Go Time

The last couple days in Indianapolis, Indiana have been somewhat subdued for the teams and drivers as they have quietly completed final preparations for this year’s Indianapolis 500. Starting today that all changes. Yesterday I previewed the Carb Day action, but from there the next two days will become a blurr of media and sponsor activities as everyone who has supported you this year will call in their pound of flesh. Indy is the big one, and everyone wants to be there and show off "their" team and driver. A big part of what Indycar racing offers to sponsors over other sports is access…you can’t get in the locker room right before the super bowl, or have dinner with the starting quarterback the night before the game, but in our sport you can do all that and more.

Joe Montana was involved in a team I drove for at Indy in 1995 (Chip Ganassi’s outfit) and he was shocked to see the access that sponsors and their guests had to the team, car, and especially it’s drivers, immediately before we had to go into battle. But although there are a few rare occasions when someone will overstep the situation, I have found that everyone keeps a respectful recognition of where your head is at as you prepare to start the biggest race of your life. And, there is something uplifting to be surrounded by so many people who just want to be close to you and offer their support to you. To be honest, it seemed normal until Joe had discussed it with me, and now I think I have a better understanding of what is great about auto racing. It connects with people, and is probably the only sport where you can get close to the participants, grab an autograph or a quick photo and brief chat, right before you bear witness to the event.

Here’s a brief list of what the AGR drivers will have on tap between now and the race: Final practice laps on Carb Day, Pit Stop competition, couple media interviews, a sponsor suite visit or two, sponsor dinner, Driver’s Meeting, Public Driver’s Meeting, Indy 500 Parade, couple more interviews, couple meet and greets, stop by a sponsor dinner functions for meet and greet / autograph / photo op, then finish Sat. evening at a huge sponsor party at the AGR team shop. That’s enough to make anyone’s head spin, and it is the part they never tell you about when you are a kid wishing to be a race car driver when you grow up. But, after that, you are done and you can begin to really focus on the task at hand…winning the Indy 500.

Now I hope all that has not come out like a complaint in any way, because it is not. The schedule above is just the reality that nobody ever talks about or highlights, and a big part of the spectacle of Indy. Hope you have enjoyed reading my Indy blogs this week, I’ve enjoyed reliving the race a bit through them. Now I’ve got to start my own preparations, getting ready for a huge BBQ at my house for friends and family to watch the greatest race in the world.

Bryan