I haven't gone to 40, but I started going 40 years ago, 1967 was my first Indy. With raising kids, coaching hockey a number of years, and doing the hot rod gig I may have been to 20 US Nats, or a few less. At any rate, I still love the race, the track, the town(s) and everything about it all. There's a mystique about the U.S. Nationals Indy that I doubt ever existed about the Indy 500 Indy. For me, when I go, it's like a pilgrimage. I don't really just "go" to Indy, I get drawn to Indy. I hope it never leaves me.
Edit: And just so you'll know, I wrote my reply before reading Asher's article.