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As many people know, this year marks the first year of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Centennial era. Back in 1909 plans were laid down to build what would later become the world’s greatest race course as well as home to the Indy 500, the world’s greatest spectacle in racing.  The early work on the first track surface laid down consisted of 3.2 million paving bricks laid down in just about 2 months time. The first 500 mile automobile race, then called the “International Sweepstakes” was held on May 30, 1911, and started what will be 100 years of tradition in 2011.

What most don’t know was that the first race ever held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a gas balloon race.  To commemorate this, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is holding a 3 day Centennial era balloon festival that is presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages.  This will jump start the month of May and be the first of many activities to come before this year’s 93rd running of the Indy 500.  The festival will consist of 33 balloons that will pay honor to the 33 starters of the annual Indianapolis 500 mile race. Scott McClinton, event ballonmeister said,

Just as the Indy 500 showcases the best in motor racing, we have selected a strong lineup of colorful balloons and professional and personable pilots for the Centennial era Balloon Festival.  The pilots are ready to put on a show, both at the evening glows and morning races from the IMS infield, that the public will soon not forget.”

Energizer is also celebrating the Energizer bunny’s 20th anniversary this year.  To commemorate this, Energizer has entered it’s Energizer Bunny “Hot Hare” Balloon, which is the tallest ballon in the world standing at a staggering 166 feet tall.  This ballon is taller than the Statue of Liberty by 15 feet. 

The public is invited to come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield and attend the Friday and Saturday night balloon “glows” as well as the launch of the 100 years race on Sunday morning.  Admission is free and parking is in the IMS infield.  You can visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s site here for more info, a schedule, and list of the Centennial Era Ballon festival activities that are presented by AT&T Real yellow Pages.

photo: racing.honda.com

I had the opportunity to talk with Dave Sharpley Jr. who is the the chief mechanic of the #7 Motorola driven by Danica Patrick and ask him a few questions.

1: With the off season here, what goes on at AGR?

In the off-season in the racing business it’s a very busy place. Everyone asks this Question. We Rebuild and or repair our entire pit and garage equipment. We also do our shop repairs, maintenance and upgrades. At AGR we don’t have janitors. So we do all the work ourselves which makes each employee take better care through the year. We also do Upgrades to our haulers insides to make life on the road easier and more worker friendly while working through the long summer.

2: What are some of the things you are trying to improve as a team for 2009?

Obviously we are trying to improve performance in every way, because that’s our job. We make our cars better in all aspects to the best of our ability as mechanics to insure 100% reliability. Also our engineering staff works towards the same common goal.

3: What do you love/are passionate most about your job as a Chief Mechanic for a professional racing team?

Reliability and Professionalism. As Chief mechanic, our job is to make sure all the parts and pieces are installed correctly and to make sure the other mechanics have everything they need in a timely fashion to do their jobs correctly. I enjoy the job from top to bottom and I am grateful just to have the opportunity to be here.

4: What made you decide to get into motorsports?

My Father was a mechanic as a weekend warrior while I was growing up in Pennsylvania. I always wanted to race and did so for a while and realized I was a better mechanic and enjoyed working on cars better than driving them. I always dreamed of being paid to work on a race car. I never imagined it would turn out this way.

5: What is the most memorable moment in your career?

Without a doubt, winning the 2007 Indianapolis 500. NOTHING will ever compare to drinking the milk with Dario and all the guys in victory lane at Indy. My wife and daughter were there with me to enjoy the moment. I have had a few others that are awesome but let’s face it, we do this to be at Indy and it was better than I ever imagined.

6: What is the greatest obstacle that you had to overcome?

I think leaving Pennsylvania was the biggest. After growing up in one place, having family there and being the first one to move away was a huge hurdle. The support was great and with positive support from my parents and long time girlfriend (now my wife) off to Indy I went and never looked back. That was 1998 and it’s been great since that day. But driving away from my comforts in PA was a struggle.

7: What are your favorite and least favorite tracks you have visited?

Favorite………….Indianapolis. It’s intimidating with its history and just walking into the garage area is a treat.

Least Favorite……………..Japan, I love the track and the facility. The food is hard to figure out and talking to someone to just figure out what you are ordering is completely impossible. And the 1 hour bus rides to the track and back everyday are a bummer.

8: How do you feel about the new chassis changes coming up?

Right now I am not 100% sure what is going to change. I am only concerned right now about making 2009 the best that we possibly can and we can attack other things after we get through the current challenges.

9: What was/is you biggest inspiration/motivation?

My biggest inspiration and motivation is my family. When we left PA they knew it was going to be a whole new world for me and they stood behind me through thick and thin. My wife never gave up and she was with me when life was tough. No matter what my decisions, she stands by me and without that I might not have ever made that first drive to Indianapolis.

10: Tell us something you do as a chief mechanic that race fans would not normally know?

I lose more tools now since my tools no longer go to the track than I have lost in 9 years of working on these cars. Also, we spend most of our days looking and finding parts for the guys building the cars. Four Indy cars us up a lot of parts in a short time.

11: What innovations would you like to see in the future?

There is a lot of testing being done for driver safety especially around the head area. I think that is VERY important and I am glad they are focusing on safety. These cars go very fast and safety is always on our minds.

12: If you could see any other driver race in the series not currently in Indy Car who would it be?

Not completely sure about the answer to this one.

13: How is it working with Danica on a day to day basis?

Working with her is fine. She is a race car driver and that is how we treat her. She is no different because she is a girl. She is tough, she is determined and sometimes a handful. We had our share of ups and downs until I figured out what she liked and when to talk to her and when not to bother her. She is cool. I enjoy the challenge.

14: What are the biggest challenges faced by someone in your position?

The whole job is a challenge. I think time and experience makes it easier. There are 3 other Chiefs there and we all help each other. A lot of times you have to stand back and let the mechanics do there job instead of jumping in and getting in there way. It’s a challenge everyday that I try to use as motivation.

15: How did you find yourself working at AGR?

I had a good friend deliver a resume to the General Manager of AGR and for some reason they called me. That was the best phone call I have gotten in a long time. I am very grateful they took a chance on me and I will do my best to make them happy they did. It’s a cool place to work and the experience around the shop makes it easy to feed from.

16: What did you think of Pixars movie “Cars”?

I loved it. I love Mader. That guy was funny and he never gave up. He always had something to say that made things better. I also liked Doc Hudson. He had experience and just listening to him say a few small things made Lightning McQueen think. That’s a leader.

Look for more Q & A sessions in the future.  If you would like to ask Dave a question, you can e-mail me at Brendon@IRLblog.com and I will hold another Q & A session after the New Year.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has definitely survived the test of time. In it’s history it has survived through two world wars along with the great depression. It has undergone numerous face lifts and renovations since 1909. It is still host of the largest single day sporting event in the world with over 400,000 people in attendance and millions of others watching in hundreds of countries. It is also the largest sporting facility in the world, able to fit Vatican City, the Rose Bowl, Roman Coliseum, Wimbledon Campus, Kentucky Derby, and Yankee Stadium. The Speedway will mark it’s 100th anniversary in 2009 and it’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a remarkable place and truly is home of the greatest spectacle in racing.

Well, not exactly.  Helio Castroneves started last but proved to drive like a champion as he made quick work of the other 27 cars in the field improving 20 positions in less than 40 laps and leading by lap 76.  He went on to lead the most laps and win the Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway.  Although he does not have a trophy, or a million dollar check showing that he is an IndyCar Series champion, he sure showed that he has what it takes to be one.  Not to mention that he is a two time Indy 500 winner.  However, in the end the better driver came out on top and that was Scott Dixon with 6 wins including this years Indy 500.  What a close to the 2008 IndyCar season.

The fans have spoken! Fans are definitely not happy about IndyCar Series races being delayed by other sports programs. This season, women’s golf has been the culprit numerous times causing fans to miss the start of a few races. The fans have called for a change. Versus network has stepped up and answered that challenge.   ABC will air five races next season including the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 with Vs. network airing the 14 remaining races on the 2009 schedule.  Timed races and delaying the start of the race broadcast will be a thing of the past.  Versus plans on airing a one hour broadcast the day before each IndyCar Series race in addition to scheduled programs including pre and post race coverage and weekly coverage of the Firestone Indy Lights series. Now, on to the downside… There are a substantial amount of IndyCar series fans across the country that do not have an option from their cable provider to get the Vs. network. Personally, unless Versus finds a way to get themselves on cheaper cable packages, the IndyCar Series is going to lose some of its fan base.  Some fans will simply not pay a single additional cent for a cable package in order to view 19 IndyCar and 14 Firestone Indy Lights races next season, especially when they may be able to catch that race online for free.  In my area they don’t even offer it unless I switch over to a satellite provider.  I hope that the Vs. network can some how solve this nationwide issue before their partnership with the IRL results in fewer viewers and weaker ratings than both sides had hoped for.