Some of you may or may not know, but I have the privilege to work at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I help gather driver quotes, and edit and post the audio on their website.
Last week sucked. The three days they ran, I was barely out there due to election stuff. Then the two days I could spend some time out there, it rained! Luckily, I was finally able the enjoy the Speedway and the 500 on Saturday. This week is not looker that great though.
I believe that a career should just be an examination of boyhood dreams. My love of radio began in May, listening to Bob and Tom, Donald Davidson, Dave the King Wilson, and the entire WIBC crew on the way home from Pratices, Qualifications, and the Race. As a kid, I idolized Donald and Tom Carnegie. My main career goals have been to replace either of them. (Damn you, Tom Calabro!)
So I will do my best to write quick updates live from the Media Center!
Tow Trucks are the only thing practicing here at the Motor Speedway. The heavy air is preventing cars from practicing. The track is essentially dry, but it is a fine mist. The drivers, the media, the crews, the track officials, the yellow shirts, the PA staff, etc… are all getting stir crazy. There has been so much time to sit, that the media has written all they can without action. The crews and drivers have gone over all the data they can without actually testing something.
Typically, the teams and everyone involved are ok with a day off for rain. It gives a chance for everyone to tie up loose ends and rest. But so far, we’ve only had two or three practice days out of 7 scheduled (including qualifying days.) I’ll have to ask Donald Davidson what the record for rain days is, but we may be on our way.
By this time last year, I was full pink with sunburn. Almost everyday was perfect, except rain day.
Maybe we will get some practice in today. But probably none today or tomorrow. Friday and the weekend don’t look great either.
With so many new teams and so little practice, look for a lot of lapping and wrecks on race day.