‘500’ Drivers Take Socially Distanced Media Day All in Good Fun
August 20, 2020 | By Curt Cavin, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
James Hinchcliffe declared himself “suspect No. 1” in the capers of Alexander Rossi’s pranked golf cart in the driver motor coach lot. Fernando Alonso offered a reason for fans to root against him in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Ryan Hunter-Reay predicted that as many as 20 drivers could win the 104th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Such was an example of the Media Day fun Thursday at IMS.
The 33 drivers scheduled to start Sunday’s race made their socially distanced media rounds around the facility, offering insights, observations, humor, predictions and fan interaction. This annually ranks as one of the most enjoyable off-track events surrounding the “500.” Much was documented on social media.
A favorite stop of the day had drivers in the grandstands taping messages to fans who expected to be sitting there Sunday. Rookie Dalton Kellett was in Section J, telling “Kevin” that he is eager to have him back at IMS for the 2021 race.
“The funny thing is, that seat is in the middle of Turn 4 about where I sat for my first ‘500’ in 2013,” Kellett said.
Takuma Sato, Indy’s race winner in 2017, conceded that he’s been “this close” to winning the races in 2012 and 2019. JR Hildebrand handled a question about his near-miss in 2011 like a pro. Tony Kanaan, the 2013 winner, told of conversations he has had with so-far-winless Marco Andretti, the pole sitter for Sunday’s race.
“Look at me,” said Kanaan, who made 12 starts before finally reaching Victory Lane. “I was there, I was there, I was there. Eventually it happens.”
Andretti will make his 15th start in the “500.”
Kanaan stopped short of saying he wanted Andretti to win this race – he’d rather be one drinking the milk – but the Brazilian said “it would be a really cool story” if the third-generation driver won.
“I’m always a fan of first-time winners here,” Kanaan said. “It’s his time.”
Hildebrand is proof that nothing at IMS is guaranteed. The Californian was one corner from winning the 2011 race when his car drifted into the Turn 4 wall. Hildebrand, who settled for second place, said he doesn’t dwell on it.
“Two years after that, I was the first car out of the race,” he said. “That stung 10 times as much.”
Alonso will compete in the race for the second time. He desperately wants to add a “500” victory to the races he won in the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the three comprise motorsports’ Triple Crown. Only Graham Hill has won all three.
Last month, Alonso signed a contract with Renault for the next two Formula One seasons, making it unlikely he will be able to compete in the “500” in 2021 and 2022. Alonso has conceded this could be his last IMS race, but he left the door open to more opportunities.
“I cannot say yes, I cannot say no,” he said. “But if I don’t win (Sunday), I’d be happy to come back.”
Alonso then left fans of the event with a directive.
“If you want me to come back, wish that I don’t win,” he said.
Hinchcliffe spent the first part of his media interviews making a case for his innocence in the Rossi golf cart case (it was placed on blocks with its wheels removed). Hunter-Reay didn’t seem convinced, reasoning that the guilty party was a member of Andretti Autosport.
For the record, rookie Rinus VeeKay, a rookie, professed an alibi. “I’m one of the only drivers who doesn’t have a bus.”
Rossi shrugged it off. “It was Conor (Daly),” he said. “Definitely Conor.”
The other revelation was that Kanaan has Roger Penske’s cell phone number, or at least he “believes” he has the number since Penske sent him a text of congratulations following his 2013 win here.
“I hope he hasn’t changed his number,” Kanaan said.
The driver who wins Sunday’s race is certain to hear from Penske, whose company purchased IMS in January. But it will take a combination of factors going right for the one who first sees the checkered flag.
“You’ve got to have a perfect day and a lot of luck,” Kanaan said. “And they have to come together on the same day.”
NBC and the Pennzoil INDYCAR Radio Network will have the calls of Sunday’s race. Coverage on both networks starts at 1 p.m. (ET).