Driver's... Start Your Engines

I know its been awhile since my last update. Summer has come and gone and I hope you will hear from me more.

I had the pleasure a few weeks ago, to head up to Sonoma, California a few weeks ago the Friday the before the Gran Prix Sonoma with one of my best buds Terry. We had an awesome day at the track.

Now before I tell you about the day I need to tell you a little history. I started following open wheel racing about 3 years ago, now don’t get me wrong, I always watched the Indianapolis 500, but I did the same way a lot of people watch the Kentucky Derby... tradition. Until three years ago, I have the opinion of drive really fast, be faster then the next guy (or girl), don’t crash, win race.... Boy was I wrong. I started watching Indy Car.

I watched Dario Fanchitti race for Andretti Green along side Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti (Michael’s son and Mario’s Grandson) and Danica Patrick. I was in awe.

I started studying strategy of the different teams whether it was AGR, Penske, Chip Gnassi, Vision, or Rahal. Understanding drafting, clean air versus dirty, fuel strategy, tires, and the competition between teams and drivers, really made the sport more interesting.

So I decided I was going up for the day to see what goes into a race preparation, see them practice, and if I was lucky see maybe one or two drivers. What I didn't expect was the day I had.

I live about 90 minutes and 2 bridges away from the track that will always be known as Sears Point Raceway. Infineon now owns the rights to the name, but some will refer to at as Sears Point the same I will always call Monster Park, CandleStick and the Willis Tower the Sears Tower.

Now I went with Terry who I have known for over 8 years and have so many things in common, from tech gadgets, to kids, to sports and aviation, its almost scary. Terry is also hard core into open wheel racing (Its only a matter of time before he gets me into Indy Lights and the F1 I’m Sure.

Terry and I headed up to the track, and had an amazing day walking along the pits and in the garage area amongst some of the fastest drivers in Indy. He was gracious to get pictures with many of my favorite drivers.

While we were walking in the garage area, Terry goes there is Dario Franchitti... we ran, and Dario was very kind to pose for a picture with me. It was great to talk to him for a couple of minutes, as he was the reason, I have become such a fan (his reaction “is that a good thing”), Dario went on to take the pole and lead it from start to finish.

I was honored to shake the hand of Marco Andretti and saw the lighter side of Tony Kanaan, who during my photo op with Marco jumped into the shot (see inset).

Will Power was dressed in his suit for what I think was practice. Will unfortunately had a major accident qualifying hitting Nelson Philippe at a reported 124G’s (yes I did type 124) in qualifying, but expected to make a full recovery. We wish you the best and look forward to seeing you return to the track in 2010.

Penske driver Ryan Briscoe who won Kentucky two weeks earlier by a hair, and Ryan Hunter-Reay actually came out of their garages to to spend a few minutes chatting with Terry and I.

We spent a few minutes chatting with Jon Beekus from Versus and Kim Green, Co-owner of AGR racing about the recent (that week even) announcement that Andretti Green would have some changes that included Michael Andretti taking over the racing side and Kim Green running the promotions side.

Other drivers including Ed Carpenter, Dan Wheldon and Justin Wilson as well the car crew were very hospitable, giving up time to talk to us. This turned out to be a day that rates right up there with my wedding, the birth of my kids. All the way home, I’m sure I could not stop talking about how friendly everyone was, who we met and plans for next year, however now, I may have to figure out how to get to Indianapolis to see the holy grail or races.

Terry, thank you for a day that I will never forget, Im sure I could not stop talking about that day for over a week.

As always I would love to know what you think.

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