Few things in sports surprise me.

My affinity for auto racing ranks near the top of the short list of big shocks.

I think it was in the late 1970s when, for some reason, I was in Indianapolis for the annual 500. Al Unser won the race and it was one of the more exciting sports events I have seen.

The sights and the smells were amazing. But the sound was out of this world. People who knew the sport told me about it, but nothing prepares you for the sharpness of those sounds that penetrate into the very marrow of your bones.

Because of that experience, I began to follow racing a little bit. I loved Rick Mears, for some reason, and I rooted against A. J. Foyt because he seemed like such an ass, even though he was so good.

A couple of things happened that ruined it for me.

First was the disastrous split that sent some drivers and cars one way and other drivers and cars another way. In addition, as NASCAR grew in popularity, it pushed Indy Car racing away from the fans and off television.

Now, the Indy racing factions have unified and the series comes to the fabled Milwaukee Mile for the ABC Supply / A.J. Foyt 225 IndyCar Series race on June 1, just one week after the Indy 500's first reunited run.

The people who have taken over operation of the track at State Fair Park, headlined by investor Craig Stoehr, have done a good job making sure the track and the surrounding grandstands are ready for a big race. With his background, experience and financial depth, Stoehr stands a better than even chance of turning the Milwaukee Mile into something very special.

I am not one of those who are big on the civic duty theory of support for sports teams. I think there's an element of that in the whole equation, but I think the product is more important than the duty.

I do, however, support the idea of new experiences and I do not hesitate in recommending IndyCar racing for your attention. I think this will be a product that may turn out to be of high quality.

The race in Milwaukee will feature big, big names: Danica Patrick, who is hot; Helio Castroneves who is also hot and who danced with a real hottie on "Dancing With The Stars;" Marco Andretti, a name of legendary proportions; Graham Rahal, a matinee idol whose dad personified the tough-talking, tobacco-spitting, toothpick-chewing image of a racer.

I know that in the past I have made light of auto racing as a sport. That may have something to do with the television part of it. But in person, much like a great horse race like the Kentucky Derby, it's hard to beat the totally immersing atmosphere of a big-time car race.

Some people tell you that if you go, you should purchase some of those fancy earplugs.

I say, "Forget the ear plugs." You won't lose your hearing after one day of racing. And the sound at the race will be unlike anything you have ever heard. It'll grab your insides and shake and shake them until you feel like your world is about to come crashing down around you.