INSIDE THE LITTLE 500! ROOKIE TRAINOR CONQUERS

For decades, I had been wanting to see the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana. I finally got that opportunity this past Memorial Weekend. It was good timing; I picked the 75th Anniversary Little 500, since 1949, this amazing race has gone off before packed crowds the night before the Indianapolis 500. Steeped in tradition, the event mirrors the Greatest Spectacle in Racing in Indianapolis with similar pageantry, to include live renditions of "Back Home Again" and Taps. 33 non-wing sprint cars in 11 rows at 3 abreast for 500 laps on a banked, tight quarter-mile is a spectacle every race fan should witness. I spent the entire 500 laps down in the hole, in the pits where I got my eyes opened wide time after time, from live pit stops to push trucks getting the sprint cars back out onto the speedway. It was amazing to say the least, and certainly equally amazing for the rookie who conquered the Little 500 in his first attempt...and in the iconic Seymour Racing 29 car out of Boston, Massachusetts. The event was pure magic and I can't wait to do it again. Please enjoy the 75th Running of the Little 500 from the inside...and thanks for your support of the #HistoryMysteryMan! #Little500 #AndersonSpeedway #AndersonIndiana #SprintCars #Indianapolis500 #BackHomeAgain

[@geezer4962]

Thanks for showing this. This race doesn't get the coverage it deserves. Glad they're keeping to the traditional sprint car rules packages and not the extreme super modifieds.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome; thanks for taking the time to watch! HMM

[@Raellives]

Nicely done. You caught a pretty good mix of what this historic race is all about.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...I appreciate that! HMM

[@mikewestfall1380]

I've been to over forty little 500s this one was really enjoyable. Thanks for another great video

[@chuckg6039]

That's really iimpressive Mike. Really is.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Very cool race...can't wait to do it again next year. Thanks for watching, Mike. HMM

[@karlschwarz1907]

Great video Don, thank you

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Karl; thanks for watching...HMM

[@dirtdevil65]

Awesome video , really enjoyed it up on the West coast 🇨🇦 Thank you History Mystery Man

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome! HMM

[@seekonkspeedway]

awesome...Congrats!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks for watching! HMM

[@JoshuaShaw1932]

GREAT COVERAGE! Thank you. I saw you briefly right after I dropped off the Old Foyt car, and the Ellison Car. You were walking straight for them, and I wanted to stop ya to say hi.. but we had to get back to the pits, and suited up! I was fueling Swanson again this year and had yet to test a few things on the Fuel Rig. Anyways, my pops couldn’t make it to watch this year so this video was a PERFECT race recap for me to send him. 🙏🏼🏁 Thank you!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Joshua; thanks for taking the time to check it out. Next time, please stop and say hello if you have the time. HMM

[@wesrobbins111]

Awesome coverage of the Little 500! Another great video Hmm!! I appreciate you!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Wes; thanks again! HMM

[@tjw3999]

very cool great to see ole bentley warren seen him race many times glad he s doin good.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Bentley is looking/doing great! Thanks for watching! HMM

[@timford3599]

Hello HMM! Robin Miller, RIP did a short feature on Bentley Warren in his "Tough Guys" series back in 2015 or 16. I didn't know anything about him besides name recognition but, he is some kind of character and a really fast racecar driver back in his day! If you've not seen the series it's a GREAT walk down memory lane with all of my favorite Sprint, Midget and Indianapolis 500 drivers from the 1950's through the early 1980's. Those guys were my Heroes! I'm sure they were yours as well. I've always been intrigued with "The Little 500" and you've done your usual GREAT job of covering the event. I have always felt that it ranks right up there with the "Turkey Night Grand Prix", "Chili Bowl" and the "Knoxville Nationals" as well! Thanks as always for your coverage of these drivers and historic events. I'm sure that it's a "Labor of Love" for you and it really shows. Take care and I always look forward to watching the channel. It's "One of a Kind."

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@timford3599 Thanks a lot Tim; I really appreciate your kind words...helps keep me inspired to keep going. I've watched several of Robin Miller's features...love 'em! Thanks for sharing your thoughts here...stop by anytime. HMM

[@waynewilliams839]

Thanks for your work, appreciate all you do!😊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You got it Wayne...thanks again! HMM

[@mariebeasley1269]

Wow now that is the way to watch this race. Whole different feel. Love it. Thanks for the view

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Definitely a different feel and angle down there. You definitely have to keep on your toes and your head up. Thanks again, Marie. HMM

[@saltybildo9448]

Thnx for the coverage Hmm

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome; thanks for your support...HMM

[@ronstewart9792]

Awesome video Don and that kid is good. Ron

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Ron. I think we'll be hearing a lot more from the kid in the future. HMM

[@gregj831]

That looks like an absolute blast! Can't wait to get back to my homeland to hit the Walleyes at Port Clinton and the Sprint Car Races.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Your homeland awaits!

[@gregj831]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Thanks so much for bringing the action and excitement into my living room.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@gregj831 You got it...more on the way. HMM

[@DJDouglasWarden]

I grew up nearby where Kenny Schrader and the Wallace's are from I had no idea Kenny Schroeder was into the little 500 or sprint cars or anything with you sac. that's pretty cool. I thought he was more into dirt modifieds and stock cars. that's cool seeing him and Bentley Warren together. thank you for bringing us coverage this is awesome! ☮️❤️🤗🌍🏁🎵

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome; thanks for taking the time to watch. Yeah...Schrader started in open-wheel cars on dirt. He is also a former USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown champion. HMM

[@brcisna]

Thank You for the great coverage of this long time event HMM. As always a very nice job of capturing the vibe of the surroundings of the entire area....not JUST the race track

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome; thanks for watching! HMM

[@robertayers9424]

I'm more of a dirt guy, but that was cool! Thanks for showing us around!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Love me some dirt! I must say it is nice to not suck sand every now and then. Thanks again, Robert...HMM

[@aaronanderson7619]

I'd like to see that new Hoffman car up close. Guaranteed there's some innovation in that one. Be a good follow-up to the Hoffman series that you did. If anyone hasn't seen it, gotta check it out. Keep it up young man

[@karlschwarz1907]

The Hoffman car this year was a Beast chassis or a copy of it, obviously without the normal beast body work. Not same car as last year.

[@aaronanderson7619]

@karlschwarz1907 thank you.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Aaron; I appreciate your support. HMM

[@rogerozdarski2935]

Great video HMM! That is on my bucket list, the little 500 and the Indy 500. Jake is from my neck of the woods. Glad to see a local boy win such a big race. Thank you again.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Roger! I'm definitely planning to go to the Little 500 again next year...super cool #BostonStrong HMM

[@jeffaugust7503]

Was nice talking to you out in the parking lot, it's the dirt lover's pavement race!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You too Jeff, thanks! I'll definitely come back for the Little 500 next year; the event has captured my imagination. HMM

[@briansmith5469]

My dad would say you, when you get a yellow, you look up at scoreboard and it has 250 laps. He's saying you are already tired. David Smith and my uncle Robert Smith alot of good sprint drivers from Florida.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

For sure...especially on pavement...lots of great sprint car pavement drivers out of Florida. Sadly though, there is very little pavement sprint car racing left in Florida.

[@TomSmith-io9uk]

That kid is fast. Good to see Schrader.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Always great to have Schrader in the house. Kid is the real deal for sure. Thanks for watching, Tom...HMM

[@carlschildtknecht762]

Great documentary. The biggest problem is there is no way anyone should have to wait on concessions that long. You would think someone would have put 75th anniversary on the track wall.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Understood on concessions. When I travel to short tracks across America, I see the long wait at concessions a problem almost everywhere. That's a tough one because nobody wants to miss the racing action for a hamburger. And yes, a 75th Anniversary logo should absolutely be on the wall and all around the speedway grounds for that matter. Thanks for watching, Carl...HMM

[@gregkurtz994]

Running in the #41 orange and black sprint car, the winningest winged sprint car driver in North America in 2022 makes his second appearance in 2 years all the way from British Columbia, Canada. He finished 13th last year without a scratch and this year finished 11th without a mark on the car. He does not race non winged cars a lot but the skill level required to be competitive in this race without being part of a racing incident or someones bad night shows through. Way to go Aaron Willison!! Your American announcers should pay attention to drivers that come from other places and quit talking about just the locals over and over that run these cars all the time. SprintCar and Midget magazine has a major article on Aaron in the Sept 2022 issue, check it out.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks for watching. Now that I know about him, I'll seek him out next time. HMM

[@apancher]

You were less than an hour from me! If I had known you were coming through, I'd have bought you dinner.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Well dang...I'll take that dinner down the road...thanks! HMM

[@apancher]

@@HistoryMysteryMan just let me know! Love the channel.

[@rayisland23]

Boston Louis is smiling,hell of a run

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

This one's for you, Boston Louie! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@TracyGunz]

I go to that track a lot. They're pretty damn quick out there! I used to go to Speedrome, then I found out about Anderson Speedway Haven't been back to Speedrome since! I like it because the track is banked, speedrome is flat but quick!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I didn't realize how banked Anderson is till I went out and stood on it. Never been to the Speedrome. Thanks for watching, Tracy. HMM

[@chuckg6039]

Don, you did a simply marvelous job capturing the excitement of this classic race. From the fans, to track action, to racer interviews....well it really made me feel I was there! I know the effort you go through on these videos. Much, much thanks. It really did kind of feel like a little Indy 500. A lot of similar pageantry. Couldn't help but think about Kyle Larson racing the Indy 500 next year. Man is that going to be exciting. It'll certainly help round out his already impressive racing accomplishments. Open wheel is about all that is left for this once in a generation talent. Ah, and before I forget. A few days ago I went surfing to catch up with some of my favorite Columbus Motor Speedway drivers back when I used to watch them. Pulled up Robbie Pyle who is from Columbus. My first web site was Robbie Pyle winning his first ARCA at nearby Kil-Kare over in Xenia, Ohio. I'll give you one guess who authored the final race report? None other than The History Mystery Man! How cool. Again, great video work Don. I need to venture over to Anderson sometime. I love old historic race tracks.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Chuck. I remember Pyle's win at Kil-Kare, now that you mention it. This year's Indy 500 was amazing...loved every moment. Can't wait to see Kyle in the field next year...what a story!

[@wideslammer]

Having pit stops on the "X" in the infield looks like the potential for some bad things to happen. The teams call for push trucks when they are done with their pit work and then the trucks hustle to get the cars restarted before getting back to the track. Anyway, it looked pretty chaotic in the pits. Good coverage of the Little 500 by the HMM.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again. Yeah, it's super chaotic down there...dangerous for sure. I was nervous about being down there...all the fuel up in the air. Thankfully, nothing bad happened, and hopefully nothing bad in the future....but it's certainly ripe for action...

[@drewpierce2273]

Bentley is a character's character. Him and the late Eddie Sachs.😅

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'd love to sit down with Bentley for an interview. Thanks again, Drew...HMM

[@greggrauscher34]

Another awesome video HMM. The Little 500 , along with the "Big" 500 are tops on my list of races that I hope to attend (might have to wait another 15 years until I'm retired and take 2 or 3 weeks to do the month of May properly). That track and race look like so much fun. Usually my growing sense of self-preservation tells me otherwise, but it would be fun to run a sprint car at that track or even just to hot lap one! So much emotion in the pits, this is real reality TV! Cool to see Jeff Bloom still competing. I don't ever remember him not running that race. Awesome finish, but man I feel bad for Dakota Armstrong...oh so close! Also, like the James Dean tie-in. Hope to watch your Dean related videos one of these days.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Gregg. I'd love to take a lap at Anderson! Yeah...I'm a James Dean fan...his family has been exceptionally kind to me...and of course, it's small-town America too which always works for me.

[@greggrauscher34]

No problem HMM. My previous comment was obviously meant for your video from this year's Little 500. When I was commenting on that video, I accidentally closed the window, then must have reopened the wrong one! During the winter months I hope to watch all your videos, have already seen all the maritime ones.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@greggrauscher34 Lordy...that'd be some serious binge watching to see 'em all. I've never even done that. It'd be like 92 hours of content; that'd be asking a lot from anyone. Thanks...

[@greggrauscher34]

No doubt! But I will watch a few a week like last winter and work towards it. Very busy during the summer months, 12 acres of land keeps me out of trouble. Not to mention trying to race a bit and going to races and everyday life.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@greggrauscher34 What do you grow on the 12 acres? Sorry if I already asked that.

[@bigdaddymak1439]

Great job!! Would love to know what was wrong with Emerson's car it was the fastest car on the track at the end

[@karlschwarz1907]

They had a couple issues, one was a fuel fitting came loose in cockpit, and they had a ground wire for the ignition came loose, why it quit running. If it wasn't for that, he'd had been up front and prolly in contention for a win

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I tried to find out but no luck on that. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@charliewhite3992]

The closest my friend got was 2nd in 88 behind Bob Fry

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Who is your friend who finished second? Thanks for watching...HMM

[@charliewhite3992]

@@HistoryMysteryMan it's Stan Butler you got them in the video a couple times doing pit stops on the 19 that's his son's car Shane with L.J. Grimm driving it this year

[@mariebeasley1269]

So how did you enjoy it ?? I have been there twice

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Loved it; I'll be going back next year...thanks! HMM

[@manga12]

you didn't come to the hundred the day before? I was there you missed a heck of a race, spent time with ferns and bischak mostly, but got there late didn't even get all the drivers autographs, all but maybe 4 or 5 though, and got to help push kody swansons brother up to the grid by grabbing on and not getting refused and saying need a hand, also got to talk to tylar roarig the rocket but after the race though the poor guy was like let me get changed, his mom kept trying to get me to get his sisters autograph or take a picture of her and I said um yes she is pretty but I am around younger or around tylers age it wouldn't be appropreate, and she commented how I looked younger, derick bichak did well was up to second place but when I asked how he dropped back said the it was the tires that were getting worn, sevey was solid and he will do well in the future but I dont really know or talk to him at the races at least as of yet, congradulated bobby santos 3 on a back to back carb night win, and talked with king kody swanson, at his merch trailor for a while and thanked me for hanging out and gave me yes gave me a tee shirt, most generous of him, class act and as they said on the social media videos leading up to the race is the face of modern silver crown racing, and spends soo much time refining the set up and testing, as well as having the best equiptment, constant improvment is what he strives for its said, as well as spending attention to the series and its heath, I thanked him twice for the shirt as those arn't cheap this day and age, and learned how any upgrades to a track for a race usac would have to pay for on top of renting the track so if they were to try to have a race at one of the horse tracks in indiana that dont have the wall and catch fence up it would be pricy, but I have not given up on seeing the hoosier 100 on dirt again and neither have many fans, and most feel it should be at the state fair as it was the crown jewel race of the auto sport, kody says this fact on the lead up video on instegram, bobby santos says that fact after winning and was greatful that the pavement guys got a shot at the prestigious event, and its alluded to by many if you ask them. However I could not really find anyone high up the food chain of usac like director levi jones or the guys from irp to really talk about why it was not dirt or could not or the proposed potential dirt track base as part of the improvments talked about in 2018 in interview I think with kasey cooler, the drag strip obviously is first as it gets the most use but in the future maybe we will have dirt racing at irp as well they got anything else you could think of, the strip the big track the forlorn roadcourse there is definatly a big inner field you could easy put up a 3/8ths on the infield or dirt half on part of the track if they did not want to dirt up the whole 5/8ths and cut off at the pit road exit, could not do it inside the pit road turns out there is a small pond on turn 4 but maybe one day after all they got lots of room, and heck silver crown has raced on 3/8s at least once at berlin, but the little 500 is one thing that is one of the big three indiana races, the 500 the little 500 and perhaps the hoosier 100, and its tradition in the sport of sprint racing at the little 5 cant be over stated I cant put it into words but its up there maybe more then even winning the kings royal, the chilli bowl, or knoxvill nationals, or even bc 39 or getting the 4 crown's win in all 4 like hewit did its up there with prestige to win, no easy feat and some luck.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Wow...this is one heck of a race report...nice work. You really made the rounds! I could only spend one day away because of obligations back home, so I picked the Little 500 over IRP. Running the Hoosier 100 on a paved track makes no sense to me, given the history of the prestigious event. I understand wanting to preserve the race, but I really don't get it. Thanks for your support...HMM

[@manga12]

@@HistoryMysteryMan right it was the crow jewel of the dirt events, second only to the indy 500 in the old days and first among prestige to win of the dirt events to me the indy 500 of dirt, and this is know and acknowleged by both kody swanson on the lead up video on instegram about how the state fair is cover in limestone, and how its not perfect but irp is prob the best we could do, and really its the second biggest ovel in indiana and still in the indy area, and bobby santos says the event belongs at the state fair really or to the effect of but he was just greatful the pavement crown racers got the change at such a prestegious event, I have not given up into trying to garner people to press for the event to be on dirt again even if on a temp dirt track or any sizable dirt track in indiana, or get people that have the power to say ok and the money to do it to go forth with it, we have in the indy area every kind of track but a big dirt track, since they took away the state fair, we got the super speedway the bull ring tracks at turn three at ims for bc 39 we got circle city, we got the drag strip, we got a 1/8 paved at speed drome, we got indoor in the winter they do, we got the road courses at ims and if they rebuild the one at irp, and the big ovel at irp we just dont have 1/2 mile or larger dirt track and I get it they dont like to race sprints or smaller cars on big 1/2 or larger tracks as its hard on the engine and can be one sided races as well as more dangerous wrecks but silvercrowns dont do less then 1/2 though there was the one time at berlin or one other I saw that was on the 3/8ths, and 250 laps on one of those for the hoosier hundred what torture the drivers like the spanish iquisition they already had trouble with thelenght of it at 146 on the 5/8ths, and it would not be pragmatic to put dirt down on even part of the 5/8ths and still have carb night which requires the pavement, though this is indiana we can build dirt tracks we have lots that know about putting and managing decent surfaces on them, we have loads of construction equiptment and two or three really big tracks there just isn't the people willing to spend the massive money to do it saddly, or if we could put a temp one up at the state fair on the old half wich if you asked me should have been saved for racing cars as a comprimise if they wanted the mile it would not have been perfect but it would still have kept the hoosier at its illustrious home the oldest car track that I could find in indiana that had auto racing on it, and it would have kept it at the track of champions as well as been big enough to race usac silver crown dirt roadsters on it, still the hundred was fun especially talking to the other drivers I just wish I could have had a word with levi jones if he was there the comp director of usac and former driver, as to why we could not have the 100 on dirt there or bounce off the other 4 ideas I had to get it back to dirt and give the crown jewel its crown back.

[@saltybildo9448]

Hope ya went to the 500 man

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Did not...but I enjoyed it a lot on the big screen.

[@saltybildo9448]

Kody needs a 500 ride

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I couldn't agree more; he'd be great at the Brickyard...

[@saltybildo9448]

I went to indy for 30yrs never went to the little talked to a lot of ppl who did though

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

It was my first visit to the Little 500. I'm definitely going back...

[@saltybildo9448]

Bentley had to like that

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'd love to interview Bentley...gunna work on that.

[@saltybildo9448]

Kaylee is a hottie

[@chadvergauwen4501]

You should do a history on cheating staring Bently Warren cheating racing wins