INDYCARNATION

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SPARTA, Ky. – “Holy G-forces Robin!! U r def missing it @ the @KYspeedway!”

Terrell Owens’ tweet to Cincinnati Bengals teammate Chad Ochocinco – known for his own tweeting in interesting places, such as the end zone – a third of the way through the Kentucky Indy 300 was one of the dozens the veteran wide receiver sent from the IZOD Performance Pit trackside.

The up-close view of the 218 mph-plus racing followed his own up-close view of the 1.5-mile oval in “The Fastest Seat in Sports.” Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Arie Luyendyk was behind the wheel of the two-seat IndyCar as it led the 27-car field on pace laps and ramped up the mph to catch the rear of the field heading to the green flag.

“Dude, by far the best thing I have done in my life,” he said upon exiting the car with Bengals-stripped helmet in hand. “I live on the edge a little bit and that fit right in. I like to go fast. I had the best driver in the world.”

Welcome, troops

Panther Racing hosted a video uplink with Kentucky National Guard’s AG Team II, 2223rd Transportation Company deployed in Afghanistan an hour before the race.

Kentucky National Guard Adjutant Gen. Ed Tonini, Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes and Dan Wheldon, driver of the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car, address the troops. Family members also were able to speak to the troops.

"As you can tell by my accent, I'm from Birmingham, Alabama," said Wheldon to the group in Afghanistan, where it was 4 a.m. Sept. 5. "First and foremost, thank you for your service. To be able to drive the No. 4 car for the National Guard and Panther Racing is an honor and a privilege. It goes without saying that the support that I receive, not only at the racetrack but at 4 a.m. overseas, is better than any other driver or team in the paddock."

Of note

Dario Franchitti will travel to the Formula One Italian Grand Prix next weekend in Monza as part of his association with TW Steel. … Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion and Firestone Indy Lights driver coach Rick Mears was the grand marshal. … Justin Wilson won the $10,000 Firestone Tire-ific Award for advancing from the 23rd starting position to finish seventh Aug. 28 at Chicagoland Speedway. ... Diamond Rio was in concert in the afternoon at the track and sang the national anthem. ... Tony Kanaan is the grand marshal of the Great Bed Race in Coconut Grove, Fla., on Sept. 5.