The big events concerning this year’s race were the many changes made at the Speedway since last year’s race, the subsequent drop in speed, the retirement of two of the race’s four-time winners, the unexpected failure of another former winner to qualify for the race, and the outstanding performance of one of the most popular rookies in Speedway history. On the personal side, the first day of time trials was one of the finest I've ever had, and a mental mistake on my part almost cost us a chance to see the race.
