The month is heating up, the windows are being washed and the yellow jackets are back. Rookies turned their first laps of the month Thursday for rookie orientation. Six of the seven rookies passed the test required to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.
Many drivers chose to come out early, at 8:30 a.m., to complete the checklist before things heated up. The air was sticky and the temperatures topped 80 degrees before noon. J.R. Hildebrand went 39 laps and finished with the fastest speed of the day, over 221 mph.
Here are my observations from today.
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the track remains very special; that’s still the consensus from media members, drivers, teams and fans.
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much like everything else, the race continues to diversify. This year, there are four women from four different countries. Plus, the race may feature the first ever Chinese driver in the well-spoken Ho-Pin Tung.
- AJ Foyt is the man. This year marks the 50th anniversary since he won his first race back in 1961. After the Donald Trunp fiasco, Foyt will fittingly drive the pace car.
- Pippa Mann is a fantastic interview. She’s enthusiastic, funny and has a great accent. Expect to hear from her throughout the month.
- From a competitive standpoint, I’m wondering who is going to battle the Penske and Andretti boys? That is always the question and if a driver steps up, things could get very interesting. We all want a different name, right?
- The yellow jackets love what they do. Day after day, the same yellow jackets work in the same position with the same pep in their step…they just love being out here.
The track opens on Saturday with practice noon until six. This is the first opportunity for fans to see their favorite drivers like Helio, Dario and Danica.
I will be out here all month long and I’m anxious to share my vantage point. This truly is ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’.