Indy 500 drivers

Since the first time Nabors faced an Indianapolis 500 crowd in 1972 and crooned the lyrics from notes scribbled hurriedly on his hand, we have embraced the Southern-bred baritone as one of our own.

Via @TheJennaBee: “My boyfriend is watching wedding shows with me, in case you were looking for real life examples of Stockholm Syndrome.”

Sports observers waxed sarcastic and mournful about the Colts’ ugly home loss to the Rams—but hey, they won four nights later! Meanwhile, Dario Franchitti closed his IndyCar and 500 racing career as the Indiana State Museum’s resident mastodon tweeted, “I’M STILL HERE.”

According to information via Indy.gov, the Meridian-Kessler area where Hildebrand had his run-in has seen three similar incidents reported since the start of 2013.

Super Bowl for Saturday’s Kids benefited burn victims, a cause that hits close to home for the former Colt and his wife. See the parade of current and erstwhile Colts, IndyCar stars, and more celebrities who attended, including a reality-TV star and a kid reporter.

A web- and app-based photo album of nearly everything imaginable was born, including images of glittery nails, inebriated couples smooching (Snakepit, ahoy!), and one Mike Tyson holding an “Indy 500 or Bust” sign.

Four tips for when your boyfriend wins the Indy 500

The fate twist was all the more poignant this afternoon, when perennial oh-so-close finisher Tony Kanaan, who had previously placed fifth or better five times, finally raised the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Helio. Simona. JR. Susie Wheldon. They’re all here, and Kate Shoup got up close and personal with each of them for IM’s May Madness blog.

This year welcomed the inaugural Fashion in the Fast Lane event, hosted by the Indy Family Foundation. The show replaced the popular, long-running CARA Charities fashion soiree, previously held the Thursday before the Indianapolis 500. (CARA ceased operations earlier this year.)

Fostering works out well for the driver, since his busy schedule makes it hard to own a dog longterm. But Pagenaud, who lives in Indianapolis, admits it can be tough giving the pooch up for adoption after he forges a bond.

“They may have a good race over there,” says Lucas Oil Raceway GM Wes Collier. “But I guarantee it won’t be better than it would have been at our racetrack.”

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is dancing his way back to reality TV. ABC announced today that Castroneves will join the cast of Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars for the show’s 15th season. Castroneves, the season-five champion, will compete against other past celebrity favorites of various ilk and levels of fame for the chance to hoist the Mirror Ball trophy. Among his competitors: Bristol Palin, Drew Lachey, Joey Fatone, Kirstie Alley, Apolo Anton Ohno, and Pamela Anderson.

When you’re a reporter, you’re supposed to keep fandom to yourself. Cheering (and, sadly, beer) is frowned upon in sporting-arena press boxes. There’s never a sign telling you not to; you’re just supposed to know, much the same as no sign tells you to wear pants in public. It’s okay to be breathless in your description of high sports drama, so long as the excitement is not tied to one side in the contest. And you’re not supposed to fawn over the competitors (a dictum many of ESPN’s reporters and commentators seem to have lain aside, but I digress).

The 500 fun should continue well into the night on Sunday, with rookie driver (and May Madness guest blogger!) Wade Cunningham and friends hosting an after-party blowout at Sensu downtown (225 S. Meridian St., 317-536-0036).