Fan Memories: 'Race Day is Christmas Morning'
February 05, 2016 | By Katie Cavin
The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil is right around the corner, so we’re showcasing race fans sharing their stories of “Why I Love My Seat” – fans that have been ticketholders for 30 years or longer. Fans of all durations are encouraged to email fanmemories@brickyard.com with their stories of attending the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Trent Pohlar, originally from Indianapolis and now living in Greenwood, Indiana, will be attending his 49th consecutive Indianapolis 500. Pohlar, 59, works as a project sales manager for Architectural Glass & Metal Company, Inc.
Where we sit: Northeast Vista
First “500”: It was in 1968, when Bobby Unser got his first win. Up to then, I had been at the track many times for qualifications and practice days, but not for the race. The first real memory I have at the track is when the front straightaway was still brick in 1961. I really wanted to go in 1967, but my mom thought I was still too young. My first Race Day was beautiful and sunny (you always pray for sun). The clock went so slow, I just couldn’t wait for the command to start engines and see all the cars line up in rows of three. To me the start is worth the price of admission. I do remember all the people, but back then for the most part the place would fill up for qualifications so I was used to that. As I look back, it’s interesting all the different types of cars there were. They had the turbines, rear engine cars, and I believe there might have been a roadster in the field. Little did I know then, that was the start of something very special.
Race Day routine: You might guess we have had many over the years. But now we don’t leave the house until about 8:30. Growing up on the west side of Indy, I know all the little side streets to avoid a lot of traffic. We park in a subdivision, just north of the Coke lot. We are usually there no later than 9:15 and we do a little tailgating to get the day started and then at about 10:30 we head to our seats.
In the squad: For the first nine years it was my dad and I. For the next five years, it was my parents and my wife and I. Unfortunately I lost my dad to cancer in late ‘81. Needless to say, the 1982 race was very difficult for me. Even today I can’t get through “Taps” without getting emotional. The Speedway was a special place for dad and me. Since then, it has been various friends and family over the years. The neat thing is I have had several opportunities to take friends and business acquaintances to their first “500”. Recently my grandson has been able to come home from Florida and join me.
What we bring: It seems it has gotten less and less over the years. First and foremost the radios, head phones, and frequency listing are in the bag. Then the usual beer, water, sandwiches, veggies.
Favorite “500”: There are so many and in the last four years there has been some awesome racing. I would have to say the one that jumps out the most is 2006 when Sam Hornish Jr. passed Marco Andretti at the last second. That had never been done before. I had become a Hornish fan early on in his career and to see him win was pretty special. Up to then, 1977 was my favorite because Foyt was the first to win four times. I can remember back when Foyt was driving a roadster. I was a die-hard Foyt fan until he retired in 1992. That was a pretty emotional day. It was the first day of qualifications and he practiced in the morning but at the end of practice I guess he decided it was time to step out. That caught everybody including the media off-guard.
Brush with greatness: My first goes back to my early teen years when I met Johnny Rutherford when he was just getting started. I would see him quite often (Jim Hurtubise as well) at our neighbor’s house. Our neighbor was George Gruber and he painted a lot of the Indy cars in the ’60s and I was over there at least three or four days a week. I only tell you this because it was several years later, after John had won his first “500,” I saw him in Gasoline Alley and he actually remembered me. I talked at length with Rick Mears in the pit area during practice one day right after he retired. He was very cordial and we had a good conversation about his retirement. And finally, we had an association meeting four or five years ago and our guest speaker was Donald Davidson. I was fortunate enough that Donald sat at our table and we had some great conversations during dinner, but even better than that, after he spoke to the group and he sat back down, me and one other gentlemen sat and talked with him for at least an hour or so and the stories he told were just great. Thank you Donald for your time and a great evening.
Favorite drivers from the past: A.J. Foyt, Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones, Lloyd Ruby, Dan Gurney, Bobby and Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan and Bobby Rahal
Favorite drivers today: Helio Castroneves, Will Power, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Josef Newgarden, Graham Rahal and Ryan Hunter-Reay
What the Indianapolis 500 means to us: The “500” has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. I was doing the math a couple of years back to see what race this would be for me compared to the 100th Running and I was disappointed that it was only the 49th. (I told my mom if she would have let me go in 1967 then I would have 50 on the 100th Running.) I have always been a loyal IndyCar fan going back to USAC, then CART, then the IRL and Champ Car and finally IndyCar. But the one constant has always been the “500.” My family says Race Day is my Christmas morning, but it is even more than that, it is a place my dad started taking me to as far back as I can remember. This is the one thing that keeps my dad’s memory alive year after year.