The Official Blog of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Ok, it is a job, a hectic job sometimes at that, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. As Director of Photography for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the INDYCAR Series through the years, I have seen countless races, travelled the world and got to do many things in my career. I’ve met many people from all walks of life from movie personalities, the sports world and world leaders.

Some stand outs are Presidents Ronald Reagan (whom I was named after) and Jimmy Carter (before he was President), Ex-Beatle George Harrison who was contemplating coming to Indy to be on my staff for 1994, Arnold Palmer (who chipped golf balls over my head as he filmed a Pennzoil Commercial here at Indy), Mohammad Ali, Payton Manning, Medal of Honor winner, Col. Bruce Crandall (who waved the Green Flag at the Indianapolis 500 this year) and countless others.

I’ve walked through the pits with Joe Walsh, guitarist for the Eagles, been hit with the green flag at the start of the race by Jack Nicholson (and the one rule I tell the honorary starters before the start of each race is “…don’t hit the photographer!!!”).

I will have to give the year 2003 a nod as one of my most memorable years. 1st in April, I rode the 2 seat Indy Car with Ed Carpenter driving, around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Then, a couple of months later, I was allowed to drive a Competition class rail dragster for 6 passes at Muncie Dragway 1/8th mile strip (yes, at speed). Then a test at Indianapolis Raceway Park (it was still called that then) for the Indy Racing Experience in a single seat Indy Car.

Then, at the 2nd Texas race, I was afforded a chance to ride in the Klein Tool Stunt Plane on a practice run doing all of the stunts they do, prior to the pre-race show. The pilot would not let me bring a camera in case I passed out (which I did not). It was the time of my life and I didn’t get sick or dizzy!!! All in all, a great year.

Who says you can’t have fun at your job?

Kevin Paige of Kevin Paige Art walks fans through the creation of his latest drawing of IZOD IndyCar Series Driver Will Power:

On the corner of Broome and Hudson in New York City, less than 36 hours before the first official practice session of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season, is not exactly the place race fans would expect to find a gathering of Indianapolis 500 race winners, rookies of the year, vintage race cars, the IndyCar Experience two-seaters and executives from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IZOD IndyCar Series and PVH (IZOD’s parent company). But on the evening of March 23, The Classic Car Club in lower Manhattan was a gathering spot for a national media kick-off celebration the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

Event location: Classic Car Club

The event included some of the top producers, assignment editors and reporters in the country (in addition to a few representatives of global media outlets) representing non-endemic (meaning, not sports, racing or automotive) media. The purpose of the event was to introduce the Indianapolis 500, its drivers, its storylines and its pageantry (especially around the historically significant 100th anniversary) to media that would extend the reach of our brands (Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IZOD IndyCar Series).

From an Indianapolis 500 fan’s point of view, the evening featured plenty of content to satisfy. Drivers (Mario Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Simona De Silvestro) mingled with media and posed for pictures with those in attendance. Four race cars from the 50s and 60s, as well as today’s Dallara and two IndyCar two-seaters, were on display. There were dozens of images of the stars and significant moments of the past century at the Indianapolis 500 and videos playing on various walls and screens throughout the warehouse-like facility. It was the perfect after-work gathering for Indianapolis 500 fans.

But this unique blend of history and hip, stars and stories, art and action, was designed to pique the interest of the media in attendance and establish that the Indianapolis 500 is not just another race or, for that matter, another sports story. The Indianapolis 500 is an iconic lifestyle event that possesses an infinite number of stories, most of which are stories of human interest, not just a story to be told on the world’s sports pages.

ABC IZOD IndyCar Series announcer Vince Welch kicked the program off for the evening and introduced Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president & CEO Jeff Belskus, who hammered home the significance of the Indianapolis 500 and its position as the global steward and leadership responsibility in racing, the automotive world and the entertainment community over the last 100 years. Belskus transition to INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard by saying the Indianapolis 500 would place significant emphasis on new transportation technology as it entered the next century and noted that the 2011 Emerging Tech Day on Saturday, May 7 at Indianapolis was the beginning to ensure that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway remains a true automotive proving ground.

ABC IZOD IndyCar Series announcer Vince Welch, with, from left, Indianapolis 500 veterans Mario Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Simona de Silvestro.

Bernard talked about the core goals of the IZOD IndyCar series and its focus on fans and value, while noting that the new 2012 car continued to take strides forward and would soon off the drawing board and on display for fans, teams and drivers to get an up-close view of the future of the IZOD IndyCar Series. He also expressed excitement around the start of the 2011 season and the many new story lines that would develop.

Mike Kelly, PVH executive vice president for marketing, focused his messaging directly at the many lifestyle and business media that were in attendance. Kelly minced no words when he said there was no sports property that generated as much value and access for a brand as the IZOD IndyCar Series, while expressing the many boardroom reasons to participate in the sport. Kelly also talked of his first visit to Indianapolis and how he was instantly hooked because of the robust opportunities the sport presents to reach customers, build brand awareness and increase sales, all supported by the compelling storyline of INDYCAR and the “500.” Kelly also previewed some of the new INDYCAR-themed IZOD and Honda television advertisements.

Each driver then talked about what Indianapolis meant to them and provided a perspective of why it was so special. Each driver admitted, without reservation, that they would trade any championship for an opportunity to drink milk in victory lane at Indianapolis.

Andretti was asked what he was thinking about on his wild flip during a test drive in Tony Kanaan’s Indy car in 2003 at Indianapolis. Andretti smiled and simply said, “I was just hoping that there were no vacancies upstairs.” Mario then put in a plug for his longtime relationship with Firestone, saying “I was just happy to have four great Firestone tires to land on.”

Andretti also remembered when he first realized a driver’s accomplishments at Indianapolis resonate far more than other on-track achievements. Andretti said he was invited to go on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in 1965 after he had just won the 1965 IndyCar championship. When he was introduced, there was no mention of the championship. He was introduced as “Mario Andretti, Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year.”

Castroneves spent time talking about how humbled he was to be in the very exclusive company of three-time Indianapolis 500 winners. But he also talked about how he really wanted to join an even more exclusive club of drivers who have won Indy four times. Briscoe broke up Castroneves’ conversation when he said: “You’re too greedy. You’ve got three already. Give some of the rest of us a chance.”

Briscoe focused on what it meant to lead the Indianapolis 500 and how he couldn’t imagine what it might be like to pull into victory lane at Indy. De Silvestro talked about her first experience at Indy in 2010 and how the sport was unique in allowing men and women to compete at the same level, with the same rules. Of the 732 starters in the history of the Indianapolis 500, 725 have been men. De Silvestro appreciates what it means to be one of just seven women to compete, but she said boldly that she wants to be the first female winner.

The evening closed with Belskus offering a toast to the many men and women who have come before to build the foundation for the Indianapolis 500, to the next 100 years of triumph, passion and memories at Indianapolis, but most importantly to an exciting, safe and fast 2011 Indianapolis 500.

The Indianapolis 500 contingency included legendary drivers, officials and dignitaries

For two hours, the media, many of whom might not otherwise have been exposed to the history and future of this great event, were immersed in the Indianapolis 500. By the time the evening ended, most were beyond talking about what they heard and experienced and had moved on to wanting to experience it for themselves, first-hand. It’s now their turn to tell the story of the 100th Indianapolis 500 in their way, through their eyes, from their experiences, to their readers, viewers and listeners.

Tony and his girlfriend, Carla, at IMS

The special relationship between fans and drivers has been a hallmark of the Indianapolis 500 since the inaugural race in 1911. But it never gets old to learn of a bond formed between a current INDYCAR driver and a passionate follower of the sport.

Tony Laurenzana, 24, from Bedford, Ind., recently shared this story about his history with IMS and his passion for 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon.

***

I grew up at IMS, from 1986 to 1995. My dad was one of the contracted electricians for Moran Electric during that timeframe. I presumably was the first baby in the garages after they were rebuilt in 1986, as I was born in Feburary 1986, but that cannot be confirmed. My dad had an office in the garages, and growing up there for nine years gave me a ton of memories. Meeting drivers, hanging out all day with my mom at the track while dad worked, all developing a passion for auto racing.

I now live in Bedford, Ind. My mom works as a dental assistant down here. The dentist’s daughter married someone within the racing industry, and he knows a ton of drivers in many racing series. They are currently very good friends with Scott and Emma Dixon.

The dentist’s daughter works as a hygienist in her father’s office and was cleaning my teeth in September 2010. In between the suction being in my mouth, we talked about our experiences at IMS. My mom had mentioned to me before that they were guests at the Dixon’s wedding, vice-versa, so I thought it was fun that I knew someone close to a famous race car driver.

Autographed ticket

After the 2008 Indianapolis 500, I purchased the 1/18 scale race-won Dixon car from the IMS Gift Shop. I started using it as a centerpiece for my living room, since I recently bought my house and furnished the living room in IMS memorabilia, past and present.

While at my appointment, the dentist’s daughter mentioned the cool photos I took of Scott’s car during the 2009 Indy 500, and I told her I bought the car, etc. She offered to take the car and have Scott autograph it when he and Emma got back from Homestead in October. She then told me whatever I had, go ahead and give it to her and Scott would sign it. I had my ticket from 2009 with Scott’s image on it, and the lanyard and ticket holder with the Indy 500 logo on it.

Autographed diecast car

Once Scott got back, over dinner he was handed an IMS Gift Shop bag full of those things, and he signed each one. About two weeks later, I received my car, lanyard, ticket holder and ticket — all signed. I rushed out to buy a thank you card, and added a personal message. She delivered it to both Scott and Emma.

Before this I really wasn’t much of a fan of his; I never knew why. I have always liked Dario Franchitti since his days in CART/Champ Car. I can at least say Scott has gained a new fan. He could’ve easily said, “Don’t bother me with that.”

They are still in my living room predominantly displayed for all my guests to see, and a story to tell.

This is INDYCAR.

Welcome to 2011. No, Splash And Go is not working on the Roman or Julian calendar. It’s just getting quite busy around here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as preparations for this season — especially the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 on May 29 — are pedal to the metal.

Everything is just as hectic in the world of INDYCAR, where good news continues to be generated at a breakneck pace. The first big change is the elimination of the old Indy Racing League name and the creation of a new logo. INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard is right — the old name conjures too much bad mojo, too many memories of the split.

So INDYCAR it shall be. You won’t see any mention of Irrelevant Racing Lingo (IRL) around here anymore. Big-time open-wheel racing in North America is INDYCAR, baby.

That was just the start of the news surrounding INDYCAR during a major summit with teams, drivers and sponsors Tuesday, Jan. 11 in Indianapolis. Among other IZOD IndyCar Series nuggets, Edmonton is back on the 2011 schedule, engine displacement is being reduced from the planned 2.4 liters to 2.2 liters in 2012, double-wide restarts on ovals in 2011 will start at Indy, restarts will take place closer to the start-finish line and more.

The dramatic buzz created by these changes and other positive developments is catching the eyes of the INDYCAR blogosphere and media. Robin Miller at SPEEDTV.com pays tribute to Bernard’s role in INDYCAR’s resurgence, while Tony Johns at Pop Off Valve talks about the vital, smart decisions Bernard has made in the last 10 months. Mike Knapp at 15 Days in May mirrors the optimism of nearly every INDYCAR fan, while Christopher Leone at Open Wheel America looks at the importance the strengthened Mazda Road To Indy ladder system will play in INDYCAR’s future.

These are Timbuk3 times for INDYCAR. (Remember the classic one-hit wonder, “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades?” Yeah, they sang it.)

The good news could keep on rolling on the television front, as a proposed merger between NBC and Comcast could signal a significant change for the IZOD IndyCar Series TV package.

NASCAR also is on the verge of a major change, as NASCAR.com reported Jan. 11 that drivers will be forced to choose one of the three major series in which they want to earn championship points in 2011. This could reduce the number of Sprint Cup drivers dipping into the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, as they won’t be eligible for championships.

This proposed move is going to take some digesting, just like the big Christmas meal I enjoyed. The ramifications are huge.

Will it reduce the marquee value of the Nationwide and Truck series if fewer Cup drivers participate? How can a driver who performs regular double or triple duty, such as Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, lure or keep a sponsor for the two lower series if he’s not running for a championship? How will that effect race teams in Nationwide and Busch owned by Cup drivers?

In another change, California Speedway is reducing its spring race distance from 500 to 400 miles. Halle-freaking-lujah. Here’s to hoping other tracks follow suit. Forcing fans to sit in front of a TV for a 500-mile race is just too much in the ADD world in which we live, especially when prominent drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. even admit the middle stages of those long races are nothing but parades to cut down laps to get to the final fuel stint. Five-hundred milers should be saved for a few special places and special races.

Dustin Long remains one of the top writers on the NASCAR beat, and he came up with this interpretive gem: It seems more and more Cup teams are hiring younger drivers, but the average age of participants in the Chase for the Sprint Cup continues to rise. Age and experience always can overcome youthful exuberance, I guess.

INDYCAR and NASCAR weren’t the only series with big news this week. MotoGP seismographs jiggled Tuesday when Valentino Rossi made his official debut as a Ducati rider at the annual VROOM winter media gathering in the Italian Alps. Former American MotoGP standout John Hopkins may resurface this season in British Superbikes after an injury-ravaged spell in World Superbikes, and 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen looks set to stay in the World Rally Championship for another year.

Finally, CNN reported Tuesday that 49 of the 50 U.S. states were under snow. That’s not exactly a race fan’s dream. So unless you’re into ice racing or snowmobile racing, watch this incredible high-def video of Richie Tobias in a big-block modified last October at Syracuse to keep your racing fires stoked until the snow melts.

With all apologies to Led Zeppelin, it’s been a long time since we’ve rocked and rolled at “Splash And Go.” There has been plenty of news since the North American season officially ended with the NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale Nov. 21, so it would be a bit tedious to review all of that.

Let’s just pick up with the last week or so, shall we?

The IZOD IndyCar Series season ended two months ago, but it seems that no series in America has more mojo right now than Randy Bernard and Co. The good news keeps coming and coming, putting more than a decade’s worth of acrimony due to “The Split” deeper and deeper into the rear-view mirror.

Mazda joins the party!

The Road To Indy ladder system for INDYCAR, consisting of Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda and USF2000, received a major boost this week when Mazda announced its title sponsorship of the program. The Mazda Road to Indy will provide scholarships to the champion of all three developmental classes to jump to the next level the next season.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. There’s no other way to describe this, on so many levels. The scholarships provide a legitimate carrot for aspiring open-wheel racers at all levels, and the addition of another manufacturer bullish on the future of INDYCAR racing is fantastic.

Combine the Mazda Road to Indy with the recently announced program to grant a Firestone Indy Lights oval program to the USAC National Drivers Championship winner, and few — if any — sanctioning bodies in the world have such a clearly defined road to the pinnacle as INDYCAR.

Team Penske continued to add sponsors to its stable, as series sponsor IZOD came on board this week. IZOD will use Penske driver Ryan Briscoe as its new poster boy, and the best series sponsor in INDYCAR history — by about 1,000 miles — already is activating both its series sponsorship and support of Briscoe through new TV commercials filmed in the desert with a live soundtrack provided by rock band Weezer. No more racing to the party, I guess. I shed no tears.

The addition of IZOD continued a hell of a capitalistic run for Penske, which also snared Shell/Pennzoil as an Indianapolis 500 primary sponsor for three-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves, AAA of Southern California as a primary sponsor for Castroneves at Long Beach and Texas and Midwestern grocery store chain Meijer as an associate sponsor for all three of its cars.

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One of the exciting things about working at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is that nearly 365 days a year there is something happening worth sharing with race fans–  the work does not stop once race season is over! Today’s blog post, written by members of the IMSC Licensing team, Betsy Stuebgen and Drew Boyd, talks about their recent visits in the Indianapolis community…

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway teamed up with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers this week and made special appearances at the St. Mary’s Child Center and Riley’s Hospital for Children.

The St. Mary’s trip included a tour of the facility, classroom observations and visits with the children.  We had a great time learning more about the school and met some amazing kids and teachers.  This school is providing a great learning opportunity for these kids.  We liked how the children learned through project work and expressed themselves and documented their learning through arts, including pottery, photography, sculpting, paintings, dance, and music. What they do is important to the kids and the community!

Did you know that IZOD IndyCar Series driver, Tomas Scheckter dedicates some of his time and support to St. Mary’s Child Center?

IMSC staff members present donated toys to a teacher at St. Mary's school

The trip to the Riley Hospital for Children was in conjunction with the Racing for Kids organization.  We were joined by IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Alex Tagliani, Justin Wilson and Ed Carpenter who really put smiles on the kids’ faces.  It was a special day for the drivers as well.  They got to meet some really special kids and their families.  We visited the playrooms where the kids were drawing or playing with toys and video games.

Alex Tagliani, Ed Carpenter, and Justin Wilson spend time in the playroom at Riley Children's Hospital

The drivers enjoyed talking with the children and giving away signed hats, hero cards, IZOD IndyCar Series calendars and Hot Wheels diecast.  In addition to the playroom visits, we also had the opportunity to visit individual rooms where the drivers met some really great kids as well.  It was a wonderful day for everyone!

Written by Betsy Stuebgen and Drew Boyd

The Drive for Five is complete. Is that a legendary accomplishment or the next sign of the impending Apocalypse?

Jimmie Johnson put himself in the same room as NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt — both seven-time Cup champions — by winning his fifth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup on Sunday by finishing second to Carl Edwards in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson rallied from a 15-point deficit to pass Denny Hamlin for another championship. Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus endured a tumultuous Chase, during which Johnson’s crew was benched, to continue their reign over the sport.

Say it five times fast: This guy is a legend.

And the great debate begins: Is Johnson’s dominance good for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and help it gain more attention as it attempts to rebound in 2011 from a season of decreased attendance and TV ratings? Or will it hurt, as fans are getting sick and tired of seeing Johnson and Knaus hoisting the big silver trophy every year at Homestead?

SBNation’s Jeff Gluck, an avid Tweeter, posted this interesting smorgasbord of Twitter reaction from fans after the race Sunday. Many fans complained about Johnson’s victory. And those fans are wrong.

What Johnson is doing here, folks, is beyond special because it’s almost beyond comprehension. NASCAR rule makers toil long and hard to build equality into the sport. The COT has homogenized the machinery. The point system rewards consistency more than winning. The Chase system was created to prevent a runaway champion late in the season, erasing any early-season dominance. Four of the 10 Chase races are on 1.5-mile ovals, with no road courses and only one short track.

This is racing’s version of the salary cap and free agency, two components that have killed dynasties in the NFL, NBA and NHL. Yet Johnson, Knaus and Hendrick Motorsports continue to just deliver under pressure, year after year. Think about it: The last time Jimmie Johnson failed to win the Sprint Cup, only Alaskans had ever heard of Sarah Palin. Justin Bieber was a kid dreaming of stardom in his bedroom in Canada. Joey Logano was 15 years old.

Why is this criticized? Why is this seen as boring? I agree with Peter DeLorenzo at Autoextremist: It’s not like Johnson and Knaus are crushing the competition due to superior equipment, an argument that could be made about the Ferrari that Michael Schumacher drove to five consecutive Formula One World Championships last decade.

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