(WANE) For many Indianapolis 500 fans, riding in an Indy car would be a dream come true, and for one Fort Wayne woman, that's just what she did Monday afternoon.

Betty Eisenacher's 86 years old, but her age doesn't keep her from going to every Indianapolis 500 race since 1946. This Sunday's race will be her 61^st. She first went when some of her friends wanted to go; she agreed, not knowing what to expect, and the rest is history.

"Well, I was hooked on it I guess," Betty said. "I have to admire someone who can race so close together. For the first ten laps or so everyone's standing and I think, ‘Oh boy! They are traveling too close together.'"

Betty has several photo albums packed with photos of the races, and it's only fitting that such a die-hard race fan gets to actually ride in an Indy car. Thanks to the non-profit organization Never Too Late, Betty took three laps around the 2.5 mile long track on Monday.

"It was fun. I thought that I'd have the sensation that I was going faster though, but I wouldn't want to drive it," Betty said.

She got to suit up in the full racing gear; everything from the shoes, jumpsuit and helmet made the 5'2" lady with curly grey hair look just like an Indy car driver.

"I guess I should have been more nervous, but I wasn't. It was just like going for a ride with someone else I trust," Betty said.

Former Indy car driver Davey Hamilton gave Betty her ride. She reached about 165 miles per hour and one of her family members clocked one lap at only 64 seconds.

Not only has Betty been going to the Indy 500 for 60 years, she also keeps much of her life in line with traditions.

She's been attending the same church, Redeemer Lutheran, since she was baptized there. Since 1935 Betty's owned a Boston Terrier. The first one was named Duke, but each one after Duke all were named Nikki. Betty worked at General Electric for more than 40 years and has lived in Fort Wayne all her life. And as a true sports fan, Betty's attended the South Side High School basketball games since 1930. She even has a plaque with her name on it on her bench in the gym.

"I carry everything to the extreme it seems like," Betty laughed. "When I find something I like, I stick with it."

Betty also has her race traditions. She's sat in the same seats since 1961 and will always go and hit the wall before the race starts.

"We'll then say that we hit the wall at the 500, so that's tradition I guess," Betty said.

Now that she's had a ride in a racecar, Betty said this year's race will be a just a little more special.

"I'll get to tell all the people around me that I rode around there," she laughed.

And Betty said that as long as she can climb the 72 steps to her seats, she'll keep going to the Indianapolis 500.