Indy 500 Veterans of Yesterday Relish One More Chance to Compete at Pro-Am

They sat in a semicircle looking at each other, sharing as many laughs as stories about their racing careers and expressing their genuine gratitude for another opportunity to drive fast at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Twenty-five of the 33 professional drivers entered in Saturday’s SVRA Indy Legends Charity Vintage Pro-Am had just completed a Friday practice session in their Camaros, Corvettes, Mustangs and Cobras.

“It brings us back to life, whatever life that may be,” seven-time Indianapolis 500 qualifier Lyn St. James said of participating in the main event of the third Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational.

Sportscar Vintage Racing Association owner Tony Parella brought the group together to add star power to this four-day event, where classic cars compete in a non-contact series of races on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile IMS road course.

Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. and 2002 Brickyard 400 winner Bill Elliott highlight a group that also includes such familiar racers as Paul Tracy, Roberto Guerrero, Larry and A.J. Foyt IV, Davy Jones, Dick Simon, Geoff Brabham, Willy T. Ribbs, Jaques Lazier and his father, Bob, Max Papis, Richie Hearn and Scott Harrington. At least one of the drivers is as vintage as the cars — Simon is 82 years old.

“At 82 years old and think that I'm back in a race car and trying to act like I know what I'm doing, it's really fun,” Simon said.

But make no mistake, racers are competitors regardless of what’s at stake, which in this case is bragging rights as opposed to prize money.

Tracy, a 2003 CART/Champ Car World Series champion, spoke of arriving in Indianapolis and meeting up with Ribbs, the first black driver in Indy 500 history in 1991.

Tracy suggested, “This is going to be fun.” He recalled Ribbs responding, “These guys are as serious as a heart attack” and told Tracy “you better bring your ‘A’ game.”

Jaques Lazier spoke of how much he looked forward to racing against his father, who won a race last year, and added, “I’m going to have fun spinning him out.”

Bob, 77, later said, “I take a look at this whole group and it's a generation behind me.”

The fastest driver in Friday’s practice was Max Papis in a Ford Mustang Boss 302. Tracy was second in a Ford Mustang GT350. A.J. Foyt IV was third in a Chevrolet Camaro Z28. And Unser Jr., who won this inaugural race two years ago, was fourth in a Chevrolet Corvette.

“What can I say?” Unser said. “Anytime that you come here and you drive any kind of race car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, doesn't matter what time of year it is, you could be out here when nobody's out here, when it's just a test, and it's a thrill. It's exciting.”

Grand Marshal Donald Davidson, the longtime IMS historian, moderated the discussion. He mentioned how 763 drivers have raced in the Indy 500, 287 were still alive and about 10 percent of those drivers were sitting in this group on the fourth floor of the Media Center.

Davidson said Parella decided to make Elliott, a longtime NASCAR star and 1988 Winston Cup Series champion, “an honorary Indianapolis 500 driver.”

“I'm proud to be here and be a part of it,” Elliott said. “I'm going to try to have a good time and keep it between the ditches.”

Elliott is driving with another well-known NASCAR name, Ray Evernham, a three-time Winston Cup-winning crew chief with Jeff Gordon.

Papis has raced in NASCAR, Indy Car including two Indianapolis 500s as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

He reiterated the competitive desire of those who will drive on Saturday.

“It's good to be here,” the 46-year-old Italian said, “and better if you win.”