Passing of the torch (I hope!)

[Pelican Joe]

I took my 2-and-a-half year old son, James, to the Mile today to watch qualifying. He absolutely loved it and had been talking about "going to the racetrack" all week. In fact, he would not nap today because he was so excited.

My dad had me watching open-wheel races with him before I can even remember. It was one of the first things I ever knew that I liked. He took me to my first race in 1982 at Road America (won by Hector Rebaque!). I went to my first "500" a year later in 1983...and when the checkered flag fell on Dario this year I was able to notch my 30th consecutive checkered flag at Indy.

My dad turned me into a lifelong fanatic. Sure, I'm guessing DNA played a part...but I think the effort he made to include me in something he was passionate about sparked an interest in me that still burns brightly today!

I'll admit...sitting in the stands with my dad and my son today at the track kind of choked me up! I sat and watched my dad point out things on the track to my son...that is the start finish line...that is where they work on the cars...

I hope that I can pass along my passion to my little boy. He already loves sitting on the couch with me to watch the races. He won't be coming with tomorrow...simply because there is no way he'll sit still for two-and-a-half hours...but I'll make sure he gets to a race as soon as it makes sense. I promised my wife I'd wait until he was at least five before I took him to Indy.

I just wanted to mention this as I know many of you will know what I'm talking about. It was a very meaningful moment. It was one of those memories that I'll carry with me forever!

Anyway...back to the racing!!!!!

[Neshaminy]

I took my 2-and-a-half year old son, James, to the Mile today to watch qualifying. He absolutely loved it and had been talking about "going to the racetrack" all week. In fact, he would not nap today because he was so excited.

My dad had me watching open-wheel races with him before I can even remember. It was one of the first things I ever knew that I liked. He took me to my first race in 1982 at Road America (won by Hector Rebaque!). I went to my first "500" a year later in 1983...and when the check flag fell on Dario this year I was able to notch my 30th consecutive checkered flag at Indy.

My dad turned me into a lifelong fanatic. Sure, I'm guessing DNA played a part...but I think the effort he made to include me in something he was passionate about sparked an interest in me that still burns brightly today!

I'll admit...sitting in the stands with my dad and my son today at the track kind of choked me up! I sat and watched my dad point out things on the track to my son.

I hope that I can pass along my passion to my little boy. He already loves sitting on the couch with me to watch the races. He won't be coming with tomorrow...simply because there is no way he'll sit still for two-and-a-half hours...but I'll make sure he gets to a race as soon as it makes sense. I promised my wife I'd wait until he was at least five before I took him to Indy.

I just wanted to mention this as I know many of you will know what I'm talking about. It was a very meaningful moment. It was one of those memories that I'll carry with me forever!

Anyway...back to the racing!!!!!

I'm not sure you're permitted to post something positive.......we'll know if the thread gets axed.

Sounds like a great father/son trip on Father's Day weekend! He just gave you your gift.

Now just cool it with all the positivity, at least act like your bowels were in an uproar at some point.

[Pelican Joe]

The cars still look ugly...and they're slow...and it was too hot...and the bleachers were not comfy...

[Neshaminy]

The cars still look ugly...and they're slow...and it was too hot...and the bleachers were not comfy...

Now you're good, the thread can keep going.
I do miss the old days when the kids went to the races with me.......enjoy them, those days will be in the rear view before you know it. Take a lot of pics and video it if you can.....the memories will be so much more vivid......now if you can get a picture of your face with a wince of pain and a bead of sweat as you sit on the hard seats looking at those slow, ugly cars.

[Turn13]

[Neshaminy]

That made me smile.

[Neshaminy]

Here's my little girl, the cars should date it.



Her tour in Iraq was done three years ago, she's back home going to school again......and enjoying life. Enjoy the kids and take many photos.

[Pelican Joe]

Thanks for posting the photo and video. I agree...it made me smile!!

[Pelican Joe]

That made me smile.

My dad never made me wear ear protection back when I was a kid...maybe that's why I don't hear so good! Just kidding...I hear just fine...but he doesn't. He's been to hundreds of races since 1962 and now at the age of 62 I think all of that noise might be catching up with him!

[Heath Hamilton]

Yep. Took my little buddy Beaux to both days of quals this year. 7 months. He had a first and started waving....at the cars.

[frif20]

Here's my little girl, the cars should date it.



Her tour in Iraq was done three years ago, she's back home going to school again......and enjoying life. Enjoy the kids and take many photos.

Hmm....I'm gonna guess. 1987?

[Parnelli64]

yeah, I think I see Stroker Ace's car...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY EVERYBODY!

(BIG thumbs up for the ear protection gentlemen...don't want them to wind up like me.)

[Nigel Red5]

My daughter went to Dover with us the first time to watch me drive a stock car at three months old and has either gone with me or wanted to go with me to almost every race I've attended since. Funny it's my daughter more than my son that sits and watches races with me. Hopefully both will be with me again with me in Baltimore this year. Speaking of crowds wow you should see the crowds for the 1812 Sailabration in town this weekend. Tall ships and the blue angels. Baltimore really knows how to throw a festival that pulls a crowd to the Inner Harbor. Already lookimg forward to Laborday and seeing what Andretti does.

[heliogordy]

this thread +1000

[Formula Indy]

I was going to bring my son (just over a year) to practice this year at Indy but I was worried that he wouldn't keep his hearing protection on. I will be taking him next year, for sure, and I am looking forward to it.

Tomorrow I was thinking about taking him to the IMS Museum. Thought that would be fun for Fathers Day.

[HunterG]

IndyCar should keep things family-oriented if it wants to stay competitive in the sport. It doesn't need to try and compete with F1 or NASCAR. It just needs to continue to put out a good, clean product that's rated G.

[Team Canada]

I was raised on racing as well, my Dad used to race sports cars in the early 60's, used to take me to Mosport, Watkins Glen, etc. when I was a kid.
Now I have a son of my own, I've been taking him to races since he was 3.


The past 2 months, I have been rebuilding a 2001 Reynard, and my son was a big help in dismantling, sanding, taping, and then putting it back together. He learned a lot about how the cars are put together, how all of the pices work to make these cars go fast. It was so much fun seeing him enjoying working with the car.





Finished Car