Originally Posted by ThrottleHead:
I think USAC's oldest rookie needs a shot at the 500. Paul, work it out!!! You can do it!!!
Don , Thanks for your support ! .... and , yes , I would do it in a heartbeat !
Very funny that you should bring this up , as just yesterday someone at the Speedway said this same thing to me ! And apparently they had given it quite some thought as they expanded on the potential marketing value ( as the oldest person ever to attempt qualifying for the "500" ) and even suggested potential sponsors for " the oldest IRL rookie " , including AARP , Dr. Scholl's , some nursing home outfit , etc - all stuff related to old people , I guess !
My relationship with the Speedway and the "500" began in 1962 listening to Sid Collins do the radio broadcast ; my first trip to the Speedway was in '73 ( met Jackie Stewart & Smokey Yunick among others ) and returned twice as a mechanic to teams.
The thing few people know ( that was also brought-up at the Speedway the other day by some oldtimers with great memory ) is that back in '78 I had put together a deal with Dick Simon , not necessarily for a "500" ride , but a car available for testing and rookie certification. Plans would later change as my stock car career was expanding.
I did drive a Sinden Racing G-Force at the Speedway in April of '07 in a test for their upcoming "drive" program. They had previously operated the "two seater ride' program.
There is nothing that I have loved more in my life than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Mile Race !
As Al Unser , Jr. said , "this is Indy ... If you don't get it , well , you just don't get it !".