91-year-old celebrates family tradition at Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – On this historic 100th running of the Indy 500, 24-Hour News 8 found a woman who has seen more races than she’s missed, and at 91, she’s looking forward to being part of history.

“We always have mimosa’s in the morning with the fried chicken and the brownies. I bring fried chicken, hot fried chicken,” laughs Pat Schlenk.

Food, fun and fast cars -those have been the ties that bind the Shlenck family together.  A tradition that started years ago, by Pat’s husband, Jack, who loved the Indy 500 and made sure his family was at the track on race day.

“I wish he was still around. He loved this, he loved going to the race, I believe that was one of his favorite things,” said Mike.

That’s why son Mike, keeps the tradition alive. He developed his own love for racing and has the tickets to prove it.

He said he’s been going to the race for 67 years.

That’s consecutive years, and by just looking at recent video from race day. It’s easy to see how times have changed during Pat’s life.

“Everybody always dressed up for the race, I mean the ladies dressed up to the nines, high heels and everything,” Pat said.

I can’t even wear heels anymore, after all I’m 91 years old,” laughed Pat.

While Pat never had any favorite drivers, she definitely had favorite seats.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’ve got perfect seats and we get them every year,” said Pat.

“We sit on Turn 1 and we can see them come out of Turn 3, come down the whole straight away and through Turn 1, and start into Turn 2

“You can see almost half the track from where we sit. We’re in the shade from about noon on through the rest of the day. There’s probably nowhere else I’d rather sit,” said Pat.

“Good tickets mom!” said Mike.

A front row seat to a Hoosier tradition that’s been known to rev up emotions in the best of them.

“When they do the gentleman start your engines, I’ve cried. Tears kind of well up, and it’s pretty emotional,” said Mike.

“I wouldn’t even watch it on TV, it’s the race itself that’s so exciting,” said Pat.

The race used to take a lot longer because the cars were slower when Pat first started going to the race.

Pat still makes it a full day. After the race, they picnic and tailgate more.

Then they all go back to Pat’s house, order pizza and enjoy more brownies and time together.