The most 'Merican people at the Indy 500 2017

Deep inhale.

American flag T-shirts, shorts, socks, hats, bow ties, underpants, capes, bikini tops, sunglasses, jorts, rompers, miniskirts, lapels and, well, any starred-and-striped clothing item has long been the official unofficial Indy 500 uniform.

Aaaand exhale.

This year, though, race fans really brought out their patriotism with their super American apparel.

Starting with Carb Day and early — really early — race day morning, 500 fans put on a patriotic fashion show that would make John Wayne proud.

But many didn't really know ... why. 

"I just feel like it's a tradition here," said Lexi Saalfrank, 24, Fort Wayne. "I don't really have a good answer. "

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Saalfrank borrowed her blue tank with "Let's get star spangled buzzed" on the front  from her cousins, she said.

"I'm just kind of a follower."

Michael Venezia, 23, Indianapolis, knew exactly why he wore his American flag onesie. 

"'Cause of America, that's why," he said. "This whole race brings lots of people together. But we're American."

But don't call his unitard a romper, made popular recently by Kickstarter campaign RompHim. 

"It's a singlet," he said. "I've been a wrestler since I was 6. The romper trend? I have no comment on it."‬

Here are the most patriotic people we saw out at the Indy 500 2017: 

The one-piece.

OK, fine, it's a singlet. We'll give it to you. But the real question is: Who are you wrestling?

The fancy gent.

This guy's got all the makings of someone on the way to a black-tie affair: Bow tie, suspenders. Who cares if he's missing, well, everything else?

Mario and Luigi.

What's more American than Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers? Wait, what? It's Japanese? Well, this one's for you, Takuma Sato.

Quintessential 500.

If we could sum up the Indy 500 in one photo, well, this would be it. For better and worse.

Presidential patriots.

It's subtle, but their statement is yuge. (Take a look at their socks.)

Out of this world.

What do you get when you mix checkers and Speedos? Cheetos!

Early romping.

OK, so we caught this guy at about 6:45 a.m. on Georgia Street Downtown, but it's safe to assume he was going to the track. Right?

Snake Pit Patriotic.

Wait, is this the same guy from above?

Southern American.

Indiana was part of the North. 

Head to toe.

If your body was an American flag, you'd probably look like this girl.

Halters and leggings.

Hard to go wrong with stars, stripes and comfort.

Stylish American.

It's the combo of these two ladies that really tied the whole Snake Pit together.

Subtle Americana.

Why scream "I'M AN AMERICAN!" with your clothing when you can gently whisper it into the dusty Turn 3 air?

Friends of flags.

They didn't plan this together. Awwwwkward.

U.S. of fanny packs.

Who knew the country could hold so many useful items — all while being so stylish?

Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.