Happy Friday, dudes. And to those who celebrate, happy Race Weekend.

Most of you probably don’t know this, but Dude Stuff was started by two guys from Speedway, Indiana. That is the racing capital of the world. And this weekend is the main event. The Indianapolis 500. So today’s issue is all about the fastest left turns in sports.

🗓️ Today in History

May 16, 1934: Bonnie and Clyde are Killed

Alright this isn’t IndyCar related but it’s too good to not write about. On this day in 1934, Bonnie and Clyde’s luck finally ran out. After two years of robbing banks, stealing cars, and becoming unlikely celebrities during the Great Depression, the duo was ambushed by a group of lawmen in rural Louisiana. They were hit with over 100 bullets.

There was no warning and no dramatic final standoff. Just a dusty road, a setup, and the end of two outlaws who somehow became icons. 

❓ Trivia

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🏁 What the Hell Is the Indy 500?

Every year on Memorial Day weekend, 300,000 people pack into a massive oval in Indiana to watch 33 drivers go in circles for three straight hours. It sounds simple. It’s not.

The Indianapolis 500 is known as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and honestly, it earns the title. It’s not just a race. It’s a mix of history, speed, tradition, and weird rituals that turn a left-turn contest into something sacred.

So What Actually Is It?

The Indy 500 is an open-wheel car race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile oval track. Drivers complete 200 laps, totaling 500 miles. First one across the finish line wins. Sounds basic. But it’s anything but.

These are not your cousin’s street racers. These are low-to-the-ground, million-dollar missiles that hit speeds over 240 mph. They’re light, loud, and built for pure speed, with open wheels and exposed cockpits that make every second risky.

The race started in 1911 and has been held almost every year since. It’s older than sliced bread, the Titanic, and the idea of seatbelts. Over time, it’s become a proving ground — not just for drivers, but for engineers, pit crews, and anyone who thinks they know what speed looks like.

The Tradition

Winners don’t spray champagne. They drink milk. Yes, actual milk. In 1936, a guy named Louis Meyer won and asked for buttermilk because he thought it was refreshing(Insane. We know). A dairy executive saw a marketing opportunity and turned it into a full-on tradition. These days, drivers pick their milk preference ahead of time. There’s even a vote. Whole milk usually wins. Obviously.

And then there’s the Yard of Bricks. The entire track was originally paved with over 3 million bricks. Now, only a 3-foot strip remains at the finish line. Every winner stops their car, gets out, kneels down, and kisses the bricks. No one knows if it’s sanitary. No one cares.

How You Win (or Crash Trying)

Winning the Indy 500 takes skill, guts, and a pit crew that can do a full tire change in under 10 seconds. Drivers experience 5 Gs of force in turns. They battle side-by-side at 230 mph while calculating tire wear, fuel strategy, and how much sunlight is hitting their visor.

And the kicker? Only 33 cars are allowed in the race. If more qualify, the slowest ones get bumped — even if they’ve won in the past. It’s brutal.

The Vibe

If NASCAR is a rowdy tailgate, Formula 1 is a black-tie gala, and street racing is a felony, the Indy 500 sits somewhere in between. It’s loud, fast, and packed with history — but still feels like something your dad would explain to you over a bratwurst and a sunburn.

🧠 Fast Facts

• Top speed in qualifying: 243.198 mph

• Fuel used per car: About 60 gallons

• First race held: 1911

• Track length: 2.5 miles per lap

• Total laps: 200

• Weight lost by drivers: Up to 8 pounds in sweat

• Prize money for first place: Over $3.6 million

• Bricks at the finish line: Just one yard left

• Milk vote in 2024: 72% chose whole milk

The Indy 500 is part race, part ritual, and part fever dream. You don’t have to be a car guy to respect it. Just someone who appreciates watching humans push machines to the edge of what’s possible and some dude chugging a bottle of milk on a hot summer’s day.