Sunday Is The Biggest Day In Motorsports! Here Is all You Need To Know

Sunday Is The Biggest Day In Motorsports! Here Is all You Need To Know.

Often dubbed the “Greatest Day in Motorsports,” Sunday of Memorial Day weekend features 3 of the most famous races with no overlap. F1’s Monaco Grand Prix starts things off, followed by the 107th Indianapolis 500, and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.

Formula 1: Monaco Grand Prix
Practice 1 – Friday, 7:25 AM ET on ESPN2
Then Practice 2 – Friday, 10:55 AM ET on ESPN2
And Practice 3 – Saturday, 6:25 AM ET on ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, 9:55 AM ET on ESPN
Race – Sunday, 8:55 AM ET on ABC, ESPN+ & ESPN Deportes (coverage begins at 7:30 AM ET)
IndyCar Series: 107th Indianapolis 500
Sunday, 12:30 ET
NASCAR Cup Series: Coca-Cola 600
Sunday, 6 ET

80th Grand Prix of Monaco: In a race that dates back to 1929, 2 decades before the birth of F1, the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez aim for their 3rd straight win.

107th Indianapolis 500, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” dates back to 1911, and was driven on a yard of bricks, hence the name “The Brickyard.”

A strip of original bricks still remain at the start finish line. Defending winner Marcus Ericsson of Sweden seeks back-to-back victories following the fastest qualifying session in race history.

64th Coca-Cola 600: Formerly the World 600, the day finishes with the longest race on the NASCAR calendar. Denny Hamlin is the defending champ. There has not been a back-to-back winner in this race since Jimmie Johnson in 2005.

Now, personally, I know nothing about any of the races.  I do know there is a plethora of left turns.  I also know that much of the world, just not me, will be watching not just one, but all 3 races.  Here are some more fun facts.

3,882 turns (2,946 to the left): nearly 4,000 turns will be made in a race car on Sunday — and the question everyone is wondering — nearly 3,000 of them will be left hand turns. Nearly half of those are at Monaco alone, a street circuit with 19 corners.

1,262 miles: If a driver were to run every lap of all 3 races Sunday, it would be the equivalent of hopping in your car and driving from Miami to Milwaukee.

90 drivers: No driver will run more than 1 race on Sunday, although it’s happened several times before. Next year, it’s rumored that 2021 NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Larson will try the 500-600 double.

10 hours, 38 seconds: If you combined the race times from the 2022 versions of this races – they took more than 10-and-a-half hours to complete. That’s an average speed of 126 MPH including cautions/safety cars.

Here are your Weekend Vibes, what’s happening in Southwest Florida May 26-29. First of all, it is a long holiday weekend for many people. Memorial Day Weekend is finally here, the unofficial kickoff to the summer season. If you are headed to Fort Myers Beach, we have also put together a list of restaurants that are currently open. Click here to get that info. Some have new locations, others have limited menus. However, if you head to the beach consider supporting these local businesses that are finally open after being decimated by Hurricane Ian.

This weekend is a time for cooking out, hanging out and also remembering military personnel who lost their lives while serving our country. Besides parties and sales at shopping malls, there are numerous, more serious services planned all over Southwest Florida. Take for instance the one at Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery on Chiquita Blvd. in Cape Coral. It gets underway at 10 Monday morning if you are in the area. For those of you in other parts of SWFL, just scroll down. We have a few additional service and ceremony locations listed.

If you have upcoming weekend events to pass on, please email me here.

One more thing, this weekend also marks eight months since we were tracking Hurricane Ian as it headed towards our coast. Thankfully, many things are slowly getting better. However, there is still so much need in our area. Life is still challenging for many many people. If you feel like getting out and about, we have a few ideas here. But then again, if you are not feeling so great mentally that is OK too. Please take care of yourself. Here are some resources that might help.

Finally, here are your Weekend Vibes, what’s happening in Southwest Florida May 26-29. Get out and have some fun this weekend. AND happy Memorial Day Weekend.

This traveling film festival makes a stop in Fort Myers at the Alliance for the Arts on McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers for the third year in a row. It celebrates women filmmakers. The festival features a series of short films all made by women. It's Friday night beginning at 6. $15

This music festival is at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater downtown Fort Myers. There is quite a line up of bands and tribute artists. Also enjoy food, vendors and games for the entire family. The party is Sunday from 1-10pm. Tickets start at $20

Don’t miss the Punta Gorda Downtown Bash on Saturday, May 27th from 5-9. The streets will be filled with live music, food, drink and more. The free event takes place on Taylor Street in front of the historic Charlotte County Courthouse. 

It's not only fun, it's also a benefit for the Southwest Florida Military Museum. There will be all kinds of live performances, giveaways, and games and events for the kids. The celebration is free but seating is limited so bring a chair or blanket. Gulf Coast Town Center is just off of Alico Road, east of I-75.

This funeral home and cemetary on Colonial Blvd actually plans a  military aircraft flyover. It's an annual event that also features drum-and-pipe music, speeches and a cookout. It's free and it begins at 9:30  Monday morning. 

The City of Bonita Springs Veterans Advisory Committee organizes this event at Riverside Park on Old 41. Take note that portions of the road will be closed Monday morning from 8-11.  The ceremony begins at 9 and it is a free event.

This one is taking place at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden on 111th Avenue. The Collier County Veterans Council Collier County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard will be there. Also, speakers, and patriotic music with a cookout to follow. The event begins at 10am Monday. It is free.