Paying tribute to the resilient at Indy
source:
irl.racing-live.com
The Last Row Party will reach a significant number in
Indianapolis 500 lore - 33 - this year as the annual gathering to honor the 11th
and final row of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" celebrates its 33rd
anniversary in 2005.
The 33rd Last Row Party is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (local time) Friday, May 27,
the evening of Miller Lite Carb Day, at Brickyard Crossing Inn adjacent to the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Turn 2.
The fun, light-hearted party, open to the public, will begin with a short
program and roast honoring the 11th-row starters in the 2005 Indianapolis 500
field, followed by dinner and additional entertainment. Popular radio,
television and IMS public address personality Bob Jenkins will serve as host.
The event benefits the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation, which supports
scholarships for journalism students.
For more than three decades, the Last Row Party has paid tribute to the
resilient drivers claiming the 31st, 32nd and 33rd spots in the Indianapolis 500
field - thus the significance of the 33rd year of the event.
The 2004 Last Row Party honored the newest members of the 11th Row Society,
Marty Roth and PJ Jones, and two-time last-row starter Robby McGehee, who
received most of the friendly ribbing from Jenkins.
In past years, drivers earning a place in the last row have included some of
the greatest legends in auto racing, including Mario Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen,
Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva and Al Unser.
The back-row qualifiers will be awarded special jackets, checks for 31, 32 and
33 cents, respectively, and have their names affixed to a trophy honoring all
11th-row brethren. A highlight of the evening's festivities is the Press Club
Foundation's Silent Auction of racing and other sports memorabilia, tickets to
major sporting events, vacation trips, restaurant gift cards and entertainment