero packages themselves and adopted the F1 weekend format then it could be better. The race presentation is just horrible now. They even had a race this year at a private race park. No stands or fans. It was run because the local club offered up a ton of money in winnings. The race was run like a NASCAR stage race. It wasn’t a good look if you want to appear to be a top shelf racing series. If you want to watch likely the best quality on track racing right now, it's Indycar. I could care less about the presentation or budget, these dudes can race and race hard. The last Indy Grand Prix was a great example. F1 drivers whine more than a turbine engine in comparison, and don't race nearly as hard when on track. Also there isn't one F1 driver who wouldn't want his face on the Borg Warner trophy.
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FM, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 5:53:52 PM EDT
[#39]
The 80s was the best era.
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IN, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:02:52 PM EDT
[#40]
I live about 15 minutes from IMS. Went to my first 500 in 1990 and have only missed one since. My own memories draw me to the early nineties, but man, I wish I had been around for the 60s and 70s era Indycar. The transformation from front engine roadsters, to the rear engine cars, to the winged cars must have been amazing to see in person.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:11:47 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrHold: OP tell what you to do start an official indy thread because I give up needs new blood https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/INDY-Car-ACURA-GRAND-PRIX-OF-LONG-BEACH-APRIL-19-21-/5-2712058/&page=1&anc=108803390#i108803390 @MrHold @Cobalt-60 I was waiting for MrHold's Official Indy 500 thread. I'll make one and keep it updated until the race. Practice starts in two days |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:12:41 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By anesvick: This, CART was awesome. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By anesvick: Originally Posted By Plumber576: My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split. Tony had the right idea, American cars with American drives with American engines racing ovals, he just (really) lost his way. Between his family micro managing him and F-1 lowing smoke up his ass,(inflating a ego that needed no help) he took a crap. I did the math once and I'm not doing it again but the overall accumulated margin of victories in ALL the IRL races at the Texas Motor Speedway was in the 30 second range. Dick Simon, Stan Fox,Billy Boat ,Sarah Fisher, Dan Drinan,Mike Bliss,Tony Stewart, Arie and Cheever, sheesh I could go on. Did I mention Sarah Fisher? Any driver, especially a USAC driver had a legitimate shot at a ride, bringing just his helmet and talent to the ball. I was close enough to see Scott Brayton waving his arms around on Pole Day and then climb into his T car in a WTF? moment. Of course it was because he'd been bumped and didn't want 2nd place so they pulled his qualified car and he put the T car on the pole after the gun sounded (last possible try). It was great but it's gone. |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:17:41 PM EDT
[#43]
@hotdog250j
Scott Brayton's pole run in '96 was the ballsiest qual run in the history of the 500! |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:36:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MrHold]
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Tweek218: @MrHold @Cobalt-60 I was waiting for MrHold's Official Indy 500 thread. I'll make one and keep it updated until the race. Practice starts in two days Thank You, go for it And keep it going for the rest of the year 
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:44:00 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrHold: Thank You, go for it And keep it going for the rest of the year Ohh now that takes some commitment, lol. I noticed that the only attention your thread got was during the 500 month. Hey kind of like the entire series unfortunately.  https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Official-2024-Indianapolis-500-Presented-by-Gainbridge-Thread/5-2724747/ |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:45:19 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SouthwestVista: @hotdog250j Scott Brayton's pole run in '96 was the ballsiest qual run in the history of the 500! We always had Gold Badges and (my BIL) was there every single day after work. (I flew in on weekends $75 round trip!) Yeah you're fast qualifier, it earns you the chance to do it again and this time it counts. It's hard enough to do 4 absolutely perfect laps once, let alone twice. But it's all they have, they can't play up the rivalry between makes, engines, tires, chassis, or anything else because they're all the same. You can't even take the valve cover off your sealed Honda, and you can't change it till it's time, mileage wise. Yelling at clouds. Now back to our regularly scheduled thread. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:48:44 PM EDT
[Last Edit: gearjammer351]
[#47]
~15 years ago, I worked at a shop that did track prep and Restoration of vintage race cars. It was my last job turning wrenches... and nothing could compare.
This long-time speed record holder was in the showroom.  Attached FileI actually got to work on this. It was super cool for me, because I had a toy of it when I was a kid.   Attached File |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:57:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Janus]
[#48]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Plumber576: My Favorite IndyCar era was CART after the split. Yep. Lola vs Reynard vs Penske vs Swift Honda vs Toyota vs Ford vs Mercedes F1 level talent driving cars that were unchained beasts around all disciplines of circuits. It was one of the best eras in all of racing. |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 7:02:25 PM EDT
[#49]
The Delta Force theme will always mean its time to go racing:
 1990 Indianapolis 500 |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 7:06:01 PM EDT
[#50]
1960-1975. I have been dreaming about building my own one off in a similar style.
 Add some aero  I already have a couple fast cars. I’ve been dreaming of building one of these with a TurboLS attached directly to a vette transaxle. I don’t think it would too hard to make functional. It’s making the body cladding and getting it on the frame. I know nothing about building sports cars. But I’m sure I could get the basic design on paper. Getting a qualified welder to put it all together is another story. |
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