Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover:
The next five entries (to be posted over Memorial Day Weekend as quickly as time and endurance permit) represent a fraction of the pics my wife and I snapped. In many cases, encores and additional takes of specific subjects may be available if anyone out there is interested in seeing more, or is looking for a loved one who was in one of the many marching bands that day. For first-time MCC visitors, please note my wife and I are relative amateurs, obviously not trained professional photographers, sharing these from a hobbyist standpoint because of fun Internet joyfulness.
Per parade tradition, the thirty-three drivers who qualified to race in that year’s Indy 500 also participate in the 500 Festival Parade. One driver, Charlie Kimball, bowed out due to illness. We captured over one-third of the other thirty-two.
Last year’s winner, Dario Franchitti, starts this year in the middle of Row 6.
Last year’s polesitter, Ryan Briscoe, fell back into the field due to mechanical issues and finished fifth. This year: middle of Row 8.
Finishing ahead of Briscoe in fourth place last year was Oriol Servià, who starts this year inside Row 5.
Justin Wilson. Last year: finished seventh. Starting position this year: middle of Row 5, next to Servià.
Alex Tagliani. Last year: finished twelfth. Starting position this year: middle of Row 4
Next to Tagliani inside Row 4 is JR Hildebrand. He finished 14th in 2012 after coming thiiiiis close to winning in 2011.
Up inside Row 3 is Ryan Hunter-Reay, whose car failed him last year after 120+ laps.
This year’s fastest rookie, Carlos Munoz, netted himself a plum position in the middle of Row 1. Busy weekend for Munoz, who finished fourth in this past Friday’s Indy Lights Freedom 100.
Behind Munoz in Row 2 is another rookie, A.J. Allmendinger. At far left is Will Power, starting outside the same row, hopefully with a better year in store — someone else crashed into his car in 2012 and ruined his day.
Further afield inside Row 10, rookie Tristan Vautier is new to IndyCar racing in general this year, not just Indianapolis. At far left is Ana Beatriz, in her fourth year at Indy.
Row 3 presents Helio Castroneves, winner of Dancing with the Stars, season 5. In 2012 Castroneves, a three-time Indy 500 winner, placed tenth at Indy and not-so-great on DWTS season 15. At far left and waving away from us is row-mate James Hinchcliffe, preparing for his third Indy 500. Hinchcliffe has no known reality-TV plans on his calendar.
Thanks for viewing! Other chapters in this series may be viewed at the following links:
Part 1: the Special Guests
Part 3: Star Wars! and Other Fashion Choices
Part 4: a Salute to the Marching Bands
Part 5: Balloons and Floats for the Win
Midlife Crisis Crossover! 
Growing up on the outskirts of Indy (Greenwood), I engaged in the obligatory rite-of-passage (skipping class to go to practice at the track). But, I was taught that on race day, all sane and sober people stayed out of the city.
(Now that I’ve become insane, perhaps I should scrounge up some tickets for next year’s race.)
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Back in the day, Carburetion Day was the annual “Senior Skip Day” at my high school, but I wasn’t that kind of student. But yes, on Race Day the west side turns into one massive logistical nightmare. After church we make a point of staying home and hibernating the rest of the day.
I’ve only attended the race twice myself, but I grew up listening to the radio coverage each year with friends. Home was safer and not so smelly!
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How can I find out which qualifying driver drove the #26 pace car?
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In 2013 the Indy 500 pace car was driven by former Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh, and car #26 was driven by Carlos Munoz, who finished 2nd in the race.
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Hi Randall, how do I find out who drove festival car #2 (or aka vehicle #20), and who rode in it (2013 Parade)? Bonus if you can explain why it’s known as vehicle #20 on the Indy spreadsheet, but festival car #2. Double Bonus if you can share specific pics of this car in the parade etc.. Thank you!
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