The date 1909 was probably my first rendezvous with history, 42-years before I was born. My neighbor got me interested in coin collecting based on my fascination with his 1909-S-VDB penny. He had recently purchased it for well under a $100, which might as well have been a million from my perspective at the age of 11. It’s worth $1000 today, depending on condition. I made it a lifelong goal to own one and complete my penny collection, but the best I ever did was the 1909-S. Years ago I wrote about this penny (See Post #804). I should just go out and buy one, but the thrill is gone. 

I did get my $50 Lowe’s gift card for sitting through a 2-hour Aqua Pure presentation on the condition of our water. It was probably not worth the time, although I would have taken a penny if it was a 1909-S-VDB!  It was also disturbing that I had to make several phone calls to get the gift after being assured there was no obligation.  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway published its first season poster in 1909 with the first race on May 30, 1911. Taft was elected President. The race would become a very important aspect of my broadcast media career. I attended my first race in maybe 1979 – the exact year escapes me but it’s been nearly 52-years ago and our son was probably only about 5 years old. I got the tickets through the radio station I worked with in Elkhart, Indiana that carried the broadcast. I had no idea what I was in store of or how big the track was, but I soon found out when my young son ran off into the massive exit crowd. He somehow found his way back to the car while I ran around the outside of the 2 1/2 mile oval. He was safely under the care of “Mud Man,” a guy in a cape posing as a superhero. I’m forever grateful that he wasn’t a total Mad Man, and took the time away from sliding in the mud with his buddies to keep an eye on my son. My hero that year – I don’t remember the race winner without looking it up but I naturally remember him!

We sat in the infield and the main straightaway grandstand before the youngster ran off, sharing different views of the track with friends, so I’m still amazed that he knew where the car was parked miles away. He wasn’t worried but I certainly was, and the entire Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff was on alert as to his disappearance. In researching those years, it had rained the night before the 1979 race, so this makes me think it was that year that we attended. If so, Rick Mears would have won his first of four lifetime races. 

The results came back on my naval swab test this morning and I won my second race against Covid. I felt fairly confident that I didn’t catch it, but why take a chance? I would not have bet even a penny on the outcome – I’m obviously not a gambler – even on race day!

A penny for your thoughts!