The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About The Indy 500

One of the biggest highlights of every Memorial Day weekend isn’t the famous baked beans at Uncle John’s BBQ, it’s the Indianapolis "Indy" 500 race. Don’t worry today’s Rundown has all you need to know to carry on a conversation with anyone at said BBQ.

Hot dog or hamburger?

The Last Night’s Game Team

---

Five Things To Know About The Indy 500

1. The Indy 500, called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway aka the Brickyard. It’s called the Brickyard because the track used to be made of bricks, which are still exposed under the asphalt at the start-finish line. It’s a tradition to kiss these bricks. We can confirm that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention did not come up with that idea.
2. Scott Dixon set the pole (see Coaches’ Corner) for this year’s Indy 500. He was going so fast in qualifying, a mere 232 MPH, that he thought his dashboard was broken. Later that same day, Dixon and another driver were robbed at gunpoint at a local Taco Bell. The cherry on top of the day.
3. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman will serve as honorary starters for the race. Gyllenhall is set to play Bauman in an upcoming movie. This is the first time two people will wave the green start flag. The anthem will be sung by singer Bebe Rexha.
4. Pippa Mann is the lone female driver in the race. For the fourth straight year, she'll use this spotlight to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and prevention. 
5. Not into racing? Don’t worry. Within the race track is the “The Snake Pit,” which hosts EDM (Electronic Dance Music) concerts during the race. It's no Preakness port-a-potty races, but close. 

Overtime

• The Dancing With The Stars finale came down to two athletes, former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross and NFL (National Football League) player Rashad Jennings. The judges and America voted and the athlete with the best moves is Rashad Jennings. While it’s no Super Bowl ring, the current free agent (he’s looking for a job) took home the famed mirror ball trophy.

Sideline Stat

• The crowd at this year’s Indy race is expected to be over 300,000 people. That’s slightly behind the 350,000 at last year’s 100th anniversary race. For perspective, the second largest sporting venue in the U.S., behind the Brickyard, is the University of Michigan’s football stadium and that holds 107,601 fans.

Coaches’ Corner

• What is pole position in auto racing? The pole position is the number one position to start the race. Drivers have to qualify beforehand by driving the track. Typically, the driver with the fastest time from qualifying is slotted into the pole position. In this case, that's Scott Dixon. 

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up Edition - Memorial Day Madness

While you've been taking in some R&R on your start-to-the-summer weekend; it’s been a busy weekend in the world of sports. 

Remember on this Memorial Day to thank those who have risked their lives to make our country great.

Hats off to you,

The Last Night’s Game Team

---

F1 (Formula One)

• Mercedes takes Monaco. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (previously linked to singer Nicole Scherzinger) capitalized on numerous mistakes made by other teams to win the rain soaked race at Monaco. 

IndyCar

• Finished on fumes. Rookie Alexander Rossi, 24, won the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in front of a record crowd of 350,000 fans. Rossi took a risk and chose not to fuel up the last 90 laps. He crossed the finish line just as his car ran out of gas.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

• Truex triumph. Martin Truex Jr dominated the Coca-Cola 600 where he led 392 of 400 laps and brought home his first win of the year.  In honor of those who have lost their lives for our country, the name of a fallen solider was painted on every car in the race.

NBA (National Basketball Association)

• Moving on. Cleveland Cavaliers secured a spot in the NBA finals with a series win over Toronto Raptors. Cavs superstar LeBron James has made six consecutive NBA Finals, but the Cavs have never won an NBA title. They will play the winner of Thunder/Warriors game for the championship.
• It’s all on the line. On Saturday, Golden State Warriors beat Oklahoma City Thunder on their home turf. Warriors were behind in the game but with a combined 70 points from Klay Thompson and Steph Curry they pulled out a miraculous win. With the win the Warriors force a decisive game seven tonight at Golden State (9 pm EST on TNT).

NHL (National Hockey League)

• Finally, the finals. San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins take the ice tonight in the first game of the best-of-seven series to determine who will win the Stanley Cup.

Soccer

• Champions! Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a shootout to win the coveted Champions League title. After 120 minutes of regulation time and overtime, the game was still tied 1-1.  It all came down to a shootout where Real Madrid won the game. Cristiano Ronaldo nailed the fifth penalty kick to guarantee the win, wiping away his past struggles with high pressure penalty kicks

Overtime

• During his graduation speech at the Naval Academy, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds can defer his service commitment to play in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens. "I am truly excited to proudly serve my country while having the ability fulfill my dream of playing for the best organization in the NFL," said Reynolds.

Sideline stat

• Floor seats for tonight’s Western Conference Final game between Thunder and Warriors are going for a mere $29,000 a piece. 

Coaches’ Corner

• Unlike NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar (except on oval tracks) will race in the rain.