1996 - The Year Of The Split

Before we start, please read the following;


"The Gang"... Me , Rick, Scott, Dennis, Brent, Tom (from Watertown) and Dale Pappenga, "rookie" (guy I work with @ P.O.)
"The Vehicles"...My 93 Chevy p/u 4x4 and Tom's Chevy Van (custom).

Saturday - "The Party"... Got to our 'ol friend Bob's house @ 1:30p.m. Brent drove Tom's van. Set up camper and took our walk. (PIN ALERT - PIN ALERT!!) The old guy that we always bought our pewter pins from had a heart attack and his stand is not here this year. First year since 1985 we can't get our yearly pins.


Dale is in awe of the crowd. Came back to camp, shot the bull until it started raining.
Sunday - "Race Day"...Got up to rain, but not bad tho'. The race was only delayed about 1/2 hour. It was the first year for the IRL and all the rookie drivers everyone was so worried about, did just fine! In fact, as an old veteran of the Indy 500, I found it very refreshing and interesting to see someone without the name of Fittipaldi, Unser, or Andretti win it. On a sad note, on the Friday after pole weekend qualifying, the pole winner (Scott Brayton) was killed during a practice session when his back up car hit the turn 2 wall. Scott's car owner John Menard named Danny Ongais as his replacement driver and went on to finish 7th.



After the race, we walked around Gasoline Alley, came back to camp, ate, (slow cooker beef).

Monday - Raining, but stopped long enough for us to pack up camper. Good thing, cause just as we were pulling out, all HELL broke loose!! DOWNPORE!!
Congratulations to the first INDY 500 IRL Winner; Buddy Lazier

And on one finally note.........later on in 1996.....see below;
What can I say (?), this was in the scrapbook ~