INDY 500 Blog: Carb Schmarb

May 29, 2010

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There was no way in hell I was riding the tram today. I'm completely finished with the tram. Since time is growing short in this adventure, particular joy has been taken to walk in or out at the opposite ends of the days. It's probably about a mile each way, including all the zigs and zags. Every time the distance is covered it reminds me of the sheer magnitude of IMS's size. That feeling of grandeur is one I never want to forget, so I'm now treasuring every footstep. When I got to the Vision transporter, Benito was found already hard at work. This has become a theme. MK soon joined us and we had a great little talk since he has not been around the track for several days. I missed his humor for sure and was glad to have him back. PCap came sliding in after a few moments as well and the crew was together once again.

The morning IZOD IndyCar Series practice was outstanding. It felt good to be back out on the line. Team manager Kevin Kaye approached MK this morning to inform him that he was assigned to be the front air hose puller during pit stops for the #20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka special. MK was ecstatic with his assignment. I understand. I would be too, but I would probably be nervous as hell to go along with the task. He got a new pair of gloves and we went out to pit lane to watch the final practice before Sunday's 500. MK started practicing for his cherished role.

The morning was beautiful and this particular practice session was different from any of the others since all of the cars qualified for the 500 were out on the track simultaneously. Remember if you will that they have all been rebuilt since their qualifying runs. This was the first time for those cars to go out and get any kinks worked out. They were race ready, but it could not be ignored that they were still new.

Nobody paid any particular attention to the speeds out on the track. Sure, the league tracked them reported them and all, but this was about getting the car out and shaking it down in preparation for the big dance in two days. After running the first couple of laps, all of the cars came back in, side pods and engine covers were removed (likely to check for leaks), and then everything was put back into place. The #20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka special was no exception. When they all went back out, it was the closest feeling all month long of what the race was going to be like. The last 10 minutes of the session were used exclusively to practice pit stops. They tested normal stops along with various scenarios involving changes to the car during a stop. On the final one, Ed came in and shut the engine off just as the checkered flag was waved to close the session. The timing was perfect and poignant. Being finished, I took off my radio and plugged it back into the charger and walked away from the pit box. My pit experience is complete. I'll be in the stands on Sunday and someone else will need to use the radio. I don't know why, but I took pleasurable note that it went back in right next to the one labeled for team owner Tony George. It has been my absolute honor and pleasure to work with him and Laura over the course of the month. They are among the nicest people I've ever met in life. It brought about a little sadness handing in my radio, knowing that I would never use it again. During the 500 I will go back to being a fan. I told MK that it will be difficult sitting in the stands and watching the team work the race. The month has attached me to the Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka team with emotion and the separation will be terribly awkward.

It has been a blessing to watch Al Bodey work as Ed's engineer and listen to his calls over the radio. Al is absolutely on his mark. I understand that he and Ed have worked together for a long time and their comfort levels show accordingly. My ex-wife telephoned during the practice session. The timing was typical, but I had to let the call roll since there was too much noise to be able to answer a call from anyone. Once practice ended, we finished our lunch in the Panther tent and I called her while walking back during the closing laps of the Freedom 100. It turns out that our kids both had doctor visits this morning and were being treated to McDonald's for having endured the experience. To be honest, I kind of wished I was there with them and not in the IMS infield. Regardless, I will get to see them soon enough and have quite a story to tell them about their daddy's little adventure.

When MK and PCap disappeared from the transporter all of a sudden, it dawned on me that it was time for the Pit Stop Competition. I hurried out to the line with my camera. All week long, I have been told tales by multitudes of people regarding the rampant debauchery that occurs in the stands during the final event of the day. Honestly, I wanted to take pictures so that I could relay the occasion to my wife and likewise be able to report on it like any good little blogger would. Really. I'm telling the truth here.

To say that what I witnessed was disappointing is an understatement. It was just a rowdy crowd and nothing more. Sure, I witnessed a couple of things you would never see in church, but even then, it was quite lame. Additionally, the Pit Stop Competition was boring too. It took 7 or 8 minutes between bracket runs for each team to get everything setup in their pit stalls. The only good thing about the competition and being in close proximity for the ordeal was the opportunity to get some great photographs of other IndyCars and drivers. I think part of my disappointment also dwelled in the fact that the #20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka special was not entered in the contest. It made me a spectator and nothing more. This month and this weekend, I care only about what Ed and the team are up to. Everyone else is merely another competitor. Sure, Dan Wheldon and the #4 National Guard car were taking part in the competition, but my personal attachment is too close to the Fuzzy's team. Even Dan is viewed as the competition as far as I'm concerned now. For obvious reasons, I only want Ed to win on Sunday. If he does, elation will follow. If it is someone else, deflation will rule the soul. But if it has to be anybody else in Victory Circle besides Ed, then Dan would be the clear second choice since he is a teammate. Beyond that, I hold no allegiance.

Sunday will definitely be emotional. It will be emotional because I consider myself part of Ed's team. Heck, it's not even a team really, it's a family. And you always stand behind your family first.

All in all, Carb Day was a severe disappointment. Aside from the IICS practice this morning, nothing else really impressed me aside from the size of the crowd in attendance. At the end of the day, PCap and I got up on the lift gate of the Vision transporter to take pictures of the throngs at the ZZ Top concert. Then we got the hell out of there before they did. This Carb Day holds special significance since it was both my first and my last. Only one thing remains now, the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500. My personal note to Ed and the team: You guys can do it. Now go out and capture the big shiny thing so we can all pose with it.

--CW

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