Kristian Branch was born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana.  He first listened to the Indianapolis 500 in 1981  when he was nine years old because his cousin went to the race. In the days before social media. Kris would get his daily track reports by listening 1070 WIBC and also Trackside 6 on WRTV out of Indianapolis.  Until he was able to go to time trials in 1986 when he was 14, Kris would listen to WIBC all four days of qualifications as well as watch the local stations for qualifying recap shows.  Since the race wasn't shown locally in the Indianapolis area, Kris and members of his family would stay up late two weeks after the race when it was shown after the late news on a Sunday night.  Kris was able to attend his first Indianapolis 500 in 1987.  He's been every year since (with the exception of "The Split" years from 1996-2000).  He considers himself an amateur Indianapolis 500 historian, and loves to learn about the history of the race.  You can find Kris at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year, either wandering around behind the Pagoda, or high up in the grandstands in turn one.