Alley Cats purr in rain

"Both of us quit smoking for a year, then we found out she was going to Baghdad and we started smoking again."

Adds Scot, "I'll quit when she comes home." Ali's homecoming is scheduled for January 2009.

Until then, Scot wears two dog tags with Ali's name -- a Christmas present he covets close to his heart.

The Wests are fortunate this time of year, not just as race fans but to have the Indy 500 as a pleasant distraction from worrying about Ali.

"It takes my mind off of it," Meri said.

"But then I reach for a refreshing beverage and the dog tags clang together and I'm back there," Scot said. "I think about her."

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