1983....... The Year of White Castle

1983 was also the year of my '81 Chevy Citation!!

Yes it's true I had one, but believe it or not, it was a good car. This year me, Rick, & Gary (see '82) took my Citation. Gary is about 6'4" & 265lbs, Rick has a "gut", and I'm (a little) chunky. All 3 of us slept in that car!!! The reason for that was because Tom (Pres.) didn't come to Indy because Brent (son) graduated from H.S. that weekend. (Who graduates on Indy weekend???). And Tom owned the Ford wagon we had been taking. We even left Milwaukee without tickets. Bought $25.00 tickets/ea. (see picture) from a scalper for $75.00/ea.! Turned out to be our best seats yet. Top row Terrace Extension. But before I talk about the race I have to tell you about Saturday night before the race. You see, not only did we not have tickets, had to sleep in a "go-cart", but because of our accomodations, we also had NO FOOD!! So, on Saturday for supper we walked over to the White Castle. (corner of Georgetown Rd & 16th St.) Rick had never been to a White Castle before, so I told him they were small hamburgers and to order more than just 2. He ordered 2 dozen!! As we are sitting on the curb @ the corner of Georgetown Rd eating these "hard as rocks" burgers, Rick says "screw this" and starts throwing his at people! Actually everyone in the crowd must have been drunker than us, cause they seemed to not mind that he was doing it. The Race........ Tom Sneva had 'em covered pretty much all day. It seemed he could lead at will. This was the race year that Al Unser Sr was leading late in the race when Tom Sneva was running him down until he came up on the lapped car of "rookie" Al Unser Jr. (little Al). Jr. tried his best to block for 'ol Dad, but Sneva was just too strong. On lap 191 Sneva finally caught big Al for the lead and went on to win the race.