What an “Indy”credible Weekend
I just had a great weekend in Indianapolis, which is one of my favorite cities in the world for hosting sporting events. I want to start off by saying thanks to Chris Gahl and the Indianapolis CVB for having me in their magnificent sports city this past weekend. It is no surprise that Indianapolis has become such a hot bed for hosting sporting events with the dedicated crew over at the CVB.
I arrived in the “Circle City” coming out of NYC on Saturday and headed straight to Borders in
downtown as I was scheduled to host a book signing of The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live.” They had me signing right after legendary Redskins Coach, Joe Gibbs, who hosted his own book signing while in town with his NASCAR team. Thank you to everyone who came or should I say stuck around after Mr.Gibbs left. It was great to see so many smiling faces and feel the enthusiasm everyone expressed for the book. It’s a good thing I listed so many Indianapolis sporting events on my list or things might have gotten ugly with the locals.
On Sunday I got to witness an event in which I admit I made a mistake for not putting on my list of top “100 sporting events you must see live.” The Brickyard 400 was one of the coolest events I have ever been to; I mean Indianapolis Motor Speedway itself is a spectacle worth seeing alone. The size of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is mammoth and if you think your college’s football stadium is big, it is nothing compared to this speedway. In fact the stadium holds over 275,000 people. On this day it was most likely filled with about 175,000 crazy NASCAR fans rooting for Tony, Mark, and Junior. These people are passionate. How else can you explain all the RV’s in town for an entire whole week leading up to the event? Not sure if these people work but they sure as hell love NASCAR. I also enjoyed hanging out in the middle of the track which basically has its own little state fair thing going on during the race. It is absolutely crazy in there with so many things happening from merchandise sales, sponsor promotions, and some good old fashioned partying. The event was a completely different atmosphere then any that I have ever experienced.
What was really cool was before the race we actually got to meet some of the pit crews. I had my picture taken with some of the NAPA 
race team guys. Earlier in the day I participated in a NASCAR fan pool where each person in our group got to pick a piece of paper out of a hat with the name of a driver on it. I chose Michael Waltrip so I got my picture taken with his crew which was really neat, they are all nice guys. During the race, I watched from a first class suite in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where I could sit inside or outside and took some amazing pictures of that view. Some people may say that they don’t understand how it can be exciting to watch a sport where race cars drive in a circle for 400 laps, but I guarantee you those people have never been to a race. When those cars drive by you, it is such a rush that is hard to explain. It kind of feels like standing on 72nd street in Manhattan and having huge trucks flying by going 75mph and just missing you. How about feeling that for 200 laps? You like them apples?
After the race we headed down to Indianapolis’s famous St. Elmos Steak House where I enjoyed one of the best steaks I have ever had. The shrimp cocktail sauce almost burned my head off though. As I was sitting there enjoying my shrimp cocktail while hosing off my head in between bites I happened to look over and see Peyton Manning enjoying a nice steak (no joke). While I was blinded from the glare of Peyton’s huge Super Bowl Ring I also made out Archie Manning sitting with Peyton and his wife. Archie is one of the nicest guys in sports. I had the fortunate opportunity to profile him for Incentive Magazine one time and have been lucky enough to do many appearances with my company for him over the years. He is a first class guy with a pretty good gene pool I must add. He should bottle that stuff up and sell it.
After dinner we were walking to our hotel and passed the Canterbury Hotel, most famous for the alleged rape of a teenage beauty queen by Mike Tyson. My local guide told me it took place on the seventh floor. Not sure how he knew this. I don’t think they are going to name a suite after him in that hotel anytime soon.
On Monday my last day in Indianapolis before I had to head to Chicago I got to experience some really cool once in a lifetime type 
stuff. It started out with a tour of the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, the 2010 Final Four, and the 2012 Super Bowl. The stadium was unbelievable, first class all the way around and will revamp the way football fans attend a game. We were able to go on the field and throw some passes and kick some field goals, I hit at 35 yarder and felt like Adam Vinatieri out there. Then we headed to Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, and it felt like I went back in time to 1950, 1950 in a good way that is. Even though the arena opened in 1999 it has an old historic glow to it with all of the new amenities like the open concourses and beautiful luxury suites. From the brick walls to the old style looking sponsorship signs it was a really genius way to build a new arena and still honor the tradition of Indiana basketball. Like the Lucas Oil Stadium tour, we were able to go down on the court and check that out, which was awesome. I started to picture some of those crazy off balance buzzer beater shots that Reggie Miller used to hit……..that’s when I got sick to my stomach and new it was time to hit the airport and get out of town.
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Indy here I come baby. Start your engines!!
Tomorrow, July 25th, I will be setting off for a trip to Indianapolis to see the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, a NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Prior to the race, I have the pleasure of going into the pits. Beginning not to long ago in 1994, this race has quickly become one of the most famous races of the NASCAR schedule becoming NASCAR’s most attended event with about 250,00 people attending annually. Because of this, I am personally going to see the race for myself to see if it warrants being added to the, “Top 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live,” list. Without question, this event has only added to the amazing sport tradition in Indianapolis, which I have ranked as the 2nd greatest sport city in the country.
Besides for just attending the race, I have a busy itinerary planned so that I can experience Indianapolis and will therefore be able to provide even more tips as to where to go, where to eat, and what to see when attending a sporting event there. On my travel plans include checking out two of the best and most famous restaurants in Indianapolis, R Bistro and St. Elmo Steak House. R Bistro is known for its use of fresh ingredients from local farmers and St. Elmo Steak House, a landmark in Indianapolis since 1902, boasts the largest wine cellar in Indiana and its finest steaks. I also plan on visiting The Slippery Noodle Inn, the oldest bar in Indiana where they have live blues music seven days a week.
Before stepping foot at the Indianapolis Race Way or one of these two very famous restaurants, I will be holding a book signing in downtown Indianapolis at Borders Downtown from 4-6 p.m. I encourage everyone to go to get their copy of, “100 Sporting Event You Must See Live,” and “Young Guns,” books signed and/or to meet me and discuss the books.
Wrapping up my trip, I will be taking a tour of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. Making its grand opening in August of 2008, this retractable roof stadium is a field house unlike any other. It is scheduled to host the 2010 men’s Final Four and then the Super Bowl in 2012.
I am extremely excited for my jam packed trip this weekend and I can’t wait to come back and be able to provide further tips on attending one of the many outstanding sporting events held in Indianapolis.
# 27 British Open
This past British Open was one for the record books. Not only did Tiger Woods miss the cut, but 59 year-old Tom Watson captured the hearts of golf fans all over the world with his unbelievable performance in the tournament. On Sunday, Mr. Watson had the tournament in his hands: not quite the T.W. we expected to be in the lead! Mr. Watson had been in that position before: he was the British Open winner in 1977. But this year, in the final rounds, he missed a 10 foot par put on the 18th green that would have given him the victory. Although Mr. Watson lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink by six shots, every one knows it was a lot closer than the final score card read. For three and three-quarters of the tournament Mr. Watson played like he was 20 years old again: sinking long puts, with birdie after birdie. All who attended felt that something special (and inspiring) was going to happen this year.
With Mr. Woods missing the cut on the second day, the average golf fan would normally have changed the station on their TV to something else, but the chance of a 59 year-old veteran winning the British Open kept us deeply interested (possibly even more so if Tiger were still in it!). Though the British Open crowd was not able to see history made on that day, they will be able to tell people of what they saw at Turnberry Golf Course in Scotland.
Future Locations:
Wold Course, St. Andrews Fife, July 15-18 2010
Royal St. George’s, 2011
Who attends?
Golfing fans from around the world come to watch the world’s best golfers navigate some of the world’s most difficult courses
Best Place to get up close:
One specific area is usually designated for autograph seekers. This helps to create a more orderly, non-Happy Gilmore environmentas opposed to spectators approaching golfers for a quick signature between holes. Check with the courese to fine out the exact location.
No Comments »WHO HAS BEEN TO THE MOST 100 SPORTING EVENTS YOU MUST SEE LIVE?
I am trying to find out which person has been to the most events listed in the book. Right now the most I have found was 50! A few people are right up there with Dr. Harvey Schiller, Jim Steeg, and Lesley Visser vying for the most. If anyone has over 40 events from the list, let me know. I would love to see who has been to the most and start a fan’s hall of fame page on the site…….
1. Masters
2. World Cup
3. Super Bowl
4. Summer Olympics
5. Army vs. Navy Football Game
6. New York City Marathon
7. World Series
8. Winter Olympics
9. Red Sox vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium
10. UNC vs. Duke Basketball Game at Cameron Indoor Stadium
11. Wimbledon
12. Stanley Cup
13. Tour de France
14. Cubs Game at Wrigley Field
15. BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans
16. Liverpool vs. Manchester United at Old Trafford
17. Michigan vs. Ohio State at The Big House
18. NFL Conference Championships
19. Daytona 500
20. Final Four-NCAA Men’s Basketball
21. Ryder Cup
22. Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend
23. Harvard vs. Yale at Yale
24. Kentucky Derby
25. UEFA Champions League
26. Rose Bowl
27. British Open
28. Horse Racing at Saratoga
29. Late Season Green Bay Packers Game at Lambeau Field
30. Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs in Toronto
31. Indy 500
32. Professional Bull Riders World Finals
33. Dubai World Cup
34. Hong Kong Sevens
35. Monaco Grand Prix
36. Running of the Bulls
37. Rugby World Cup
38. Red River Shootout
39. Notre Dame Football Game
40. MLB All-Star Game
41. Iron Bowl at Alabama
42. Epsom Derby
43. Calgary Stampede
44. Koshien Baseball Tournament
45. Special Olympics
46. Soccer Game at Maracana Stadium in Rio
47. Texas Football Friday Night Lights in Odessa
48. U.S. Open Tennis Tournament
49. USC vs. UCLA Basketball Game at Pauley Pavilion
50. Le Mans 24
51. Ironman World Championship
52. Iowa vs. Iowa State Wrestling Meet at Iowa
53. Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden
54. French Open
55. Baseball Game at Fenway Park
56. Belmont Stakes
57. Kangaroos Australian Football Game
58. Heavyweight Title Fight at Madison Square Garden
59. All Blacks Rugby Game
60. ACC Basketball Tournament
61. Caribbean World Series
62. FA Cup
63. Indiana High School Basketball Tournament Finals
64. U.S. Open Golf Tournament
65. Midnight Madness at University of Kentucky
66. Preakness Stakes
67. NFL Draft
68. National Finals Rodeo
69. Basketball Game at Phog Allen Fieldhouse
70. Basketball Game at Madison Square Garden
71. Prefontaine Classic
72. MLB Opening Day in Cincinnati
73. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
74. Iditarod
75. Little 500
76. Basketball Game at Rucker Park, Harlem, NY
77. Boston Marathon
78. Cowboys Monday Night Football Game in Dallas
79. Head of the Charles Regatta
80. Florida vs. Georgia Football Game
81. Lady Vols Basketball Game
82. NBA All-Star Game
83. Pipeline Surfing
84. Australian Open Tennis Tournament
85. Baseball Game at Rickwood Field in Alabama
86. Harlem Globetrotters Performance
87. Spring Training Game at Tigertown
88. Backyard Brawl in Morgantown
89. London Marathon
90. Penn Relays
91. Presidents Cup
92. World Junior Hockey Championship
93. Westminster Dog Show
94. NFL Hall of Fame Induction
95. NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship
96. College Baseball World Series
97. Beanpot Hockey Tournament
98. Bayou Classic
99. Little League World Series
100. UFC Title Fight
Contact me via the blog to let me know how many events you have been to !
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