INDIANAPOLIS (WTWO/WAWV)
John McQuinn says,”There’s no other place to be in May on Memorial Day.”
Take a step outside of the Speeddway, and you will find a camping cove of race lovers.
Springfield, Illinois native John McQuinn says,”My friend over here. I brought him when he was 12 years old and we come every year. It’s kind of a tradition. He flew in from California.”
John and his wife, Denise, actually had one of their first dates at the track.
Denise McQuinn says,”It was cold that weekend I came to time trials. so he bought me a pair of socks to keep me warm.”
It really is a racing, camping community.
John says,”You see a lot of them every year. Like the old gentleman over there. He’s been here 60 something years. Got his tickets displayed.”
Greenfield native Tom Stevens might be one of the kings of camping. The Hoosier has quite the history, and ticket stubs to prove it.
Stevens says,”Sunday will be by 64 consecutive year. My mom and dad brought me here at age 13 and I’ve been coming ever since. I brought my mom and dad with me in their ladder years so now I’ve raised my son and daughter and their families and nephews. It’s family.”
Camping completes his racing experience, and he even has a guest book for visitors to sign.
“We come in on Thursday, they open the games at 7pm. Race day we just get up and walk across the street and we are there.”
He’s also celebrating 54 races in a row with his wife.
Stevens says,”Like I told you earlier, there’s very few people that have been married that long, let alone come to the race. I’m proud of that too.”
