Special Indianapolis 500 Preview with 4-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, former winners Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato, Ryan Hunter-Reay and many others including Kyle Larson

ROGER:

This is Roger Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indie, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans and insiders view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN SportsTicker, Sports Illustrated, AutoWeek and SpeedSport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to this special Indianapolis 500 edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental as we continue our fourth season of giving IndyCar fans a behind-the-scenes look at the NTT IndyCar Series and the drivers and teams that compete in the Indianapolis 500. It's race week for the 108th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26th. It's the biggest day of the year for many residents in the state of Indiana, and for IndyCar fans worldwide who have a deep love and appreciation for the history, the traditions, and the magnitude of the Indianapolis 500, the world's largest single-day sporting event. This episode of Pit Pass Indy previews Sunday's 108th Indianapolis 500. It's Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 24th, with the final two-hour practice for the 33-car starting lineup that will race for the checkered flag in the world's biggest race on Sunday, May 26th. It's the second fastest field in Indianapolis 500 history, with a field average of 231.943 miles per hour, falling just short of last year's record. This episode of Pit Pass Indy will focus on some of the big names in the lineup for Sunday's race who were past winners, including four-time Indy 500 winner Elio Castroneves, 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon, 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato. Also, we'll catch up with this year's big rookie contender, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson, who is this year's American Dairy Association of Indiana fastest rookie of the year. We'll also hear from 2020 Indy 500 pole winner, Marco Andretti, Young Stars Paddle Award, Rinas VeeKay and Callum Eilat, and Hoosier heroes, Ed Carpenter and Conor Daly. We'll wrap up today's pit pass Indy with a special interview with the wreath girl, florist Julie Harmon Vance of Yorktown, Indiana, who makes the Borg Warner winner's wreath that is draped around the winning driver of the Indianapolis 500 in victory lane. Let's kick off this Indianapolis 500 preview with an exclusive interview with four-time Indy 500 winner Elio Castroneves as he attempts to become the first five-time winner of the Memorial Day Weekend Speed Classic. He starts 20th in the middle of row seven in the Indy 500. Jordan Agustão on Pit Pass Indy is the four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. Maybe even the king of Indy, as some people might think. It's Elio Castroneves who is back once again to try to get that Elusive fifth Indianapolis 500. Can't really say it's Elusive because it's only been about three years since you've tried to get it, since you became a four-time winner. Obviously, to drive for five motivates you. Explain why that is so important for you every year to get back into the Meyers Schenck car and try to do something no other driver's ever done in the history of the Indianapolis 500.

ELIO:

I know, bro. What motivates me is everything, including when you introduced me as a four-time Unified World Champion. Every time you have that kind of scenario, you're like, man, it's actually pretty amazing, right? I wake up in the morning like, how did I end up in this situation? You know, which is great because that's when I was a kid and I want to be a I want to succeed, I want to work hard to make sure that I win as many races as possible, and end up winning, obviously, the most incredible race in the world, which is the Indy 500. So that motivates me to go and do something that nobody did in this planet, which is win five races in this place, which will be remarkable, which will be incredible. I do feel, and I repeat myself sometimes, but that's what happens. People want to see history. People want to see something different. and I want to see something different. So I'm very honored and blessed to be in this opportunity.

BRUCE:

There's been a few times in your career toward the end of the Team Penske days where you weren't a full-time driver but you were running the Indy 500. That's a similar situation in what you're doing this year with Meyer Schenck Racing. You've moved into team ownership with Jim Meyer and Michael Schenck. How do you like that role so far? But what have you been doing to stay in race shape?

ELIO:

What a great opportunity. I can't thank enough, you know, Mike and Jim and Liberty Group as well for allowing me to be part of the incredible team. It's absolutely new. Being on the stand, it's not something that I understand before because of being on the sidelines, not on the sidelines, in the race car, you have so much different information. And in a race car, they're telling you what to do. And now you're creating what we're going to be telling the drivers. So for me, it's been a learning process. And again, give my input as a driver, what I want to hear, what I want to understand, what information is important for a driver to know, what is not. Because sometimes a lot of people tell you new things that you're like, I don't need to know that. pissed them off. You know, so these are the things that I am able to so far guiding, especially in a young group. And so far being with Felix, I want to be with Tom as well. But Mike is over there. So I want to I want to, you know, understand. But obviously the month of May is something completely different. But it's been great. It's been absolutely great to understand and be involved in racing.

BRUCE:

Now that you're involved as a team partner, Does this also mean some of the bills come across your desk?

ELIO:

I have to be honest, Mike comes in quite often and mention about that. And I'm like, OK, we always find a way. Don't you worry. But we have great partners. We can't think enough, you know, especially in my car, Cliff's which is going to be the full sponsorship for our car, for 06, which is great. And again, we have AutoNation, Clopay, obviously Arctic Wolf. And now we have a new sponsor, which is Mike Lemonade, which is great. So we keep improving. And Series XM is another incredible partner of ours. So all of that, I don't think I'm missing anybody else. Nope, yep. So we're happy to have them to continue not only supporting us, and we're able to create not only a partnership, but friendship for a long term.

BRUCE:

Mike Schenck is a very big proponent of the charter system, and he believes There need to be guaranteed entries for the Indianapolis 500 if you have a charter. Now that's a little unpopular with the fans that come to the Indy 500. What's your viewpoint on why IndyCar needs to have a charter system now and whether or not that should include the Indianapolis 500 guaranteed?

ELIO:

Well, let me ask you a question. Why is unpopular? I didn't hear anything about being unpopular.

BRUCE:

Because if you go back to the 25 and 8 rule in 1995-96, that's what created the split between kart and the Indy Racing League. Because back then, the Indy Racing League was going to be guaranteed 25 positions. All the kart teams were going to have to qualify for the final eight spots.

ELIO:

Well, it wasn't popular. Well, I believe he was more into that. It wasn't only that question in involvement. I feel these days, maybe back then was a different times. Right. These days are different times.

BRUCE:

Well, because Kurt's best teams were more than eight.

ELIO:

Right. Exactly.

BRUCE:

So to encourage them to run in the Indy Racing League, that's what the caveat was, was try to get kart teams to run in the IRL.

ELIO:

But that's the way I see it. I agree with you on that standpoint. But the way I see it these days, The most important race is the Indy 500, right? And you see it not only by look, by presentation, by everything is the Indy 500. So it doesn't make sense, but it's a step, right? I'm not saying that we got to do everything at once. but I like the way it's starting and migrating to that direction. And hopefully we will end up in this situation because now you're going to have people that really want to be over here.

BRUCE:

The other thing is the fans always want to see the fastest 33 cars in the 33 car starting lineup.

ELIO:

Yeah, but we only have 34, 35 right now, right? I imagine how people want to be here, have the opportunity to rent a team or pay for the team. I don't know. I think we have mixed feelings or mixed ideas of that. But everything is a progress and everything is a process. So having the charter, which at least starting for the season, is great. And hopefully one day we're going to get to the Indy 500 as well.

BRUCE:

When you look at it, it's almost a moot point in some ways, because if there's only 34 or 35 entries, Pretty much all the charter teams are going to be in the race anyway. I know last year we had a situation where Graham Ray all got bumped out, got added back in as a replacement driver for the injured Stefan Wilson. But for the most part, unless you have 40 cars or 42 entries for the Indy 500, it's really not as big an issue as maybe some people fear.

ELIO:

Correct. But in the end, I feel it's a It's a process we need to keep continue talking like we're talking here. And but we need to create also valuation to the teams. Not because now I'm a team owner. I'm not speaking on that perspective. But the people that have been here, it's been long enough investing and pushing. And we need sort of that. We can see every example of the other racing series, NASCAR, Formula One, V8 supercars and so and so. Why are we not? We're supposed to follow the same trend and I feel it makes sense to everyone.

BRUCE:

Well, the Daytona 500 has charter teams from NASCAR locked in. Correct. And that's their biggest race. Correct. Different topic. Who do you believe is the King of Indie? It can be anybody from the past, it can be anybody current.

ELIO:

Wow, that's a very big statement, my friend. I don't know. I say, I guess... For me, it's... Those top four, meaning AJ, Rick Mears, Al Senior, it's always going to be the king of Indianapolis. I joined later. I don't think I'm a king. I may be getting there, or a priestess. But right now, I'm not there at all.

BRUCE:

But could you also make a strong case for Roger Penske?

ELIO:

Oh, that's a great one. Yes. Good job, Bruce. You're on it today. True. Yeah. Roger now became the owner of not only the series, but the Indianapolis and he has the most. Yep. He could be the king. I consider that now that you mentioned in I wasn't thinking about, you know, as a driver, although he was a driver before. So, yeah, I think we can consider him the king, for sure.

BRUCE:

If you could even consider a man that you never got a chance to know, but a man who saved the Speedway back in 1945, Tony Hallman, because he built up the Indianapolis 500 into what it has become, the greatest spectacle in racing and the largest single-day sporting event in the world.

ELIO:

And like in those ages as well or the past, you know, there is several kings, right? And maybe you're going to now to the history of Indy 500 and Indianapolis. I do agree with you. You know, Tony Holman was a guy with a vision. And Roger's probably the same guy with the vision too.

BRUCE:

You've handled this question much better than A.J. Foyt who basically said, that's a stupid question.

ELIO:

No, I think it's great. I think that was a great question and you're on the right path there.

BRUCE:

One other topic. Team Penske's had some rough waters the last couple of weeks. Rodgers had to calm the storm at 87. He's gotten out there and has taken his lumps and has stood up and apologized for what happened with the team and has made some changes. from a driver who spent so much time at Team Penske and who worked with Tim Sindrick and Ron Rizewski and Roger Penske and a lot of these other guys who won't be able to attend the Indianapolis 500 because they've been suspended. Roger will be here, but Tim Sindrick and Ron Rizewski will not, along with two engineers What is Elio Castroneva's thoughts on what has transpired?

ELIO:

I'm 100% behind Team Penske. I worked there for so many years. This is, unfortunately, was a mistake. And unfortunately, yeah, it was nothing intent, no intention, no areas that trying to find gray or there is black and white, you know? And that's why I'm 100% behind Team Penske.

BRUCE:

When Joseph Newgarden gave his statement afterwards, he was very emotional, broke down a few times. Can you see just how much hurt he's gone through?

ELIO:

Yeah, it's tough for a driver, you know, being calling names and have your Drivers, they want to win no matter what, and I understand. It doesn't matter which way, you know, sometimes for a mistake you end up finding something in the car that he took advantage of it. Look, he's a talent, a driver, a young driver. As I said, all three of them I raced against and I'm fully behind and there is no question that was just an unfortunate mistake.

BRUCE:

Back to our happier topic. Chanelio Castroneves win a fifth Indianapolis 500. When you won four, you climbed the fence, you ran up and down the front straightaway, you even led the crowd in orchestration of the chant, L-E-O, L-E-O. What would you do if you won five to top that?

ELIO:

You know, Bruce, those things happen spontaneously. I'm not the one planning. I don't know. We shall see.

BRUCE:

But when the crowd chanted your name like that and you were out there acting like a conductor of an orchestra, that was a magical moment and it got even grizzled veterans such as myself choked up. Just the fact that so many people were that emotional over something that you had accomplished, that's got to be a feeling that you cannot recreate, and it's got to be a feeling why people race in the Indianapolis 500.

ELIO:

That is absolutely correct, and that's why this place is so important for so many people, including myself, and that's another reason I keep pushing, but I'm repeating, but it's people want to see you know records to be break and I yeah yeah it would be you would mean the world to a lot of fans a lot of people that still here that want to see something that never never been done before.

BRUCE:

Well fans keep your eyes out on him on race day because if he does become a five-time Indianapolis 500 winner Nobody will be above Elio Castroneves or even beside of him because that will be an accomplishment nobody has ever achieved in 108 runnings of this race. I like that. Elio Castroneves, Meyers Schenck Racing. When are they going to change the name to Meyers Schenck Castroneves Racing?

ELIO:

I know, I was asking for to put a little H there or something. They said next year they're going to change the logos. I'm looking forward for that.

BRUCE:

Well, good luck in your drive for five Indy 500 wins. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you, my friend. Scott Dixon is a six-time IndyCar Series champion and the winner of the 2008 Indianapolis 500. Five times in his career, Dixon has started on the pole. But after an unusual qualifying weekend when some of the top Honda teams couldn't match the speed of the faster Chevy teams, Dixon starts way back in 21st place, the outside of row 7. I caught up with Dixon for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview a few days before last weekend's qualifications as he prepares for another attempt at an Indy 500 victory. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy is the legend, six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon. Going for his second Indianapolis 500 victory in the 108th Indianapolis 500, Scott, you're still one of the top drivers in the series, so how excited are you every year when we show up at the Indianapolis 500?

SCOTT:

Always excited. You know, I think it's a fun transition now, especially, you know, you start the month with the road course. You know, I know it's a really tight turnover, especially for the team and a pretty exhausting couple of days. But, you know, it's a nice way for the drivers at least to kind of, you know, warm up for the Indy 500. You get to, you know, stay at the track for the road course weekend. But, yeah, excited, man. Excited to get on the oval and see what we got.

BRUCE:

You've won the Indianapolis 500 in 2008. There's been numerous times you've come close. You've always said Indy doesn't owe me anything. But one area where you've pretty much been the king of Indy is qualifying polls. You're up there challenging Rick Mears for the all-time poll list with six. You're at five. So how do you feel about getting that this year?

SCOTT:

Yeah, it's been good, man. And obviously, I think for the team, it's three in a row, right? Obviously, with Alex getting it last year, I think this year we'll probably see an increase in speeds just because the cars are a little bit lighter. Obviously, a lot of that will depend on the weather as well, but the weather's looking fairly decent so far for a week out. Yeah, you know, you hope for the best. I think every day you're at Indy, whether it's practice or once you start getting into qual runs, you really want to be at the pointy end of the field. And, you know, it's a huge credit to the team and what they've been able to achieve, I think, over, you know, these past few years where we've been fighting for the front for so many times. But I think for me, I probably, you know, running out of fuel, I think in, I don't know what year that was, 14 or 15 or something, where I think we would have got the pole, ended up finishing second or third for the qualifying order. Yeah, you think about the close misses as opposed to the ones you got so far.

BRUCE:

Is winning the poll for the Indianapolis 500 in some ways bigger than some race victories on the regular schedule?

SCOTT:

Yeah, don't get me wrong. I think as a team effort, you know, I think again back to just the amount of hours and amount of, you know, kind of details that they go through to get a car that has that performance and is able to get to that point to be fighting for a pole is massive, you know. So we definitely segmented as, you know, kind of two different achievements, you know, the Indy 500 pole and then obviously the races in a totally different league. But yeah, it feels great, but man, it's tough to get a race win these days. So any race win you can get is huge.

BRUCE:

And as you well know, it's tough to get that second win in the Indianapolis 500. I know that you've been through a lot of disappointment and heartbreak, but every year you bounce right back. What is it about Scott Dixon's makeup that you're able to shake off the disappointment as quickly as you do?

SCOTT:

It's just part of it, man. I think you're in a sport where you get beaten a lot more than you win, so you get used to trying to build yourself back up. I think some are different to others, right? How you lost them, how you came up short. Maybe there was a caution that didn't really fall your way, but that's just part of racing. And yeah, I think in this business, you've got thick skin, man. You've got to make sure you get through it. I think the redemption or how you turn it around is always the best feeling anyway.

BRUCE:

But is it fair to say that what happened two years ago was the one that probably hit you the most?

SCOTT:

Yeah, the pit entry, speeding, you know, I don't know. Nah, probably the one under caution to Sato, you know, when we knew that they couldn't make the end. Those ones hurt more, I think, you know. Obviously, I made the mistake and just kind of 0.6 of a mile an hour we were over and, you know, it's just one of those things. Rules are rules and totally get it, but... Yeah, we still hadn't got to the end of that race anyway. You know, would we have been in a fight for it? Yes, we had a dominant race. We let a lot of laps, but that doesn't guarantee you anything. So I think when you see it five laps away, you know, they go red. Well, they go caution. They don't go red. And, you know, the car that was in front was not going to make it. That's probably the hardest one.

BRUCE:

And then last year, they throw the green with less, you know, with one lap to go. So, you know, there have been times where you can sit there and scratch your head and go, But why didn't they do that in 2020? Yeah. Moving on, you've had seasons like Alex Palou has had last year, the way Alex Palou looked on Saturday. Alex Palou is pretty much getting to the top of his game. How much of his success reminds you of some of the great seasons that you've had?

SCOTT:

Yeah, last year for him was definitely a standout. I think, you know, when you really have Not any disappointing days. I think a worse finish of maybe eighth or something. Those are tough seasons to beat. But no, I think it's definitely the makeup of this team and what they've been able to do, whether it was me or Dario or other champions throughout the years. And Alex is definitely in that same kind of situation where you know, whatever they're doing is just correct. And, you know, that's cool to see. And, you know, it's still very early in the championship. You know, we're both kind of right up there on the points, and it's going to be a fierce one, I think. But maybe not the same kind of characters you'd think right now that are up there. You know, where Joseph is quite a ways back, Will's there, you know, this year really tight. You know, Colton Hurd is there. So there is a bit of a mix going on right now.

BRUCE:

Does Alex Palou keep Scott Dixon at the top of his game?

SCOTT:

Yeah, of course, man. You know, it's definitely, you know, in a team competition is always, you know, the most fun competition. It's tough. And you're seeing people, you know, I think a good example of that was the weekend where, you know, Alex was struggling. We had kind of gone down a different setup route. And, you know, they were kind of the crossroads before qualifying and decided to just, you know, jump to our setup and, you know, ended up getting the pole and winning the race. So, you know, we try to help each other and we try to push each other as much as we can. And yeah, it's fun, man. It's fun.

BRUCE:

Is he like a latter day Dario?

SCOTT:

I think everybody's different in how they achieve it. You know, I think, you know, Dario is very good at what he did. Alex is very good at what he does. And, you know, I think everybody tries to whether you emulate someone or not, but I think everybody kind of has their own kind of touch on it.

BRUCE:

I've asked some drivers and some other people in the sport the same question. This can count anybody in the history of the race or current, but who do you look at? that deserves to have the title, the King of Indie?

SCOTT:

Oh yeah, it's a tough one. I feel bad for someone like Michael. They never got to win there. Obviously, those guys led a ton of laps, him and Mario. I don't know, I kind of always look at that as AJ. It's just what I see and feel because of what he was, what he did, and what he achieved. He probably should have won a lot more than he did. I'm sure everybody's got their own twist on it, but I love AJ and his story at the 500.

BRUCE:

Even though you've only won it once in 2008, you've been in contention many, many, many times, but the name Scott Dixon is all over the Indianapolis 500 record book. How proud are you of those records?

SCOTT:

Yeah, pretty cool. I think the lap leader one, you know, I don't think that will ever get beaten, maybe. It's going to be a long time before... especially with the competition and how tough it is now, but that's a pretty sweet one. For the history of the race to lead the most laps at that place is cool, but honestly, there's only one thing that really counts, and that's winning that race. I would have liked many more of those.

BRUCE:

I'm going to go ahead and bestow upon you, you're the king of laps led at the Indy 500. Thank you, for the moment. What is it you love the most about the Indianapolis 500?

SCOTT:

I think it's just the event, man. I think, like I always say, you know, I've been to World Cups, Super Bowls. you know, Olympic Games and nothing really has a touch on the 500 and just what the spectacle that it is, you know. And no matter where you are in the world, you can mention the Indy 500, people know what it is and, you know, I love the traditions of, you know, whether it's the parade and, you know, all the family stuff that's going on to, you know, the actual race. So, it's a pretty cool event, man.

BRUCE:

Even though You live in London now, but you still have a house in Indianapolis. How much do you feel a part of the Indianapolis community?

SCOTT:

Yeah, big time, man. We're probably more based in Indy than London, to be honest. It's just an off-season kind of October through February, March. But no, we're, you know, I've lived here for almost 25 years now. So it's been a great place for me and a great place for our family. And, you know, I would say that we treat India as our home for sure.

BRUCE:

And the fact that you've been so good for so long without showing any signs of slowing down or wanting to call it a career, what is the secret?

SCOTT:

I guess loving it, I think is probably it. I think if you get burnt out and don't enjoy the program or the situation that you're involved in, but for me, IndyCar racing, I think with the diversity of the tracks that we have to the different cities we go to, to chasing whatever creates speed, changes from event to event. So for me, it's everything, man, about IndyCar that keeps me motivated.

BRUCE:

And also different this year, you've got yourself, the seasoned veteran, you've got a guy nearing the peak of his career, or the top of his career, Alex Palou, and then you've got some young kids on the team. Kiffin Simpson and Linus Lundqvist, and just what's it like to have that diverse of a mix?

SCOTT:

Yeah, it's been good, you know, I think having Marcus kind of there last year, you know, his transition's been really smooth, you know, obviously full-time, you know, season for him now. You know, Kiffin's kind of just been flying under the radar, but doing a, you know, a fantastic job. Of course, they've had some ups and downs here and there on different things, but... You know, it's been good to see. And Linus has been really solid. You know, they had a bit of a rough race on the weekend where I think they would have been kind of top six or seven, but the car ran out of fuel. So they've been doing a good job, man. So it's been fun. As I said at the front end, you know, I think everybody just gets on really well. You know, there's no kind of egos. Everybody's working hard and, you know, for each other and for the team. And, you know, so far there's been no issues and it's been a good mix.

BRUCE:

And I know one thing you're very proud of is your family, your two daughters and your son Kip. Do you sometimes sit back and just say, Scott Dixon, I've got it really good.

SCOTT:

Yeah, life's good, man. I can't complain. Like, it's, you know, of course, everybody has their challenges from week to week, and, you know, Kit is definitely pretty full on. He's only four, but, man, he's got a ton of energy, and that's been fun. But it's so cool to see, you know, Poppy will be 15 here in another month and a bit, and, you know, Tilly will be 13 here. Surely it's kind of crazy just to see how quickly it flies by. You know, I think when you look back at pitches, it's just like, you're like, oh, that was only a year ago, but it was actually like four or five. So, very, very lucky, man. You know, obviously Emma is an amazing wife and yeah, it's been a blast so far, man. Hopefully we keep everything all in one piece.

BRUCE:

If Kip wants to get a go-kart, are you getting it for him or would you rather get him some golf clubs or swim trunks? Something a little safer.

SCOTT:

Yeah, he does a bit of everything right now. He's doing a lot of golf actually on Tuesdays and then he also is doing swimming. But you know, he's kind of, I think we need to get him into some football at the minute. We'll see where that goes, but Gokarts, he's only ever done it once so far and loves it. He has a crazy car, one of those things on the coasters that he drives around in. He'll, you know, for two hours until the battery runs out on that thing and then wants it charged up again. So yeah, he loves driving.

BRUCE:

Now, you're from New Zealand, and we're in Indianapolis, so when you say Kip's interested in football, which type of football? Soccer, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SCOTT:

I think, I don't know if, I guess they do rugby for Tots, maybe, over in England. Indianapolis, I guess they do flag football. But, you know, we'll get, this summer, actually, he'll probably be getting into some programs for that.

BRUCE:

Rugby for Tots. Yeah, yeah, rugby. I bet there's a lot of... I bet there's a lot of shots given in rugby. Probably a lot of crying going on.

SCOTT:

Yeah, that's all good.

BRUCE:

Well, if you have tears this month, it'll be, we want to see tears of happiness for winning the Indianapolis 500 for a second time in your career. But Scott Dixon, you've had a great career. You've been a great friend all these years, decades. You remember me when I was young. Now I'm not young anymore. Same as all of us. Yeah, but anyway, good luck in the 108th Indianapolis 500, and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thanks, man. Appreciate it. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

SCOTT:

Hi, I'm Scott McLaughlin, driver of the number three team Penske Chevy, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

Welcome back to this edition of Pit Pass Indy. Another former winner in this year's starting lineup is 2014 Indy 500 victor, Ryan Hunter-Reay, who had a fantastic qualification weekend in his first IndyCar race of the season. Hunter-Reay will start the number 23 Dryer and Reinbold Racing Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet 12th, the outside of row four. Here is my exclusive interview with Hunter-Reay for Pit Pass Indy. He's back for another Indianapolis 500. It's 2014 Indianapolis 500. Winning driver, Ryan Underray. Second year with Ryan and Reinbold Racing. How excited are you to return with that team now that you've worked with them already last May?

RYAN:

Yeah, I really enjoyed my time with them in 2023. So it was an easy decision to come back. You know, kind of pick up where we left off. Same group. We've added Peter Givens in there on the engineering side, which I've worked with him at Andretti in the past. Yeah, it's all good. Really enjoy working with the group and happy to be back.

BRUCE:

Last year you had an added bonus in that after the Indianapolis 500 you spent the rest of the season working for Ed Carpenter Racing trying to help them sort out their program. How valuable was that for you to have that extended period last season in the race car?

RYAN:

Well, I mean, it was good to work with that group and, you know, really, you know, happy to help Ed out there. And I think it gave the team a good direction, some good, you know, I guess, leads on what they would need for 24. And yeah, it kept me behind the wheel as well. But I'm happy focusing on the 500 right now.

BRUCE:

Do you believe that you were able to help them find some of their problems or make their program run a little bit better or were you a little surprised? Not talking bad about the team, but that the team really had some things that needed sorted out.

RYAN:

I think that was the point. You know, we didn't, I didn't go in there thinking, you know, all right, here we go. We're going to go run up front and turn this whole ship around within a few races. It was a matter of having a fresh set of eyes come in. And, you know, and I was just talking about that the other day. And he said, you know, and he, you know, he agrees that that that helped. in that capacity, so I think it was mission accomplished there.

BRUCE:

Being a mission accomplished, it's the 10th anniversary of your Indy 500 win and what's still one of the most thrilling finishes in Indianapolis 500 history. You and Elio Castronevas mowing the grass in Turn 3. You guys were ready to do whatever it took to win the race that day. When you think that it's already been 10 years, does it seem like it's flown by, or does it really seem like it's been 10 years?

RYAN:

No, it seems like it's flown by. Since then, I've had about two or three shots at winning it again with a really good fast car, and everything has to go right here at Indy. So yeah, I think that... That detail there, the fact that we've been close since then, feels like it's flown by.

BRUCE:

confidence and satisfaction that, you know what, I had a pretty great career.

RYAN:

Well, I mean, check the two biggest boxes, right? The 500 and the IndyCar Championship. So, certainly very proud of those accomplishments. But, you know, I want to be a two-time winner here. So, won't be satisfied until that happens.

BRUCE:

And the fact is you've got Chevy Power, you're with Dryer and Reinbold. They usually have a very competitive car, considering that they're a one-off. So, and you're working with Conor Daly. So what do you think the two of you can achieve this year?

RYAN:

You know, there's a lot of potential there, no doubt. So we'll see. Chevy's done a great job, brought a great power plant. Dry and Reinbold does a great job preparing these cars. We've got a car full of sponsors with Venture HR, 4 Six's Ranch, and I'm I'm thrilled. I think it's a really good opportunity.

BRUCE:

And how important is it that this race has privateers like Dennis Reinbold come every year to field a car for the 500, field two cars for the 500?

RYAN:

Yeah, Dennis is what this race is all about, really. The passion for this race, the attention to detail, putting so much focus on this event itself is what it's all about.

BRUCE:

Final question. When you reflect back on 2014 and you watch it on TV, Was it more dramatic behind the wheel of the car, or was it more dramatic when you saw some of the moves that were being made from above?

RYAN:

I mean, it was, yeah, it was wild. Those last seven laps were just insane. And we were doing things with the car I didn't know was possible, both of us. So we were definitely pushing the envelope and going beyond it.

BRUCE:

Ryan Hunter-Reay, good luck in the 108th Indianapolis 500. Good luck with Dryer and Reinbold Racing, and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. All right, thanks, Pete. Next up is two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. He is another Indy 500 only driver who raced his way into a great starting position. Sato starts 10th, the inside of row four for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Here is my exclusive interview with Sato who won the Indy 500 in 2017 and again in 2020. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy is a two-time winning driver of the Indianapolis 500. It's Takuma Sato of Japan. He's back with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing once again. Takuma, I believe this is your third stint with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. What is it about that team where you'll race, you'll leave, you'll come back, you'll race, and you'll come back?

TAKUMA:

Very true. You told me that, you know, the future is always interesting. You never know what's happening next. The one thing we could for sure tell is the relationship between the team and myself is phenomenal. Obviously, 2012, you know, we'll come back to Reijo Uretema Landing and Racing, come back to Indica for the first time for a long time, really. And I was really honoured to be a single car driver there, and Bobby gave me a huge opportunity. And since then, you know, we had, obviously, 18, 19, and then 2020, unforgettable year for us. And then after that, I had to depart to the, for other two teams, but then, there we go, you know, he called me back, and all the time, every single year, you know, Bobby calls me, when are you gonna come back? So, these things happen really quickly, but really happy to be back to the Reijo Racing for the third time.

BRUCE:

The great thing about your 2020 victory was you were able to return the favor or the promise that you had made to team owner Bobby Rahal and David Letterman and Michael Lanigan for the 2012 race where you nearly. Yeah. You came within three turns of winning the Indianapolis 500 for them. Unfortunately, you and Dario at the apron made contact. You ended up into the wall. Dario ended up winning the race. But I'm sure that you would like to take them to victory lane this time only with fans, because back in 2020, it was a great race. Unfortunately, fans weren't allowed to come because of the COVID pandemic.

TAKUMA:

Very true. You know, one thing we missed out that particular day was just a fan, you know, 300,000 people and buzzing, obviously through the TV worldwide, you know, the people enjoying and watching all the time. The atmosphere was nothing like it that day. So, yeah, that's the number one thing. We'd love to do that. But, you know, the team had some facing on the difficulty last couple of years, so that we were really eager, you know, to come back on the team to, well, bring back to the front row, basically. That's the whole idea.

BRUCE:

You've been a Honda driver most of your career, well your entire career as a matter of fact. For the longest time it was, in America it was Honda Performance Development, HPD. This year it's Honda Racing Corporation, HRC USA. How do you like the new transition that they're doing? There seems to be a little more cohesiveness between HRC in America with HRC in Japan.

TAKUMA:

Yeah, I think they're putting the HRC branding worldwide. That is quite important for Honda. Obviously, this Formula 1, they do the HRC stuff, so it's natural to HPD's transition to become HRC USA. But the one branding is very strong. you know, the message. So it's nothing mechanically, physically changed rapidly, but I think slowly but surely there is some integration between Japan and U.S. and obviously the future coming to Europe as well.

BRUCE:

There's something about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that you picked up on a long time ago. What is it? Why do you do so well at Indy?

TAKUMA:

I have no idea, you tell me. But the thing starting, not just in IndyCar series all the time, which was fantastic memories, but also you have to really go back to 2004, US Grand Prix in a Formula 1. My first podium ever happened was Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2. So even though that wasn't an actual super speedway for the oval stuff, but we used part of it, and that was just, again, was such a memory of race. And since then, 2010, I really have so many, many fantastic memories in IndyCar series and Indy 500, I always enjoy the race.

BRUCE:

As the extra driver for the Indy 500, working with Rahal Lederman-Lanigan's regular crew, regular group of drivers, how do you see that working out for you? Talented group of drivers on the team.

TAKUMA:

Very true. Obviously, needless to say, you know, between Graham and I being teammates for a long time. But I think, you know, we had such a strong driver lineup, I believe. And not only for that, the team made a significant you know, the progress over the course of the winter, especially after last year. And you can visually see clearly the difference in the team, too. Now, of course, working for the employees and environmentally, I think it is one of the top quality as, you know, our headquarter, which wasn't the case back in 21. It was a serious construction but it's really nice to see the latest spec of the facility and the team are really individually such a talented people. So now I think it's a matter of time to gather together and hopefully we have a very competitive package overall.

BRUCE:

Obviously, Graham's longest tenured driver on the team, the veteran. You've got an emerging star of a Christian Lungard. You've got a young driver with a very famous name in Pietro Fittipaldi. And now you add Takuma Sato to the mix. That's four pretty big names on one team. So how do you see the next two weeks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway working out? Will you guys all be trying different things and then communicating with each other to see which works best?

TAKUMA:

For sure. I've been I've been in multiple teammate teams in the past. Obviously the biggest one, the very initial one, was Android to Autosport. But since then I've learned so much because it's been a single car or two cars team all the time. But, you know, the garages, glorious of having multiple cars to splitting the problem. Gathering information is such a strong thing, particularly looking at the ticket specifically for this weekend, the weather looks a little bit unstable. So therefore, I think four cars and Pietro in particular, you know, he's back in the game and Christian, no doubt, you know, he's a very talented driver. So and then, of course, Graham. So four of us having so much idea, so much feeling of it, and the team splitting is such a good program, I think even limited time, I think Focus team become stronger than three or two.

BRUCE:

As an Indy 500 one-off driver, How do you keep yourself sharp when most of the drivers in the race, 27, 28 of them, have been driving all season?

TAKUMA:

It's going to be challenging for sure. But in the 500, particularly having a few days of practice before the qualify, that is definitely help for the refresher or coming back. And, you know, doing a single race in, you know, it's not having a car for a long time, it doesn't really help. And also last month's open test was rained out and it was only 10 plus laps, so it also didn't help. But I've got a huge amount of experience and I've got a huge amount of the respectable people surrounding me in such a comfortable environment, which I do believe there's no disadvantage shall we say.

BRUCE:

What have you been doing to stay sharp?

TAKUMA:

I don't know. It's tough, isn't it? Maybe golfing today like this, you know, some of the sport and, you know, following some of the racing. But, you know, look, I've done more than 20 years of doing this and I know how to get back.

BRUCE:

Now, a lot of fans think that the first week of practice that you guys are going out there every day trying to put down the fast lap. But in reality, I believe you spend the first couple of days working on race setup and you don't really get in the qualifying trim until Friday.

TAKUMA:

That's a usual way to pass. But looking at the weather plays a huge amount of it. And it looks like so Tuesday, first day of us, of practice, it's going to be really challenging because it's raining. And we have a single day, which is Wednesday. Thursday, Friday, it can be a little bit difficult. We don't know yet. We are actually gathering what is the best plan for it. Maybe some of the team doing a qualifying sim for the first, rather than building a race car. So we will see. I think we can split the program.

BRUCE:

It was obviously a tremendous honor when you won the Indianapolis 500 in 2017, but you became A two-time winner, multiple winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 2020, which puts you in an even more elite category. How important is that? When you look back at your career and say, I not only won the world's biggest race once, I won it twice.

TAKUMA:

It's an honor to be to be in a multiple time and of course that you know only the people who could support me because of that I was able to compete on that highest level that just all appreciation with a teammate in the teamwork and you know people who are supporting all the sponsors and fans and that's why I think I think it's such a such a great thing to keep racing and in fact you know 1500, not once, but twice. It is just a dream come true. And hopefully we can still keep on the challenge of that. That is my biggest dream on this one.

BRUCE:

Well, now you got to go for a three, Pete.

TAKUMA:

Absolutely. Thank you.

BRUCE:

Takuma Sato, good luck in this year's 108th Indianapolis 500. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

TAKUMA:

Welcome. Thank you very much.

BRUCE:

Kyle Larson has captured the attention of the fans and the media at this year's Indianapolis 500 as the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will be the first driver to attempt to compete in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race on the same day since Kurt Busch in 2014. Larson is this year's fastest rookie in the field after he qualified fifth with a four-lap average of 232.846 miles per hour in the number 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren Hendrick Motorsports. Here is my exclusive interview with Larson at the May 21 American Dairy Association of Indiana Fastest Rookie of the Year Luncheon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kyle Larson is back with us now on Pit Pass Indy. Kyle, you probably did something today at the fastest rookie luncheon you've never done in a race car or anywhere else. Milk a cow. How did that go?

KYLE:

She was full of pressure and ready to release some milk, so it wasn't too difficult. No, I mean, it's cool. I learned about this on Fast Friday when Jenna asked if I was ready to milk the cow, and I thought she was messing with me. Everything about the Indy 500, there's a lot of tradition, and this is now a fairly new tradition, I think, going back to 2016 with Rossi. Yeah, it's neat to be here with the other rookies and get to do something fun and funny.

BRUCE:

And you seem to be soaking in all of the traditions of the Indianapolis 500. You used to come here as a spectator and see it all. How cool is it going to be to see all those traditions on race day as you get ready to strap in for your first Indianapolis 500?

KYLE:

Yeah, I'm sure all of us rookies are soaking in all the experience and atmosphere and all that. Yeah, I mean, it's all been great, and I do look forward to race day and getting to experience that atmosphere from the competitors' perspective. I've been here as a fan a couple times, but getting to be a competitor will be something different for sure.

BRUCE:

The Indianapolis 500 is a great American tradition, goes back well over a century. Have you even dreamed of what it would be like to drink the milk as a first-time winner?

KYLE:

I don't know. I wouldn't say I've had like, I don't know. I don't really know how to answer that. I mean, obviously I would love to win it, but I don't think you fully can expect to know what your emotions would be like until you do it. So yeah, hopefully I get to experience that someday and it'd be pretty neat if this year could be the year.

BRUCE:

Have you chosen the milk? I know you have to pick whether you want whole milk, 2%, skim, chocolate. Have you chosen your milk?

KYLE:

I was between almond milk and whole milk. My daughter, she's got a dairy allergy, so I was going to pick almond milk, but then I heard that the pictures look better with the whole milk, so I went with whole milk.

BRUCE:

So you're going with whole milk. Did this weekend go easier than you thought in terms of logistics to get from Indianapolis to North Wilkesboro for the all-star race? Seemed like you made it in plenty of time.

KYLE:

Yeah, we made it with plenty of time and to I mean NASCAR they they worked well with us to allow us a little bit of flexibility there, so No, I mean, I've not ever been too stressed about logistics. So I As long as weather's okay, it all lines out okay.

BRUCE:

And you were able to pedal your way up from the back of the field up to a fourth place finish. So it showed you obviously had a pretty good race car. Would you have liked to have started up front to maybe had a shot at Joey Logano at the end?

KYLE:

It didn't matter. We could have started on the pole and I still think we would have finished fourth or potentially worse. I felt like our car wasn't, the balance just wasn't there to compete with Joey and Denny especially. I feel like we outperformed the capability of our car that day. So I was proud of that and we had a great shot to win. I thought we called the right strategy for our position to give ourselves the best shot to win. We just didn't have the grip and the speed to compete. So, you know, but happy with, proud of the effort for sure that day.

BRUCE:

How was the race day set up and the Monday practice after qualifying at Indianapolis?

KYLE:

Yeah, I felt good about it. I felt pretty balanced and felt like we had a decent car. So it's going to be a lot about maintaining that track position that we've earned through qualifying and just doing a good job to stay towards the front. So got to do some runs of pit road, got to do some pit stops, feel comfortable with all that. And I think we can go compete at a high level now.

BRUCE:

How important will the final practice be on Carb Day for you?

KYLE:

Yeah, I think it'll be important just running through more stuff, more kind of fuel-saving situations, things like that. So yeah, I look forward to getting back out there, getting one more opportunity to learn.

BRUCE:

And two other Indy traditions you'll get to experience on Saturday, the public driver's meeting, where there'll be about 30,000 people watching a driver's meeting, and then the parade. And I'm sure those are all things that you and your family want to experience together, especially the parade?

KYLE:

Yeah, yeah. No, the driver's meeting will be fun. Get to see that for the first time and then be a part of the parade for the first time. And yeah, probably have the kids and Caitlin riding along on the parade and just kind of soaking all that in. So I felt a lot of support from the fans this whole time. And I'm sure we'll get to feel it up close and personal in the parade. And then as soon as that's done, we'll head over to Charlotte to get to practicing and qualifying the cup car.

BRUCE:

Well, Kyle Larson, you've been a tremendous storyline all month. Good luck not only in the Indianapolis 500, but the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass. Yep. Thanks. Marco Andretti is another Indy 500 only driver. The 2020 Indy 500 pole winner qualified 19th, the outside of row seven for Andretti Global. Andretti joins me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. He's back for another Indianapolis 500. It's fan favorite Marco Andretti. Wow. You're now just an Indy 500... only driver in IndyCar, but it doesn't, it seems that you've picked up right where you left off. You were among the fastest drivers in the very limited opening practice session, but you've had speed every time you go out there. Does climbing back into an IndyCar just come easy for Marco Andretti?

MARCO:

Wow, I mean, the pure driving solo part does, yeah, but there's the competition aspect that is, it's just fiercer and fiercer every year, so we try to try to make sure we bring it, and make sure my level is right with those guys when I come back. I'm often asked, does taking a year off of driving those really hurt me, and I honestly don't think so, or I wouldn't be here because, and that's, I mean, I often tell them to refer to opening day. I feel really comfortable out of the bat, off the bat, and we're more often than not towards the pointy end of day one.

BRUCE:

We used to see, back when your father would, the last couple of years of your father's career, he only ran the Indy 500, you'd have the full group of Andretti drivers and then during May, here's Michael in his driver's suit. In some ways now, that has kind of become you. Are you calling me old? No, I'm not calling you old, but you show up and it's like the wise veteran has arrived. What's it like to have that role?

MARCO:

I'd say it's crazy, man, like, I forget who it was, they pointed out, if you take Elio out of it, my five other teammates, if you include Meyer Schenck, I have more experience and results here than all of them combined, so that's a good feeling, you know, but we have some really, really talented Indianapolis 500 drivers here, I mean, I've been pushing, I'm always looking hard at Elio's stuff, and then having Marcus here, he's extremely good here as well, so I've been, You know, mostly looking at those two, and then Felix has a really good feel around here as well.

BRUCE:

There are a lot of young drivers at Andretti Global now. They're not only young, but they're talented. Any one of the drivers, including yourself, could win this race. So, how big a threat do you feel Andretti Global will be on race day at the Indianapolis 500?

MARCO:

Yeah, I would never count us out for sure. And I think the depth of the talent in this team, you know, from engineers to drivers, I think hopefully we put enough bullets on the track that they have a really good shot at one of us winning.

BRUCE:

Since you've scaled back your IndyCar driving, you've become a pretty good stock car driver. Whether it be in the old SRX series, which unfortunately isn't going to happen in 2024, but you've also expanded to some NASCAR races, and you've been pretty damn good. So, what's it like driving those cars for a guy who grew up with open-wheel cars?

MARCO:

It's actually been a breath of fresh air. I mean, to me, it's just always racing. You're always... The fun part for me is that you're always in combat, right? So you can miss on the balance, and you could think you're really, really struggling, and you're still passing three guys a lap. You're always... in combat and always fighting and always racing where here is it's become more track position dependent right so once you settle in it's very very hard to overtake and it's fuel save and it's pit stops and this is more like you're always always just racing and i love that so it's been fun and uh you know we we've had our challenges this year but uh when stuff Literally stays together. We're we're not bad and we're knocking on the door of top tens We finished ninth at Kansas, but we need to be better and I'm pushing it's very very hard to go against the factory Toyota and Gibbs and all those teams, but I just need to maximize what we got and keep keep learning. I think that's the big thing this year

BRUCE:

And just getting a chance to know NASCAR and the officials and the executives and the way they do their shows, their weekends are pretty jam-packed. You'll have practice on a Friday afternoon, and there'll be a truck series qualifying and race on a Friday night, then Xfinity on Saturday, then Cup on Sunday. What's it been like to experience the way they do business?

MARCO:

It's pretty cool, yeah. I mean, they definitely maximize what they got going on. I think what's been fun for me is watching the other series, but then just having a shot at it, and trying my hand at trucks, and ARCA, and different feels. It's been awesome, different types of tracks. Every time you go to a different track, it's like starting over, because everything feels so different from track to track. So that's been fun. We have a bunch of doubleheaders later in the season. in the same day. So we'll run ARCA and truck in the same day, which will be like, you know, as many laps as a cup race. So that'll, if it's really hot in the summer, that'll be a good test for me.

BRUCE:

So you've been an IndyCar driver, now you're a NASCAR. Your father wants a Formula One team. Can you see yourself playing a role in the Andretti Global Cadillac Formula One program?

MARCO:

I would say I'm more NASCAR personality-wise than over there, but I'll let the higher-ups deal with that.

BRUCE:

Hey, how proud have you been of your dad? Because when Formula One keeps throwing another obstacle in his way, he doesn't hold back on his comment.

MARCO:

Yeah, I mean, you know, I know he's a relentless competitor. I know he's a relentless person, so that's all everybody's seeing is, you know, we don't give up that easy.

BRUCE:

Well, you never give it up that easy. Watch your whole career beginning when you were a rookie here in 2006. But Marco Andretti, good luck in the 108th Indianapolis 500. Who knows? Maybe you can return the Andretti name to Victory Lane in the Indy 500. That'd be pretty cool. Appreciate you. That's why we're here. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

WILL:

This is Will Power of Team Penske, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. Let's hear from three young stars in the NTT IndyCar Series competing in this year's Indy 500. First up is Pato Award of Aero McLaren Racing in this exclusive interview. Good morning, Pato. Morning. Join us now on Pit Pass Indy's Pato Award. Pato, since the last time we spoke to you, you were a guest on the show, you've become a winner in the NTT IndyCar Series, although the trophy came... Later on. Later on, but I mean, in a lot of ways, we haven't had a chance to really talk to you about, I mean, were you surprised when the trophy arrived, and in many ways, do you kind of wish there had been a little bit bigger fanfare?

PATO:

I mean, I wasn't surprised that the trophy showed up, but I was surprised of that getting discovered very late, I would say. But, yeah, I mean, a win's a win, we'll take it. And, you know, considering the last few weekends for us, I think that win has definitely kind of gave us some breathing room in the championship, just because things haven't quite gone our way yet.

BRUCE:

But now we're at the Indianapolis 500. I know that's a race you really want to win badly. You came close a couple of years ago to winning it. How important is it for you to get your car into victory lane at the Indianapolis 500 at relatively early in your career?

PATO:

I mean, I don't think I need to, but... I really want to. I really want to. So I think it's just all about putting yourself into those positions, having a chance to actually win it. And I feel like we have the past couple of years. So all we need to do just kind of keep doing that. And then, you know, when the opportunity comes about, just make the moves at the right time. And and yeah, hope that you're the one in the victory lane. Checker flag comes.

BRUCE:

So the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, how much do you compartmentalize? Because I know Rick Mears always said he looked at Indy as two separate races, the run for the pole and the actual race itself. How much do you separate the two?

PATO:

Honestly, I don't really separate them. To me, if you're starting within the first 15 cars in the race and you've got a good race car, you're gonna be just fine. I mean, you could be starting 20th and still be fine, but you're making your life a lot easier getting into those fast 12 or, you know, at least within the first 15.

BRUCE:

One of the great things you've done for the IndyCar Series is you've brought in a lot of younger fans, a lot of Hispanic fans. How proud are you when you see not only Hispanic fans that are Powder Award fans, but also kids? There's a lot of kids that love to cheer for you.

PATO:

I love it, man. That's why we do this. We want to see those number five shirts walking around and people excited to support me, to support the team. I love to think that I've made a difference so far with my short time in IndyCar. I'm now starting my fifth year. But yeah, I mean, it's... At the end of the day, we're in entertainment, right? And we're just trying to do our jobs and trying to do the best we can with all these hours and all this energy and sacrifice that goes into this sport.

BRUCE:

Do you soak it all in, or are there times where you need to step aside and collect your thoughts?

PATO:

There's definitely moments where I need to step aside and collect my thoughts, but I've learned a lot more to really enjoy the process, and that's what I'm trying to do this month.

BRUCE:

Also, you're a veteran of the team. You've got a pretty widely known rookie who's an Ascar Cup Series champion with Kyle Larson. How excited are you to see what he might be able to discover behind the wheel of an Indy car in his first attempt at the Indy 500 as his teammate?

PATO:

I think it's awesome. No, I think it's fantastic that he's joining us. And more than that, I mean, the guy drives anything that's got four wheels. And he's got a lot of experience, not with an Indy car, but with a lot of other cars that I'm sure he can bring into his learning into Indy car. And he's going to be just fine. I'm not worried about it.

BRUCE:

Kyle told me last month that he really is impressed with you. He says Pato's got a big personality and that's exactly what the IndyCar Series needs. And to hear Kyle Larson say that about you, how do you feel?

PATO:

It's great. I mean, he's somebody that I've always really respected with, you know, with what he's achieved. And it's great to have him as a teammate. I think there really wasn't someone more fitting to the job than he is. I really hope it doesn't rain on Sunday for the 500, because I know he's got a 600-mile race to get to in NASCAR.

BRUCE:

But you have a 500-mile race to go out there and win, so fans, keep your eyes on this guy. He could be the one who ends up in victory lane at the Indianapolis 500. Cheers, guys. Thank you. Good luck in this year's race, and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. Next, let's hear from Rinus VeeKay, who overcame a crash on his first qualification attempt on Saturday morning to battle back in time to make the fast 12 by the end of Saturday's session. VeeKay will start seventh, the inside of row three in Sunday's Indy 500. He's back for another Indianapolis 500. It's Rinus VeeKay of Ed Carpenter Racing who still holds the title of fastest teenager in Indianapolis 500 history. Back when you were here for the first time as an IndyCar driver in 2020, you were the fastest driver in their teens that had ever qualified. I believe you were fourth that year. Since then, you've been on the front row. You're always a contender for the pole. How excited are you to be back with the experience that you have now as a driver in the Indianapolis 500?

RINUS:

I'm very excited to come back. Of course, it's the biggest race of the year. And to do this for the fifth time is already a privilege. I mean, I've gone through every learning experience there is so far here at the Speedway. So I feel like we have the ingredients to really go for a pole, but also for that Indy 500 win. Do you feel like a veteran? This year I do. In the past I have never felt like a veteran, but now I really do feel like I'm a team leader, right? And that's really what it comes down to, especially having Christian in the team. I am the experienced guy now.

BRUCE:

What's it like being in the mentor role with Christian Rasmussen? It's his rookie year, he was the Indynex champion. You've been an Indynext driver. What's it like being in that mentorship role now?

RINUS:

It's nice. He listens well and he's open to every advice. I don't have to tell him too much. He really picks stuff up really quickly. As a rookie, he runs up to some stuff he's never seen before. It's very competitive in IndyCar, but he's doing really well. Yesterday also, I mean, he was fast in traffic right away, and he was actually a great guy to race with and do some practice runs with.

BRUCE:

But you've got another driver on the team that joins you at the Indianapolis 500. He also happens to be the owner of the team, Ed Carpenter. Ed knows how to get around this track. Ed certainly knows how to qualify on the pole. He's a three-time Indy 500 pole winner. So what's it always like in those races when Ed is behind the wheel and he's out there battling you side by side, wheel to wheel.

RINUS:

I mean, it is like racing your teammates, even though he's a little more than that. But, you know, same with Christian, you know, you always want to give each other a bit more space and be a bit more fair to each other. And I think it's the same with Ed, even though the way that I feel like a mentor to Christian or at least Yeah, the more serious guy, I feel like that is that to me still, so it's funny how that works, but that is really the dad in the team.

BRUCE:

Entering the race, what do you need to do differently this year that you haven't done in your four previous Indianapolis 500s?

RINUS:

Stay out of trouble. Stay out of trouble. I've always been in contention. We've always been in that lead group. We just need to make sure we get in and out of pit lane cleanly and, you know, get there for the last 50 laps of the race and be there for the last 50 laps of the race where, you know, where to really turn stuff up.

BRUCE:

Pit lane here is probably the most treacherous pit lane of any pit lane on the IndyCar schedule. It's narrow. Even with the speed limit, you know, there's the urgency to get out of the pits fast And last year you did have a collision without with Alex below who was one of the favorites for the race When something like that happens, how bad do you feel?

RINUS:

I feel bad. I hurt my race pretty badly, but also Alex's. We both got into the top 10 again, but we were both in contention to win the race, so of course I feel bad. But as hard as you're racing on track, the race doesn't stop in pit lane. It's a race out there and I'm always trying to find some time and just trying to find a little bit too much there. And as a driver, does it always

BRUCE:

surprise you, not surprise you, but do you always, in each Indianapolis 500, things that happen with your car, whether you get pushed in an area of the track that you have never driven on before, that there's always something you've never experienced in every Indianapolis 500?

RINUS:

I think there is, you know, it's such a long race and I feel like the race is different every year with conditions and changes to the car, you know, the car being a little bit lighter now with with the changes they've made, so I feel like it's, yeah, it's different every year, and I just, well, I mean, you gotta be ready for everything in the 500s.

BRUCE:

And obviously, you're one of the better qualifiers at the Indianapolis 500. How important is it to start up front in this race?

RINUS:

Well, just the point I just told you, like, stay out of trouble. You know, if you're ahead of most of the trouble, that, you know, that helps. You know, everybody's stacked up pretty close together. There's quite a few rookies out there, too, so. I think it's, yeah, it's important to just be out front and, you know, start fuel saving and start settling in out there right away.

BRUCE:

Well, Rinus VeeKay, we've seen you start up front this year. We're going to try to see you finish up front. Good luck in the 108th Indianapolis 500. Thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. Yeah, thanks. Callum Eilat is back for Arrow McLaren Racing in the number six Chevrolet. He starts 15th, the outside of row five in the Indy 500. Eilat joins me for this exclusive interview. He's back at Arrow McLaren Racing. It's Callum Eilat, who's going to drive in the 108th Indianapolis 500 for the team. Callum, how excited are you to not only be back for an Indy 500, but be in an Arrow McLaren car at the Indy 500? Super excited.

CALLUM:

It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks. We know we have great pace off of last year. The car was strong in the 10 laps that I got yesterday. So yeah, it'll be nice to build on that. I think it looks great as well. So the number six NTT data, Aaron McLaren Chevrolet is looking fast and feeling fast.

BRUCE:

And to be able to come back here with one of the best teams in the series has to really be something that any race driver dreams about. How much, I don't want to compare the two teams, but when it comes to engineering resources and depth of the team, how much are you able to utilize that?

CALLUM:

Obviously, to the full extent. You've got to use everything you get, and this team has a lot of that. For the Speedway here, it makes a big difference. Coming in, you know they're going to do a great job, and you can rely on them for a lot of different things with the car. I think it's great. I think we've got some great, really strong teammates as well, and there's lots to build off in these two weeks.

BRUCE:

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, has had a very impressive history in the Indianapolis 500, going all the way back to Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Dario Franchitti, Dan Weldon. When you look at the great history and tradition that your homeland has for this race, and now that you're a part of it, how special is that to you?

CALLUM:

Obviously very special. I mean, the UK has a really strong racing background as it is, and it's nice to see it spread over here. Yeah, hopefully I can continue expanding on the achievements that it's had over here.

BRUCE:

Out of that group of drivers, can you pick a favorite?

CALLUM:

That's a good question, to be fair. Look, Jim Clark has so much history in the sport, and that's followed on through his generations. So I'd probably say Jim.

BRUCE:

But modern day times, you've always been very well when you've done very well when you get when you're with this team. And what is the ability to just come to a new team and pick up the pace as quickly as you have?

CALLUM:

It's a team that, to be fair, I quickly kind of got a feeling for. And as a driver as well, they've been really good to me to get me in and get me up to speed. And yeah, I'm an adaptable guy. I can come from one weekend in an endurance round to racing this at 240 mile an hour.

BRUCE:

He's certainly Mr. Versatility. Callum Eilat, good luck in this year's Indianapolis 500. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass. Thank you very much. And now let's hear from two of Indiana's own that are in this year's Indianapolis 500 longtime veteran and three time Indy 500 pole winner, Ed Carpenter of Indianapolis and Connor Daly of Noblesville, Indiana. Here's my exclusive interview with hometown hero Carpenter. He starts 17th, the middle of row six. He's back for another Indianapolis 500. His three-time Indy 500 winning pole winner, Ed Carpenter. I'm sure it's time that you want to add Indianapolis 500 winner to that title, too. But what's it like coming back here every May for somebody who's had so much history at this place?

ED:

It's always fun and a blessing being able to still be a part of this event and to give ourselves a chance to finally win the race. We've done a lot of good things here, but we haven't done the one thing that we really work hard to do, which is win that race. This race, for myself, for the team. That's where the focus lies and we're still working hard every day to make that a reality.

BRUCE:

It's kind of ironic when, here you're the veteran of the team, but throughout the season the veteran of the team is Rinus VeeKay. This will be his fifth Indianapolis 500. He's still the fastest rookie. qualifier in history at this place went back in 2020, but he also seems to be developing quite nicely. He's matured a lot. He's got some experience now. How big a threat do you see? How much improvement do you see in Rinas VeeKay?

ED:

Yeah, I think he's definitely come back stronger this season. You know, just using his experience and being more mature and poised. So much of what we do is between the ears, and I really feel like mentally he's in a really good place right now, which is not only exciting for the whole season, but exciting for the Indianapolis 500.

BRUCE:

There's a lot of drivers who have qualified here that haven't come close to winning a pole, but yet you've won three of them. I'm sure you don't want to share your secrets, but if you did have an advantage or a secret to your driving ability on those four-lap high-speed pole runs, how would you describe it?

ED:

I mean, first off, I think the team has done a fantastic job. Chevrolet has done a great job giving us what we've needed on all those runs. You know, I think from a driver's standpoint, you know, the role we play is, you know, is executing and being able to rise up for that moment because there's a ton of pressure, but also just helping the team make the right decision. So much of being successful on a pole run is just making the right calls on exactly what your balance is, what the downforce is for whatever those conditions are on that day. You know, but it's definitely, you know, drivers aren't doing it alone. Teams aren't doing it alone. It takes a unified effort, which, you know, I think is something that we've done really well with as a team over the years.

BRUCE:

And being a key part of the Indianapolis community, as I said to Connor Daly earlier, I'm from Indiana. You're a Butler University graduate, Indianapolis resident. This is the month we all live for. And just even as many times as you've been here, how excited does Ed Carpenter get every May when it's time for the Indianapolis 500?

ED:

Yeah, it's every year in a way feels like your first time. You know, that's what makes this place so special is just how excited we are to get here each and every year, each and every day. during the couple weeks of Indy, you know, it's what we really live for. So, you know, the anxiety is still there. It's just, it's, there's no other race like it. And, you know, just super, super proud to still be here.

BRUCE:

And also you're introducing the Indianapolis 500 to a rookie driver, Christian Rasmussen. How has he been so far as a rookie? His development, his potential?

ED:

Yeah, I've been really happy with him. We haven't gotten the results that I know that he's capable of, we're capable of, but I'm really happy with his progression. He's got a great head on his shoulders, obviously has a ton of ability. Relative to the Indy 500, I thought he had a A really good first day. You never totally know how a rookie is going to adapt to this place and how comfortable they're going to be. But he was definitely ahead of the curve and I feel like he's going to be a good one around here.

BRUCE:

Ed Carpenter, I'm going to wrap up by asking you, every time they have driver introductions before the Indianapolis 500, they announce Ed Carpenter and you hear 300,000 people cheer for you. How cool is that? I mean, that's got to be something that in some ways is You do this because you love the race, but I'm also sure that that's a moment that really kind of touches you in the heart.

ED:

Yeah, I mean it's uplifting for sure and gives me something a little bit extra, you know, every year when I'm getting strapped in to try to go out and win this race. So, I definitely hear the love, feel the love, and very much appreciate it.

BRUCE:

And also, you're the, you're a family man, and you've always taken your children with you at Driver Introductions, and how important is that?

ED:

It's awesome to be able to share it with them. You know, they know how much it means to me, and you know, That's a huge part of my motivation is trying to instill good qualities in them with their work ethic and dedication to whatever they want to do in life. So it's great to share that with them. It's getting harder and harder as they grow and get bigger. They take more and more space up there. But I love that they love being there with me.

BRUCE:

Well, Ed Carpenter, good luck in the 108th Indianapolis 500. Maybe we'll talk to you after Victory Lane this time. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. Thanks, Bruce. Next up is another Hoosier hero, Connor Daly, who starts 29th in the middle of row 10. He's back for another Indianapolis 500. It's Connor Daly, who this year is going to be with Cusick Motorsports Dryer and Reinbold Racing. Before we talk racing, I discovered that Scott McLaughlin is a huge New York Knicks fan. And he's been talking smack, especially after the Knicks and the Pacers series, the Knicks went up one game. Are you one of the guys that's been giving it back to them on the Pacers side?

CONNOR:

I did, yeah. I sent him a text about New York sports in general, because the Rangers lost one, too, and he's a big Rangers fan as well. So, I've been watching a lot of playoff sports, but then he immediately texted me back when the Knicks won, and he said, what pressure? So, I mean, this is tough. I hope we go to a game seven.

BRUCE:

Well, the Pacers and the Knicks always put on classic NBA playoff performances when they meet each other. Speaking of classic performances, though, we're back at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I mentioned to you a couple of weeks ago, when you took the lead the last couple of years in the race, you could hear the crowd erupt. You know, you're the hometown hero. You're from Noblesville, Indiana. You grew up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Family Connections at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So just how cool is it to always come back to this? Because obviously I'm from Indiana, you're from Indiana. This is our favorite month of the year. This is why we're from Indiana.

CONNOR:

Yeah, exactly. You said everything. I mean, this is the greatest time of year. This is my favorite place in the world. Every morning I feel very lucky. I don't want these days to end. You know, we're at Thursday already and sadly we got rained out a lot of this week and That really hurts because this is my only time in the year so far that I get to drive an IndyCar So when that's limited that's sad But the race is all that matters. So we want to get we want to get everything in line for the race We want to go out and win the race and and everything around this race feels so Incredible. It feels massive. The ticket sales, the vibes around it, everything feels similar to the 100th running, where everyone knows it's going to be big. It kind of feels like it's got that same amount of hype.

BRUCE:

We're all very busy during the time, the month of May, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. How difficult is it for you, though, to savor every moment of it?

CONNOR:

Well, the only thing you don't get back in life is time. So, you know, I definitely try to enjoy as much as I can. But, you know, this is also for me a time like I have a ton of appearances because, you know, this is when we're worth the most. So for me, this is how I make a living. Right. So I got to try to make sure our partners are taken care of, make sure that everyone else who want to get involved in this program are taken care of. So there's a lot on the mind. I'm definitely very, very tired every night.

BRUCE:

We talked about your popularity at the track. What about your popularity in the parade? Do you get a lot of people that you see, that you know, lining the parade route? Because it's one of the biggest parades for any sporting event, and one of the biggest parades put on by any city of the year.

CONNOR:

Yeah, the parade's awesome. I mean, a lot of the areas when we get announced over the radio stations, the different speakers that are there, You know, there's always a really warm reception, which I appreciate. And yes, sometimes see some people from high school that I went to high school with, you know, haven't seen in a long time. A lot of family members kind of in random places, but yeah, the parade is amazing. And it also means that we're racing the next day.

BRUCE:

And how important is it for the series to get back to the track, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500, because, you know, frankly, the last couple of weeks has had a little bit of scandal, a little bit of negative attention. Roger Penske has addressed that. Team Penske has addressed that. Not gonna really rehash that, but just how important now is, can this race just recapture the storyline and put that in the rearview mirror?

CONNOR:

I mean on. I think that there's just been, there's a lot of talk about IndyCar, which is good. Yeah, I mean, there's some crazy stuff that's happened, but like, that's not abnormal in sports. But for Roger, I mean, I think Roger's done so much for this track, so much for our series, and Penske has always been good. So like, that's never gonna change. They're one of the best teams in motor racing all around the world. And you know what? They're gonna be fast. I think you see at least one if not two of the cars on the front row, or at least in the first two rows. And then, you know, they're going to be fighting at the front. So, Roger's done a great job. I think the vibe change for these next couple weeks are going to be great. I think it's going to be fantastic overall.

BRUCE:

This is your first year driving for Dryer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports. Dennis is another hometown guy. Yeah. Indianapolis car dealer. We've all known Dennis for decades. What's it like being part of that team? Because in a lot of ways, Ed Carpenter Racing is a homegrown IndyCar team, but in a lot of ways, Dennis Reinbold, Dreyer, and Reinbold are really a homegrown Indy 500 team.

CONNOR:

Absolutely, yeah. Dennis is a grinder too, you know what I mean? He's had so many great drivers drive for him, guys like Thomas Schechter, Mike Conway, people that I really, really looked up to. For years, I mean, Justin Wilson as well. For years, this team has done a great job when they show up here at the 500, right? It's a shame they're not running full-time, because I do believe they've got the people there to be full-time. They've got the infrastructure to be full-time. But this is also a business, too. Dennis is smart. He's not going to just dump a bunch of money into something that's not going to be profitable for him immediately. So when we come to the Indy 500, we're ready. This team has absolutely been ready. And it is really cool to be able to say that I've driven for them. And we just can't wait to keep executing our plan.

BRUCE:

Ryan Hunter-Reay has been a longtime competitor on the racetrack. Now you're teammates. What's it been like so far working with Ryan Hunter-Reay?

CONNOR:

Honestly, Ryan's been a great teammate. We were teammates at Andretti in 19 for a couple races. But that operation was so big that you didn't really get to talk to everyone that much. But having just Ryan there, and our driving styles align quite closely, which is interesting. because he's now experienced a lot of what I went through after last year, too. So we have similar styles. I think we want some of the same things from the car, which is really good for us both, because that means we can kind of help develop each other's car and kind of get our program in general to the best possible place.

BRUCE:

When you look at the history of the Indianapolis 500, this is going to predate you to some degree, but there was always the popular driver that the fans loved. Eddie Sachs. Lloyd Ruby. Drivers like that. Howdy Holmes. People that were really popular with the fans. And there's going to come an era where they're going to say Conor Daly. And they're going to bring that name up with those names. And how's that going to make you feel to be one of the more popular drivers that have ever raced? Well, Tony Kanaan.

CONNOR:

Yeah, well, I got to add a 500 win to my resume to really cap that off. Because I love to see the love that Tony Kanaan gets. It's amazing to see the fans, how they appreciate him. Means a lot to represent for the city of this state and the folks that support me. And yeah, we'll see what happens.

BRUCE:

Well, with Chevy power and with Peter Gibbons know-how and Dennis Reinbold's ability as a car owner, that may happen in 2024. But Connor Daly, Dryer and Reinbold, Cusick Motorsports, good luck on 108th Indianapolis 500. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

JOSEF:

Hey, everybody, this is Joseph Newgarden, winner of the 107th Indianapolis 500. And you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

Welcome back to this special Indianapolis 500 edition of Pit Pass Indy. We wrap up today's interviews with a special look at the wreath girl, Julie Harmon Vance of Yorktown, Indiana. She makes the famed Borg Warner wreath that goes around the Indianapolis 500 winner in victory lane at the Indianapolis motor speedway. This year marks the 33rd time Vance has made the famed wreath. She joins me for this exclusive Pet Pass Indy interview. We're going to do something a little bit different today on Pit Pass Indy. We're going to talk to the wreath lady. It's Julie Harmon Vance, who owns a floral shop in Yorktown, Indiana, about 45 minutes to an hour away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Julie makes the winner's wreath that goes around the winning driver of the Indianapolis 500. This year will be the 33rd year that Julie has made the winner's wreath for Borg Warner. And Julie, anybody that's grown up in the state of Indiana or has grown up as a fan of the Indianapolis 500 realizes how important a number 33 is. So to you, how honored do you feel that this year will be your 33rd wreath that you make for the winner?

JULIE:

I am very honored. 33 years is more than half my life that I've made this wreath. It's also the number of drivers that start the race, so it's a special number this year.

BRUCE:

You made your first wreath for the 1992 Indianapolis 500. That was Ellenser Jr. How did you get involved with making the wreaths for Borg Warner?

JULIE:

I worked at a shop in Indianapolis and they were seeking out someone to take over the wreath due to Bill Cronin passing away, who made the wreath from 1960. And I was the lucky young designer that got the chance to do it. And then I feel like all these years later, I've just taken very good care of it and made it my top priority to make it perfect. always the same.

BRUCE:

Did you realize then in 1992 that here you would be in 2024 still making a wreath all these years later?

JULIE:

No, not at first. I say that whenever my head, but as time goes on, I've grown to know this was a huge part of my life and part of my purpose.

BRUCE:

So the effort to make the wreath, you get the order in February from Borg Warner and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to start. What is the process?

JULIE:

The process is definitely ordering in all the product and all the components that go in the wreath. So I start early in the year just making sure I have the letters, the ribbon, the flags. The fresh greenery and the fresh orchids aren't delivered to me until early race week, but my wholesalers that I deal with have did this for many, many years and they always seek out the absolute best product that's available in the world.

BRUCE:

And the wreath consists of what type of greenery and what other items go into the wreath?

JULIE:

The wreath starts with a 24-inch polyurethane wreath base. The greenery part, which is the fullness of it, the cocculus and the variegated pittosporum are both Florida-grown greenery. The 33 orchid blooms come from New Zealand and they are a specific variety of orchid that are about four inches wide. They are a nice stark white color with a burgundy throat. Whereas other orchids might be cream and they might only be two and a half inches wide. These are big premium large bloom orchids.

BRUCE:

And because of the growing seasons in the state of Indiana and the fact that Indianapolis 500 is on Memorial Day weekend at the end of May, you're not able to really use native plants or flowers from the state of Indiana.

JULIE:

Right, we are just getting over winter.

BRUCE:

Yes, but there is the, I guess, Indiana's contribution of the winner's wreath is the checkered flag ribbons, and also Borg Warner's contribution is the cedar wooden letters that spell out the word Borg Warner. So in a lot of ways, there's still an Indiana influence to the wreath. Absolutely. Well, the obvious Indiana influence on the wreath is yourself. I believe you said earlier that you went to your first Indianapolis 500 in 1976 when you were six years old, What do you recall about that and what was the story about how you started going to the Indianapolis 500 long before you started making a wreath?

JULIE:

Well, it started with my father because he was a huge indie fan. I'm pretty sure he took me to the race because he didn't have anyone else to take. So I was a little girl and we went a couple years in a row. We sat on the third turn. And my very first memories are just kind of sitting along the bleachers, kind of playing in the grass and just kind of taking it in. But I did say something about Mario Spaghetti that continuously was a funny story that my dad loved to tell about myself. And then I also have some memories of running super fast back to our car so that we could try to beat the traffic out.

BRUCE:

As a six-year-old little girl, you probably saw some things at the Indianapolis 500 that day that were probably pretty unusual, if you could explain what those were.

JULIE:

Yes, so one year we were seated exactly across from the snake pit, and there was a lady with a large sign showing off some private areas. And my father was horrified by that, and with good reason, because as soon as I could drive, when we were 16, you know, me and my friends took off to seek out the snake pit.

BRUCE:

Of course, what happens at the Snake Pit stays in the Snake Pit, as they say back then. But you've gotten to experience a lot of different periods of the Indianapolis 500 from the time where there was the original Snake Pit, where fans pretty much created their own entertainment, to times where maybe the infield crowd wasn't quite as raucous as it was because they turned much of the infield into a road course and now the snake pit is more of a music festival type thing to which in a lot of ways is a good idea because it still does bring in some people who may not even Think of going to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and eventually they may return as Indy 500 fans, but when you see the way that's changed from where it was as a six-year-old little girl to today, you've seen an awful lot of history and an awful lot of change there. What do you think of all that?

JULIE:

Yes, I think it's a good and bad thing. I think it's kind of life in general. Growing up in the 80s versus growing up in the late 2000s is very different. There were some certain freedoms that we don't have now, but I think it had to change.

BRUCE:

But yet, just to see the fact that it was a huge event back then, and it continues to be a huge event, just different in some ways. This is a race that began in 1911 at a track that was built in 1909. It's as much as a part of the fabric and history of the state of Indiana as anything. And to be an integral part of that race, how special do you feel about that?

JULIE:

Oh, extremely. It is definitely one of the biggest blessings in my life. As far as just making a name for myself, it has definitely put a great boost to my business. You know, lots of people, their first time in is just because I make the wreath, but thankfully I do beautiful work and they'll continue to shop with me for other things, but it definitely is a draw.

BRUCE:

Now, you make more than one wreath, and if you could explain all that you make, when you start making it, the week of the race, how you deliver it, things like that.

JULIE:

Yes. As I said, the flowers will come to me on Tuesday, and I'll start the designing process on Thursday. Only because of it being fresh product, it can't be made too far ahead to ensure that it'll hold up nicely. I do make two exact winner's wreaths. One is for the actual winner. The other one is for the photo shoot the next day. Of course, the winner's wreath usually gets completely torn up because of the frenzy of happiness and hugs and kissing the bricks.

BRUCE:

But then the next day with the photo shoot, that is the photo that will last through history of the winning driver, the winning car, the BorgWarner trophy, the bottle of milk, and the winner's wreath. You know that 70 years from now, when somebody goes in and looks at the winner, it's gonna be your handiwork on that wreath.

JULIE:

Yes, and you know, through the whole year, here and there, I'll see it on TV or commercial or something, I'll catch a glimpse of my wreath.

BRUCE:

When did they start calling you the wreath lady?

JULIE:

Oh, I guess as soon as I got old, I think. I'd rather be the wreath girl, please. But, uh... When did they start calling you the wreath girl? You know, I think it was probably about right here.

BRUCE:

Well, the fact that... Probably the late 90s. The late 90s? Yeah. And also the fact that Borg Warner, with William Behrens as the sculptor, since 1990, And you go all the way to their long history and connection. They've sponsored the Borg Warner Trophy, started 1935, appeared in Victory Lane for the first time in 1936. The Borg-Warner connection to the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the fact that they treat a lot of the people like yourself and William Barron's like family, how important is that?

JULIE:

It's very important and I surely feel that because now and then I will get a call from IMS and referrals for other work, and Borg-Warner the same. They've been very good to me.

BRUCE:

The history of a wreath with a winning race driver, how did that all begin?

JULIE:

Well, it began in 1960. The European races were offering flowers to their winners, so Borg-Warner decided that they would ask Bill Cronin to create a wreath for the driver, and then it has been tradition ever since. Now I will say in years past it kind of looked different, but since I've been making it, it has been exactly the same with 33 blooms of white orchids. and the same components.

BRUCE:

The month of May begins at the Kentucky Derby with another great historic sporting event in America. And the month of May ends in Indianapolis with the Indianapolis 500. They both share floral arrangements to a degree. The winning horse gets the blanket of flowers for the Kentucky Derby. The winning driver gets the winner's wreath. So also that's kind of a neat little connection that those two sporting events have. How do you feel about that as a florist?

JULIE:

Yes, I feel like that's probably two of the very most photographed flower arrangements in the world. So I feel very, very thrilled and blessed to be the person that creates the wreath to end the month.

BRUCE:

How many Indianapolis 500s have you attended personally?

JULIE:

About 17 years, I think, ever since I met Steve.

BRUCE:

That, of course, would be Steve Schunk of Borg Warner. Another thing that I wanted to ask you about, Yorktown, Indiana is about maybe an hour's drive from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. How many people in the community would you get? I mean, it's gotta be a big deal to everybody in Yorktown to be able to attend the Indianapolis 500. How much of that shared experience do you have in a small community like this?

JULIE:

I hear about it all year long. I bet, if I had to guess, a third of the community is probably headed that way. And if you would drive on 69 that morning, you would see how many people from the north are headed there. It's pretty amazing.

BRUCE:

When you deliver the reef the day before the race, you don't even have a special credential. What do you do?

JULIE:

I have a routine where I go to the same gate and tell them I'm you know, in tote with the winner's wreath, and they flagged me into the pagoda, and we placed that in the green room, and it sits there until race morning with guards.

BRUCE:

Do you feel in some ways like royalty when you arrive? Because the winner's wreath is a very important part of the tradition. I do. Of the Indianapolis 500.

JULIE:

I feel like it's my all-access pass. If I have that wreath in front of me, I can walk about anywhere. But it does, it draws attention. And when people start noticing and they'll just flock around it.

BRUCE:

And how cool is it to know that there's that many people who really love and appreciate what that wreath means and what you do?

JULIE:

Oh, it's amazing. It is just amazing.

BRUCE:

And if you could describe a little bit your business, it's Buck Creek and Bloom here in Yorktown, Indiana. How long have you had that, the floral shop?

JULIE:

I opened up my shop here in 2007.

BRUCE:

And what are some of the things that you specialize in?

JULIE:

So we are a full service florist. I do a huge amount of funeral work for families. It's probably my specialty. And a lot of times, I'll do theme-oriented funerals, like maybe it's a fisherman theme. Many, many times, I'll do an Indy 500 theme for the right person that they're celebrating. I also do a lot of large events and weddings and just everyday business like delivering flowers to the hospital or the schools. But definitely working with my funeral homes here locally is my biggest part of my business.

BRUCE:

And I would assume that you would welcome new customers from out of state or anybody that hears the show.

JULIE:

Oh, absolutely, yes. And I do make silk versions of the winner's wreath that I'll ship all over the state or anywhere. And I do, you know, multiple times a year.

BRUCE:

Well, there you go. If you're a big fan of the Indianapolis 500, just give Julie a call at Buck Creek and Bloom here in Yorktown, Indiana. She'll make your own special Indianapolis 500 wreath. You're on my website. Do you ever just take a step back and say, how did I get all this in terms of being involved with the Indianapolis 500?

JULIE:

Yes, I do. Uh, I also, I mean, not to brag, but I feel like I was the person for this. I feel like I have made it top priority to make it absolutely perfect. And if it, you know, if I haven't, if I wouldn't have done such a good job, I probably wouldn't have still be standing in these shoes, but it is a, Very, very important to me and I appreciate that order very much.

BRUCE:

Don't call her the wreath lady, call her the wreath girl. Julie Harmon-Vance of Buck Creek and Bloom here in Yorktown, Indiana. Good luck creating this year's winner's wreath for the 108th Indianapolis 500. Good luck through the rest of the year with your floral shop and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

JULIE:

Thank you.

BRUCE:

And that puts a checkered flag on this special Indianapolis 500 preview edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. We want to thank our guests, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Elio Castroneves of Meyers Schenck Racing, 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing, 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hutter Ray of Dreyer& Reinbold Cusick Motorsports, and two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Also, Kyle Larson of Arrow McLaren Hendrick Motorsports, Marco Andretti of Andretti Global, Pato Award of Arrow McLaren, Rinas Vique of Ed Carpenter Racing, Callum Eilat of Arrow McLaren, Ed Carpenter of Ed Carpenter Racing, Connor Daly of Dryer and Reinbold Cusick Motorsports, and a special thank you to The Wreath Girl, Floris Julie Harmon Vance of Yorktown, Indiana, for joining us on today's podcast, along with loyal listeners like you. Our guest helped make Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental your path to victory lane in IndyCar. On the highways, the raceways and every pit stop in between, Penske Truck Rental keeps you moving forward. Gain ground with Penske. Pit Pass Indy is at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the month of May, culminating with the 108th Indianapolis 500. We'll have much, much more from the Speedway with the next episode, so be sure to tune in, download, and subscribe to Pit Pass Indy from your favorite podcast platform. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at Twitter at BruceMartin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore five, This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team, executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin, and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas. Learn more at evergreenpodcast.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.

Hide Transcript