I could not believe what I was seeing. I thought that J.R. Hildebrand would round that corner, come down the straightaway and win his first Indianapolis 500 in his first attempt. I thought he would receive a hero’s welcome when he came back here to the region of his Sausalito hometown, the San Francisco Bay Area. Surely there’d be a parade or something in his honor.
But then he hit the effing wall! I couldn’t freaking believe it. I was screaming. I should of known better, you’re not supposed to count your chickens before they’ve hatched. I was so heartbroken for J.R.. I’ve never been within reach of winning the Indy 500 and crashed, but I know what that feels like. Think about it, you’ve had one of those moments where you make a mistake and it costs you BIG time. It really stings.
Dan Wheldon was the winner, and he was emotional, which made ME emotional! How could this race do that to me in the span of 3 minutes?? I felt sadness, anger, disbelief, happiness, and empathy. I felt it all.
What an incredible finish. Just incredible. And this race really needed that kind of ending, because if Dario Franchitti or Scott Dixon cruised to the win it would have be soooo boring.
And one word about the broadcast itself. I loved the pit reporters and I really, really wish we could have only heard from them. They were the only people giving me the information I wanted & needed. That’s a hard job too, so extra kudos to them for doing such an awesome job. On the other hand, the announcer’s booth peeps, I have no words. 
Country music artist Kellie Pickler
Model Katarina Van Derham is friends with Marco Andretti
David Letterman
Seal & Kelly Clarkson wave to fans before singing the National Anthem
"Chuck" star Zachary Levi
Kathy Ireland
Patrick Dempsey
"Burn Notice" star Jeffrey Donovan
All 33 IndyCar drivers take the traditonal group photo on the start/finish line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Dan Wheldon celebrates winning the 100th Indianapolis 500 in Victory Lane. Can they please make victory lane larger?? It's ridiculous how small it is. I say this every year and still no changes
Dan Wheldon celebrates with his fans
Dan Wheldon revels in the moment. I love this shot!
This photo and the one below it were taken the day after the Indy 500. Here Dan poses with his wife, Susie, and their two sons, Oliver (in Susie's arms) and Sebastian (held by Dan).
Sebastian Wheldon kisses the bricks! So cute!
(All photos courtesy of INDYCAR)
As NorCal residents, me and my buds were shouting, “Can you believe JR Hildebrand is going to win the Indy 500?” Then, the unthinkable! I actually jumped off the couch. “Can you believe that JR Hildebrand just hit the effin’ wall?” Wow. You’re right – a total ebb and flow of emotions, for everyone.
I did like the pit reports too, as usual. Plus, they never sent us to the almost endless commerical breaks. WTF was that all about? In the age of the DVR, ABC is playing with fire.
Nice post!